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Weekly COVID-19 hospitalizations have reached their lowest point ever recorded since the onset of the pandemic.

As per data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the most recent week, there had been 5,615 COVID hospitalizations -- a stark contrast to the over 150,000 weekly admissions seen during the peak of the Omicron variant's circulation in early 2022.

Dr. John Brownstein, chief innovation officer at Boston Children's Hospital and an ABC News medical contributor, expressed optimism on the figures, stating, "The significant decline in COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths to these new lows is encouraging, showing that our public health measures and vaccination efforts have paid off."

According to ABC News, the CDC forecasts suggest that new hospital admissions are likely to remain stable for the next four weeks. However, Brownstein emphasized the importance of continued vigilance, stating, "It's important to continue monitoring for new variants and maintaining protective health behaviors to prevent possible surges."

As hospitals' requirements to report respiratory illness data, including COVID hospital admissions, expire, federal officials plan to utilize alternative data sources such as wastewater, laboratory tests, and emergency department data to stay abreast of illness spread.

Highlighting the necessity of robust reporting systems, a CDC spokesperson remarked, "A key lesson we learned from the COVID-19 pandemic is the importance of having reporting systems in place before an active emergency."

Regarding vaccine updates, CDC data indicates that approximately 22.6% of adults and 14% of children have received the updated COVID vaccine, formulated to better protect against current sub-variants. Older adults over 65 are advised to receive an additional updated COVID vaccine this spring due to their increased risk of severe disease.

The Food and Drug Administration's advisory panel is scheduled to convene to discuss recommended strains for the next formulation of COVID vaccines, reflecting ongoing adjustments to combat evolving virus strains.

While COVID deaths have steadily decreased this year, reaching new lows, with an estimated 231 deaths in the most recent week of available data, experts stress the necessity of maintaining robust surveillance and data collection to swiftly respond to any changes in the virus's behavior.