CDC: COVID-19 hospitalization rates slow after statewide mask mandates

Between March 22 and Oct. 17, 2020, weekly COVID-19-associated hospitalization rates reported by 10 COVID-19-Associated Hospitalization Surveillance Network sites declined by 5.5 percentage points for adults under age 65 after states began mandating the use of facemasks, according to a report released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hospitalization rates for older adults did not change significantly, which may be due to relatively high mask use by older adults, the authors said.