how serious is covid now

As of September 2025, COVID-19 is still present but generally less severe for most people, with many experiencing only mild illness. However, vulnerable groups—such as older adults, immune-compromised individuals, and those with underlying health conditions—remain at higher risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Hospitalization rates have decreased in some places but remain elevated among older adults. COVID-related deaths and infections are still being reported, and ongoing vaccination efforts focus on protecting high-risk populations. The virus remains monitored through testing, hospitalization, and wastewater surveillance, indicating moderate to high levels of virus presence in some regions. Overall, while COVID-19 is no longer causing widespread severe disruption like in earlier pandemic years, it still poses a serious risk to certain groups and requires continued vigilance and vaccination efforts.