More than five years after the start of the pandemic, the U.S. is in a far better place. But the virus hasn’t disappeared. In fact, recent CDC data shows that COVID-19 is still killing hundreds of Americans each week, with an average of 350 weekly deaths reported this spring.

That number is a fraction of what it was during the peak of the crisis, but it raises an uncomfortable question: Why are people still dying from COVID in 2025?

COVID Is Still Killing Hundreds Each Week in the U.S.

Five years into the pandemic, COVID-19 continues to claim American lives—around 350 people per week as of April 2025, according to the CDC. While this figure is far below the January 2021 peak of nearly 26,000 weekly deaths, it remains a sobering reminder that the virus hasn’t disappeared.

The weekly death toll has been steadily declining—from 694 deaths at the start of March 2025 to 267 deaths by early May—but health experts warn that the virus is still actively circulating, especially affecting high-risk groups such as the elderly and immunocompromised.

COVID-19 now behaves more like a seasonal health threat, but the emergence of new subvariants like NB.1.8.1 (a descendent of the Omicron JN.1 strain) shows the virus continues to evolve. While public concern has waned, experts stress that COVID is still dangerous, especially for those not protected by recent vaccination or timely treatment.

Why Are People Still Dying from COVID in 2025?

Despite advances in vaccines and treatment, several key factors are keeping COVID fatal for some—especially the most vulnerable.

1. Low Vaccination Rates. Only 23% of adults and 13% of children in the U.S. received the updated COVID-19 vaccine for the 2024–2025 season. That leaves a large portion of the population without current protection against the virus, making them more susceptible to severe illness.

2. Waning Immunity.  Even for those vaccinated, immunity decreases over time. This is particularly problematic for older adults, whose immune systems naturally weaken with age—a phenomenon called immunosenescence. As a result, they may not mount strong responses even after vaccination.

3. Missed Opportunities for Treatment. Antiviral medications like Paxlovid (Pfizer) and molnupiravir (Merck) can drastically reduce the severity of COVID-19, but only if taken within five days of symptom onset. Many patients either don’t get tested early enough or don’t seek care until symptoms worsen, missing that critical treatment window.

4. A Virus That Hasn’t Gone Away. COVID-19 continues to spread, mutate, and infect people. New variants like NB.1.8.1, now spreading in the U.S., can cause spikes in infection and potentially evade immune protection from past infections or vaccinations.

5. Complacency and COVID Fatigue. After more than five years, many people have understandably let their guard down. Masking, testing, and even basic precautions have fallen by the wayside. This widespread complacency creates an environment where the virus can continue to spread, especially to vulnerable groups who still face serious risks.

Who Is Most at Risk of Dying from COVID in 2025?

Despite overall progress in controlling the virus, certain groups remain disproportionately vulnerable to severe illness or death from COVID-19. Being in one or more of these categories doesn’t guarantee a poor outcome, but it does raise the stakes. That’s why targeted protection, timely treatment, and awareness remain essential.

• Older Adults: Age remains the strongest risk factor. According to the CDC, individuals aged 75 and older currently have the highest COVID-19 death rate, at 4.66 per 100,000. Immune system decline with age—known as immunosenescence—reduces the body’s ability to fight infections, even after vaccination.
  
• Immunocompromised Individuals: People undergoing cancer treatment, organ transplant recipients, or those with autoimmune disorders may not develop a strong immune response, even after receiving the vaccine. This makes them more likely to experience complications or fail to recover from infection.
  
• Unvaccinated and Under-Vaccinated Populations: Those who have not received the updated COVID-19 vaccines, or haven’t stayed up to date with boosters, have significantly lower protection against severe outcomes. Low uptake rates, particularly among adults under 65 and children, continue to put many at risk.
  
• People with Chronic Conditions: Individuals with underlying health issues such as diabetes, heart disease, obesity, or chronic lung conditions are more likely to experience serious complications from COVID-19.
  
• Residents of High-Exposure Settings: Those living in communal environments like nursing homes, prisons, or shelters, where infections can spread more easily, also face a heightened risk, especially if other risk factors are present.

My Personal RX on Staying Protected from COVID and Other Viral Threats

The headlines may have faded, but the threat hasn’t disappeared. COVID is still circulating, and so are countless other viral infections. What we’ve learned over the past few years is that prevention doesn’t rely on fear, but on building a resilient body and a strong immune foundation. By supporting our immune system, nourishing our gut, and staying mindful of daily habits, we can take practical, empowered steps to reduce our risk and protect our long-term health.

1. Start with a resilient gut: Your gut houses over 70% of your immune system. MindBiotic helps strengthen that foundation by balancing gut flora, reducing inflammation, and enhancing communication between the gut and immune cells.
   
2. Feed your body with purpose: The Mindful Meals cookbook is packed with nutrient-rich, anti-inflammatory recipes that promote a healthy microbiome and support overall immune resilience through food that actually tastes good.
   
3. Nourish your immune cells directly: Immune Support offers targeted nutrients like zinc, vitamin C, and elderberry to help fortify your natural defenses, especially important during times of increased viral circulation.
   
4. Wash hands, but also clean up your habits: Hand hygiene remains important, but your lifestyle choices—like chronic stress, poor sleep, and sedentary routines—can weaken immunity just as much as exposure. Audit your daily habits.
   
5. Upgrade your sleep, upgrade your defenses: Your body repairs itself during sleep, and that includes your immune system. Aim for 7–9 hours of consistent, quality sleep to allow full immune regeneration.
   
6. Move more, even if it’s gentle: Regular movement stimulates circulation, lymph flow, and immune cell production. Even short walks or stretching sessions can make a big difference in how your body responds to threats.
   
7. Open windows, clear the air: Good ventilation helps reduce viral particle concentration indoors. Let fresh air in, especially in shared or crowded spaces, to protect your respiratory health.
   
8. Mask mindfully, especially when at higher risk: Wearing a high-quality mask in crowded indoor settings remains a simple, effective way to reduce exposure, especially for the immunocompromised or during outbreaks.
   
9. Support from within, daily: You can’t control every exposure, but you can control how prepared your body is to handle it. Commit to daily immune and gut-supporting habits to make your body less of a target.
   
10. Stay informed but not overwhelmed: Follow credible public health updates and be flexible with precautions. The virus evolves, but so can your response—rooted in science, not fear.

Sources:

1. CDC. (2020, March 28). COVID Data Tracker. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/ 
2. U.S. COVID risk & Vaccine Tracker. (n.d.). Covid Act Now. https://covidactnow.org/?s=50083753