CLEVELAND — Compared to recent years, COVID-19 isn’t something that’s been top of mind for many recently.

But, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, COVID cases are back on the rise. And related hospitalization rates are also up across the United States, including here in Ohio.

COVID hospitalizations were up for the fifth week in a row, according to the CDC.

From June to July alone, those hospitalizations were up 17% nationwide. In Ohio, the numbers weren’t as high, sitting at around a 4% increase.

The recent jump, however, is far from what we’ve seen in recent years.

Current hospitalization numbers are three times lower than they were this time last year, and six times lower than in 2021, according to the CDC.

“Thankfully, the vast majority of patients that I saw this week were not we’re not in the ICU,” said Dr. Joseph Khabbaza, a pulmonary and critical care doctor for Cleveland Clinic.

Medical experts believe a new Omicron subvariant, being called "Eris," is likely the cause of this recent wave of COVID cases.

“This just happens to be one that has several mutations and one specific part of the virus that is just getting people a little bit more sick l, perhaps, than prior variants,” said Khabbaza.

Most patients have been reporting flu-like symptoms, including a fever and muscle aches, according to the CDC.

But Khabbaza said the surge is not a huge concern.

“It’s that wave that has kind of crept in,” he said.

Still, he’s urging folks, especially those with chronic health conditions, to take precautions like getting a COVID booster shot.

“The best case, this is just going to be something that is a regular part of circulation,” said Khabbaza.

According to the CDC, a new COVID booster is set to be released this fall.