Sen. Richard Blumenthal says the recent rise in COVID-related hospital visits in Connecticut underscores the need for the public to self-monitor for possible infection.

Nationwide, More than 29,000 people were admitted to hospitals the week before Christmas, that was up 17% from the week before, according to the World Health Organization.

COVID-19 was responsible for more than 3% of deaths in the U.S. that week.

"People who feel like they have symptoms of COVID should be unfortunately at home taking care of themselves and proper care and precaution can help stem the astronomic rise in the numbers of COVID cases that we're seeing, along with RSV and flu," says Blumenthal.