Hospitals in the United States will soon be required to report hospital admissions related to COVID-19, restoring a mandate which was lifted earlier this year, according to federal officials. The new rules are due to take effect on November 1. Hospital data about COVID-19 was often cited as an alternative when many states stopped releasing COVID-related data, including case counts. But those reports became voluntary on May 1, with only 33% of hospitals choosing to participate. Beginning November 1, hospitals will once again be required to report COVID-19 data, as well as information about infl…