Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #103

[SA55]

Well that's a wrap, as they say. Covid rapid test +. Flu rapid test -. Both will be sent off for PCR. Will have an EKG, chest x-ray and blood work, due to my underlying heart condition, to establish baselines for myocarditis. Referral to my local hospital this afternoon for mab infusion. 10 day quarantine.

Need to cancel the housekeeper and arrange to move Christmas dinner to my daughter's place.

My doctor is sending my sample off for sequencing because my symptoms appeared so rapidly after my one and only contact with humans. Also checking antibodies before the mab infusion to see how many (if any) antibodies I have from my Moderna vax.

I just can't "like" this post - so glad you were able to get in and be seen so quickly and have a plan in place for monitoring. Please keep us updated.
Am so sorry it's happened like this and made a change in your Christmas plans, but so proud of you for being so responsible for the immediate testing and care.
I had one of my "handymen" scheduled this morning to stop by and relight my gas logs' pilot light - I can't get it going. He texted and told me would reschedule later, he's come down with "something" - maybe a cold. I feel like I barely dodged that one! Making me anxious for the next week's plans and wondering what extra precautions need to be made.

 

[Lilibet]

And I'm back in the car. EKG no more abnormal than usual. O2 sats at 97%. Temp 99.1. No x-ray or blood results yet.

I'm headed to the local hospital for mabs. I'm curious what that is going to be like. Has anyone had them? I hope it doesn't take too long. My headache is now severe as are the muscle aches. I just want to go home and lie down. The sore throat is weird. It's not really sore in the traditional sense. I'd describe is as more scratchy or even kind of itchy in a way? No soreness on swallowing. LOTS of sneezing. One right after the other - 8 or 10 in a row.

I'm likely going to be sitting in my car for awhile waiting for the mabs, so if anyone has had them please share!

@CharlestonGal maybe ask @Lilibet ?

Are you able to take some OTC meds for symptoms?

I’m here. So sorry to hear you have tested positive @CharlestonGal. You’ve been so careful, as we were when we got covid last January. You’re probably in the middle of getting your monoclonal antibody infusion right now, but FWIW our experience was as “pleasant” as it could get. We were at our local hospital in a room with recliners. The infusion itself took maybe 20-30 minutes. IIRC the whole process took about an hour because we had to wait afterward to make sure there were no side effects.

Even though I ended up in the hospital about a week later, I’m convinced it kept me from an even more severe case (I have mild asthma). So I’m hopeful it will help keep you safe. Do let us know how you’re doing. We care!

 

[SA55]

Well that's a wrap, as they say. Covid rapid test +. Flu rapid test -. Both will be sent off for PCR. Will have an EKG, chest x-ray and blood work, due to my underlying heart condition, to establish baselines for myocarditis. Referral to my local hospital this afternoon for mab infusion. 10 day quarantine.

Need to cancel the housekeeper and arrange to move Christmas dinner to my daughter's place.

My doctor is sending my sample off for sequencing because my symptoms appeared so rapidly after my one and only contact with humans. Also checking antibodies before the mab infusion to see how many (if any) antibodies I have from my Moderna vax.

I just can't "like" this post - so glad you were able to get in and be seen so quickly and have a plan in place for monitoring. Please keep us updated.
Am so sorry it's happened like this and made a change in your Christmas plans, but so proud of you for being so responsible for the immediate testing and care.
I had one of my "handymen" scheduled this morning to stop by and relight my gas logs' pilot light - I can't get it going. He texted and told me would reschedule later, he's come down with "something" - maybe a cold. I feel like I barely dodged that one! Making me anxious for the next week's plans and wondering what extra precautions need to be made.

 

[Lilibet]

My husband and I had to travel 600 miles round trip over the past weekend thru Tuesday for him to have a very necessary medical test. This was our second trip for this reason this month. This time we could drive instead of fly, but we had to stay in motels and eat in restaurants, so we will be waiting to see if Omicron found us on this latest trip. Everyone we encountered was wearing masks properly and the only time we took ours off was to eat, so here’s hoping. But based on the rapid onset of @CharlestonGal, Omicron is living up to its super contagious reputation.

 

[anneg]

Charleston... so unbelievable... You are a living lesson for us all, that is for sure.

I hope all these experts start changing their messages to show just how quick this shows up.

And.... I am just leaving for Harris Teeters........... Think I may change to Publix, but I hate Publix...........

Really truly........ please please stay in touch... we need to keep hearing your story here.

DH just went to Harris Teeter for a few things. I told him to watch out for unmasked folk and avoid them!

 

[anneg]

Covid’s Risk to Older Adults

Be sure to check out the two charts below. BBM.

...Covid in recent months has continued to present a meaningful amount of risk to older people, despite vaccination. It’s too soon to know whether Omicron will change the situation, but the safest assumption — absent more data — is that Covid will remain dangerous for the elderly.

“There is good reason for older adults to continue to try to avoid becoming infected, because the risk for hospitalization in that age group is still significant,” Dr. Shelli Farhadian of Yale University told me....

A team of British researchers, led by Dr. Julia Hippisley-Cox at the University of Oxford, has conducted some of the most detailed research on Covid risks for different groups of people. The BMJ, a peer-reviewed journal, published the work, and it is available in an online calculator. The research was done before Omicron emerged and covers only residents of Britain, but it is still instructive.

Here are estimated post-infection death rates for several hypothetical people, all vaccinated.

Unless noted, people are of average U.S. height and weight and lack major medical problems. | Source: QCovid

The risks here for older people are frightening: A rate of 0.45 percent, for instance, translates into roughly a 1 in 220 chance of death for a vaccinated 75-year-old woman who contracts Covid. If the risks remain near these levels with Omicron, they could lead to tens of thousands of U.S. deaths, and many more hospitalizations.

Encouragingly, there are reasons to believe that Omicron’s death rate may be lower....

With Omicron, “I think the risk is not super high for relatively healthy and boosted people in their 70s,” Janet Baseman, an epidemiologist at the University of Washington, told me. “I think it’s moderate at most.”

...I have focused on vaccinated people today because they are already trying to protect themselves and their communities. Here is a different version of the chart above, this time adding the death risk for an unvaccinated, otherwise healthy 75-year-old woman who contracts Covid:

Credit...Unless noted, people are vaccinated, mostly healthy and of average U.S. height and weight. | Source: QCovid

If you are not vaccinated, you’re in a completely different category of danger.

 

[CharlestonGal]

I’m here. So sorry to hear you have tested positive @CharlestonGal. You’ve been so careful, as we were when we got covid last January. You’re probably in the middle of getting your monoclonal antibody infusion right now, but FWIW our experience was as “pleasant” as it could get. We were at our local hospital in a room with recliners. The infusion itself took maybe 20-30 minutes. IIRC the whole process took about an hour because we had to wait afterward to make sure there were no side effects.

Even though I ended up in the hospital about a week later, I’m convinced it kept me from an even more severe case (I have mild asthma). So I’m hopeful it will help keep you safe. Do let us know how you’re doing. We care!

Thanks, @Lilibet. I'm currently reclining in what I can only describe as a chemo infusion suite. There are 7 other people in here currently, 2 empty seats. We're swapping stories about how we got this thing. Lol. 3 of us are vaccinated, 5 are not. All of them are older than me (I'm 59). 5 women, 3 men.

I asked for Tylenol or something, anything for this headache. Request denied. They told me to wait a few hours after my infusion to take anything.

I've been surfing the web and I think I might be lucky to have gotten this now. Hospitals and infusion centers across the country seem to be running out of mabs. NY, FL, MI. They need to get those Pfizer antiviral pills in pharmacies ASAP. imo

 

[anneg]

Thanks, @Lilibet. I'm currently reclining in what I can only describe as a chemo infusion suite. There are 7 other people in here currently, 2 empty seats. We're swapping stories about how we got this thing. Lol. 3 of us are vaccinated, 5 are not. All of them are older than me (I'm 59). 5 women, 3 men.

I asked for Tylenol or something, anything for this headache. Request denied. They told me to wait a few hours after my infusion to take anything.

I've been surfing the web and I think I might be lucky to have gotten this now. Hospitals and infusion centers across the country seem to be running out of mabs. NY, FL, MI. They need to get those Pfizer antiviral pills in pharmacies ASAP. imo

I take it you are getting Glaxo's sotrovimab? (The antibody that actually works against Omicron.) You are lucky indeed! May you soon be feeling so much better!

 

[Lilibet]

Thanks, @Lilibet. I'm currently reclining in what I can only describe as a chemo infusion suite. There are 7 other people in here currently, 2 empty seats. We're swapping stories about how we got this thing. Lol. 3 of us are vaccinated, 5 are not. All of them are older than me (I'm 59). 5 women, 3 men.

I asked for Tylenol or something, anything for this headache. Request denied. They told me to wait a few hours after my infusion to take anything.

I've been surfing the web and I think I might be lucky to have gotten this now. Hospitals and infusion centers across the country seem to be running out of mabs. NY, FL, MI. They need to get those Pfizer antiviral pills in pharmacies ASAP. imo

Yes, it was like a chemo infusion suite. I’m glad you’re having a halfway decent experience. Hope you can get rid of the headache soon! And yes, with the shortages you are very fortunate. <modsnip>

 

[anneg]

The very vocal (on FB news comments) unvaccinated in my part of Southern Oregon are definitely conservatives, but also seem to be under 65. Our local hospital system’s patient stats show that younger unvaxxed are in the majority of covid patients. The deaths, however are older ones, both vaxxed and unvaxxed.

https://www.asante.org/app/files/pu...c2a8133/Asante_COVID-19_Cases_Infographic.pdf

Asante's infographics are really good. I wish our hospital systems provided data like that.

 

[CharlestonGal]

I take it you are getting Glaxo's sotrovimab? (The antibody that actually works against Omicron.) You are lucky indeed! May you soon be feeling so much better!

Yes, sotrovimab is what my doctor ordered. She said she stopped ordering Regeneron when sotrovimab got their EUA.

 

[CharlestonGal]

Serious chills. Wow. I asked for another warm blanket. The actual infusion is done, but I have to sit here for an hour. No other reaction so far. Everyone else seems fine, too. Except the guy who walked in not so fine in the first place.

 

[Arkay]

@CharlestonGal
I'm so sorry that you aren't feeling well. Did you in fact test positive, or are you still waiting for the result? I just read the last couple of pages and I see your story, but didn't see where it says "yes, positive for Covid," so maybe I missed it?

I know you've been very cautious, as I have since it started, and yet the way omicron is spreading it is indeed possible to have picked it up from that trip to the store.

In New Jersey, my very careful and three times vaxed friend caught it the other day. She has cold-like symptoms and fatigue. If she weren't vaxed she'd be much sicker because she is immunocompromised. She also has no clue where she could have caught it, but has apparently transmitted it to her two year old grandson. Now her family is furious with her because they all have to isolate. They celebrate Chanukah, not Christmas, but because her older grandchildren are off from school starting tomorrow, they had plans for a family gathering. That's off now.
Plus, in New Jersey the Covid positive rate is 60% higher than JUST YESTERDAY.

Another New York City story is that my niece, 25 years old and triple-vaxed, went out with a group of 12 girls in Manhattan five days ago. All vaxed. One girl tested positive and so my sister, brother in law and niece went for PCRs today to be on the safe side. But we had planned to see them for New Year's so we are waiting on results.

I see you are getting the MAB so I guess you did test positive. I'm grateful for you that your oxygen level is high, that's such an important indicator, and that you aren't burning up with fever.

Wishing a quick recovery for you.

I was able to get my 17-year old granddaughter her booster today. It's getting much harder to get appointments; not as bad as it was in January, but getting to that point.

Please everyone get your booster. It's starting to feel like last year here, NYC, but I know it won't be as bad even if we get Covid, due to our vaccines.

 

[MimosaMornings]

Completely sold out of at home rapid tests.
Since Tuesday at most places.

Don’t call the CVS Covid Hotline looking for help either. Three phone calls with a 25 minute wait time. Told me two locations showed they had it in stock.

I called those two locations- because they were a 45-50 minute drive one way. They had been sold out for days. Said it was showing online they had it in stock but that was wrong.

Plenty of vaccine and booster availability.

 

[Mauig’ma]

During my infusion they gave me Tylenol and I took an Ativan to lower my blood pressure since I was a bit nervous. The infusion helped tremendously the first day. But today 2 days later I have a terrible migraine and been in bed all day. They said some people feel better right away or can get worse again before getting better. That’s where I am. Good luck to all that gets infused.

 

[MimosaMornings]

Serious chills. Wow. I asked for another warm blanket. The actual infusion is done, but I have to sit here for an hour. No other reaction so far. Everyone else seems fine, too. Except the guy who walked in not so fine in the first place.

I called a friend and she just got the infusion two days and she went to the place where she goes for her blood transfusions. Kind of like you described.
Had to wait and monitored for an hour afterwards too.
Said she was feeling better today.
Thinking of you and wishing for a speedy recovery!
Hang in there

 

[SouthAussie]

My adult nephew is the only one in my family who is high risk. (Although we also have a little unvaccinated baby, with hopefully some antibodies from her mum.)
My nephew goes nowhere. Yesterday he was diagnosed with covid. (Care worker gave it to him.) We have 1,200 active cases in my state.

I am thankful we didn't open up until most of us were vaccinated. It gives him a good fighting chance of getting through this.

Of course, our Christmas plans have now been delayed until sometime down the road. Though that is neither here nor there ... it is just our new reality.

 

[indicolite22]

Masks OUTDOORS return to Europe: Italy follows Spain and makes face covering compulsory in Christmas Covid crackdown - Austria bans unboosted British tourists and Belgium outlaws shopping in groups of more than two

 

[WichitaFalls]

During my infusion they gave me Tylenol and I took an Ativan to lower my blood pressure since I was a bit nervous. The infusion helped tremendously the first day. But today 2 days later I have a terrible migraine and been in bed all day. They said some people feel better right away or can get worse again before getting better. That’s where I am. Good luck to all that gets infused.

I hope you feel better soon.

 

[CharlestonGal]

@CharlestonGal
I'm so sorry that you aren't feeling well. Did you in fact test positive, or are you still waiting for the result? I just read the last couple of pages and I see your story, but didn't see where it says "yes, positive for Covid," so maybe I missed it?

I know you've been very cautious, as I have since it started, and yet the way omicron is spreading it is indeed possible to have picked it up from that trip to the store.

In New Jersey, my very careful and three times vaxed friend caught it the other day. She has cold-like symptoms and fatigue. If she weren't vaxed she'd be much sicker because she is immunocompromised. She also has no clue where she could have caught it, but has apparently transmitted it to her two year old grandson. Now her family is furious with her because they all have to isolate. They celebrate Chanukah, not Christmas, but because her older grandchildren are off from school starting tomorrow, they had plans for a family gathering. That's off now.
Plus, in New Jersey the Covid positive rate is 60% higher than JUST YESTERDAY.

Another New York City story is that my niece, 25 years old and triple-vaxed, went out with a group of 12 girls in Manhattan five days ago. All vaxed. One girl tested positive and so my sister, brother in law and niece went for PCRs today to be on the safe side. But we had planned to see them for New Year's so we are waiting on results.

I see you are getting the MAB so I guess you did test positive. I'm grateful for you that your oxygen level is high, that's such an important indicator, and that you aren't burning up with fever.

Wishing a quick recovery for you.

I was able to get my 17-year old granddaughter her booster today. It's getting much harder to get appointments; not as bad as it was in January, but getting to that point.

Please everyone get your booster. It's starting to feel like last year here, NYC, but I know it won't be as bad even if we get Covid, due to our vaccines.

Yes, @Arkay, positive for covid, negative for flu. I'm sorry to hear about your friend and your niece. I was hoping we could all have a somewhat normal holiday season before the inevitable spike in January, but apparently that is not to be.

I will be attending the festivities via zoom, which really, really sucks. I'm just so glad I didn't expose anyone else that I know of. It's entirely possible (though I can't figure how) that I was already infected and pre-symptomatic when I went out yesterday. But I did wear an N95 covered by a surgical mask and did my best to stay away from other people, at least. I'm not sure what more I could have done. I felt absolutely fine yesterday.