Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #104

[nightowl1975]

The percentage numbers were broadcast over a couple of days at 35.8% inaccuracy, not 50/50.....

Do you remember if it was 35.8% false negative? I could see that number being significant… but not a false positive number that high. The recall mentioned in one of the linked articles stated there had been a total of 35 false positives reported. Unless that company literally only manufactured and distributed less than 100 tests, I imagine the actual false positive rate was far, far less than 50%.

We’ve known the rapids aren’t picking up omicron as well (false negative) but I hadn’t seen an actual estimate yet. We’ve yet to see a single false positive since the omicron surge began, but we’ve had several who didn’t test positive on the rapid test until the 3rd or 4th test 3-4 days into having symptoms. It’s not common, but it’s happened a few times for us. Most are popping positive immediately when they notice their first symptom. I imagine it also matters which testing manufacturer you’re using.

 

[nightowl1975]

I just put all my info (using the symptoms I had last week) into the Walgreen's app for a PCR test. Next available appointment is Wednesday at 3 pm. That's cutting it extremely close - 5 days of symptoms - if you want antivirals or mabs.

How is early treatment supposed to work if you can't even get a test until you're on 5 days of symptoms and your PCR will not be back from the lab for who knows how many days??

Obviously early treatment is going to be a joke with testing backlogs like this. I’m surprised (well, no, actually I’m not…) that MSM isn’t all over the complete and total disaster that testing is right now. It’s unreal out there, yet it seems to be acceptable despite the fact that we’re nearly two YEARS into this and KNEW omicron was coming many weeks ago. It doesn’t seem to make one iota of difference who’s in the White House…. The US is just a total hot mess when it comes to testing.

That said, even if you could get tested in a timely manner, good luck finding the appropriate antibodies. Those also aren’t available. So I guess it doesn’t much matter if you can get tested or not.

 

[nightowl1975]

That's just nuts.

Everyone wants to know if they have a cold, the flu, or covid. Just assume you have covid and act accordingly. Stay home. When you've fulfilled quarantine measure, wear a mask if you have to shop.

JMOO

Some people need to work as quickly as they feel able to do so if they don’t have Covid. Quarantine rules are very different if you have Covid vs if it’s a cold. I don’t begrudge someone needing to know if they have Covid from a work standpoint… many simply cannot afford to quarantine for 10 days for every cold.

 

[pocketaccent]

Safe New Year everyone!

A lot of members here and their families are sick. I pray all of them to recover as quickly as possible. I just can't imagine what numbers we will see after the celebrate now - grieve later New years celebration. A million a day maybe.

We just got a large Costco instacart order delivered. Every single item ordered fulfilled. Feeling lucky today.
The Sound of Music to be enjoyed tonight to make us feel a little bit normal.

 

[nhmemorymaker]

Do you remember if it was 35.8% false negative? I could see that number being significant… but not a false positive number that high. The recall mentioned in one of the linked articles stated there had been a total of 35 false positives reported. Unless that company literally only manufactured and distributed less than 100 tests, I imagine the actual false positive rate was far, far less than 50%.

We’ve known the rapids aren’t picking up omicron as well (false negative) but I hadn’t seen an actual estimate yet. We’ve yet to see a single false positive since the omicron surge began, but we’ve had several who didn’t test positive on the rapid test until the 3rd or 4th test 3-4 days into having symptoms. It’s not common, but it’s happened a few times for us. Most are popping positive immediately when they notice their first symptom. I imagine it also matters which testing manufacturer you’re using.

Yes, it was "false negative". The discussion was specifically addressing the explosion of folks wanting to get the rapid test.... and the doctors discussion was indicating that "if you got a Positive result, definitely assume it to be Positive. If you got a Negative result, you should try to keep testing because overall research has shown the 34.8% of "false negative" data coming through.
Basically encouraging more testing IF you have symptoms. AND especially with Omicron.

The other caveat with this data, related to those who have to test regularly for employment if not vaccinated. Basically suggesting that there is a greater "false negative" among the asymptomatic. They were stressing that this is even greater with Omicron due to the tests not being as sensitive to the Omicron.

The "false Negative" percentage data, is written in professional medical information, and is not brand new--BUT they have been discussing it more right now, emphasizing the need to be more diligent in this Omicron surge, BECAUSE of the high percentage of "false negative" percentages..

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Just looking at that picture is unnerving to me!

Not to mention all of the huge gatherings that will be taking place around the country tonight. Proof of vaccination and masks required in Times Square - good luck with that! Attendees want to cheer, shout, sing along with the live entertainment - while wearing masks. Yeah, right!

 

[nightowl1975]

That's just nuts.

Everyone wants to know if they have a cold, the flu, or covid. Just assume you have covid and act accordingly. Stay home. When you've fulfilled quarantine measure, wear a mask if you have to shop.

JMOO

Some people need to work as quickly as they feel able to do so if they don’t have Covid. Quarantine rules are very different if you have Covid vs if it’s a cold. I don’t begrudge someone needing to know if they have Covid from a work standpoint… many simply cannot afford to quarantine for 10 days for every cold.

Yes, it was "false negative". The discussion was specifically addressing the explosion of folks wanting to get the rapid test.... and the doctors discussion was indicating that "if you got a Positive result, definitely assume it to be Positive. If you got a Negative result, you should try to keep testing because overall research has shown the 34.8% of "false negative" data coming through.
Basically encouraging more testing IF you have symptoms. AND especially with Omicron.

The other caveat with this data, related to those who have to test regularly for employment if not vaccinated. Basically suggesting that there is a greater "false negative" among the asymptomatic. They were stressing that this is even greater with Omicron due to the tests not being as sensitive to the Omicron.

The "false Negative" percentage data, is written in professional medical information, and is not brand new--BUT they have been discussing it more right now, emphasizing the need to be more diligent in this Omicron surge, BECAUSE of the high percentage of "false negative" percentages..

Ah. Yes. My specific comment was only regarding the one poster whom I quoted that was talking about a family member testing positive but then said rapid tests were only 50/50. I was thinking…. Yeah, no… if they got a positive result, it’s definitely more than 50/50 that it’s a true positive. I wasn’t commenting on anything except that one particular poster’s comment.

 

[nightowl1975]

We just got a large Costco instacart order delivered. Every single item ordered fulfilled. Feeling lucky today.
.

Woo hoo for fulfilled Costco orders!! I was able to get every single thing at Costco today that we needed for work but hadn’t been able to get from our usual vendors this week. Disinfectant wipes, spray, briefs, etc etc etc. I’m sure I looked like one of those hoarders but I don’t even care. I was shopping for 90+ frail elderly patients and just so thrilled everything was well stocked with almost no purchase limits.

 

[CharlestonGal]

SC reports more than 8,800 new COVID cases, single-day pandemic record

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCSC) - The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control reported a total of 8,882 new COVID-19 cases on Friday.

DHEC says the latest case data represents the highest number of cases reported on a single day since the beginning of the pandemic. The previous record was 7,686 cases reported on Jan. 6, 2021.

 

[LaborDayRN]

Safe New Year everyone!

A lot of members here and their families are sick. I pray all of them to recover as quickly as possible. I just can't imagine what numbers we will see after the celebrate now - grieve later New years celebration. A million a day maybe.

We just got a large Costco instacart order delivered. Every single item ordered fulfilled. Feeling lucky today.
The Sound of Music to be enjoyed tonight to make us feel a little bit normal.

Wishing you and yours a happy and safe New Year as well @pocketaccent

Happy Healthy New years everyone!!

 

[CharlestonGal]

With only 19 states reporting today we still hit 346,000.

United States COVID - Coronavirus Statistics - Worldometer

 

[Cool Cats]

Several collapse while waiting in long lines for COVID tests at Tampa park on New Year's Eve

Three collapse at Tampa COVID-19 testing site

TAMPA, Fla. - Long lines, wait times and confusion all came into play Friday at the city of Tampa’s COVID-19 testing site at Al Lopez Park.

The city says the parking lot was already full and a line had formed before it had even opened at 7 a.m.

Some people told Fox 13 they had been waiting more than four hours to get their COVID test.

The city of Tampa is recommending people who plan to line up for testing come prepared for the wait. If you’re planning to get tested at a walk-up testing site, bring water bottles, folding chairs and umbrellas to keep cool while waiting in line.

Rozyla said the Parks and Recreation Department assisted on Friday and brought water and coolers with ice from the city’s emergency store to line waiters.

“We’re trying to provide some relief to people, but we’re just trying to also emphasize, ‘Help us help you get through these testing lines,’” Rozyla added.

 

[Cool Cats]

Omicron has passed peak in South Africa, causing relatively few deaths and hospitalizations, authorities say

South Africa appears to have passed the peak of its omicron variant-driven fourth coronavirus wave, the country's cabinet announced Thursday, adding that there was only a "marginal increase" in fatalities, which remained low compared to previous spikes.

The number of infections fell by roughly 30% to just under 90,000 for the week ending Dec. 25, down from some 127,000 in the prior corresponding period, government data show. The number of hospital admissions has also been significantly lower over the past 1½ weeks.

 

[ilovewings]

OMG

Florida doesn’t plan to open COVID testing sites amid surge, Orange County official says

Orange County officials said Wednesday the state has balked at opening testing sites amid a tidal wave of demand and denied a request this week for four flashing signs to help provide information to people in miles-long lines.

“We have been asking the state for weeks now if the state would, or intended to, open testing sites,” Banks said Wednesday evening. “The state clarified again today they have no intention … That’s the absolute biggest thing we need help with right now.”

Banks, who heads the county’s testing efforts, said he expects a third COVID-19 testing site at the South Orange Youth Complex opening Thursday, to be swamped. But opening additional local sites would be difficult to staff, he said, and wouldn’t meet the demand. The South Orange Youth Sports Complex will open for testing Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will be open seven days per week. However, it will be closed on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

When the line closed at about noon at Barnett Park Wednesday, Banks said a line of cars about a mile long was turned away due to reaching capacity. The ones that made it through still waited for hours to get swabbed.

Mayor Jerry Demings blasted the state and Gov. Ron DeSantis at his Tuesday news conferences for not helping counties battle the omicron variant, which has produced record-high infection totals and, also, immense demand for testing.

“We have not received any assistance from the state of Florida at our testing sites,” Demings said. “All Florida residents should be outraged … where is Ron DeSantis now?”

My husband is watching the Orange Bowl which is in Miami: OMG the stands are filled with people and it is indoors. The virus is having a real good time tonight: This game should have never been allowed to go on in Miami especially. They have a huge outbreak there.

 

[CSIDreamer]

Omicron has passed peak in South Africa, causing relatively few deaths and hospitalizations, authorities say

South Africa appears to have passed the peak of its omicron variant-driven fourth coronavirus wave, the country's cabinet announced Thursday, adding that there was only a "marginal increase" in fatalities, which remained low compared to previous spikes.

The number of infections fell by roughly 30% to just under 90,000 for the week ending Dec. 25, down from some 127,000 in the prior corresponding period, government data show. The number of hospital admissions has also been significantly lower over the past 1½ weeks.

I'm looking for info but do you know when their latest surge started? I'm trying to get an idea of where the rest of us are.

ETA right around our US Thanksgiving it looks like. Cases just shot up right after my screenshot taken from Worldmeters.

 

[MimosaMornings]

My husband is watching the Orange Bowl which is in Miami: OMG the stands are filled with people and it is indoors. The virus is having a real good time tonight: This game should have never been allowed to go on in Miami especially. They have a huge outbreak there.

https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/college/orange-bowl/article256922672.html

No mask requirement, full crowd at Orange Bowl: Organizers explain why they’re OK with it

 

[jakat]

Thank you for sharing this us. My thoughts are with you and your family, wishing you the best. I hope you will continue to keep us informed. Knowledge is power.

Thank you for caring.

My son got the results today for the PCR test and it's positive. My daughter-in-law hasn't gotten her results yet, but the rapid test said she was positive. I don't know about the others, but what I do know is that the brother-in-law, my son and daughter-in-law have been very sick. My son said today he was a bit better and so is my daughter-in-law. He seemed to think she was a half day behind him, which leads me to a question.

Is it possible my daughter-in-law caught covid from my son, her husband, instead of the brother-in-law who got it first? I'm still learning.

They all were fully vaxxed including boosters except for the brother-in-law who got it first.

 

[Arkay]

Happy New Year, everyone, and a better year for us all, God willing.

I was struggling with myself because one of my best friends, who usually makes a big New Year's Eve party, is making a small one tonight. Five people, all triple vaxed.

Last year we all stayed home and I was sorely tempted tonight, but I'm opting out. I would wear a mask and then it really wouldn't be fun. She's a great cook and I'd want to eat outside on the terrace, so it's just not worth it. It's a very warm New Year's Eve by NYC standards, but it just would be more anxiety-provoking than fun for me.

Hoping for a much better year.

 

[Cool Cats]

I'm looking for info but do you know when their latest surge started? I'm trying to get an idea of where the rest of us are.

ETA right around our US Thanksgiving it looks like. Cases just shot up right after my screenshot taken from Worldmeters.

Looking around for information, here are a couple things:

Covid case surge in Africa driving new concerns, restrictions

https://mobile.twitter.com/hvgoenka/status/1474757102849593344?ref_src=twsrc^tfw|twcamp^tweetembed|twterm^1474757102849593344|twgr^|twcon^s1_&ref_url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/omicron-good-news-continue-to-come-in-from-south-africa-harsh-goenka-shares-latest-data-11640488126984.html

 

[jakat]

I'm wondering something speaking of stockpiles. If stores get bad enough I wonder if they would let volunteers stock shelves? I've been in retail for years and can unload freight onto shelves like none other. Liability issues would probably kill this bright idea.

That is a smart idea and very caring for people who can't do their jobs because they are sick with covid. I hope they see this is the way to go. Thank you.