Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #29

[otto]

400,000 people are trying to cross the border? Those sun-birds should pick their home and stick with it. It's disgraceful that so many Canadians have been in Florida when reporting was so low that they were oblivious.

Canada is prepared for a first wave, now, and a second wave, in the Fall. This really sucks. Is anyone else really sad that this is what it has come to 100 years after this already happened?

 

[Curious Me]

Risk of getting COVID-19 could be linked to certain blood types, coronavirus study suggests

Great. I am screwed.

Thanks for this article.
Now, dear friends, don't panic if you have the wrong blood type. It said, "However they stressed that the study was limited, and "one should be cautious to use this study to guide clinical practice at this time. This study encourages further studies."

You might luck out and not come in contact with the virus. The article has more info and it's worth reading. I don't think they mention Positive or Negative Blood Types.

Risk of getting COVID-19 could be linked to certain blood types, coronavirus study suggests

"Taking the data as a whole, the researchers concluded that "blood group A had a significantly higher risk for COVID-19" when compared with non-A blood groups. Those in the O group, meanwhile, "had a significantly lower risk for
the infectious disease."

(MOO, the specific break-downs don't seem to show this?)

 

[Gardener1850]

I used to take it, too, for an autoimmune disease, and I still have some on hand. That’s why I was curious.

Call your dr and make sure it's still okay for you to take it-- changes in your health or if you have other prescription meds may affect your ability to safely take it-- but I would hold onto that bottle. If that stuff really works, then it could be the difference between a mild case and a critically-ill hospital stay. Or maybe life and death. We don't know yet. Everyone must ask their dr, however. I'm not a doctor and I'm not giving medical advice.

 

[EstrellaEspectral]

CDC analysis shows coronavirus poses serious risk for younger people

CDC analysis shows coronavirus poses serious risk for younger people

 

[margarita25]

CDC analysis shows coronavirus poses serious risk for younger people

CDC analysis shows coronavirus poses serious risk for younger people

Thank you, @EstrellaEspectral , I pulled the report.

Early Release / March 18, 2020 / 69

CDC COVID-19 Response Team
Severe Outcomes Among Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19

“Summary
What is already known about this topic?

Early data from China suggest that a majority of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) deaths have occurred among adults aged ≥60 years and among persons with serious underlying health conditions.

What is added by this report?

This first preliminary description of outcomes among patients with COVID-19 in the United States indicates that fatality was highest in persons aged ≥85, ranging from 10% to 27%, followed by 3% to 11% among persons aged 65–84 years, 1% to 3% among persons aged 55-64 years, <1% among persons aged 20–54 years, and no fatalities among persons aged ≤19 years.

What are the implications for public health practice?

COVID-19 can result in severe disease, including hospitalization, admission to an intensive care unit, and death, especially among older adults. Everyone can take actions, such as social distancing, to help slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect older adults from severe illness.

Globally, approximately 170,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) have been reported, including an estimated 7,000 deaths in approximately 150 countries (1). On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic (2). Data from China have indicated that older adults, particularly those with serious underlying health conditions, are at higher risk for severe COVID-19–associated illness and death than are younger persons (3). Although the majority of reported COVID-19 cases in China were mild (81%), approximately 80% of deaths occurred among adults aged ≥60 years; only one (0.1%) death occurred in a person aged ≤19 years (3). In this report, COVID-19 cases in the United States that occurred during February 12–March 16, 2020 and severity of disease (hospitalization, admission to intensive care unit [ICU], and death) were analyzed by age group. As of March 16, a total of 4,226 COVID-19 cases in the United States had been reported to CDC, with multiple cases reported among older adults living in long-term care facilities (4). Overall, 31% of cases, 45% of hospitalizations, 53% of ICU admissions, and 80% of deaths associated with COVID-19 were among adults aged ≥65 years with the highest percentage of severe outcomes among persons aged ≥85 years. In contrast, no ICU admissions or deaths were reported among persons aged ≤19 years. Similar to reports from other countries, this finding suggests that the risk for serious disease and death from COVID-19 is higher in older age groups.

Data from cases reported from 49 states, the District of Columbia, and three U.S. territories (5) to CDC during February 12–March 16 were analyzed. Cases among persons repatriated to the United States from Wuhan, China and from Japan (including patients repatriated from cruise ships) were excluded. States and jurisdictions voluntarily reported data on laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 using previously developed data collection forms (6). The cases described in this report include both COVID-19 cases confirmed by state or local public health laboratories as well as those with a positive test at the state or local public health laboratories and confirmation at CDC. No data on serious underlying health conditions were available. Data on these cases are preliminary and are missing for some key characteristics of interest, including hospitalization status (1,514), ICU admission (2,253), death (2,001), and age (386). Because of these missing data, the percentages of hospitalizations, ICU admissions, and deaths (case-fatality percentages) were estimated as a range. The lower bound of these percentages was estimated by using all cases within each age group as denominators. The corresponding upper bound of these percentages was estimated by using only cases with known information on each outcome as denominators.

As of March 16, a total of 4,226 COVID-19 cases had been reported in the United States, with reports increasing to 500 or more cases per day beginning March 14 (Figure 1). Among 2,449 patients with known age, 6% were aged ≥85, 25% were aged 65–84 years, 18% each were aged 55–64 years and 45–54 years, and 29% were aged 20–44 years (Figure 2). Only 5% of cases occurred in persons aged 0–19 years.

Among 508 (12%) patients known to have been hospitalized, 9% were aged ≥85 years, 26% were aged 65–84 years, 17% were aged 55–64 years, 18% were 45–54 years, and 20% were aged 20–44 years. Less than 1% of hospitalizations were among persons aged ≤19 years (Figure 2). The percentage of persons hospitalized increased with age, from 2%–3% among persons aged ≤9 years, to ≥31% among adults aged ≥85 years. (Table).

Among 121 patients known to have been admitted to an ICU, 7% of cases were reported among adults ≥85 years, 46% among adults aged 65–84 years, 36% among adults aged 45–64 years, and 12% among adults aged 20–44 years (Figure 2). No ICU admissions were reported among persons aged ≤19 years. Percentages of ICU admissions were lowest among adults aged 20–44 years (2%–4%) and highest among adults aged 75–84 years (11%–31%) (Table).

Among 44 cases with known outcome, 15 (34%) deaths were reported among adults aged ≥85 years, 20 (46%) among adults aged 65–84 years, and nine (20%) among adults aged 20–64 years. Case-fatality percentages increased with increasing age, from no deaths reported among persons aged ≤19 years to highest percentages (10%–27%) among adults aged ≥85 years (Table) (Figure 2).

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

This report describes the current epidemiology of COVID-19 in the United States, using preliminary data. The findings in this report are subject to at least five limitations. First, data were missing for key variables of interest. Data on age and outcomes, including hospitalization, ICU admission, and death, were missing for 9%–53% of cases, which likely resulted in an underestimation of these outcomes. Second, further time for follow-up is needed to ascertain outcomes among active cases. Third, the initial approach to testing was to identify patients among those with travel histories or persons with more severe disease, and these data might overestimate the prevalence of severe disease. Fourth, data on other risk factors, including serious underlying health conditions that could increase risk for complications and severe illness, were unavailable at the time of this analysis. Finally, limited testing to date underscores the importance of ongoing surveillance of COVID-19 cases. Additional investigation will increase the understanding about persons who are at risk for severe illness and death from COVID-19 and inform clinical guidance and community-based mitigation measures.*

The risk for serious disease and death in COVID-19 cases among persons in the United States increases with age. Social distancing is recommended for all ages to slow the spread of the virus, protect the health care system, and help protect vulnerable older adults. Further, older adults should maintain adequate supplies of nonperishable foods and at least a 30-day supply of necessary medications, take precautions to keep space between themselves and others, stay away from those who are sick, avoid crowds as much as possible, avoid cruise travel and nonessential air travel, and stay home as much as possible to further reduce the risk of being exposed (7). Persons of all ages and communities can take actions to help slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect older adults.”

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/pdfs/mm6912e2-H.pdf

 

[Gardener1850]

As of today every business in Ohio has to check temps of every employee when they come in the door. I have no idea where they'll find the thermometers.

I wonder if laser thermometers from the hardware department would work for taking a person's temperature? Like this one:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/HQRP-Non-Contact-Digital-Thermometer-Tester-Temperature-Meter-fits-Central-Window-Through-Wall-Portable-Air-Conditioner-HQRP-UV-Meter/185699719?wmlspartner=wmtlabs&adid=22222222222082486709&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=e&wl1=o&wl2=c&wl3=83356727086443&wl4=pla-4586956353383757&wl12=185699719_10000001591&wl14=laser thermometers lowes&veh=sem&msclkid=7f2b5f7428dc1466ed0f0106da64b5aa

ETA: It's out of stock. So maybe someone else has already bought them all up for that purpose?

MOO.

 

[margarita25]

Teche........looks like 2 cases in Lafayette......let me get some documentation....

First two cases of coronavirus in Lafayette are confirmed, officials say

( @Teche )

 

[DeepCover]

I have one of those "guns" that you point around the inside corners of your house to see where the insulation leaks are. I wonder if it's precise enough to read a human temperature? I meant to try it while looking in the mirror (how else to know if I aimed at my forehead properly.) and see what it says...

Those would only take the temp on the surface of your skin so I’m not sure how useful/accurate they would be to take a human temp.

 

[mickey2942]

As of today every business in Ohio has to check temps of every employee when they come in the door. I have no idea where they'll find the thermometers.

I got a digital one, scans the forehead. Costco has them.

 

[otto]

How do people in the USA feel about the fact that the virus will increase in the next 4-5 days? Have they come around to the fact that many people will die, not just old people? Is that okay?

Is there a belief that people go to hospital and all will be well? Do the partiers need help to understand that they are as susceptible to the virus. The virus has no borders and no age preference, living in the USA does not mean not getting sicker than you've ever been in your life and potentially dead. It means taking life saving health system assets (like respirators) from others simply because you are young.

When it comes to push and shove in hospital triage, youth - who recklessly spread the virus - win? Triage needs to be revisited. Access to respirators should not be automatically given to younger people. In some ways, they don't deserve it.

 

[Trudie]

How do people in the USA feel about the fact that the virus will increase in the next 4-5 days?

a lot of the anticipated cases will be from tests that are on hold, correct? Tests that could not be tested due to lab shortages, or did I completely misunderstand? If I’m correct, where are the patients? Smh

 

[mickey2942]

@otto, I think that people should make a decision, if they don't want to have any type of treatment, to make a "living will". Get the phone number for hospice, set up a plan, to get pallative care.

Not everyone may want a respirator. I don't, and neither does my husband. We are not scared of death.

 

[Trudie]

I HAVE SPENT the last week looking for flights from New York to Italy — not because of coronavirus-inspired flash sales, but because I would rather go home to a country that’s currently in the grip of one of the worst outbreaks in the world than stay in the United States, where life is about to get infinitely worse.

More than 15,000 people have tested positive for the new coronavirus in Italy, more than 1,000 have died, and hospitals are at a breaking point. Hundreds of medical staff have been infected, and overwhelmed doctors are reporting having to choose which patients to treat. They are begging the rest of the world to take this virus more seriously. The entire country — 60.5 million people — has been on lockdown for almost a week.

In the U.S., meanwhile, where some are just starting to realize the enormity of the crisis and far too many remain in denial,
In This Coronavirus Outbreak, I’d Rather Be in Italy Than the U.S.

 

[Lexiintoronto]

No, there are not. Right now, it's still case by case, reports to the CDC, and then wait for CDC to investigate vectors. Whenever they announce "community transmission" (which is a thing where I live - near Los Angeles), it means no known vector from a traveler and not a traveler themselves.

We just don't have data on how many people in each category - yet.

People are getting it from school kids, teachers, but especially from hospital waiting rooms, some medical equipment and personnel, shopkeepers, food servers (via air), large gatherings, etc, etc.

Just adding this thread from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center scientist Trevor Bedford.
Trevor Bedford
@trvrb
A small update on genomic epidemiology of the #COVID19 epidemic in Washington State (where we have lots of data) and elsewhere in the US (where data is sparse). 1/8

Trevor Bedford on Twitter
Search Twitter - #COVID19

 

[Alethea]

How do people in the USA feel about the fact that the virus will increase in the next 4-5 days? Have they come around to the fact that many people will die, not just old people? Is that okay?

Is there a belief that people go to hospital and all will be well? Do the partiers need help to understand that they are as susceptible to the virus. The virus has no borders and no age preference, living in the USA does not mean not getting sicker than you've ever been in your life and potentially dead. It means taking life saving health system assets (like respirators) from others simply because you are young.

When it comes to push and shove in hospital triage, youth - who recklessly spread the virus - win? Triage needs to be revisited. Access to respirators should not be automatically given to younger people. In some ways, they don't deserve it.

I’m usually not a fatalistic person but seeing the absolute stupidity of so many people my position went from trying to convince a large number of people to take this seriously through my FB contacts, professional networks, etc - to just bullying my friends and family to stay completely isolated except for caring for other people. It gets to a point where that’s all you can do. We’re ordering seeds for the garden and don’t expect to see anyone face to face outside of our family until the Fall. It’s just horrific and other people just think we’re nuts but I’d rather be nuts with live parents and full lung capacity?

Otherwise we’re just donating to our local hospital and expecting the worst for the world. Feels crappy doesn’t it.

 

[margarita25]

I HAVE SPENT the last week looking for flights from New York to Italy — not because of coronavirus-inspired flash sales, but because I would rather go home to a country that’s currently in the grip of one of the worst outbreaks in the world than stay in the United States, where life is about to get infinitely worse.

More than 15,000 people have tested positive for the new coronavirus in Italy, more than 1,000 have died, and hospitals are at a breaking point. Hundreds of medical staff have been infected, and overwhelmed doctors are reporting having to choose which patients to treat. They are begging the rest of the world to take this virus more seriously. The entire country — 60.5 million people — has been on lockdown for almost a week.

In the U.S., meanwhile, where some are just starting to realize the enormity of the crisis and far too many remain in denial,
In This Coronavirus Outbreak, I’d Rather Be in Italy Than the U.S.

Hmmm, marking.

 

[katydid23]

It doesnt matter....by that time, no one we will stand in line for a death sentence. The only hope for the election will be online voting or massive absentee voting.

I think we will be able to go to the polls by November. That's 8 months away.

Are you predicting we will still be in quarantine, in mass, through the end of 2020?

 

[Trudie]

Ita, personal choice, not a gov’t choice.
I’m still trying to figure out how come we need to be told to wash our hands (I was taught at 2) and why we must be told to stay isolated due to an evil virus. How do so many not automatically know? Oh well.......

@otto, I think that people should make a decision, if they don't want to have any type of treatment, to make a "living will". Get the phone number for hospice, set up a plan, to get pallative care.

Not everyone may want a respirator. I don't, and neither does my husband. We are not scared of death.

 

[FlossyMay]

Arkansas

Paper roses? Arkansas florists create bouquets out of toilet paper

 

[musicaljoke]

400,000 people are trying to cross the border? Those sun-birds should pick their home and stick with it. It's disgraceful that so many Canadians have been in Florida when reporting was so low that they were oblivious.

Canada is prepared for a first wave, now, and a second wave, in the Fall. This really sucks. Is anyone else really sad that this is what it has come to 100 years after this already happened?

It seems to me that at the first inkling of a pandemic, everyone all across the globe should have stayed in place until it was over. Instead, people bring the virus home from their travels with serious consequences for their home countries.