Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #59

[Cool Cats]

Zero evidence was provided by either of this doctors that the virus is mutating.

Updated: 5 May 2020, 17:49
Coronavirus could be ‘getting WEAKER - as scientists spot new mutation’

CORONAVIRUS
Published May 5
New mutation indicates that coronavirus might be weakening, study says

It's similar to a change found in the Sars virus in 2003, that marked a changing tide in that outbreak, the experts said.

Arizona State University’s Biodesign Institute use a new technology called next-generation sequencing to rapidly read the genetic code of the corona virus - SARS-CoV-2.
In one sample taken from the Arizona State University research, scientists found a deletion of 81 genes - a pattern that was also seen in the SARS outbreak
The new mutation could mean the virus is less likely to get past the body's immune system, the team at Arizona State University said.

They took 382 samples from coronavirus patients in the state and found that one viral sample was missing a large section of the bug's genetic material.

It is similar to what happened with the original Sars virus, which triggered an epidemic in 2003.

“One of the reasons why this mutation is of interest is because it mirrors a large deletion that arose in the 2003 SARS outbreak,” Lim said in a statement.

During the middle and late phases of the 2003 SARS epidemic, the virus accumulated mutations that lessened its strength, according to the researchers.

During the middle and late phases of the 2003 SARS epidemic, the virus accumulated mutations that lessened its strength, according to the researchers. It signalled the start of the Sars outbreak winding down.

Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates

 

[Cool Cats]

Zero evidence was provided by either of this doctors that the virus is mutating.

Updated: 5 May 2020, 17:49
Coronavirus could be ‘getting WEAKER - as scientists spot new mutation’

CORONAVIRUS

Published May 5
New mutation indicates that coronavirus might be weakening, study says

It's similar to a change found in the Sars virus in 2003, that marked a changing tide in that outbreak, the experts said.

Arizona State University’s Biodesign Institute use a new technology called next-generation sequencing to rapidly read the genetic code of the corona virus - SARS-CoV-2.

In one sample taken from the Arizona State University research, scientists found a deletion of 81 genes - a pattern that was also seen in the SARS outbreak. They took 382 samples from corona virus patients and found one was missing a large section of the bug's genetic material, this new mutation could mean the virus is less likely to get past the body's immune system.

It mirrors a large deletion that arose in the 2003 SARS outbreak. During the middle and late phases of that epidemic, the virus accumulated mutations that lessened its strength. It signalled the start of the Sars outbreak winding down.

Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates

 

[tmar]

India's richest city Mumbai is rapidly turning into the world's next coronavirus catastrophe

India's richest city Mumbai is rapidly turning into the world's next coronavirus catastrophe

By South Asia correspondent James Oaten and Som Patidar
3 hrs ago
...
With more than 37,000 infections and 1,200 deaths, Mumbai accounts for more than a fifth of India's total coronavirus tally and almost a quarter of all deaths.

There are no clear signs the situation is improving, with hundreds — if not thousands — testing positive each day.

Last week videos were uploaded to social media showing bodies lying on hospital beds next to living COVID-19 patients.

Not only were the hospitals struggling to keep up, but so too were the crematoriums and morgues.
...
For doctors and nurses grappling with the outbreak, it is just another sign of how the healthcare system has become overwhelmed.
Doctors forced to turn away patients from ICU
India's rate of infection has shown no strong signs of flattening, despite the country imposing the world's largest lockdown in late March.

There are more than 182,000 confirmed cases. On Sunday, the country recorded its highest ever daily increase, with 8,380 confirmed infections.

Mumbai has long been the worst-affected city, with its high rate of infection and buckling health system leading to many seeing it as India's New York.

 

[tmar]

Global coronavirus cases surpass 6 million

Global coronavirus cases surpass 6 million

5 hrs ago
...
(Reuters) - Global coronavirus cases surpassed 6 million on Saturday, according to a Reuters tally, as Latin America reported a grim milestone of 50,000 deaths from the disease.

Countries such as Brazil, Chile and Mexico are struggling to stem the spread of the virus, which initially peaked in China in February before large-scale outbreaks followed in Europe and the United States.

The COVID-19 respiratory illness has claimed more than 367,000 lives worldwide, though the true number is thought to be higher as testing is still limited and many countries do not include fatalities outside of hospitals.

 

[tabitha111]

Checking in from NE TN, almost at the Virginia state line. I ventured out today, with my mask (YAY for me!), huge sunglasses and armed with plenty of hand sanitizer and wipes (even ones I had put in a snack size baggie for cart handles). It has been 3 months since I've done anything other than curbside pickup. First stop was Big Lots, a discount store, to load up on more planters, potting soil and garden items. Maybe 1/2 in there were wearing masks. The check out lady had on a mask but had it down under her nose. Once I got to the car and got everything loaded I stood outside the car after opening the door and used about 3-4 wipes to wipe everything I thought could have touched any germs. Then I used hand sanitizer after that. Next stop was another discount store, Ollie's, to try to find more garden items I couldn't find at first store. Again - maybe 1/3 - 1/2 of shoppers had masks on. I would step back and let the non masked shoppers pass in a wide berth before I continued. I left there empty handed. This store was across the state line in Virginia where a mandate had been issued that anyone in any enclosed space (stores included) need to wear a mask as of yesterday. Obviously, alot of folks don't listen or follow advice. From there, I drove another 5-10 minutes to a Lowe's (again in Virginia) where I proceeded to find a few more garden items. Yet again, maybe 1/2 were masked. Same routine after each store, I'd use wipes and then hand sanitizer. I had quite a bag of discarded items when I finally made it home.
The mask wearers I would smile and nod to, behind my mask and big sun glasses. The non masked I'd glare at and think - how nasty you are! I did make it home with a trunk and car loaded down with planters, more potting soil, plant supports, hose connectors and spilters and various other garden gadgets.
I felt so defeated once I got home, and so dirty. Then I realized my first real venture out into stores in 3 months was to discount stores and Lowes. I had to admit, my standards have lowered - I should have broken isolation for something a little more exciting than dirty discount stores! It was very disheartening to see all those out shopping as if they didn't have a care in the world. I can't make others do what is right - but that won't stop me.
Alot of the discussion on the recent posts has been in reference to contradicting advice on mask wearing. "WE" know masks are beneficial, it's just common sense. After today, I'll stay home again for awhile to watch the numbers and see how my area is doing. We have been very fortunate up to now, to have low numbers. It's here, but not rampant. I can't think of a thing I need that I can't order online or for curbside pickup.
Life is precious, I just can't imagine viewing it any other way. This will pass, but I can't be careless. I may get the virus, but if I do, I don't think it will be for having been neglectful or careless. I have a friend that has visited and we visit outside on the open front porch, maintaining distance. We exchange things with each other that we each have gotten and share with the other for harder to find items. I visit with my neighbors over the fence. But I do believe it will be awhile before I venture into another store.
One of my daughters and grandchildren and I are planning on meeting one day soon if we can catch a good weather day on a weekend for a picnic, about 1/2 way between us. We will remain outdoors and keep our distance as much as possible. I don't want to wait too long as I wouldn't be surprised to see our numbers start to slowly rise, if today is any example of how careless folks are being.
Stay safe everyone - we can't convince others to be careful, not for themselves or us. So we just need to be patient a little longer and see what unfolds. This will pass, I'm just not certain as to when. But I want to come out on the other side to watch all the grandkids grow up, I want to see my girls reach the age where they are at peace and being less overwhelmed by raising a family and all the worries that Moma's everywhere have for their children. I have so much waiting on the other side of this pandemic, I can be patient awhile longer.

I would report to Corporate the store- Big Lots where the clerk had her mask pulled down. I would also let them know you won't shop there anymore because you don't feel they are taking your safety seriously. I have done that for a pet store I was ordering from. I gave them two chances and each time they brought my stuff out, no one was wearing a mask or even had one around their necks...sent a message to corporate and told them I will take my business elsewhere...they passed it on to the store...but alas, I did take my business elsewhere. In this day and age, they need to do all they can to make customers feel safe in their stores if they want us to spend our money there. I live in Virginia btw. I will be shopping tomorrow..haven't been out since they mandated masks- but I expect our backwoods hick area to have many that will not comply. Yes, they will get exceptionally wide berth from me and if they get in my bubble....I will start a coughing fit...LOL

 

[katydid23]

I would guess we (the US) won't be invited to that party.

That might break for the better. Let them all try it first. It's pretty quick for a vaccine to be out there already.

 

[katydid23]

It must be noted that WHO has placed a great emphasis on protecting the supply of masks/PPE for front line medical workers.

So they are going to tell mistruths to the public in order to do so?

 

[10ofRods]

UK coronavirus news

Coronavirus updates: US protesters urged to get tests - BBC News

Summary

1. US officials urge protesters who took to the streets in recent days to get tested or self-isolate
2. There have been large protests in the US and beyond over the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, at the hands of police
3. UK coronavirus testing capacity passes 200,000, beating the government's target, but far fewer tests are actually being carried out
4. Communities Minister Robert Jenrick confirms that some 2.2 million people shielding in England and Wales can go outside from Monday
5. Brazil passes France to have the fourth-highest death toll in the world
6. No new deaths reported in Sweden; Spain records lowest new infections in almost three months
7. Reflecting on lockdowns easing, Pope Francis tells worshippers at St Peter's Square that protecting health is more important than the economy
8. Confirmed coronavirus cases across the world have now exceeded six million, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University.

Brazil has ~3.5X the population of France, so using the total death number is a bit disingenuous for BBC. The two nations have almost the same number of deaths, but Brazil has 212M people to France's 65M.

Sweden had 45 deaths yesterday and has yet to input its death totals for today into world databases, so yes, it looks like 0 deaths - but I will wait until tomorrow, as I am highly suspicious that any nation can go from 45 to zero overnight (with over 27,000 active cases and 637 new cases yesterday; 190 serious/critical patients). BBC says it's their "Sunday final" edition - but really they should have waited to pronounce CoVid death free until Sweden had a chance to tally the numbers.

Greece, OTOH, seems to have really controlled CoVid, with zero cases several days running - and only 6 new cases yesterday. But BBC doesn't mention Greece (and hasn't, for a while) or the Republic of Georgia (another place with an actual zero rate of deaths for several days running). I think I know why Greece isn't being mentioned.

Coronavirus Update (Live): 6,258,870 Cases and 373,688 Deaths from COVID-19 Virus Pandemic - Worldometer

 

[tabitha111]

Has this been posted and/or discussed yet? I wonder if we as adults can get a booster? I realize this is only a preprint at this time .Published epidemiological data suggests a correlation between patients who receive measles-rubella containing vaccines such as the commonly available MMR vaccine, and reduced COVID-19 death rate. Similar observations were recently noted in a Cambridge Study by Young et al, who noted protein homology between the COVID-19 virus and the rubella virus, corroborating the evidence in this report. The epidemiologic associations suggest that a measles-rubella containing vaccine, as currently produced, may be protective against severe disease and death from COVID-19 exposure.
(PDF) MMR Vaccine Appears to Confer Strong Protection from COVID-19: Few Deaths from SARS-CoV-2 in Highly Vaccinated Populations

 

[tabitha111]

Speaking of vaccines, I am due to get my second in a series of the Shingles vaccine...found out that the normal drugstore and Walmart pharmacies are not giving any vaccines at this time...hmmm...wonder what will be the case when the influenza vaccine is available? Surely Covid 19 will still be out there...

 

[MimosaMornings]

Has this been posted and/or discussed yet? I wonder if we as adults can get a booster? I realize this is only a preprint at this time .Published epidemiological data suggests a correlation between patients who receive measles-rubella containing vaccines such as the commonly available MMR vaccine, and reduced COVID-19 death rate. Similar observations were recently noted in a Cambridge Study by Young et al, who noted protein homology between the COVID-19 virus and the rubella virus, corroborating the evidence in this report. The epidemiologic associations suggest that a measles-rubella containing vaccine, as currently produced, may be protective against severe disease and death from COVID-19 exposure.
(PDF) MMR Vaccine Appears to Confer Strong Protection from COVID-19: Few Deaths from SARS-CoV-2 in Highly Vaccinated Populations

I got a MMR booster and Tdap in preparation for grands. Tdap hurt!

 

[weepingangel]

Yes, Some Adults Do Need to Be Revaccinated Against Measles

I was wondering a few threads back if childhood immunizations had anything to do with kids seeming to be less affected.

 

[CSIDreamer]

I got a MMR booster and Tdap in preparation for grands. Tdap hurt!

My arm hurt for days after that tdap. I will throw that up to the grands someday. Lol. Jmo

 

[10ofRods]

Has this been posted and/or discussed yet? I wonder if we as adults can get a booster? I realize this is only a preprint at this time .Published epidemiological data suggests a correlation between patients who receive measles-rubella containing vaccines such as the commonly available MMR vaccine, and reduced COVID-19 death rate. Similar observations were recently noted in a Cambridge Study by Young et al, who noted protein homology between the COVID-19 virus and the rubella virus, corroborating the evidence in this report. The epidemiologic associations suggest that a measles-rubella containing vaccine, as currently produced, may be protective against severe disease and death from COVID-19 exposure.
(PDF) MMR Vaccine Appears to Confer Strong Protection from COVID-19: Few Deaths from SARS-CoV-2 in Highly Vaccinated Populations

We can - although where I live, I can't figure out how to get it done. County Public Health has them, but right now only has a set-up for children to make an appointment. My primary care doctor says they have not been able to get enough of the MMR vaccine to offer to adults, either.

This was some time ago. I'm not optimistic but I will try and persist more. I also need the shingles vaccine, and it's not at CVS or Ralph's the way it usually is - maybe issues to do with distancing and CoVid? No idea.

 

[tresir2012]

Brazil has ~3.5X the population of France, so using the total death number is a bit disingenuous for BBC. The two nations have almost the same number of deaths, but Brazil has 212M people to France's 65M.

Sweden had 45 deaths yesterday and has yet to input its death totals for today into world databases, so yes, it looks like 0 deaths - but I will wait until tomorrow, as I am highly suspicious that any nation can go from 45 to zero overnight (with over 27,000 active cases and 637 new cases yesterday; 190 serious/critical patients). BBC says it's their "Sunday final" edition - but really they should have waited to pronounce CoVid death free until Sweden had a chance to tally the numbers.

Greece, OTOH, seems to have really controlled CoVid, with zero cases several days running - and only 6 new cases yesterday. But BBC doesn't mention Greece (and hasn't, for a while) or the Republic of Georgia (another place with an actual zero rate of deaths for several days running). I think I know why Greece isn't being mentioned.

Coronavirus Update (Live): 6,258,870 Cases and 373,688 Deaths from COVID-19 Virus Pandemic - Worldometer

They are really just highlighting how quickly they are heading up the table. They will overtake Italy then UK, to be 2nd to US in about a week's time IMO. Greece only has 10 million population and a very hot early summer to help keep the cases down. Why do you think Greece is not being mentioned?

 

[mickey2942]

Does anyone think that the Coronavirus and now subsequent current civil unrest will spike the COVID19 cases again?

 

[tabitha111]

The inside story of how coronavirus spread in Massachusetts - The Boston Globe. This is an eye opening article and a must read if you want to know how MA ended up having such high numbers of cases and deaths. Fascinating, well written piece....


No. It’s just not possible, the epidemiologist said. It had to be something else.


Kilayko didn’t know the voice on the other end of the line. But she knew the woman’s role. This on-call epidemiologist for the state Department of Public Health’s hotline was a gatekeeper. And according to the state of Massachusetts on Tuesday, March 3, the virus had scarcely arrived here. Outbreaks in China and Italy were raging, but there were just over 100 official cases dotting the US, most of them a continent away in Washington and California. There had been two sick people identified in Massachusetts, but both were infected overseas and both were quickly isolated. As far as the state was concerned, the novel coronavirus was still a faraway problem.

Kilayko’s patient was a 66-year-old grandfather from a woodsy town of 1,700 people, who had gone to church, the doctor, the grocery store, the dump, and a couple of high school basketball games. He hadn’t recently traveled to China or Italy, and hadn’t, that he knew of, had contact with anyone who was infected. Under federal guidelines, that meant he didn’t qualify for testing.


As Kilayko hung up, she was surprised to feel a flicker of relief. The epidemiologist sounded so sure. And when it came right down to it, Kilayko wanted to be wrong. As an infectious disease specialist, she knew what it would mean if her hunch was right. If Rick had the virus, the virus was probably everywhere, and hundreds, perhaps thousands, of lives would be lost., the novel coronavirus was still a faraway problem.

(continued at link)


The inside story of how coronavirus spread in Massachusetts

 

[tresir2012]

Speaking of vaccines, I am due to get my second in a series of the Shingles vaccine...found out that the normal drugstore and Walmart pharmacies are not giving any vaccines at this time...hmmm...wonder what will be the case when the influenza vaccine is available? Surely Covid 19 will still be out there...

I am hoping they can somehow combine the CV19 vaccine in with the flu. They did that with H1N1.

 

[ilovewings]

The inside story of how coronavirus spread in Massachusetts - The Boston Globe. This is an eye opening article and a must read if you want to know how MA ended up having such high numbers of cases and deaths. Fascinating, well written piece....


No. It’s just not possible, the epidemiologist said. It had to be something else.


Kilayko didn’t know the voice on the other end of the line. But she knew the woman’s role. This on-call epidemiologist for the state Department of Public Health’s hotline was a gatekeeper. And according to the state of Massachusetts on Tuesday, March 3, the virus had scarcely arrived here. Outbreaks in China and Italy were raging, but there were just over 100 official cases dotting the US, most of them a continent away in Washington and California. There had been two sick people identified in Massachusetts, but both were infected overseas and both were quickly isolated. As far as the state was concerned, the novel coronavirus was still a faraway problem.

Kilayko’s patient was a 66-year-old grandfather from a woodsy town of 1,700 people, who had gone to church, the doctor, the grocery store, the dump, and a couple of high school basketball games. He hadn’t recently traveled to China or Italy, and hadn’t, that he knew of, had contact with anyone who was infected. Under federal guidelines, that meant he didn’t qualify for testing.


As Kilayko hung up, she was surprised to feel a flicker of relief. The epidemiologist sounded so sure. And when it came right down to it, Kilayko wanted to be wrong. As an infectious disease specialist, she knew what it would mean if her hunch was right. If Rick had the virus, the virus was probably everywhere, and hundreds, perhaps thousands, of lives would be lost., the novel coronavirus was still a faraway problem.

(continued at link)


The inside story of how coronavirus spread in Massachusetts

I read it--- great piece-thanks for posting the link

 

[musicaljoke]

US is/was the number 1 contributor to WHO.

This chart tells how much each country is accessed, and have they paid, or are the amounts still outstanding.

https://www.who.int/about/finances-accountability/funding/AC_Status_Report_2020.pdf