***NON-POLITICAL COVID-19 Discussion Thread***

[JakeF]

A couple of reminders...

Originally Posted by Bwana

Once again, don't come in this thread with some kind of political agenda, or you will be shown the door. If you want to go that route, there is a thread about this in DC.

Originally Posted by Dartgod

People, there is a lot of good information in this thread, let's try to keep the petty bickering to a minimum.

We all have varying opinions about the impact of this, the numbers, etc. We will all never agree with each other. But we can all keep it civil.

Thanks!

Click here for the original OP:

Spoiler!

Apparently the CoronaVirus can survive on a inanimate objects, such as door knobs, for 9 days.

California coronavirus case could be first spread within U.S. community, CDC says
By SOUMYA KARLAMANGLA, JACLYN COSGROVE
FEB. 26, 2020 8:04 PM

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating what could be the first case of novel coronavirus in the United States involving a patient in California who neither recently traveled out of the country nor was in contact with someone who did.

“At this time, the patient’s exposure is unknown. It’s possible this could be an instance of community spread of COVID-19, which would be the first time this has happened in the United States,” the CDC said in a statement. “Community spread means spread of an illness for which the source of infection is unknown. It’s also possible, however, that the patient may have been exposed to a returned traveler who was infected.”

The individual is a resident of Solano County and is receiving medical care in Sacramento County, according to the state Department of Public Health.

The CDC said the “case was detected through the U.S. public health system — picked up by astute clinicians.”

Officials at UC Davis Medical Center expanded on what the federal agency might have meant by that in an email sent Wednesday, as reported by the Davis Enterprise newspaper.

The patient arrived at UC Davis Medical Center from another hospital Feb. 19 and “had already been intubated, was on a ventilator, and given droplet protection orders because of an undiagnosed and suspected viral condition,” according to an email sent by UC Davis officials that was obtained by the Davis Enterprise.

The staff at UC Davis requested COVID-19 testing by the CDC, but because the patient didn’t fit the CDC’s existing criteria for the virus, a test wasn’t immediately administered, according to the email. The CDC then ordered the test Sunday, and results were announced Wednesday. Hospital administrators reportedly said in the email that despite these issues, there has been minimal exposure at the hospital because of safety protocols they have in place.

A UC Davis Health spokesperson declined Wednesday evening to share the email with The Times.

Since Feb. 2, more than 8,400 returning travelers from China have entered California, according to the state health department. They have been advised to self-quarantine for 14 days and limit interactions with others as much as possible, officials said.

“This is a new virus, and while we are still learning about it, there is a lot we already know,” Dr. Sonia Angell, director of the California Department of Public Health, said in a statement. “We have been anticipating the potential for such a case in the U.S., and given our close familial, social and business relationships with China, it is not unexpected that the first case in the U.S. would be in California.”

It is not clear how the person became infected, but public health workers could not identify any contacts with people who had traveled to China or other areas where the virus is widespread. That raises concern that the virus is spreading in the United States, creating a challenge for public health officials, experts say.

“It’s the first signal that we could be having silent transmission in the community,” said Lawrence Gostin, director of the World Health Organization Collaborating Center on National and Global Health Law. “It probably means there are many more cases out there, and it probably means this individual has infected others, and now it’s a race to try to find out who that person has infected.”

On Tuesday, the CDC offered its most serious warning to date that the United States should expect and prepare for the coronavirus to become a more widespread health issue.

“Ultimately, we expect we will see coronavirus spread in this country,” said Nancy Messonnier, director of the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. “It’s not so much a question of if, but a question of when.”

According to the CDC’s latest count Wednesday morning, 59 U.S. residents have tested positive for the new strain of coronavirus — 42 of whom are repatriated citizens from a Diamond Princess cruise. That number has grown by two since Messonnier’s last count Tuesday, although the CDC was not immediately available to offer details on the additional cases.

More than 82,000 cases of coronavirus have been reported globally, and more than 2,700 people have died, with the majority in mainland China, the epicenter of the outbreak.

But public health leaders have repeatedly reminded residents that the health risk from the novel coronavirus to the general public remains low.

“While COVID-19 has a high transmission rate, it has a low mortality rate,” the state Department of Public Health said in a statement Wednesday. “From the international data we have, of those who have tested positive for COVID-19, approximately 80% do not exhibit symptoms that would require hospitalization. There have been no confirmed deaths related to COVID-19 in the United States to date.”

CDC officials have also warned that although the virus is likely to spread in U.S. communities, the flu still poses a greater risk.

Gostin said the news of potential silent transmission does not eliminate the possibility of containing the virus in the U.S. and preventing an outbreak.

“There are few enough cases that we should at least try,” he said. “Most of us are not optimistic that that will be successful, but we’re still in the position to try.”

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by Pitt Gorilla

The CDC has always been reasonable.

You believe that. I believe that. But there are plenty of people who don't. Them pushing back against "the man" a bit would potentially bring them some credibility.

I'm obviously not saying that they should do so for the sake of being combative, but if the data doesn't say we need boosters, we shouldn't be doing them, and that's about all there is to it.

[dirk digler]

Lots of data coming out today about boosters and waning immunity especially for those 65 and older. Since I got the Pfizer vaccine in late December\early January I am probably going to get one even though I am not that old.

Key summary graphic
Israeli data for >1 million people, age ≥60 for unvaccinated, vaccinated 2-doses, and + booster: cases, severe disease, and deaths
from https://t.co/sHIdPmHZnD pic.twitter.com/iRI7YEaIuD

— Eric Topol (@EricTopol) September 14, 2021

[dirk digler]

2. Effectiveness (VE) vs symptomatic infection over time and, in age 80+, difference dose in spacing (<4 weeks vs 8+ weeks)
Note for AZ drop in VE is to < 50% at >5 months pic.twitter.com/fPERx8GmHT

— Eric Topol (@EricTopol) September 14, 2021

[Chief Pagan]

Originally Posted by carlos3652

There is an article in the Atlantic stating that 50-58% of hospitalizations since January 2021 have been mild to asymptomatic cases, meaning only 1/2 of the numbers of hospitalizations were true issues (94 oxygen or lower) on admission.

Compare that to 38% pre delta, it looks like hospitalization numbers are not as bad this go around (even though there are more people getting checked in)

Makes sense considering they didn’t allow elective surgeries or people who were not showing severe symptoms into hospitals in 2020.

I guess? If they aren't true issues I don't see why ICUs are overflowing in some areas.



Covid Hospitalizations Hit Crisis Levels in Southern I.C.U.s
By Charlie SmartSept. 14, 2021

Hospitals in the southern United States are running dangerously low on space in intensive care units, as the Delta variant has led to spikes in coronavirus cases not seen since last year’s deadly winter wave.

One in four hospitals now reports more than 95 percent of I.C.U. beds occupied — up from one in five last month. Experts say it can become difficult to maintain standards of care for the sickest patients in hospitals where all or nearly all I.C.U. beds are occupied.

In June, when Covid-19 cases were at their lowest level, less than one in 10 hospitals had dangerously high occupancy rates.

In Alabama, all I.C.U. beds are currently occupied. In recent days, dozens of patients in the state have needed beds that were not available, according to data published by the Department of Health and Human Services.

“It means they’re in the waiting room, some are in the back of ambulances, things of that nature,” said Jeannie Gaines, a spokesperson for the Alabama Hospital Association.

In Texas, 169 hospitals have I.C.U.s that are more than 95 percent full, up from 69 in June. There are only about 700 intensive care beds remaining across the entire state, according to recent data.

Hospitals in Houston constructed overflow tents last month to handle the influx of patients, and the rate of hospitalizations in the state is now 40 percent higher than when the tents were built.

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/...icu-south.html

[carlos3652]

Originally Posted by Chief Pagan

I guess? If they aren't true issues I don't see why ICUs are overflowing in some areas.



Covid Hospitalizations Hit Crisis Levels in Southern I.C.U.s
By Charlie SmartSept. 14, 2021

Hospitals in the southern United States are running dangerously low on space in intensive care units, as the Delta variant has led to spikes in coronavirus cases not seen since last year’s deadly winter wave.

One in four hospitals now reports more than 95 percent of I.C.U. beds occupied — up from one in five last month. Experts say it can become difficult to maintain standards of care for the sickest patients in hospitals where all or nearly all I.C.U. beds are occupied.

In June, when Covid-19 cases were at their lowest level, less than one in 10 hospitals had dangerously high occupancy rates.

In Alabama, all I.C.U. beds are currently occupied. In recent days, dozens of patients in the state have needed beds that were not available, according to data published by the Department of Health and Human Services.

“It means they’re in the waiting room, some are in the back of ambulances, things of that nature,” said Jeannie Gaines, a spokesperson for the Alabama Hospital Association.

In Texas, 169 hospitals have I.C.U.s that are more than 95 percent full, up from 69 in June. There are only about 700 intensive care beds remaining across the entire state, according to recent data.

Hospitals in Houston constructed overflow tents last month to handle the influx of patients, and the rate of hospitalizations in the state is now 40 percent higher than when the tents were built.

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/...icu-south.html

You realize that ICU’s at almost max capacity is exactly where hospitals want to be right? That’s what they budget for and where they make max profits.

The problem is when they don’t plan enough because they were told the vaccine would prevent transmission at a higher rate (because it did pre delta) and they didn’t stop elective surgeries.

They are also taking in people into the ICU for issues non covid - but if they asymptomatic they still count towards their numbers.

In a wreck, but test positive with no symptoms - covid in icu.
Took a gunshot wound, but test positive with no symptoms - covid in icu

Almost 60% of the hospitalizations are mild to asymptomatic- think about it for a second

['Hamas' Jenkins]

Originally Posted by carlos3652

You realize that ICU’s at almost max capacity is exactly where hospitals want to be right? That’s what they budget for and where they make max profits.

The problem is when they don’t plan enough because they were told the vaccine would prevent transmission at a higher rate (because it did pre delta) and they didn’t stop elective surgeries.

They are also taking in people into the ICU for issues non covid - but if they asymptomatic they still count towards their numbers.

In a wreck, but test positive with no symptoms - covid in icu.
Took a gunshot wound, but test positive with no symptoms - covid in icu

Almost 60% of the hospitalizations are mild to asymptomatic- think about it for a second

Hospitals don't budget for max capacity because they don't have the staff to handle that kind of patient volume for very long at all. Nursing shortages are at critical levels. I know for a fact of hospital systems that have falsely reported the acuteness of their patients so that they can run with staffing levels that their regulations do not allow them to do. Also, ICU cases are not necessarily profitable in-and-of themselves. If you have people that are self pay or have catastrophic coverage they are still going to be given treatment in line with the severity of their illness. The biggest place where I've seen discussions regarding coverage come into play is placement for people after their acute illness is over--whether insurance will pay for inpatient rehab vs. a nursing home, for example.

COVID isn't necessarily a boon for the budget, either. As a quick example, CMS only reimburses a hospital $500 for a monoclonal infusion.

[carlos3652]

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Hospitals don't budget for max capacity because they don't have the staff to handle that kind of patient volume for very long at all. Nursing shortages are at critical levels. I know for a fact of hospital systems that have falsely reported the acuteness of their patients so that they can run with staffing levels that their regulations do not allow them to do. Also, ICU cases are not necessarily profitable in-and-of themselves. If you have people that are self pay or have catastrophic coverage they are still going to be given treatment in line with the severity of their illness. The biggest place where I've seen discussions regarding coverage come into play is placement for people after their acute illness is over--whether insurance will pay for inpatient rehab vs. a nursing home, for example.

COVID isn't necessarily a boon for the budget, either. As a quick example, CMS only reimburses a hospital $500 for a monoclonal infusion.

I agree staffing is a bitch right now. Burnout and Layoffs because of shor mandates don’t help.

I’m not a health care expert. I just posted an Atlantic article that stated almost 60% of hospitalizations are mild to asymptomatic. Twice as much as it was pre delta and why numbers were at an all time high.

Remember when you couldn’t even go to the hospital or take a covid test unless you had severe symptoms last year? Remember when they canceled all elective surgeries? Told people to stay home unless you were dying?

Well they didn’t do that this year based on information given to them by the CDC. They weren’t prepared, they didn’t plan or budget accordingly because they believed the worst was behind them.

I’m not blaming hospitals for this mess. Just trying to bring perspective to the notion that I think it was a perfect storm and more than half of the patients in hospitals are not in bad shape AT ALL from Covid.

Cases are going down, hospitalizations are going down, hopefully deaths also. Hoping the next wave is not as bad.

[suzzer99]

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

COVID isn't necessarily a boon for the budget, either. As a quick example, CMS only reimburses a hospital $500 for a monoclonal infusion.

Meanwhile my friend just got a single infusion of a drug called Solaris for an auto-immune disease that cost $78k.

[lawrenceRaider]

Originally Posted by suzzer99

Meanwhile my friend just got a single infusion of a drug called Solaris for an auto-immune disease that cost $78k.

That's just reeruned, unless it actually cures the disease.

[Monticore]

Originally Posted by carlos3652

I agree staffing is a bitch right now. Burnout and Layoffs because of shor mandates don’t help.

I’m not a health care expert. I just posted an Atlantic article that stated almost 60% of hospitalizations are mild to asymptomatic. Twice as much as it was pre delta and why numbers were at an all time high.

Remember when you couldn’t even go to the hospital or take a covid test unless you had severe symptoms last year? Remember when they canceled all elective surgeries? Told people to stay home unless you were dying?

Well they didn’t do that this year based on information given to them by the CDC. They weren’t prepared, they didn’t plan or budget accordingly because they believed the worst was behind them.

I’m not blaming hospitals for this mess. Just trying to bring perspective to the notion that I think it was a perfect storm and more than half of the patients in hospitals are not in bad shape AT ALL from Covid.

Cases are going down, hospitalizations are going down, hopefully deaths also. Hoping the next wave is not as bad.

In Canada and I assume a lot of other countries having empty beds is better financially for the institution, our ICUs/hospitals have had similar struggles with delta , your are not getting admitted unless you need it you hospitals normally don't have the spare beds for that.

[Monticore]

Originally Posted by lawrenceRaider

That's just reeruned, unless it actually cures the disease.

Drugs are expensive it's crazy, the RSV vaccine is 1500$(in Canada) per shot/month x 10 months, I didn't even know there even was one for RSV probably because it's not covered and not many people can afford that I guess.

[IA_Chiefs_fan]

Originally Posted by suzzer99

Meanwhile my friend just got a single infusion of a drug called Solaris for an auto-immune disease that cost $78k.

That's terrible! I hope your friend has good health insurance.

[Chiefnj2]

Originally Posted by dirk digler

Lots of data coming out today about boosters and waning immunity especially for those 65 and older. Since I got the Pfizer vaccine in late December\early January I am probably going to get one even though I am not that old.

Key summary graphic
Israeli data for >1 million people, age ≥60 for unvaccinated, vaccinated 2-doses, and + booster: cases, severe disease, and deaths
from https://t.co/sHIdPmHZnD pic.twitter.com/iRI7YEaIuD

— Eric Topol (@EricTopol) September 14, 2021

So, less than 10 daily severe cases per 100,000 for those over 60 with two doses? I’m not seeing the strong need for a booster that the media is pushing.

[Monticore]

Originally Posted by lawrenceRaider

That's just reeruned, unless it actually cures the disease.

don't think it does .


Soliris was originally approved to treat two blood disorders affecting about 180 Canadians — paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) — with the list price in Canada for a year of treatment ranging from $500,000 to $700,000.

sound like drug is needed to stay alive, not sure if there are alternative or if its covered , thank god they seem rare.

[Monticore]

Pretty unlucky if you need one of these.

The Most Expensive Drugs, Period
July 2021
Drug Manufacturer Annual cost based on length of therapy
1 Zolgensma AveXis, Inc $2,125,000
2 Zokinvy Eiger BioPharmaceuticals $1,032,480
3 Danyelza Y--mAbs Theraptuics, Inc $977,664
4 Myalept Aegerion Pharmaceuticals $889,904
5 Luxturna Spark Therapeutics $850,000
6 Folotyn Acrotech Biopharma $817,865
7 Brineura BioMarin Pharmaceuticals $730,340
8 Blincyto Amgen, Inc $712,672
9 Ravicti Horizon Therapeutics $695,970
10 Soliris Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc $678,392