***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.”

[O.city]

Wear one for 8-9 hours every day. They’re not the most fun but they’re not bad.

[sedated]

Originally Posted by O.city

https://twitter.com/scottgottliebmd/...835209217?s=21

Huge drop in mortality across all age groups. Great news

The article attributes the drop in mortality rates to better treatment, is it possible the virus just isn't as lethal as it was a few months ago? Hospitalization rates seemed to stay lower than usual when there was a big spike in cases a couple months ago (IIRC).

[O.city]

Originally Posted by sedated

The article attributes the drop in mortality rates to better treatment, is it possible the virus just isn't as lethal as it was a few months ago? Hospitalization rates seemed to stay lower than usual when there was a big spike in cases a couple months ago (IIRC).

So much just depends who’s getting the virus. Age wise comorbidity wise etc.

I don’t think the virus would necessarily evolve that quickly but it’s been a while since virology

[suzzer99]

There's also a lot of evidence suggesting initial viral load correlates to severity of infection. More people are wearing masks and taking precautions than back in Feb/Mar/Apr - which could be leading to milder infections. Also warm weather could have led to less viral load or less susceptibility for the same reasons it does with flu.

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by suzzer99

There's also a lot of evidence suggesting initial viral load correlates to severity of infection. More people are wearing masks and taking precautions than back in Feb/Mar/Apr - which could be leading to milder infections. Also warm weather could have led to less viral load or less susceptibility for the same reasons it does with flu.

I don't disagree with any of that. Can we now agree more people are wearing masks? Because every other post is people aren't wearing masks.

[sedated]

Originally Posted by petegz28

I don't disagree with any of that. Can we now agree more people are wearing masks? Because every other post is people aren't wearing masks.

More people are wearing masks. But a lot of people still aren't.

[sedated]

Originally Posted by O.city

So much just depends who’s getting the virus. Age wise comorbidity wise etc.

I don’t think the virus would necessarily evolve that quickly but it’s been a while since virology

Normally I'd agree but the quoted article says that the death rate is down for all age groups.

[BigCatDaddy]

Originally Posted by petegz28

I don't disagree with any of that. Can we now agree more people are wearing masks? Because every other post is people aren't wearing masks.

Depends on where you are. I'd say a small percentage do where I live and TLO would agree with that.

[TLO]

Originally Posted by BigCatDaddy

Depends on where you are. I'd say a small percentage do where I live and TLO would agree with that.

I've seen a slight increase over the past couple of weeks, but yes, mask usage is still very low overall.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by sedated

Normally I'd agree but the quoted article says that the death rate is down for all age groups.

Possibly. I would guess the amount of those being hospitalized in the younger categories is less overall so a drop woudl be more significant? Hell if I know.

There was some talk of different spike protein and such which could lead to less virulence? I haven't kept up with that much lately though.

[O.city]

Cases here are finally showing a nice downward trend. Percent positive is going down as well. Hopefully it stays that way.

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by sedated

More people are wearing masks. But a lot of people still aren't.

Okay that's just the easy way out....

[Kiimo]

I guess this is where I post this?

I'm not sure

#Browns Odell Beckham Jr. says he's not trying to sound arrogant but doesn't think COVID can enter his body.

— Scott Petrak ct (@ScottPetrak) October 21, 2020

[Chris Meck]

My grandfather died. My last remaining grandparent.

It went like wildfire through his nursing home.

I didn't get to say goodbye.

Just wear the goddamned mask already.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by Chris Meck

My grandfather died. My last remaining grandparent.

It went like wildfire through his nursing home.

I didn't get to say goodbye.

Just wear the goddamned mask already.

That sucks man. Sorry to hear. Condolences.