1 year ago today a 35-year-old man presented to an urgent care clinic in Snohomish County, Washington, with a 4-day history of cough and fever. The next day the CDC confirmed him as the first US case of COVID-19. https://t.co/8Eh1L0Siak
— Jonathan Reiner (@JReinerMD) January 19, 2021
The official US death toll from #Covid19 has topped 400,000 people. That is more than the entire population of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Alarming to me is the fact that about 14% of those people have died in Jan. 2021. About 55,000 people have died this month & we're not yet 3 weeks in. pic.twitter.com/Np33gLwqy8— Helen Branswell (@HelenBranswell) January 19, 2021
Defense Secretary nominee Lloyd Austin, asked by Sen. Joe Manchin what he thinks the greatest threat to the U.S. is, says the coronavirus pandemic.
"It's killed over 400,000 of our American citizens. That's just an incredible loss of life."
— Andrew Solender (@AndrewSolender) January 19, 2021
TFW a coup is also a superspreader event https://t.co/V8mrJjzm9O
— Cody Fenwick (@codytfenwick) January 19, 2021
Dr. Tony Fauci urges Americans to get vaccinated as he receives his second dose https://t.co/NTR11dbZJB
— delthia ricks ? (@DelthiaRicks) January 20, 2021
An excellent idea from @heffnera on the post-Trump ethics cleanup: "denying federal assistance, be it PPP or vaccines, on the basis of American communities' political representation should be criminalized." https://t.co/mFgbZmoOif
— Katherine Eban (@KatherineEban) January 19, 2021
======
China says it will investigate all individuals who entered Beijing from abroad, post Dec.10. They also plan to shut down a subway station after the biggest daily jump in new COVID-19 cases in more than three weeks was reported https://t.co/ZG8jF3ku35 pic.twitter.com/62q2MDfg8z
— Reuters (@Reuters) January 20, 2021
Explainer: COVID-19 vaccine shots add to confusion over China's tests for travelers https://t.co/jfOUhpT0FQ pic.twitter.com/Gf3Vc2Uzg1
— Reuters (@Reuters) January 20, 2021
Japan's vaccine programme chief denies reports of May roll-out https://t.co/p7eEDTsCYV pic.twitter.com/BgHkJCeSEX
— Reuters (@Reuters) January 20, 2021
Taiwan cancels more events as local COVID-19 cases rise https://t.co/PEvgsEw2R1 pic.twitter.com/SbO90Xw3t2
— Reuters (@Reuters) January 20, 2021
Russia confirmed 21,152 new coronavirus cases Wednesday, bringing the total caseload to 3,633,952 https://t.co/zLcgsgKvUU
— The Moscow Times (@MoscowTimes) January 20, 2021
30% of COVID patients who have been in hospital are readmitted – seven times higher than non-COVID patients – and 12% die. A striking illustration of the harm the virus does, and not simply in the old. https://t.co/pnVZUFQLlh
— Stephen Reicher (@ReicherStephen) January 19, 2021
UK still in COVID-19 peril so too early to talk about lifting lockdown, minister says https://t.co/g09AkLkHWg pic.twitter.com/ICqpb2gKFO
— Reuters (@Reuters) January 20, 2021
France's life expectancy dropped slightly in 2020 because of the #COVID19 pandemic.
Life expectancy at birth dropped by 6 months for men & 5 months for women in 2020 compared to the previous year, France's national statistics agency @InseeFr_News reportshttps://t.co/ugt6sHT1dr pic.twitter.com/cPDnKJcivK
— MicrobesInfect (@MicrobesInfect) January 20, 2021
Germany is extending the country’s pandemic restrictions until mid-February amid concerns that new mutations of the coronavirus could trigger a fresh surge in cases. https://t.co/vfVWArQ1qm
— AP Europe (@AP_Europe) January 19, 2021
Exclusive: COVID-19 shots to cost $3 to $10 under African Union vaccine plan https://t.co/KTntzMrB6E pic.twitter.com/fXGDvAtZCI
— Reuters (@Reuters) January 20, 2021
Coronavirus: Why South Africa has yet to roll out vaccines https://t.co/LsCfmBat06
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) January 20, 2021
Argentina begins administering second doses of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine. The country received a shipment of 300k vials a few days ago for an immunization campaign that began Dec 29. Vax is made by Russia's Gamaleya Laboratory https://t.co/fhl1VslaKb pic.twitter.com/FifuP7teVd
— delthia ricks ? (@DelthiaRicks) January 19, 2021
Brazilian military flew medical personnel and 1,000 doses of a Chinese vaccine deep into the Amazon rainforest to start inoculating indigenous people against the coronavirus https://t.co/3NmScLB8Sf pic.twitter.com/7pnbwuWpmK
— Reuters (@Reuters) January 20, 2021
======
A new COVID challenge: Mutations rising along w/ the explosion of cases. The virus is becoming more genetically diverse & the high rate of new cases is the main reason. Each new infection gives the virus a chance to mutate as it makes copies of itself https://t.co/bqpCQEIYDJ
— delthia ricks ? (@DelthiaRicks) January 19, 2021
Do you have questions about #Covid19 variants? (Who doesn't?) Unfortunately, right now there are more questions than answers. But @DrewQJoseph has pulled together a lot of important information in this accessible piece. https://t.co/mlBNr2r0hQ
— Helen Branswell (@HelenBranswell) January 19, 2021
Survivors of #COVID19 can be re-infected w South African mutant form of the virus, meaning natural immunity is insufficient to protect. https://t.co/5TQFqLH6uP
— Laurie Garrett (@Laurie_Garrett) January 20, 2021
Discovery: SARSCoV2 triggers antibodies from previous #coronavirus infections, such as any of the 4 that cause the common cold, or SARS & MERS. Finding from Northern Arizona Univ & the Translational Genomics Research Institute, an affiliate of City of Hope https://t.co/gXVkt6WPDn pic.twitter.com/pR1HJwck9g
— delthia ricks ? (@DelthiaRicks) January 19, 2021
======
A new California variant may be driving the virus surge in the state. In late December California scientists began searching for a fast-spreading new variant that had just been identified in the UK. What they found: Calif had a mutant of its own—CAL.20C https://t.co/khDgO7XAly
— delthia ricks ? (@DelthiaRicks) January 20, 2021
NY Gov. Cuomo wants to bypass the federal government and buy vaccines directly from Pfizer, which is headquartered in NY https://t.co/VveTRbz7eD
— delthia ricks ? (@DelthiaRicks) January 19, 2021
After 2.5 hours standing in line in subfreezing temp for my "appointment " I finally got the @moderna_tx #COVID19 Vaccine. Hooray! But looking around, 90% of vax recipients are under 35 yr old white folks, in downtown #Brooklyn
This is messed up. pic.twitter.com/15gh1C9dKx— Laurie Garrett (@Laurie_Garrett) January 19, 2021
Kamala Harris: ‘For many months we have grieved by ourselves, tonight we grieve and begin healing together’ pic.twitter.com/yFptaxvCSr
— NowThis (@nowthisnews) January 19, 2021
NotMax
Number of countries reporting total cases of 500,000 or more now up to 33.
U.S. ~24.499k
India ~10,591k
Brazil ~8576k
Russia ~3634k
U.K. ~3472k
France ~2968k
Italy ~2401k
Turkey ~2400k
Spain ~2371k
Germany ~2072k
Colombia ~1939k
Argentina ~1820k
Mexico ~1668k
Poland ~1451k
South Africa ~1357k
Iran ~1342k
Ukraine ~1187k
Peru ~1073k
Netherlands ~928k
Indonesia ~927k
Czechia ~909k
Canada ~722k
Romania ~698k
Belgium ~681k
Chile ~677k
Iraq ~610k
Israel ~571k
Portugal ~567k
Sweden ~533k
Bangladesh ~529k
Pakistan ~525k
Philippines ~506k
Switzerland ~502k
.
NeenerNeener
Monroe County, NY yesterday:
308 new cases, back at mid-November levels. 778 hospitalized, 172 in the ICU, up from 148 yesterday. 802 deaths since last year. 33% of hospital beds available, 22% of ICU beds available. 6.4% positivity.
Martin
@NotMax: America First.
He was true to his promise.
Mary G
Pretty bad day in Orange County – new cases 3,995, new record number of deaths – 110, smashing last week’s record of 82, which smashed the record in August of 52. ICU availability still at 0%, though regular hospital occupancy dropped. Percent of positive tests dropped from 19.5% to 16.7%. The massive vaccination operation in the Disneyland parking lot had to be closed because of Santa Ana winds. They have changed the system so your second appointment is automatically set at your first. Hope for better days. We also desperately need rain. I
mrmoshpotato
@Martin: USA!? USA!?
NotMax
FYI (emphasis added).
*Seniors, specifically in this case those 75 and over (the age tier currently being scheduled).
YY_Sima Qian
On 1/19 China reported 88 new domestic confirmed, 43 new domestic asymptomatic cases.
Liaoning Province did not report any new domestic positive cases:
Beijing Municipality reported 7 new domestic confirmed cases, 6 at the same community in Tiangongyuan Sub-District of Daxing District, where the recent cluster was detected, and the other is at Shunyi District. It is not clear from the case summaries whether they are traced close contacts under quarantine, or found from mass screening. 2 cases had developed symptoms on 1/18, but they were transferred to hospital by negative pressure ambulance, rather than visiting fever clinics. 5 communities in Tiangongyuan Sub-District have gone into total lock down, with residents confined to their homes, while other residential compounds and villages in the sub-districts are under restricted access managements (only registered residents are allowed to enter, or exit with pass). 1 village at Shunyi District was re-designated as Low Risk. There are currently 1 community (at Daxing District) and 4 villages (at Shunyi District) at Medium Risk.
Hebei Province:
Hebei Provincial Health Commission reported 19 new domestic confirmed (4 previously asymptomatic) & 5 new domestic asymptomatic cases. 1 domestic confirmed case recovered & 1 domestic asymptomatic cases was released from isolation. There are currently 818 domestic confirmed cases (8 critical, 23 serious, 664 moderate and 123 mild) & 168 domestic asymptomatic cases in the province:
Heilongjiang Province:
Heilongjiang Province reported 16 new domestic confirmed (1 previously asymptomatic) & 31 new domestic asymptomatic cases, all are F1 or F2 close contacts of previously reported positive cases. There are currently 192 domestic confirmed (including 2 critical and 10 serious) & 305 domestic asymptomatic cases in the province.:
Jilin Province
Jilin Province reported 46 new domestic confirmed cases (34 previously asymptomatic) & 7 domestic asymptomatic cases, there are currently 129 confirmed (3 critical, 11 serious, 85 moderate and 30 mild) & 61 asymptomatic cases there.:
On 1/19, China reported 15 new imported confirmed cases, 15 imported asymptomatic cases:
Overall in China, 17 confirmed cases recovered, 11 asymptomatic cases were released from isolation and 39 were reclassified as confirmed cases, and 2,102 individuals were released from quarantine, 2 suspect cases were ruled out as COV ID-19. Currently, there are 1,473 active confirmed cases in the country (276 imported), 62 are in critical/serious condition (1 imported), 819 asymptomatic cases (266 imported). 34,966 traced contacts are currently under quarantine.
On 1/20, Hong Kong reported 77 new cases, all domestic (37 of whom do not have sources of infection identified).
Martin
Orange County still at 0% ICU capacity. 3rd straight week.
Disneyland vaccinations were cancelled today due to high winds (gusts to 60MPH). I believe also cancelled for tomorrow.
One part of the county has discontinued use of the Moderna vaccine due to a rash of reactions, some requiring hospitalization. They believe it’s localized to one lot, not the vaccine overall. Disneyland is using Moderna due to the difficulty of deploying the Pfizer one in a setting like that.
Our highest daily deaths in 2020 was something like 25. It was 110 yesterday. We really fucked up from Thanksgiving out.
Martin
@Mary G: Heh. I could be accused of plagiarism in this thread.
Martin
More reporting that the South Africa variant may be partially resistant to the vaccine – or at least some of them. Not conclusive yet, but troubling.
The other worry is that many viruses will develop resistant mutations over time. The slower the vaccination rate, the more likely they are to develop. This variant could be a fluke, or it could indicate that Covid can mutate rapidly.
Chyron HR
Oh, well, in that case I’ll get right on it.
Amir Khalid
Malaysia’s daily Covid-19 numbers. Director-General of Health Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah reports 4,008 new cases today in his media statement, the second-highest daily total, for a cumulative reported total of 169,379 cases. Dr Noor Hisham also reports 11 new deaths today, for a total of 630 deaths — 0.37% of the cumulative reported total, 0.49% of resolved cases.
41,087 active and contagious cases are currently in hospital; 246 are in ICU, 96 of them on respirators. Meanwhile, 2,374 patients recovered and were discharged, for a total of 127,662 patients recovered – 75.4% of the cumulative reported total.
16 new clusters were reported today: Bestari Rantau and Jalan Abdul Aziz building site in Selangor; Jalan KKIP Selatan and Kampung Balibata in Sabah; Jalan Digital building site in Johor and Terengganu; Tampoi Lima, Jalan Seroja, and Jalan Niaga in Johor; Persiaran Tasek and Batu Enam in Perak; Jalan Usaha and Bukit Sebukor building site in Melaka; Sungai Ibor in Negeri Sembilan; Jalan Sejahtera in KL; and Bukit Gelugor and Sawmill Luit in Pahang.
4,003 new cases today are local infections. Selangor has 1,390 local cases: 522 in older clusters, 72 in Bestari Rantau and Jalan Abdul Aziz building site clusters, 464 close-contact screenings, and 329 other screenings. KL has 509 local cases: 137 in older clusters, 15 in Jalan Sejahtera cluster, 213 close-contact screenings, and 144 other screenings. Johor has 470 cases: 136 in older clusters, 62 in Jalan Digital building site, Tampoi Lima, Jalan Seroja, and Jalan Niaga clusters, 180 close-contact screenings, and 92 other screenings. Sabah has 406 cases: 10 in older clusters, 10 in Jalan KKIP Selatan and Kampung Balibata clusters, 264 close-contact screenings, and 122 other screenings. Sarawak has 203 cases: 141 in existing clusters, and 62 other screenings.
Negeri Sembilan has 176 cases: 78 in older clusters, four in Sungai Ibor cluster, 52 close-contact screenings, and 42 other screenings. Perak has 170 cases: eight in older clusters, four in Persiaran Tasek and Batu Enam clusters, 97 close-contact screenings, and 50 other screenings. Kedah has 142 cases: 16 in existing clusters, 72 close-contact screenings, and 54 other screenings. Melaka has 132 cases: 19 in older clusters, 10 in Jalan Usaha and Bukit Sebukor building site clusters, 86 close-contact screenings, and 17 other screenings. Penang has 124 cases: 38 in existing clusters, 53 close-contact screenings, and 33 other screenings. Kelantan has 121 cases: 19 in existing clusters, 84 close-contact screenings, and 18 other screenings.
Terengganu has 81 cases: 17 in existing clusters, 44 close-contact screenings, and 20 other screenings. Pahang has 52 cases: 13 in older clusters, 15 in Bukit Gelugor and Sawmill Luit clusters, 21 close-contact screenings, and three other screenings. Putrajaya has 23 cases: 14 close-contact screenings, and nine other screenings. Perlis has three cases, all close-contact screenings. And Labuan has one case in an existing cluster.
Five new cases are imported. Four were reported in KL, and one in Selangor.
The 11 deaths today are a 70-year-old woman in Sabh with diabetes and hypertension; a 77-year-old man in Sabah with gout and a swollen prostate; a 42-year-old man in Sarawak with diabetes, hypertension, and chronic liver disease; a 60-year-old man in Selangor with diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and stroke; a 68-year-old man in Selangor with hyperyension and hearty disease; an 81-year-old man in Selamgor with diabetes, hypertension, psoriasis, stroke, chronic kidney disease; a 54-year-old man in Selangor, DOA with no listed co-morbidities; a 90-year-old woman in Sabah with diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, and hyperparathyroidism; a 69-year-old woman in Johor with diabetes and chronic kidney disease; a 69-year-old non-Malaysian woman in Johor with diabetes and hypertension; and a 72-year-old non-Malaysian woman in Johor with diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.
Jeffery
I have managed to dodge covid for the last years. I am anxious to get the vaccine. From what I can tell here in Philadelphia it will be a while until that happens. My hope is the Biden can get the rollout organized from the trump chaos in a timely fashion. As of 12:01 today the GOP will be clutching their pearls wonder why covid vaccine distribution hasn’t been fully implemented.
Sloane Ranger
Happy Inauguration Day cousins!
Yesterday in the UK, we had 33,355 new cases. This is about 4200 fewer than the day before and a reduction of 22.3% in the rolling 7-day average. New cases by nation,
England – 30,371 (down @4000)
Northern Ireland – 713 (up @70)
Scotland – 1165 (down @260)
Wales – 1106 (down @330).
Deaths – There were 1610 deaths within 28 days of a positive test yesterday. This is a 19.8% increase in the rolling 7-day average. Deaths by nation – 1507 in England, 24 in Northern Ireland, 71 in Scotland and 8 in Wales.
Testing – 556,689 tests were processed on Monday, 18 January out of a capacity of 816,386. This is an increase in the rolling 7-day average of 0.6%.
Hospitalisations – As of Sunday, 17th January there were 37,946 people in hospital and 3916 were on ventilators on Monday, 18th. The rolling 7-day average for hospital admissions is up 3.6%.
Vaccinations – As of Monday, 18th 4,266,577 people had received their 1st dose of a vaccine and 456,866 had received a 2nd dose. Looking at the graphs, it appears that the roll out of the vaccine is slowing rather than accelerating. This is worrying.
No other real news.
YY_Sima Qian
Beijing Municipal CDC announced yesterday that the 2 cases reported at Daxing District on 1/17 are infected by the B.1.1.7 variant. Since the only reported B.1.1.7 patients in China had been imported cases found at Shanghai and Guangzhou, Beijing authorities believe this cluster is seeded by some sort of foreign import, although the vector remains unknown. Daxing District has one of the Beijing’s 2 international airports, although the Tiangongyuan Sub-District is not near the airport.
This explains why the community with the cluster was so quickly elevated to High Risk today, and why communities went into total lock down. Chinese government will want to snuff out any outbreak with the more contagious variants. The regime’s imperative is to ensure there is no major outbreak in the capital, and that there are not smoldering outbreaks that can be fanned by the massive Chinese New Year migration.
The Chinese New Year will probably subdued this year. All public celebrations and traditional fairs are cancelled. Governments at all levels are exhorting people to stay put. Most places in China are requiring that anyone who travel outside of the province to get tested by RT-PCR, and home quarantine for 2 weeks. Government workers are forbidden from traveling altogether. Kindergarten to upper middle schools are asking children who traveled over the holiday to stay away from school for 2 weeks. All of which will serve as deterrent and reduce travel. Universities have ended fall semester early at the beginning and middle of the month, to spread some of the holiday travel. ~ 3 billion trips are typically taken during a normal Chinese New Year, so even if all of these measures reduce the number of trips to the hundreds of millions, it would still be more than enough to spread the virus (especially the more contagious variants) from a few isolated outbreaks all over the country.
YY_Sima Qian
Beijing Municipal Health Commission just shared that all 7 confirmed cases reported yesterday, and the 4 positive cases reported on 1/17 & 1/18, are of the same cluster comprised of family, friends and colleagues. The case at Shunyi District actually experienced soreness on 1/11, but sought to self-medicate. 3 of the cases are judges at some kind of event (social media rumor claims some kind of cat show).
I sure hope the vector is not infected cats from the UK! (Semi-joking.)