NEW >> @CDCgov partners with @AdCouncil + @WarnerMedia for a new ad where Harry Potter, Wonder Woman, the hobbits, and others urge Americans to mask up and slow the spread. Critical message, especially as we face down variants.
Read more – https://t.co/ritFc5d3bI
WATCH: pic.twitter.com/VhgOnNcWOO
— Ian Sams (@IanSams) February 10, 2021
.@Flotus and @SecondGentleman made some surprise calls earlier today https://t.co/UYXlpsE12A
— Michael LaRosa (@MichaelLaRosa46) February 11, 2021
Biden's last coronavirus test was Thursday and he was negative, @PressSec Jen Psaki says at briefing. Although he's had the vaccine, it isn't 100 percent effective – it's only 95 percent protection, so White House doc wants to test him every two weeks, she says.
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) February 10, 2021
The US administered 1.6 million vaccine shots today, bringing the total to 46.0 million, or 14.0 doses per 100 people. The 7-day moving average rose to 1.57 million shots per day. 10.5% of American have received at least one shot; 3.4% are fully vaccinated. pic.twitter.com/y0OVoUpPRD
— Patrick Chovanec (@prchovanec) February 11, 2021
The US had +96,806 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today, bringing the total to nearly 27.9 million. The 7-day moving average fell to below 106,000 new cases per day, its lowest level since November 6. pic.twitter.com/f7K3AT9p2M
— Patrick Chovanec (@prchovanec) February 11, 2021
As far as selling points for getting vaccinated go, "you won't have to quarantine after a COVID exposure anymore" might be a pretty strong one https://t.co/RODB8pyNL5
— Ed MD (@notdred) February 10, 2021
My gut reaction to this is that once vaccines are made available to the general public I’m perfectly fine with these folks being last in the queue.
My more considered reaction is that these numbers are much lower than six months ago and hopefully that trend will persist. https://t.co/7RCuDXpMr5
— Daniel W. Drezner (@dandrezner) February 10, 2021
I, for one, was openly vaccine-hesitant not that long ago, but now I’m a lot more willing to get my Fauci ouchie (for all the good it will do me — despite being 65 with multiple comorbidities, here in Massachusetts it looks like I won’t be eligible until mid-June at the earliest.)
======
China reports two new COVID-19 cases, fewest in over five months https://t.co/KV1njX9kyh pic.twitter.com/wNBvr5MStC
— Reuters (@Reuters) February 11, 2021
Malaysia offers COVID-19 vaccinations to foreign residents, undocumented migrants https://t.co/vM0H8abGdZ pic.twitter.com/bMbMHWyixr
— Reuters (@Reuters) February 11, 2021
Melbourne steps up COVID tests as quarantine hotel cluster rises to 10 cases https://t.co/qXq4CbKFTG pic.twitter.com/2mjLIsifUN
— Reuters (@Reuters) February 11, 2021
Russia confirmed 15,038 new coronavirus cases Thursday, bringing the total caseload to 4,027,748https://t.co/CPswe2dIJ4
— The Moscow Times (@MoscowTimes) February 11, 2021
Russia’s surge in deaths last year is the “harsh reality” of the global coronavirus pandemic, the Kremlin said Wednesdayhttps://t.co/Xm02Nlazmn
— The Moscow Times (@MoscowTimes) February 11, 2021
As the European Union surpassed 500,000 deaths from the virus, the president of the bloc's executive arm says its much-criticized vaccine rollout could be partly blamed on the EU being over-optimistic, over-confident and plainly “late." https://t.co/cbsiJSqtz7
— AP Europe (@AP_Europe) February 10, 2021
Europe's oldest person beats Covid just before 117th birthday https://t.co/zsWOasprEf
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) February 10, 2021
"They will be missed if we don't find them": Health teams in the U.K. seek out homeless people to give them COVID-19 vaccine shots, knowing they don't have a doctor to send them to a vaccination center. https://t.co/d5B8CaDwle
— AP Europe (@AP_Europe) February 11, 2021
That study Iceland proposed to Pfizer ⬆️ in return for vaccinating the whole country isn't going to happen, because there's not enough useful data to be gleaned from a country that's suppressed the virus. Iceland, "victims of their own success". https://t.co/xj3pURP5O2
— Hilda Bastian, PhD (@hildabast) February 10, 2021
Tanzania experiencing surge in COVID-19 cases, says U.S. https://t.co/7omSn6jAcK pic.twitter.com/qbFfD55jRl
— Reuters (@Reuters) February 11, 2021
Mexico reports 11,138 new coronavirus cases, 1,328 deaths https://t.co/02Yhbzo3hh pic.twitter.com/szgCsgUr8U
— Reuters (@Reuters) February 11, 2021
======
Two masks are better than one. The CDC now recommends double-masking. The guidance makes sense as the pandemic moves into a phase characterized by multiple coronavirus variants https://t.co/G8DYJDDiHA
— delthia ricks ? (@DelthiaRicks) February 10, 2021
With emergence of more transmissible #SARSCoV2 variants it is even more important to adopt widespread mask wearing and to redouble use of other nonpharmaceutical prevention measures until effective levels of vaccination are achieved nationally https://t.co/TSuh8Vjc29 @CDCgov
— JAMA (@JAMA_current) February 10, 2021
People previously admitted to hospital or needing "continuous or repeated" steroid use because of asthma to be prioritised for Covid vaccine https://t.co/M8v8gfK1Sw
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) February 11, 2021
Antibodies to common cold coronaviruses do not protect against SARSCoV2 https://t.co/jJmi58X9l3 via @medical_xpress
— delthia ricks ? (@DelthiaRicks) February 10, 2021
All the coronaviruses in the world could fit inside a Coke can with plenty of room to spare — that's just how infinitesimal viruses are. The humungous amount of misery they cause is incalculable https://t.co/1X1fIdTyWx pic.twitter.com/Ogk1DMTwuZ
— delthia ricks ? (@DelthiaRicks) February 10, 2021
Now, Sputnik V — named after the Soviet’s first satellite— is starting to look like a global success story. A study in The Lancet found it has 91.6% efficacy 21 days after the 1st shot & 91.8% for people 60+. ~20 countries have purchased it https://t.co/wxRJQ7I0DF
— delthia ricks ? (@DelthiaRicks) February 10, 2021
Merck in talks with governments, other drugmakers to produce COVID-19 shots https://t.co/VWvIqJrMH1 pic.twitter.com/Cmk9Ja3PZG
— Reuters (@Reuters) February 11, 2021
======
The CDC continues to update its mortality data for 2020 as states report late-year #s. But it's already clear what a shock the pandemic was right across the country. Here is how all-cause mortality (i.e. total deaths) looked across jurisdictions in 2020, as compared to 2015-19. pic.twitter.com/aNj44kYuU1
— Kieran Healy (@kjhealy) February 10, 2021
Federal authorities are investigating a counterfeit N95 mask operation in which fake 3M masks were sold in at least five states to hospitals, medical facilities and government agencies. The fakes could put health care workers at risk for the coronavirus. https://t.co/8fQavy0gdb
— The Associated Press (@AP) February 10, 2021
It’s not ‘deranged’ when you think of it as White TX prosecutor finds dark-skinned immigrant to scapegoat:
This prosecution is utterly deranged. https://t.co/3A8VuAzfkX
— Daniel W. Drezner (@dandrezner) February 11, 2021
As the coronavirus takes a devastating toll on seniors in nursing homes, many attorneys are turning down families seeking to sue for wrongful death. At least 34 U.S. states have shielded nursing homes and other businesses from lawsuits during the pandemic. https://t.co/gnNe9vGMbN
— The Associated Press (@AP) February 10, 2021
Instagram bans Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over COVID-19 vaccine misinformation: WSJ https://t.co/OtDZjqjd3T pic.twitter.com/kl17sZ7t3M
— Reuters (@Reuters) February 11, 2021
Swine & Steel, in Seattle:
yup pic.twitter.com/YKaKL877YW
— antonio (@antoniodelotero) February 8, 2021
NotMax
Argentina becomes the 12th country to pass 2,000,000 total reported cases.
U.K. will become the 5th country to pass 4,000,000 by sometime tomorrow.
sab
Robert Kennedy Jr ban is a major relief.
NeenerNeener
Monroe County, NY yesterday:
211 new cases, still at 1034 reported deaths
2.5% positivity
364 people hospitalized, 89 people in the ICU
39% open hospital beds, 32% open ICU beds
NotMax
Le sigh,
SP123
Are you being sarcastic about June because MA is among the slowest rollouts in the country? 65+ is the next phase in MA which should start by the end of this month. My wife is a teacher and in line after the 65+ crowd so it better not be post-June.
BTW if they do the “bring an old friend and get a shot” for 65+ like they did for 75+ I’ll come drive you anywhere you want to go in the state.
Geminid
The work of the House select commitee on the Covid-19 response chaired by James Clyburn continues in the new Congress. A Washington Post article from February 9 reports on a request to HHS asking for documents sent by at least 46 current and former officials, both career civil servants and political appointees. Clyburn’s letter notes 20 requests and two subpoenas previously blocked by the trump administration.
That administration did produce e-mails sent by science adviser Paul Alexander, fired last September. These concerned Alexander’s repeated interference with HHS scientists in areas such as the review of hydroxycloriquine and the testing of asymptomatic persons after exposure to the virus. The Post article reports on these e-mails, which are the tip of the iceberg Clyburn’s commitee will expose.
satby
IL and IN just expanded their vaccination eligibility to 65+ as vaccine doses become more available. Hopefully the rest of the states will too. Once production really ramps up, they should just do mass vaccinations of everyone wanting one everywhere they can. I’m sure they’re planning that because smart people are in charge now.
As far as any further side effects from my second Pfizer dose, nothing. The very slight raise in temp for a couple of hours and mild headache was it. And I have vision problems causing headaches almost daily, so that may not have been from the shot.
Amir Khalid
Malaysia’s daily Covid-19 numbers. Director-General of Health Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah reports 3,384 new cases today in his media statement, for a cumulative reported total of 254,988 cases. He also reports 13 new deaths today for a cumulative total of 936 deaths — 0.37% of the cumulative reported total, 0.46% of resolved cases.
There are currently 51,783 active and contagious cases; 259 are in ICU, 122 of them intubated. Meanwhile, 3,369 patients recovered and were discharged, for a cumulative total of 202,269 patients recovered – 79.3% of the cumulative reported total.
17 new clusters were reported today: Kampung Tanjung Selabu, Jalan Bakawali Ramun, Jalan Air Hitam, Jalan Raja Muar, Jalan Perindustrian Getah, and Jalan Gemilang Lima in Johor; Jalan Berhala, Bukit Angkasa and Jalan Telawi in KL; Subang Delima, Lembah Subang building site, and Jalan Bukit Sentosa in Selangor; Tembok Bendera in Perak; Dedap and Perdana in Kedah; Jalan Bukit Baru in Melaka; and Nanga Lijan in Sarawak.
Jalan Bukit Baru is a high-risk group cluster. Jalan Bakawali Ramun and Nanga Lijan are community clusters. Tembok Bendera is a prison cluster. The rest are all workplace clusters.
3,369 new cases today are local infections. Selangor reports 1,079 local cases: 272 in older clusters; 52 in Subang Delima, Lembah Subang building site, and Jalan Bukit Sentosa clusters; 574 close-contact screenings; and 181 other screenings. Johor reports 776 local cases: 115 in older clusters; 52 in Kampung Tanjung Selabu, Jalan Bakawali Ramun, Jalan Air Hitam, Jalan Raja Muar, Jalan Perindustrian Getah, and Jalan Gemilang Lima clusters; 170 close-contact screenings; and 88 other screenings. KL reports 428 local cases: 201 in older clusters; 34 in Jalan Berhala, Bukit Angkasa and Jalan Telawi clusters; 80 close-contact screenings; and 114 other screenings. Kedah reports 226 local cases: nine in older clusters; 34 in Dedap and Perdana clusters; 16 close-contact screenings; and 36 other screenings.
Sarawak reports 184 cases: 64 in older clusters, 17 in Nanga Lijan cluster, 65 close-contact screenings, and 38 other screenings. Penang reports 144 cases: 75 in existing clusters, 21 close-contact screenings, and 48 other screenings. Sabah reports 141 local cases: five in existing clusters, 108 close-contact screenings, and 28 other screenings. Melaka reports 101 cases: 85 in older clusters, three in Jalan Bukit Baru cluster, seven close-contact screenings, and six other screenings.
Negeri Sembilan reports 89 cases: 32 in existing clusters, 34 close-contact screenings, and 23 other screenings. Perak reports 82 cases: 33 in older clusters, 14 in Tembok Bendera cluster, 20 close-contact screenings, and 15 other screenings. Kelantan reports 48 cases: 31 close-contact screenings, and 17 other screenings. Terengganu reports 26 cases: 11 in existing clusters, 10 close-contact screenings, and five other screenings. Pahang reports 21 cases: seven in existing clusters, 10 close-contact screenings, and four other screenings.
Labuan reports 13 local cases: seven in existing clusters, three close-contact screenings, and three other screenings. Putrajaya reports seven cases, all close-contact screenings. And Perlis reports four cases, all found in other screening.
15 new cases are imported: seven in KL, three in Selangor, two in Kedah, one in Saba, one in Johor, and one in Labuan.
The deaths reported today are a 53-year-old man in Terengganu with diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidaemia; a 63-year-old woman in Selangor with diabetes, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease; a 71-year-old man in Sarawak with Still’s disease, thyroid gland, and myelodysplastic syndrome; 78-year-old woman in Selangor with hypertension, heart disease, pulmonary fibrosis, and psoriasis; a 69-year-old woman in Selangor with diabetes, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease; an 87-year-old woman in Sabah, DOA with hypertension and stroke; an 83-year-old man in Sabah, DOA with hypertension and stroke; a 38-year-old woman in Johor, bed-ridden with hypertension; a 38-year-old woman in Johor with diabetes; a 56-year-old man in Negeri Sembilan with diabetes; a 40-year-old man in Terengganu with no co-morbidities listed; a 66-year-old man in Sabah, DOA with no co-morbidities listed; and a 42-year-old man in KL, DOA with no co-morbidities listed.
In other news, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaludin has declared that all persons in Malaysia will receive Covid-19 vaccinations for free – regardless of citizenship or immigration status. Khairy, who is in charge of the national vaccine distribution effort, says this is partly because non-citizens cannot be left out if herd immunity is to be achieved, and partly to reciprocate because Malaysians abroad have been vaccinated by their host nations on the same terms as citizens.
Sloane Ranger
Yesterday in the UK we had 13,013 new cases. This is an increase of around 650 from the day before but a decrease of 27.7% in the rolling 7-day average. New cases by nation,
England – 11,551 (up @600)
Northern Ireland – 336 (up @60)
Scotland – 803 (down 19)
Wales – 323 (down 28).
Deaths – There were 1001 deaths within 28 days of a positive test yesterday. This is a decrease of 25.9% in the rolling 7-day average. Deaths by nation, England – 926, Northern Ireland – 4, Scotland – 50 and Wales – 21.
Testing – 579,266 tests were conducted out of a capacity of 785,655 on Tuesday, 9 February. This is an increase of 1% in the rolling 7-day average.
Hospitalisations – On Monday, 8 February, there were 26,684 people in hospital. There were 3164 people on ventilators on Tuesday, 9th. The rolling 7-day average for hospital admissions has decreased by 22.6%.
Vaccinations – As of Tuesday, 9 February, 13,058,298 people had received the 1st shot of a vaccine and 519,553 their 2nd shot. People I know in the 65-70 age group are now receiving invitations to be vaccinated. They are getting closer to my age group. I can’t wait!
General – The government has advised people not to book summer holidays for this year and the travel industry is being outraged.
YY_Sima Qian
On 2/10 China reported 0 new domestic confirmed & 1 new domestic asymptomatic cases.
Hebei Province
Hebei Provincial Health Commission did not report any new domestic positive cases. 8 domestic confirmed cases recovered. There are currently 182 domestic confirmed cases (148 moderate and 34 mild) & 11 domestic asymptomatic cases in the province:
Heilongjiang Province
Heilongjiang Province did not report any new domestic positive cases. 30 domestic confirmed cases recovered & 28 domestic asymptomatic cases were released from isolation. There are currently 243 domestic confirmed (170 moderate and 73 mild) & 209 domestic asymptomatic cases in the province.:
Jilin Province
Jilin Province reported 1 new domestic asymptomatic case. 30 domestic confirmed cases recovered & 1 domestic asymptomatic case was released from isolation. There are currently 151 domestic confirmed (4 critical, 6 serious, 100 moderate and 41 mild) & 5 domestic asymptomatic cases:
Imported Cases:
On 2/1 China reported 2 new imported confirmed cases, 15 imported asymptomatic cases, 1 imported suspect case:
Overall in China, 92 confirmed cases recovered, 50 asymptomatic cases were released from isolation and none were reclassified as confirmed case, and 2,842 individuals were released from quarantine. Currently, there are 879 active confirmed cases in the country (247 imported), 13 are in critical/serious condition (3 imported), 521 asymptomatic cases (289 imported), 2 suspect cases (both imported). 16,304 traced contacts are currently under centralized quarantine.
On 2/11 Hong Kong reported 21 new cases, 4 imported (from the Philippines, India & Albania) & 17 domestic (7 of whom do not have sources of infection identified). There are additional 10+ cases preliminarily positive, awaiting retesting for confirmation.
PaulB
@sab: I’ve had a hatred of RFK jr. for years.
He was the commencement speaker when I graduated years ago. We were packed shoulder to shoulder outside on a hot sunny and cloudless day, while he stood in the shade. His address never seemed to acknowledge that anyone was graduating, it felt like it was the exact speech he gave to corporate seminars for cash.
Several students collapsed from heat exhaustion while he was wasting our time.
Robert Sneddon
I got my first Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccination yesterday in Edinburgh, age 65 with no serious comorbidities to push me up the list. The Scottish government has reported they’ve delivered over a million vaccinations as of today but they’re warning that new supplies of vaccine could be delayed over the next couple of weeks due to production issues and this might reduce the rate at which they can offer future appointments.
mrmoshpotato
@NotMax: So they biked up the hill and are all “I don’t want to coast down the other side.” ?
Sloane Ranger
@Robert Sneddon: Hum, interesting that rates fall the further down the age range you go. A lot of moping up to do among the 70-74 year olds.
I suppose the rate of vaccinations was too good to last. Hopefully the delay won’t be too long.
The Moar You Know
The reported Chinese numbers are not just unbelievable; they are ludicrous.
Starboard Tack
@PaulB:
Bobby Kennedy was the last politician I loved. His son is anathema.