Stat of the day:
Navigator Research shows that the first time since the pandemic began, more than half of Americans (54%) say “the worst is over,” rather than “the worst is yet to come.”
Thanks @JoeBiden and @JeffZients' COVID team pic.twitter.com/l1CxdCpwcm
— John Anzalone (@JohnAnzo) March 18, 2021
President Biden says that tomorrow, the 58th day of his administration, the U.S. will meet the goal he set of 100 million vaccine shots during the first 100 days of his administration.
— Jennifer Epstein (@jeneps) March 18, 2021
The US administered 2.7 million vaccine shots today, bringing the total to 116 million, or 34.9 doses per 100 people, enough to cover 17.7% of the population. The 7-day moving average rose to 2.50 million shots per day. pic.twitter.com/YeH8D0MHvO
— Patrick Chovanec (@prchovanec) March 19, 2021
BREAKING: Biden administration eyes mid-May to begin relaxing Covid travel restrictions, sources say https://t.co/0F4qfaTvy6
— CNBC Now (@CNBCnow) March 18, 2021
The US had +62,629 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today, bringing the total to over 30.3 million. The 7-day day moving average declined slightly to 55,787 new cases per day. pic.twitter.com/p1UL2pdRTN
— Patrick Chovanec (@prchovanec) March 19, 2021
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The always interesting Mike Worobey & colleagues estimate that #SARSCoV2 may have emerged in Hubei province in mid-Oct. 2019. By the time the virus was spreading in Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in late December, it was established in Wuhan, they say. https://t.co/FooBePBnH8
— Helen Branswell (@HelenBranswell) March 18, 2021
India's coronavirus infections touch highest in more than three months https://t.co/AYNrlNyXyz pic.twitter.com/cEJRyKmzqx
— Reuters (@Reuters) March 19, 2021
BREAKING NEWS. The Philippines records its highest one-day tally in coronavirus cases on Friday, March 19, 2021, with 7,103 new cases.
Total cases now at 648,066.https://t.co/olWQ4wuXz7 pic.twitter.com/lFE38Jj8r5
— Rappler (@rapplerdotcom) March 19, 2021
Philippines approves emergency use of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine as COVID-19 cases spike https://t.co/zNhxKTEklQ pic.twitter.com/0y4GeBTdvq
— Reuters (@Reuters) March 19, 2021
The European Med Agency #EMA rules the @AstraZeneca #vaccine is "safe and effective," but can't rule out a link to unusual types of blood clots.
“If it was me, I would be vaccinated tomorrow,” said the head of the agency. https://t.co/LU3C9P2EVa— Laurie Garrett (@Laurie_Garrett) March 18, 2021
Germany will resume administering AstraZeneca's coronavirus vaccine on Friday morning, Health Minister Jens Spahn said, after the European Medicines Agency (EMA) stated earlier that its health benefits outweighed any risks it posed. https://t.co/TDrV5BJh7h
— Reuters Health (@Reuters_Health) March 18, 2021
France imposed a month-long lockdown on Paris and parts of the north after a faltering vaccine rollout and the spread of highly contagious coronavirus variants https://t.co/QRXwleMQ0E pic.twitter.com/mnGWUb8V3w
— Reuters (@Reuters) March 19, 2021
New Philippines #coronavirus variant found in England.
The variant contains a number of notable mutations, including the #E484K spike protein found in the Manaus, Brazil, mutation.https://t.co/TUIzy8xJkE
— MicrobesInfect (@MicrobesInfect) March 17, 2021
The African Union has backed the continued use of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccines despite concerns from some European countries over the risk of blood clots https://t.co/p2RcMHELG3 pic.twitter.com/uKVn8UgCTp
— Reuters (@Reuters) March 19, 2021
Brazil registers second deadliest day in COVID pandemic, with 2,724 deaths https://t.co/k9pU4QGjfo pic.twitter.com/8jruqZReeW
— Reuters (@Reuters) March 19, 2021
Mexican authorities have seized a shipment of purported Sputnik V coronavirus vaccines from a private airplane bound for Honduras, which Russia says were fake doseshttps://t.co/HvfkLnd3bY
— The Moscow Times (@MoscowTimes) March 19, 2021
EXCLUSIVE: Fmr. Brazilian President @LulaOficial tells me he is urging President Biden to call a G20 meeting to ensure proper vaccine distribution worldwide: “Vaccine, vaccine, vaccine!” He adds: “I couldn’t ask that [of] Trump, but Biden is a breath for democracy in the world.” pic.twitter.com/AzVr59MaFw
— Christiane Amanpour (@camanpour) March 17, 2021
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.@US_FDA is developing guidance for #COVID19-related manufacturers of products like new mAbs targeted at variants so they don’t have to “start at square one… we do not want to create obstacles to getting these tools to the frontlines,” says @DrWoodcockFDA https://t.co/UFPwPn5ejo
— JAMA (@JAMA_current) March 18, 2021
Certain mouthwashes might stop SARSCoV2 transmission. This is ongoing research at Rutgers in New Jersey. Investigators at the dental school have found 2 types of mouthwash disrupt the virus in lab conditions, preventing it from replicating in human cells https://t.co/dBrNKA64Ja pic.twitter.com/w0vhPVhHpG
— delthia ricks ? (@DelthiaRicks) March 18, 2021
Partial vaccination w/ the Pfizer/BioNTech vax is 63% effective, according to a study in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report https://t.co/Ngp6dI7P7i via @medical_xpress pic.twitter.com/SlSOzsUVRM
— delthia ricks ? (@DelthiaRicks) March 19, 2021
After multiple studies and analysis of clinical data, a link between blood clots and the AstraZeneca vaccine can't be ruled out. A warning label is being recommended for the product https://t.co/uEjw2YwGfJ
— delthia ricks ? (@DelthiaRicks) March 18, 2021
#SARSCoV2 variants show variable escape from vaccine immunity, but residual protection may suffice, suggests new research. Learn more in a new #SciencePerspective: https://t.co/r2yU45BVW8 pic.twitter.com/l670ju3nx5
— Science Magazine (@ScienceMagazine) March 18, 2021
Only pennies per dose: Low dose aspirin use may reduce the need for mechanical ventilation, lower rates of ICU admission & death in Covid patients, a new study has found. The research highlights the cardiopulmonary benefits of an old medicine cabinet ally https://t.co/gqzA7aogFv pic.twitter.com/tShIctMwvM
— delthia ricks ?? (@DelthiaRicks) March 17, 2021
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No matter how fierce the competition among his GOP fellows, Little Prince Rand will not be out-a**holed!
At a Senate hearing a year ago @RandPaul lectured Tony Fauci that “other people” say there won’t even be a 2nd wave & Fauci should have “humility”.
540,000 dead Americans after Paul’s lecturing you’d think HE would have some humility. Instead it’s more ridiculous mask whining. https://t.co/ErFRVljlYg
— Tony Fratto (@TonyFratto) March 18, 2021
Trends in the Northeast have experts & public officials on edge. In New York & New Jersey, new cases per capita are at least double the national average. New variants are undercutting efforts to lower rates of positive test results https://t.co/EMjeG7wae3
— delthia ricks ? (@DelthiaRicks) March 18, 2021
A related study by same team found almost no spread to the community from the student/staff #COVID19 infections on campus Univ of Washington. So bad news, partying Greeks spread virus. Good news: but it doesn't spread off campus.https://t.co/fSMDChDKFe
— Laurie Garrett (@Laurie_Garrett) March 18, 2021
Part of a thread:
For many weeks now, the number of cases and hospitalizations has been going down across the country. Unfortunately, that trend has now reversed in the state of Michigan. Cases * and * hospitalizations are both on the rise there. pic.twitter.com/RTR6LxKveA
— The COVID Tracking Project (@COVID19Tracking) March 19, 2021
We don't know what path this Michigan outbreak is going to take, but this could prove a bellwether for what happens when new variants of concern encounter populations with less vaccine access.
— The COVID Tracking Project (@COVID19Tracking) March 19, 2021
COVID cases going up in Michigan among 10-18 year olds, many associated w being in school. And this is BEFORE next Monday, when bc the Repub legislature insisted that in order to get COVID relief $ every district must be doing K-12 face to face https://t.co/ou0kjpBC26
— Dana Houle (@DanaHoule) March 19, 2021
As the coronavirus ravaged other parts of the U.S., residents on Kauai watched safely from afar. It's been nearly impossible to visit the Hawaiian island because of quarantine and other coronavirus restrictions. Now, officials are loosening restrictions. https://t.co/EMPBSdiUSG
— The Associated Press (@AP) March 18, 2021
With more than 40 California @AMCTheatres restarting screenings Friday, the world's largest theater chain says it will soon have 98% of its U.S. locations open. https://t.co/jifxo5pziN
— AP Entertainment (@APEntertainment) March 18, 2021
NeenerNeener
Monroe County, NY stats:
New cases = 180
Deaths at 1188
1.6% positivity
27.3% vaccinated with at least 1 shot
101.469 people fully vaccinated
202,716 people with at least 1 jab
Our new cases count is going up again, even while our vaccination rate is increasing too. Bummer….
Earl
The worst is over for me because of the sore shoulder I have due to the first dose of Pfizer Thursday morning.
Optimism is an odd feeling to relearn…
Brachiator
It continues to astound me that Republicans were deliriously happy with a President Trump who inspired fear and mistrust, and that they tried to sell the people the lie that America was respected by other nations.
Biden has done more in a few weeks to restore the US as a positive force than Trump did during his entire term.
OzarkHillbilly
@Brachiator: That’s one way to look at it. Safe to say they look at it differently thru feces covered glasses.
NotMax
By this time tomorrow U.S. total cases reported will top 30,000,000.
NotMax
@Brachiator
Lula’s on the fast track to a comeback.
Baud
@Brachiator:
To be fair, the current president of Brazil is a fascist like Trump so would probably prefer Trump to Biden. Brazil might not be hr best example.
rikyrah
If Dolt45 had won, we would be Brazil right now???
p.a.
@Baud: Bolsonaro has done for Brazil what tRump would have done here if not for the 2018 midterms and 2020 Georgia. And tRump came close anyway.
ETA: What she said^^^^^^^^^??
Getting Phizer #1 today. Watching variants…?.
gkoutnik
re: US’s behavior and reputation in a crisis –
In “The Doomsday Book”, a novel by acclaimed SF writer Connie Willis, set in Oxford, UK, there had been a worldwide pandemic in the novel’s past. As a result, protective quarantines and lockdowns were common and strict. An Oxford don is hosting a group from America, and has to tell them that they can’t leave the college:
The book was published in 1992.
YY_Sima Qian
On 3/18 China reported 1 new domestic confirmed & 0 new domestic asymptomatic cases.
Xi’an in Shaanxi Province reported 1 new domestic confirmed case, a lab tech at a designated COVID-19 hospital, with primarily responsibility of collecting RT-PCR swab samples from patients and running lab tests. The case tested negative on 3/3, started rotating in the COVID-19 isolation ward on 3/4, during which time the case lived and worked in isolation from the outside world (meaning living in dormitory for the duration of the rotation). As a person working in designated COVID-19 facility, the case is tested weekly, and had tested negative on 3/11.The case developed a headache and slightly elevated temperature on 3/17, RT-PCR results inconclusive. Additional samples were collected and sent to the Xi’an Municipal CDC & the Shaanxi Provincial CDC, both came back positive. Chest CT scan shows lung opacities, and the case was diagnosed as moderate. The current belief is that case was infected via inadvertent transmission, a break down in protocol somewhere.
The case had completed 3 rotations in COVID-19 isolation war since the start of the pandemic, this being the 4th rotation. Each rotation lasts 21 days. At the end of rotation, the medical personnel would get tested on RT-PCR twice + a chest CT scan, then go into 2 weeks of quarantine with another 2 RT-PCR swabs, before the person can return home.
As a frontline medical worker, the case should have been vaccinated, but details have not been released.
All 33 coworkers have tested negative so far, as have all 1,456 staff (and family members), patients and caretakers. The hospital is under lock down, and outpatient clinic closed.
Imported Cases
On 3/18 China reported 10 new imported confirmed cases, 5 imported asymptomatic cases, 1 imported suspect cases:
Overall in China, 16 confirmed cases recovered, 14 asymptomatic cases were released from isolation & none were reclassified as confirmed cases, and 696 individuals were released from quarantine. Currently, there are 164 active confirmed cases in the country (162 imported), none in critical/serious condition, 252 asymptomatic cases (all imported), 4 suspect cases (all imported). 3,552 traced contacts are currently under centralized quarantine.
On 3/19 Hong Kong reported 13 new cases, 3 imported & 10 domestic (4 of whom does not yet have source of infection identified).
Lacuna Synecdoche
John Anzalone via Anne Laurie @ Top
I’m just wondering what percentage said, “I don’t know and I don’t want to jinx it by speculating.”
Amir Khalid
Malaysia’s daily Covid-19 numbers. Director-General of Health Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah reports 1,576 new cases today in his media statement, for a cumulative reported total of 330,042 cases. He also reports two new deaths today, for a cumulative total of 1,225 deaths — 0.37% of the cumulative reported total, 0.39% of resolved cases.
There are currently 14,360 active and contagious cases; 151 are in ICU, 57 of them intubated. Meanwhile, 1,996 patients recovered and were discharged, for a cumulative total of 314,457 patients recovered – 95.28% of the cumulative reported total.
12 new clusters were reported today: Sungai Berumbung, Lorong Usaha Utama, Jalan Dahlia 22, and Jalan Industri Sofa in Johor; Jalan Besar Kepong, Jalan Daun, Jalan Duta immigration detention depot, and Lorong Nibong in Kuala Lumpur; Persiaran Cybersouth building site, Persiaran Hemisfera, and Bandar Baru in Selangor; and Juru immigration detention depot in Penang.
Jalan Duta immigration detention depot and Juru immigration detention depot are prison clusters. The rest are workplace clusters.
1,565 new cases today are local infections. Sarawak tops the list today, reporting 407 cases: 221 in existing clusters, 161 close-contact screenings, and 25 other screenings. Selangor reports 347 local cases: 36 in older clusters; 52 in Jalan Besar Kepong, Jalan Daun, Jalan Duta immigration detention depot, and Lorong Nibong clusters; 189 close-contact screenings; and 70 other screenings.
Penang reports 182 cases: 29 in older clusters, 89 in Juru immigration detention depot clusters, 12 close-contact screenings, and 52 other screenings. Kuala Lumpur reports 165 local cases: 62 in older clusters; 51 in Jalan Besar Kepong, Jalan Daun, Jalan Duta immigration detention depot, and Lorong Nibong clusters; 31 close-contact screenings; and 21 other screenings. Johor reports 137 cases: 19 in older clusters; 58 in Sungai Berumbung, Lorong Usaha Utama, Jalan Dahlia 22, and Jalan Industri Sofa clusters; 35 close-contact screenings; and 25 other screenings. Perak reports 100 cases: 96 in existing clusters, two close-contact screenings, and two other screenings.
Melaka reports 54 cases: 42 in existing clusters, 10 close-contact screenings, and two other screenings. Kelantan reports 52 cases: 26 in existing clusters, 21 close-contact screenings, and five other screenings. Negeri Sembilan reports 41 cases: 32 in existing clusters, six close-contact screenings, and three other screenings. Sabah reports 33 cases: six in existing clusters, 19 close-contact screenings, and eight other screenings. Kedah reports 25 cases: nine in existing clusters, six close-contact screenings, and 10 other screenings.
Phang reports 13 cases: 10 close-contact screenings, and three other screenings. Terengganu reports six cases: four in existing clusters, and two close-contact screenings. Labuan reports two cases, both found in other screening. And Putrajaya reports one case, found in other screening.
Perlis reports no new cases today.
11 new cases today are imported: 10 in Kuala Lumpur, and one in Selangor.
The deaths reported today are a 71-year-old man in Kuala Lumpur with diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and chronic kidney disease; and a 55-year-old man in Sarawak with no co-morbidities listed.
Mary G
Much happy news today in the OC. Only 114 new cases out of 11,000+ tests, 7 day average of new cases per 100,000 has gone down to 4, test positivity average 2.2%, health equity index 3.5%. We have been promoted to the red tier and are a hair away from the orange tier. Today the number of vaccine shots given went over 1,000,000!
raven
The dude from Minnesota says kids are getting the variant and spreading it.
debbie
Here, people who are ineligible have begun showing up at vaccination centers, but are being turned away. Since they just opened it up to 40+ and will be opening it up to 16+ by the end of the month, I think these people are the ones bleating about never getting the vaccine. They seem to have changed their tunes.
Steeplejack (phone)
@debbie:
Where is “here”?
Another Scott
German researchers have discovered the trigger for some people who developed thrombosis after the AZ vaccine. No prevention yet, but it means that a targeted treatment can be developed.
AstraZeneca: German researchers discover thrombosis trigger
https://p.dw.com/p/3qqw2
Cheers,
Scott.
debbie
@Steeplejack (phone):
Franklin County in Ohio.
Amir Khalid
In Malaysia it’s still too early to think about reopening cinemas. Bars and nightclubs have been closed for over a year, and the authorities have given no sign that they are even considering allowing them to reopen.
Steeplejack
@debbie:
Thanks. Puts the information in perspective.
DropDminus
@debbie: Any truth to the rumors that you guys are willing to jab Pennsyltucky residents that meet the age criteria?
Ben Cisco
@Brachiator:
I submit to you that this was a feature and not a bug.
Karen S.
I got my first Moderna jab yesterday in the quiet of a local Walgreens midday. It was almost anti-climactic. There was a little soreness at the injection site, but that’s it. My arm hurt far worse after getting the shingles vaccine. I took my parents to get their first Pfizer shots a few days ago. The Chicago suburb where they live hosted a mass vaccination event for senior residents. It was really well run, a smooth and seamless process. We were quite pleased.
The only snag in all this is that my wife can’t get vaccinated until the end of June. She has MS and she gets a twice-a-year infusion to mitigate the symptoms. Her next infusion is next week and she can’t get any kind of vaccination until three months after the infusion because the medication wipes out about a third of her immune system. She’s a bit down about the delay, but really happy for me, my parents and other family members who have started getting vaccinated.
sab
It’s not over yet. Being olds in Ohio, spouse and I have had both doses. I am still working from home. My office computer needed to rebooted, but nobody answered the office phone. I finally called the managing partner, and he was the only one there because one of our employees had tested positive so everyone is now off for quarantine.
R-Jud
Had my first AstraZeneca jab on Wednesday AM in a conference centre. Super efficient NHS service–in and out in 18 minutes.
12 hours later was hit hard by the immune response: fever, chills, puking, headache. Still feeling washed out 50+ hours later but glad to be back on the upswing (and building t-cells to protect against this thing).
Set up an out-of-office day following dose #2, just in case.
sab
@DropDminus: That is true.
Governor’s quite logical reasoning is that along the Ohio borders a lot of people live in one state and work in another. Cincinnati/Covington, Toledo/ Michigan, Youngstown/Pennsylvania. There are income tax treaties between all the bordering states so that we aren’t double taxed.
DropDminus
@sab: Thanks. I think my wife and I may try to find shots in Ohio. It feels like PA has screwed this up and we won’t be eligible for a while (even though we’re both in 1C).
Betty
@YY_Sima Qian: thanks so much for answering my question yesterday. I live in a country that has received the vaccine from China and had no information about it. Your answer was very helpful!
Sloane Ranger
@R-Jud: This was my experience with the way the NHS Centres were working as well. I’m sorry you had such a bad reaction to the jab. I felt like I was coming down with a bad cold for a few days after I had AstraZeneca but was otherwise OK.
Jay
The BC Government announced that starting April 1st, us disposable workers can get vaccinated at employer arranged events.
That’s 5 months ahead of what we were expecting.
realbtl
Montana is starting shots for anyone beginning 4-1. Currently 60+.
Sloane Ranger
Yesterday in the UK, we had 6303 new cases. This is an increase of about 550 from Wednesday and the fourth day in a row showing a growth in case numbers. I hope this is as a result of the increase in testing picking up asymptomatic cases that weren’t previously identified. I suppose we’ll find out by looking at data on hospital admissions in a week or two. The rolling 7-day average is, however, still down by 2.8%. New cases by nation,
England – 5213 (up @400)
Northern Ireland – 169 (up 8)
Scotland – 624 (down 1)
Wales – 297 (up 152).
Deaths – there were 95 deaths within 28 days of a positive test yesterday. This is a decrease in the rolling 7-day average of 33.7%. Deaths by nation, England – 83, Northern Ireland – 1, Scotland – 7 and Wales 4.
Testing – 1,635,141 tests were conducted on Wednesday, 17 March. The estimated testing capacity of the labs reported on Thursday, 18th was 734,609. The rolling 7-day average for tests conducted has increased by 16.8%.
Hospitalisations – On Monday, 15 March there were 7218 people in hospital. There were 968 people on ventilators on Thursday, 16th. The rolling 7-day average for hospital admissions is down 25.5%.
Vaccinations – On 17 March a total of 25, 735,472 had received their 1st shot of a vaccine and 1,879,054 had received both shots. As of this date, 48.9% of people aged 18 and over had received the 1st shot and 3.65% were fully vaccinated.