This was definitely the cake of the year ? pic.twitter.com/yv0d6lzCff
— Trisha Greenhalgh (@trishgreenhalgh) December 24, 2021
A few hours ago, I got a test result that will let us visit family tomorrow. So I’d like to thank the lab technician, data person who put the results in, and the army of people like them working Christmas Eve.
We complain here but are very grateful. ?????????— Juliette Kayyem (@juliettekayyem) December 25, 2021
Just a friendly reminder. If you test positive for SARS-COV-2 after being vaccinated and are experiencing mild symptoms or even no symptoms at all?
Congratulations.
Your vaccine worked.
— Chise ????☃️?? (@sailorrooscout) December 24, 2021
Important reversal of bad policy towards South Africa as they were punished for having the best trained epidemiologists in the world who first detected Omicron https://t.co/OPOQ0e31Jj
— Patrick Gaspard (@patrickgaspard) December 24, 2021
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Christmas 2021 celebrations muted amid Omicron fears https://t.co/TC5Rj6435q
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) December 24, 2021
China's COVID-hit Xian city reports rise in infections https://t.co/v3S6q3ald2 pic.twitter.com/0UE6utsiDY
— Reuters (@Reuters) December 25, 2021
Japan's Fukuoka finds Omicron case in possible community transmission, governor says https://t.co/HzNiJRgzoP pic.twitter.com/HwsTrujjbJ
— Reuters (@Reuters) December 25, 2021
Denmark sees initial signs that dire omicron surge can be avoided https://t.co/dAoA5vX2bJ
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) December 24, 2021
Britain reported another day of record COVID-19 cases due to the Omicron variant, with new estimates showing swathes of Londoners carrying the virus https://t.co/eNHqVGaGdB pic.twitter.com/X3a7jODmCy
— Reuters (@Reuters) December 25, 2021
*1 in 10* people SARS-CoV-2 positive in London on the 19th December as per the ONS update today. It's hard to believe, but this is the prevalence of infection in London. Please be careful, and limit social contact, take all precautions – we've never seen infection rates so high.
— Deepti Gurdasani (@dgurdasani1) December 24, 2021
Just want to clarify this is not test positivity (proportion of people coming forward for testing who are positive), but *community prevalence*. So, 1 in 10 people infected in a random survey in the community.
— Deepti Gurdasani (@dgurdasani1) December 24, 2021
“South Africa’s government, buoyed by encouraging data showing that infections from the Omicron variant aren’t as severe, has dropped quarantine restrictions for all but symptomatic people.” – The New York Times @nytimes https://t.co/Wa81ZNcHFB
— Scott Gottlieb, MD (@ScottGottliebMD) December 25, 2021
Omicron in S. Africa appears relatively mild. That might not be the case everywhere, continental CDC says. https://t.co/aQEFdrXELx
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) December 24, 2021
Mexico adds 149 COVID-19 deaths, official death toll nears 300,000 https://t.co/qWbUot6o0G pic.twitter.com/Bl76Mk36sl
— Reuters (@Reuters) December 24, 2021
Why are people still paying to travel on cruise ships?
It's #pandemic foolhardiness… https://t.co/nTlKko1PGB— Laurie Garrett (@Laurie_Garrett) December 24, 2021
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How can you protect a child too young for a COVID-19 vaccine?
Children younger than 5 can’t get a COVID-19 vaccine in the U.S. yet, but there are steps you can take to protect them from infection over the holidays.https://t.co/CQNFQy5bM1
— The Associated Press (@AP) December 24, 2021
Duh. Sometimes all you can do is spit into the wind:
… “Surround them with adults and siblings who are vaccinated, boosted if eligible,” advises Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
She also encourages taking COVID-19 home tests before gatherings…
Adults might also opt to wear a mask indoors in public to set an example for young children, the CDC says. But in virus hot spots, it says everyone should wear masks in those settings, regardless of whether they’re vaccinated…
Matthew Binnicker, an expert in viral infections at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, says it might be a good idea to have everyone masked at family gatherings if unvaccinated children are present, since there’s still a chance vaccinated adults can spread the virus.
He also suggests limiting gatherings to 10 people or less…
In the U.S., children ages 5 to 11 can get kid-size doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine. The company is testing an even smaller dose for babies and preschoolers.
Pediatric hospitalizations for covid are surging in many parts of the country alongside the arrival of omicron, with about 800 new admissions each day for the past three days https://t.co/RQsKhympDs
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) December 24, 2021
There are more COVID-19 treatments available. A look at the options in the U.S. and who they are for: https://t.co/g9N3GAsz0B
— AP Health & Science (@APHealthScience) December 24, 2021
Fixed tweet. This is not good news. Not surprising at all, given what we know about the vaccines against #Omicron. Let's hope this is just antibody response & that the cellular response will hold strong to prevent severe illness & death. We need to watch this space very closely. https://t.co/8E1m83CPkx
— Rick Bright (@RickABright) December 24, 2021
Roche says at-home COVID-19 rapid test gets ok from FDA https://t.co/lkYCvJgaYU pic.twitter.com/m7YwoQ9XqB
— Reuters (@Reuters) December 25, 2021
Roche said on Friday that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to its COVID-19 at-home rapid test that can be used by people as young as 14.
The test, which uses a anterior nasal swab sample, is “able to produce accurate, reliable and quick results in as few as 20 minutes” for SARS-CoV-2 and all variants of concern, including Omicron, the drugmaker said in a statement…
“Roche has the capacity to produce tens of millions of tests per month to help support the pandemic response,” the Swiss firm said, adding that the test will be available across the U.S. from January…
The test can also be used by for children aged 2-13 years under adult supervision, according to the company. “The launch will be in partnership with SD Biosensor Inc (137310.KS), with whom Roche has a global distribution agreement.”
======
#COVID Update:
-359,191 Test Results Reported
-44,431 Positives
-12.37% Positive
-4,744 Hospitalizations (+210)
-69 new deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS pic.twitter.com/ca0jaornPw— Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) December 24, 2021
As coronavirus cases rise yet again, so does the threat to the full recovery of Broadway https://t.co/ThGNNvt2Wj
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) December 25, 2021
Florida reported 31,758 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, breaking a record for the most cases in a single day since the start of the pandemic in the U.S. in March 2020, according to data from the CDC. https://t.co/kUd18RJPZs
— The Associated Press (@AP) December 24, 2021
Coronavirus cases reach new highs again in D.C. area heading into Christmas holiday https://t.co/N0OA0rK9y9
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) December 25, 2021
Perspective: In highly vaccinated L.A. County, we don't expect a repeat of last year. https://t.co/iLaj2KK2AT
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) December 24, 2021
The NHL is extending its holiday break by a day as the league continues to wrestle with a COVID-19 outbreak.https://t.co/dBowfcdgfD
— AP Sports (@AP_Sports) December 24, 2021
Remember the ‘Festivus Miracle’?
Candace Owens is doing damage control after “so many donors and supporters” are upset over Trump’s vaccine comments. She says he is old, isn’t tech savvy, doesn’t keep up with or read obscure internet conspiracies, and only follows the main stream media so doesn’t have the facts. pic.twitter.com/XAuTFfellE
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) December 24, 2021
Ben Garrison spent the last five years (when he wasn’t getting covid) producing ‘cartoons’ of Trump as a fit, fantastic, world-conquering superman. If he’s actually turned against his god-emperor, well — rooting for injuries:
this is amazing and delightful pic.twitter.com/VOrv8EOdk0
— Gerry Doyle (@mgerrydoyle) December 24, 2021
sab
How did they make that graphic cake?
Quinerly
Thanks for these daily posts. I took about a 3 week break but am now back to reading them first thing in the AM.
There go two miscreants
Adding my thanks for your daily posts, Anne Laurie! I hope you have a good Christmas.
gkoutnik
Celebrating with about 30 of my wife’s family in one house. Two not vaccinated, a number not boosted. Only attending because her brother and wife, based in England, spent most of their carryon allotment on British quick-tests. Everyone tested neg yesterday. Reverse Marshall Plan? Only three of us are masked, though. I am skipping the all-in-one-room, present-opening shout-fest, though.
On another note: Wouldn’t it be bizarre (and kind of oddly wonderful) if, in five years, we looked back and saw the reason that Trump was finally rejected by the base was because he started making sense?
Amir Khalid
Malaysia’s Ministry of Health reports 3,160 new Covid-19 cases today in its media statement, for a cumulative reported total of 2,738,401 cases. It also reports 25 deaths as of midnight, for an adjusted cumulative total of 31,290 deaths – 1.14% of the cumulative reported total, 1.16% of resolved cases.
Based on cases reported yesterday, Malaysia’s nationwide Rt is at 0.90.
253 confirmed cases are in ICU, 107 of them on ventilators. Meanwhile, 4,421 more patients have recovered, for a cumulative total of 2,661,495 patients recovered – 97.2% of the cumulative reported total.
Three new clusters were reported today, for a cumulative total of 6,101 clusters. 223 clusters are currently active; 5,878 clusters are now inactive.
3,004 new cases today are local infections. 156 new cases today are imported.
The National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (PICK) administered 140,443 doses of vaccine on 24th December: 2,207 first doses, 3,901 second doses, and 134,335 booster doses. As of midnight, the cumulative total is 56,720,268 doses administered: 25,973,785 first doses, 25,578,911 second doses, and 5,363,641 booster doses. 79.5% of the population have received their first dose, 78.3% their second dose, and 16.4% their booster dose.
tom
I know from personal experience that vaccines work. I’m 66, vaxxed and boosted, but woke up Thursday feeling like shit. The rapid COVID test came back positive. I felt a little better Friday, and quite a bit better this morning.
I will miss Christmas with the family as I still must isolate, but I’m not in a hospital on a vent, so I’m very grateful for that.
Amir Khalid
Ben Garrison may have turned against TFG, but has he turned against TFGism? It seems to me that his cartoon is mocking TFG for getting on the pro-vax bandwagon.
NeenerNeener
Monroe County, NY:
There were 511 new cases of COVID-19 on 12/24, which doesn’t surprise me because the parking lots have been full of cars any place I went this week for curbside pickup. You’d think it was 2019.
Merry Christmas from my little corner of Monroe County.
?BillinGlendaleCA
@tom: The kid’s boyfriend tested positive yesterday and the kid was showing signs of being infected too(big surprise), but hadn’t had her test results when she spoke to her mom. So two less for dinner later today(so it’ll be 3 instead of 5).
Mousebumples
Thanks as always, for this, AL!
Merry Christmas, all! ?❤️
tom
@?BillinGlendaleCA: Sorry to hear that, Bill. I hope their symptoms are mild.
Nicole
Thank you, Anne Laurie, for all the work you put into these posts. The feeling that I have a source I can trust to give me the latest information on Covid, from dependable sources, does so much to reduce my anxiety. I’m really grateful.
?BillinGlendaleCA
@tom: Thanks, she’s vaxed and boosted so I hope so.
New Deal democrat
First of all, Merry Christmas to all who celebrate! Happy Dining Out Chinese Day to everyone else!
DC exceeded ND’s all time record high per capita cases in a single day yesterday. Almost all States are showing exponential spread, and the US as a whole has exceeded its Delta peak. Deaths have risen to 1300/day.
One down note about South Africa. Deaths have now risen to 5x their recent lows (vs. cases, which rose 70x at peak).
If the US follows SA’s or the UK’s pattern, exceeding 250,000 cases a day looks like a slam dunk, and 1/2 million or even 1 million cases/day can’t be ruled out. I think we all need to brace ourselves for a really rough January, and take steps to keep ourselves extra safe.
One tiny silver lining: by February most remaining unvaxxed MAGAts may have been infected and have developed some resistance.
Kalakal
@tom: good to hear your case turns out to be mild. Sorry to hear that you have to miss Xmas with you family
Mokum
@sab:
That was my first thought, too. I hope they did not just paint on the graphs with food coloring after baking and slicing. Any master pastry wizards around?
Another Scott
@Mokum: It has to be done after baking. Potentially the baker could have cut the cake at a couple of different slopes and glued it together with thin red and blue icing, but it probably wouldn’t have worked.
It’s painted on after slicing, it looks to me.
Clever cake!
Cheers,
Scott.
wvng
Thank you Anne. Your covid posts have become an indispensable part of my life. No pressure.
lowtechcyclist
Sure, he no longer watches Fox News. What color is the sky in that universe?
@Amir Khalid:
This. Trumpism has roared on past Trump. He can still be their symbol because trivial inconsistencies are as nothing to conspiracy theorists, but the movement he started will go where it will. Alas.
Mokum
@Another Scott: Sigh, :-(.
Jackie
Thank you Anne Laurie! May you have a Wonderful Christmas!
Ken
Anyone know if the 40-day quarantine is still part of maritime law?
(Enforcement is of course another matter, if the ports are greedy enough for tourism.)
Fair Economist
@New Deal democrat: Hunh, according to Worldometer the 23rd was the #3 day for the US after Jan 7 and 8, with the peak at 306,000.
Fair Economist
@Another Scott: Now that you mention it, it does looks like post-baking food coloring. So disappointed; I was looking forward to a cool technique.
YY_Sima Qian
On 12/24 China reported 87 new domestic confirmed (none previously asymptomatic) & 4 new domestic asymptomatic cases.
At Hulun Buir in Inner Mongolia “Autonomous” Region 69 domestic confirmed case recovered. There currently are 223 active domestic confirmed cases remaining (218 at Manzhouli & 5 at New Barag Right Banner). 7 sub-districts are currently at High Risk. 2 townships & 2 sub-districts are currently at Medium Risk.
At Heilongjiang Province 1 domestic confirmed case recovered. There currently are 15 active domestic confirmed (all at Harbin)& 5 active domestic asymptomatic cases (4 at Qiqihar & 1 at Heihe) remaining.
Shaanxi Province reported 78 new domestic confirmed cases (43 mild & 3 moderate). There are currently 342 active domestic confirmed cases in the province.
Yuncheng in Shanxi Province did not report any new domestic positive cases. There currently is 1 active dome asymptomatic case remaining, a person recently arrived from Xi’an in Shaanxi.
At Shanghai Municipality 1 domestic asymptomatic case was released from isolation. There currently are 6 active domestic confirmed & 2 active domestic asymptomatic cases remaining. 1 residential compound is currently at Medium Risk.
At Jiangsu Province the last domestic confirmed case recovered. There currently are 2 active domestic asymptomatic cases (both at Wuxi) remaining.
Zhejiang Province reported 1 new domestic confirmed case. 10 domestic confirmed cases recovered. There currently are 479 active domestic confirmed cases in the province.
At Tianjin Municipality there currently is 1 active confirmed case in the city, part of the transmission chain from Shaoxing in Zhenjiang.
At Suzhou in Anhui Province there currently is 1 active domestic confirmed case in the city, part of the transmission chain from Zhejiang. 1 village is currently at Medium Risk.
Guangxi “Autonomous” Region reported 5 new domestic confirmed & 4 new domestic asymptomatic cases, There currently are 11 active domestic confirmed & 5 active domestic asymptomatic cases in the province.
Guangdong Province did not report any new domestic positive cases. There currently are 28 active domestic confirmed & 1 active domestic asymptomatic cases in the province.
At Chengdu in Sichuan Province there currently is 1 active domestic confirmed case in the city, a quarantine hotel worker.
Xiamen in Fujian Province did not report any new domestic positive cases. There currently is 1 active domestic confirmed case remaining, a quarantine hotel worker.
At Dalian in Liaoning Province 1 domestic confirmed case recovered. There currently are 8 active domestic confirmed cases remaining.
At Rizhao in Shandong Province there currently are 4 active domestic asymptomatic cases remaining.
At Chongqing Municipality there currently are 2 active domestic confirmed & 1 active domestic asymptomatic cases remaining.
Henan Province did not report any new domestic positive cases. 4 domestic confirmed cases recovered. There currently are 24 active domestic confirmed (22 at Zhengzhou & 2 at Zhoukou) & 2 active domestic asymptomatic cases (both at Zhoukou).
Yunnan Province reported 4 new domestic confirmed cases. 1 domestic confirmed case recovered & 1 some asymptomatic case was released from isolation. There currently are 28 active domestic confirmed & 16 active domestic asymptomatic cases in the province.
Imported Cases
On 12/24, China reported 53 new imported confirmed cases (9 previously asymptomatic), 20 imported asymptomatic cases, 6 imported suspect cases:
Overall in China, 110 confirmed cases recovered (23 imported), 20 asymptomatic cases were released from isolation (all imported) & 9 were reclassified as confirmed cases (all imported), & 5,113 individuals were released from quarantine. Currently, there are 1,881 active confirmed cases in the country (696 imported), 9 in serious condition (3 imported), 492 active asymptomatic cases (452 imported), 10 suspect cases (all imported). 53,923 traced contacts are currently under centralized quarantine.
As of 12/24, 2,745.877M vaccine doses have been injected in Mainland China, an increase of 13.128M doses in the past 24 hrs.
On 12/25, Hong Kong reported 25 new positive cases, all imported.
Zzyzx
This booster is kicking my ass today. I got it (and the flu shot) on Thursday, scheduled because I thought i was going to New York next week. I no longer am, but now I’m sitting here unable to eat or really walk much. Thankfully I’m Jewish so I just have to fake some interest in the holiday for Mel, but I feel like I did mid Covid.
West of the Cascades
@lowtechcyclist: I suppose it goes without saying, but Candace Owens and Ben Garrison are two of the biggest pieces of shit on the planet, collectively responsible for probably thousands of unnecessary deaths and innumerable amounts of suffering. Fuck them both. Ho, ho, ho.
Betty
If people choose to get on cruise ships, good luck to them. It boggles my mind that Caribbean islands are letting these people in based on a rapid test. It’s about politics mostly because so many depend on tourism, but the risks are obvious.
WaterGirl
@Another Scott: I figured they had food coloring in a syringe and experimented a bit with speed of expelling the food coloring for size of the line and to get the proper slopes.
Another Scott
Interesting new paper on surveys. Nature:
This isn’t terribly surprising, but it’s a good reminder. It’s very hard to do good surveys, and even huge numbers of respondents can give misleading results for policy makers.
Cheers,
Scott.
Miss Bianca
All I have to say about the blowback Trump is getting from (finally, belatedly) touting vaccine efficacy can be summed up thus:
Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.
ETA: Thank you, Anne Laurie, for your service in these COVID threads. Happy Saturnalia to you!
smith
@Another Scott: Long way to say a lot of people lie about being vaxxed. Not surprising, but at least it shows that “Yes I’m vaxxed” is the “socially desirable” answer, so there is that.
mrmoshpotato
Another Scott
@smith: It doesn’t even have to be people lying. Whenever you’re not asking everyone and are extrapolating the answers to everyone then you have to worry about your sample being representative of the whole.
E.g. people who respond to surveys can be different from those who don’t. People on FB can be different from people who aren’t. People who have land lines can be different from people who don’t.
It’s a tough problem.
Cheers,
Scott.
dr. bloor
@Amir Khalid: This is Trump’s “Robespierre Moment.” Ben et al are as nutty as ever.