Time to sound the alarm on the emergence of new Covid strains. US must ramp up protection protocols (masks, stop indoor contacts, vaccination) and genomic sequencing now. We need to know how and where strains are spreading.
— Dr. Tom Frieden (@DrTomFrieden) January 9, 2021
1. Late last Saturday, the #Covid19 death toll in the US crossed the 350,000 mark. Today, it will top 370,000.
Twenty-thousand Americans have died in the past 7 days from this infection. pic.twitter.com/jIRNGE3YeJ— Helen Branswell (@HelenBranswell) January 9, 2021
The US reported +3,235 new coronavirus deaths today, bringing the total to 381,480. The 7-day moving average rose sharply, for the 2nd day in a row, to 3,249 per day. pic.twitter.com/jYEFZ9qtD9
— Patrick Chovanec (@prchovanec) January 10, 2021
The positive test rate nationwide has risen to 13.8%. pic.twitter.com/yaoHUfryvt
— Patrick Chovanec (@prchovanec) January 10, 2021
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Asia Today: More than 360 people have tested positive in a growing COVID-19 outbreak south of Beijing in neighboring Hebei province. https://t.co/OY2Jxu8qFs
— The Associated Press (@AP) January 10, 2021
Asia Today: Chinese authorities have asked residents in two cities south of Beijing to stay home for seven days as they try to stamp out a COVID-19 outbreak in which more than 300 people have tested positive in the past week. https://t.co/7parQi47dX
— The Associated Press (@AP) January 9, 2021
Vietnam to limit inbound flights ahead of Lunar New Year https://t.co/fpAPbP3kj0 pic.twitter.com/n1nMabw0P6
— Reuters (@Reuters) January 10, 2021
Another new coronavirus variant found in Japan https://t.co/GdsBW0rLmh
— The Japan Times (@japantimes) January 10, 2021
India to begin vaccine rollout on 16 January https://t.co/kGFf8H4cO7
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) January 9, 2021
India coronavirus: Can its vaccine makers meet demand? https://t.co/aYpV1qjGtI
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) January 10, 2021
Russia confirmed 23,309 new coronavirus cases Saturday, bringing the total caseload to 3,379,103 https://t.co/G57wS9poQ9
— The Moscow Times (@MoscowTimes) January 9, 2021
In vaccine geopolitics a game is being played with Ukrainians’ health. Blocked from obtaining vaccines from the United States, its putative ally, and taunted in Russian propaganda, Ukraine has turned to China https://t.co/VOslacaDs7
— delthia ricks ? (@DelthiaRicks) January 10, 2021
“Pope Francis said he would be vaccinated against the coronavirus as early as next week, calling it a lifesaving, ethical obligation and the refusal to do so suicidal.”https://t.co/jHOX3GO2ss
— Natasha Bhuyan, MD (@NatashaBhuyan) January 10, 2021
In France, a complicated consent procedure and the focus on hard-to-reach care home residents have resulted in a very slow start to the mass vaccination campaign against the coronavirus, reports @johnleicester https://t.co/cxF9ZO3jBe
— AP Europe (@AP_Europe) January 9, 2021
WATCH: German police chased daytrippers off ski slopes in Winterberg as hundreds gathered defying appeals from authorities https://t.co/FWICyn7ag3 pic.twitter.com/aEypD7urrt
— Reuters (@Reuters) January 10, 2021
Teething problems are rife as Britain takes its coronavirus vaccination campaign beyond hospitals and into the community. @danicakirka https://t.co/MijnKrjtug
— AP Europe (@AP_Europe) January 9, 2021
The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh vaccinated against Covid-19 today, Buckingham Palace says https://t.co/dPjN8cTYcU
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) January 9, 2021
‘South Africa is going to get a third wave of coronavirus, even a fourth’ https://t.co/zW6t78dWhj
— The Guardian (@guardian) January 10, 2021
Cuba tightens COVID-19 measures as visitors fuel record contagion https://t.co/Py78o4QRqx pic.twitter.com/BtbksiKXsC
— Reuters (@Reuters) January 10, 2021
Mexico hits daily COVID-19 record with 16,105 new cases – health ministry https://t.co/uRwTRJBkfL pic.twitter.com/T0lmK9hWcy
— Reuters (@Reuters) January 10, 2021
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Coronavirus: Virus provides leaps in scientific understanding https://t.co/IgNbBOYtm1
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) January 10, 2021
UK reports first confirmed case of reinfection with 'more contagious' coronavirus variant https://t.co/vj8mFY74UK
— BNO Newsroom (@BNODesk) January 10, 2021
Most patients hospitalized with #COVID19 have at least 1 symptom 6 months after becoming ill. Research from doctors in Wuhan China https://t.co/pvveN4lRex via @medical_xpress
— delthia ricks ? (@DelthiaRicks) January 9, 2021
Covid and the brain: Large study finds higher burden of acute brain dysfunction among people treated for Covid19 in an ICU. The research, the largest of its kind, tracks the incidence of delirium & coma in 2088 Covid patients in 69 ICUs in 14 countries https://t.co/JF1DNqYkX4 pic.twitter.com/uOx7wE5RtO
— delthia ricks ? (@DelthiaRicks) January 9, 2021
2 arthritis drugs reduce mortality & time in the ICU for the sickest COVID patients. New analysis shows tocilizumab & a 2nd drug sarilumab—immune modulators called IL-6 receptor antagonists—beneficially impact patient survival, reducing mortality by 8.5% https://t.co/QTuNIdzCez pic.twitter.com/XE1bWtmuMO
— delthia ricks ? (@DelthiaRicks) January 9, 2021
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Ten months into America’s viral outbreak, low-income workers are still bearing the brunt of job losses — an unusual and harsh feature of the pandemic recession that flattened the economy last spring. @AP’s @ChrisRugaber and @Alexolson99: https://t.co/ytgdTkbJ3C
— The Associated Press (@AP) January 9, 2021
California health authorities reported a record one-day total of 685 coronavirus deaths Friday, as many hospitals, particularly in Southern California, are under unprecedented strain.https://t.co/3ExMIEsIns
— San Francisco Chronicle (@sfchronicle) January 10, 2021
California desperately needs more medical workers at facilities swamped by coronavirus patients, but almost no help is coming from a volunteer program created by Gov. Gavin Newsom. An army of 95,000 raised their hands, but just 14 are working in the field. https://t.co/uGbR3fwVdK
— The Associated Press (@AP) January 9, 2021
Pressure grows for states to open vaccines to more groups of people. Some states are already expanding eligibility to people 65 & over, despite millions the CDC recommends go first — health care workers and nursing home residents — have yet to get shots https://t.co/cSEGBnHZKh
— delthia ricks ? (@DelthiaRicks) January 10, 2021
States have said for months that they need funding for vaccine distribution. It was only in the recent bill, signed weeks after the first vaccine was authorized, that money was allocated. Surely one reason that rollout is bumpy. Underfunding public health is never a good buy.
— Caitlin Rivers, PhD (@cmyeaton) January 8, 2021
NeenerNeener
Monroe County, NY yesterday:
631 new cases, 49% of the cases are female. 20% are people in their 20s. 887 people hospitalized, 149 patients in the ICU.
Still at 685 reported deaths, although they’re not reporting increases in this number every day anymore.
30% of the hospital beds are available on average and 24% of the ICU beds.
9.5% positivity
Spanky
Does Delthia Ricks ever sleep?
OzarkHillbilly
It’s impossible to keep the death tally on my truck up to date. After my buddy died 4 days before Xmas, I changed it to 335,001 (i’m using the worldometer count) Finally changed it again day before yesterday, now showing 375,001. This morning the worldometer is at 381,480.
On the more personal front, my brother and SiL are weathering the covid fairly well, neither in a hospital, despite their comorbidities.
WereBear
May that continue. Long COVID scares me the most.
YY_Sima Qian
On 1/9 China reported 48 new domestic confirmed, 14 new domestic asymptomatic cases.
At Dalian in Liaoning Province, 4 domestic confirmed cases recovered and 1 domestic asymptomatic cases were released from isolation. There are currently 30 domestic confirmed cases and 20 domestic asymptomatic cases in the city. There are 13 communities, 2 residential compounds and a village currently at Medium Risk in the city.
Shenyang in Liaoning Province reported 1 new domestic confirmed case (mild), a traced close contact already under centralized quarantine since 1/5. 2 confirmed cases have recovered. There are currently 33 domestic confirmed and 2 domestic asymptomatic cases in the city. 3 residential compounds have been redesigned as Low Risk. There are 1 community, 2 buildings and 13 residential compounds currently at Medium Risk in the city.
Beijing Municipality reported 1 new domestic confirmed (Shunyi District) and 1 new domestic asymptomatic cases. The confirmed case was found at a fever clinic with symptoms. No information on the asymptomatic case. No connections to previously reported cases have been established. Chinese social media reports suggest that the cases are of a family at Shunyi District that had refused to participate in the multiple rounds of mass screening. The district has issued notices to all residents in several compounds and office parks to work from home for 3 days, and the entire district will be screened yet again. 7 residential compounds and 1 village are at Medium Risk.
Hebei Provincial Health Commission reported 46 new domestic confirmed (29 previously asymptomatic) and 13 new domestic asymptomatic cases by 0 AM on 1/10. There are currently 183 domestic confirmed cases (6 serious, 177 moderate) and 181 domestic asymptomatic cases in the province.
Xingtai reported 2 new domestic confirmed cases (both previously asymptomatic), both at Nangong District, one works at the fever clinic of a local hospital. The city has completed the 1st round of mass screening of all residents, with 6,389,497 individuals swabbed and tested, all negative. A 2nd round is starting today. There are currently 11 domestic confirmed and 4 domestic asymptomatic cases in the city. 5 residential compounds, 2 offices and 1 village are at Medium Risk.
Shijiazhuang reported 44 new domestic confirmed cases (27 previously asymptomatic) and 13 new domestic asymptomatic cases. 30 of the confirmed cases at Haocheng District (21 previously asymptomatic already under isolation, 1 traced close contact already under centralized quarantine, and 8 from mass screening but have been staying at home), including 28 at the epicenter township; 6 at Xinle District (2 previously asymptomatic, 1 traced close contact, and a family cluster of 3 found from mass screening, 2 of whom with travel history to Hebei Provincial Children’s Hospital, another potential site of spreading event); 1 at Yuhua District (a traced close contact); 2 at High Tech Development Zone (1 previously asymptomatic, and 1 at fever clinic that works at Haocheng District and had attended a wedding at the epicenter township); 3 at Qiaoxi District (1 previously asymptomatic, and 1 traced close contact); 2 at Wuji Country (1 previously asymptomatic, 1 found from mass screening with travel history to Haocheng District). No information have been released for the asymptomatic cases. As of 0 AM on 1/9, there are 172 confirmed cases and 177 asymptomatic cases. The entire Haocheng District remains at High Risk. 6 residential compounds, 2 villages and 1 dormitory are at Medium Risk.
With the drop in new asymptomatic cases, as well as new confirmed cases found via mass screening and fever clinic, it does appear that the authorities are getting on top of the outbreak. While contact tracing in the rural communities has not been as effective as in previous urban outbreaks, the tough movement restrictions should prevent this outbreak from seeding significant new ones at other districts in Shijiazhuang, or the cities in Hebei and neighboring provinces.
Wangkui County in Suihua, Heilongjiang Province reported 2 new domestic asymptomatic cases on 1/10, mother and son. Mother was found at hospital intake screening, and son during screening of traced close contacts. They will be reported in China National Health Commission’s data dump tomorrow. It sure feels like the winter will see a continuous series of local outbreaks in China, especially the northern parts.
On 1/9, China reported 21 new imported confirmed cases, 13 imported asymptomatic cases:
Overall in China, 16 confirmed cases recovered, 7 asymptomatic cases were released from isolation and 33 were reclassified as confirmed case, and 584 individuals were released from quarantine. Currently, there are 588 active confirmed cases in the country (294 imported), 16 are in serious condition (5 imported), 483 asymptomatic cases (253 imported), and 1 suspect case. 26,077 traced contacts are currently under quarantine.
On 1/10, Hong Kong reported 31 new cases, 3 imported (from Turkey, Germany and Japan) and 28 domestic (9 of whom do not have source of infection identified). There are another 30+ preliminarily positive cases, awaiting retesting for confirmation.
Amir Khalid
Malaysia’s daily Covid-19 numbers. Director-General of Health Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah reports 2,433 new cases today in his media statement, for a cumulative reported total of 135,992 cases. Dr Noor Hisham also reports nine new deaths today, for a total of 551 deaths — 0.41% of the cumulative reported total, 0.51% of resolved cases.
27,332 active and contagious cases are currently in hospital; 171 are in ICU, 76 of them on respirators. Meanwhile, 1,277 patients recovered and were discharged, for a total of 108,109 patients recovered – 79.5% of the cumulative reported total.
Five new clusters were reported today: Cyber building site and Texmile in Selangor, Jalan Sibuga in Sabah, and Alor Durian and Wakaf Lanas in Kelantan.
2,426 new cases today are local infections. Selangor has 730 cases: 177 in older clusters, four in Cyber building site and Texmile clusters, 329 close-contact screenings, and 220 other screenings. Sabah has 403 cases: 11 in older clusters, four in Jalan Sibuga cluster, 268 close-contact screenings, and 120 other screenings. Johor has 318 local cases: 134 in existing clusters, 70 close-contact screenings, and 114 other screenings. KL has 227 local cases: 44 in existing clusters, 112 close-contact screenings, and 71 other screenings. Penang has 189 cases: 119 in existing clusters, 45 close-contact screenings, and 25 other screenings. Negeri Sembilan has 144 cases: 79 in existing clusters, 49 close-contact screenings, and 16 other screenings. Kelantan has 103 cases: 18 in older clusters, nine in Alor Durian and Wakaf Lanas clusters, 67 close-contact screenings, and nine other screenings.
Perak has 80 cases: eight in existing clusters, 52 close-contact screenings, and 20 other screenings. Kedah has 71 cases: 16 in existing clusters, 18 close-contact screenings, and 12 other screenings. Pahang has 41 cases: 16 in existing clusters, 18 close-contact screenings, and seven other screenings. Melaka has 35 cases: 11 in existing clusters, 16 close-contact screenings, and eight other screenings. Terengganu has 29 cases: 25 close-contact screenings, and four other screenings. Sarawak has 24 cases: 11 in existing clusters, one close-contact screening, and 12 other screenings. Labuan has 17 cases: eight in existing clusters, five close-contact screenings, and four other screenings.
Putrajaya has 10 cases: two in existing clusters, four close-contact screenings, and four other screenings. And Perlis has five cases: three close-contact screenings, and two other screenings.
Seven new cases are imported. Four were reported in KL, and three in Johor.
The nine deaths today are a 78-year-old man in Selangor with hypertension and gout; a 59-year-old man in Selangor with hypertension and gout; a 60-year-old man in Selangor with chronic kidney disease; another 78-year-old man in Selangor with diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and kidney stones; a 51-year-old woman in Selangor with breast cancer; a 94-year-old woman in KL with hypertension, asthma, and dyslipidaemia; an 83-year-old woman in Sabah, DOA with hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic lung disease, osteoporosis, and beta thalassemia; a 60-year-old non-Malaysian man in KL with diabetes, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease; and a 37-year-old non-Malaysian man in KL with chronic kidney disease.
Danielx
Definition of immediate and pressing crisis: being in quarantine and discovering at 6:30 am that the coffee maker has up and died.
Chyron HR
@Danielx:
Welcome to the world of Starbucks via Uber.
Baud
Wait, the pandemic is still happening? I thought it magically disappeared with the
electioninsurrection.Danielx
@Chyron HR:
At 6:30 on Sunday morning? Nope, not big on that much delayed gratification. Fortunately I have one of those Melitta cone filter thingies.
Amir Khalid
@Danielx:
Do you have any tea in the house?
Amir Khalid
@Chyron HR:
Danielx might not be one of those who like their coffee burnt.
Tony Jay
@Baud:
No, no, no, that was just Stage One, the part where an unholy alliance of Chinese Communists and various Demo-Rat affiliated Deep State stooges spread the Hoax Virus through America using infected face-masks and Gangsta Rap. I think you’ll find if you re-read every single social media post generated by Pureblood Americans over the last year the evidence is clear that it was this monstrosity they were peacefully campaigning against until Antifa staged their own Operation Gleiwitz.
And it’s not ‘insurrection’, it’s Your Favourite President-for-Life Donald J. Trump Presents: INSURRECTION I – THE OPENING SKIRMISH – Battle of the Flags Edition
Show some respect, latte-boi.
NotMax
In Hawaii –
YY_Sima Qian
Update on case information of the new domestic confirmed and asymptomatic cases in Shunyi District in Beijing: the two cases are father and son, with father being the confirmed case. The father does freelance menial work, was tested on 12/27 part of the mass screening in the district, and had tested negative, but started visited pharmacies and clinics on 1/4 – 1/6 (symptoms not published, so unclear if they are COVID-19 symptoms). The asymptomatic son is a driver or a ride hailing service. He had tested negative on 12/27 and 1/1.
Unsurprisingly, social media reports on the cases proved unreliable.
terben
In Australia today, there were 13 new cases. 10 amongst quarantined travellers and 3 cases in the community. These community cases were all in NSW. There were no deaths today.
Australia has had 28,595 cases and 909 deaths, with the state of Victoria having suffered the worst, 20,410 cases and 820 deaths.
The numbers for the past week are 112 new cases (16/day), 88 in quarantine (12.6/day) and 24 in the community (3.4/day). There were no deaths in Australia this week. One notable milestone this week was that NSW (pop.7.5m) passed 5000 cases since the pandemic began.
The last death in Australia was 13 days ago in NSW. The Northern Territory has not had a Covid-19 death and in my State of South Australia the last death was 273 days (39 weeks) ago.
debbie
The tweet about a new variant in Japan: Is that yet another variant or has the variant now spread to Japan?
YY_Sima Qian
Poor Ukraine, caught between the malicious Russia and the abusive US (under Trump).
Fair Economist
@debbie: It is a new variant. Not known to be more infectious for sure, but it shares some mutations with the known high-spread strains and so is strongly suspected. They didn’t find it in Japan per se but if *4* different people were bringing it in from Brazil then, like B117, it’s got to be widespread in multiple countries already and has probably at least started spread in Japan.
Platonicspoof
@Spanky:
And does Anne Laurie ever sleep?
AndoChronic
@Danielx: Totally empathize. It happened to us after a tornado. Luckily our house was intact, but having no coffee to deal with it actually made me cry. I have since put a French press in our emergency kit.
debbie
@Fair Economist:
Thanks. ?
Laura Too
I thought the same about Anne Laurie never sleeping, what between running ALU and all her other duties keeping this place running?
Laura Too
@AndoChronic: The first morning of the worst of the riots we lost power. I went to the Starbucks next to the smoldering SA station on Cedar. They made the mistake of asking me if I was having a good morning. I turned in to a blubbering idiot. They comped my coffee. It wasn’t my intent but it did make me feel better. I, too, added the French press & a tin of preground coffee that day. Good thing, our power was out the next 2 mornings. Hope you are all well!
J R in WV
@AndoChronic:
Actually, you also need a hand-powered burr grinder, if you keep whole bean coffee in stock, rather than Folgers preground flavorless coffee in cans. And a heat source, like a Coleman stove or camping stove to boil water, along with fuel for that stove.
lowtechcyclist
@Baud:
Lucky us, we get to have two national emergencies at the same time.