COVID surging in some states

[mtpockets]

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms tweeted that she has tested positive for Covid-19. “I have had NO symptoms and have tested positive."

[OldFartTom]

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms tweeted that she has tested positive for Covid-19. “I have had NO symptoms and have tested positive."

Testing in UK expanded to include people who don't necessarily have symptoms (but have a reason testing is needed) such as contact with suspected or confirmed Covid

Since testing was expanded to also include people not necessarily with symptoms, the "do you have it now?" antigen swab test (which produces many false negatives, but very very few false positive) is currently coming back at 22% of positive people have symptoms and 88% of positive are asymptomatic on the day of the test (they might or might not go on to develop symptoms)

So latest UK testing figures... are 88% asymptomatic (on day of test) 22% symptomatic

~~~~~~~~~
Edit: yes my math is bad, 88+22 is 110%
I meant 22% and 78%. Sorry!
~~~~~~~~~

[Plateauplower]

Testing in UK expanded to include people who don't necessarily have symptoms (but have a reason testing is needed) such as contact with suspected or confirmed Covid

Since testing was expanded to also include people not necessarily with symptoms, the "do you have it now?" antigen swab test (which produces many false negatives, but very very few false positive) is currently coming back at 22% of positive people have symptoms and 88% of positive are asymptomatic on the day of the test (they might or might not go on to develop symptoms)

So latest UK testing figures... are 88% asymptomatic (on day of test) 22% symptomatic

West Nile Virus arrived in the US in the early 2000s and it was later determined that 80% of cases were asymptomatic. That was a big deal too initially, deaths & panic. I wouldn't be surprised if that were the case with COVID. Whatever we had in January (I am assuming COVID due to symptoms matching exactly) made me sick with classic symptoms, my daughter had a sore throat and rash and tested negative for strep and flu, my son and wife had no symptoms at all.

[OldFartTom]

Unfortunately we seem to have more questions each day, not less. China is again doubling down on its explanation that the virus didn't originate in the "Seafood" market in Wuhan (original statement https://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1189506.shtml) saying the virus is older and so they're a victim. Certainly that fits with positive test on historic samples kept by a path lab in Paris where a sample from start December (so *assume* contracted in mid to late November, as a community transmission in Paris) also the virus was in the waste/sewage system in Northern Italy in December (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-53106444)
Was the virus older, but only recently mutated to be nasty enough for us to notice it? Can we separate fact from political spin.

Whether you and your daughter had it in January I've no idea, my own father in UK was very ill second week of January (but not hospitalised) with really good match of COVID symptoms and lingering issue afterwards that aren't a close fit for seasonal flu. That could have been Covid too? But we'll never know for sure as there aren't stored samples so all just speculation.

Maybe if people are more open minded that the initial thinking of origin may not be accurate a DNA family tree approach might give us some plausible ideas

[mtpockets]

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms says she, her husband and one of their children are among a rising number of Georgia residents who have tested positive for COVID-19—

[Plateauplower]

Unfortunately we seem to have more questions each day, not less. China is again doubling down on its explanation that the virus didn't originate in the "Seafood" market in Wuhan (original statement https://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1189506.shtml) saying the virus is older and so they're a victim. Certainly that fits with positive test on historic samples kept by a path lab in Paris where a sample from start December (so *assume* contracted in mid to late November, as a community transmission in Paris) also the virus was in the waste/sewage system in Northern Italy in December (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-53106444)
Was the virus older, but only recently mutated to be nasty enough for us to notice it? Can we separate fact from political spin.

Whether you and your daughter had it in January I've no idea, my own father in UK was very ill second week of January (but not hospitalised) with really good match of COVID symptoms and lingering issue afterwards that aren't a close fit for seasonal flu. That could have been Covid too? But we'll never know for sure as there aren't stored samples so all just speculation.

Maybe if people are more open minded that the initial thinking of origin may not be accurate a DNA family tree approach might give us some plausible ideas

The way that world travel is now, any highly communicable disease in a major city anywhere in the world can be around the world in a matter of days. I'll probably eventually get an antibody test, I am not concerned though as I am about 99.9% certain that I had it. Yeah I have looked at the wastewater data, and am actually part of that research project through WEF. https://wef.org/coronavirus

[ajdahlheimer]

I'll probably eventually get an antibody test, I am not concerned though as I am about 99.9% certain that I had it.

Same. My son was sick for a good chunk of November to January. During that stretch he was diagnosed with double pneumonia, the flu, and then something else. One of my daughters also had pneumonia during that time. I think they both had it and the rest of us in the house were all exposed and just asymptomatic. Anti-body test would likely say all had it, which would also help explain why everyone in my house has stayed very healthy since the pandemic initially started in March.

[Plateauplower]

Same. My son was sick for a good chunk of November to January. During that stretch he was diagnosed with double pneumonia, the flu, and then something else. One of my daughters also had pneumonia during that time. I think they both had it and the rest of us in the house were all exposed and just asymptomatic. Anti-body test would likely say all had it, which would also help explain why everyone in my house has stayed very healthy since the pandemic initially started in March.

Everything was being classified as pneumonia initially, until the cases started really taking off and the medical community was thinking WTF. I think if you donate blood many places are including a free COVID antibody test. They are not perfect, but I would guess reasonably accurate. I am still not sure of the specificity or ability for the antibody test to differentiate between COVID and other Corona virus respiratory infections, but that could be one reason so many people are asymptomatic with COVID because they already have the ability for a quicker cell mediated immune response. Its amazing the things kids bring home from school, especially younger kids. I was rarely sick until my daughter started 3 years ago. Have not had anything after they stopped going lol...I want them to go back this fall though.

[Mark1T]

Masks are now mandatory when you workout in a gym. I bought a bandit-style mask that allows more air flow, but I could workout. I went in this morning and a sign in the front lobby states that we are required to wear a mask. About a third of the people in there were not complying. I think partly because some weren't aware, but some probably refuse to. I just do my thing. But during cardio, I took the mask off and the other people on cardio did, too.

With my baseball cap and mask, you can only see my Nazi eyes.

[mtpockets]

Dr. Anthony Fauci, a key member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, warned Tuesday that taking comfort in a lower coronavirus death rate is a “false narrative” due to the many other factors that impact the virus.

“It’s a false narrative to take comfort in a lower rate of death,” he said during an event with Alabama Sen. Doug Jones according to Axios. “There’s so many other things that are dangerous and bad about the virus. Don’t get into false complacency.”

[mtpockets]

HOUSTON (AP) — A few weeks after more than 100 people attended her husband’s funeral, the widow herself was on the brink of death.

Her oxygen levels had fallen deadly low due to complications from COVID-19, and her heart stopped. Ten people, each in two layers of protective equipment, surrounded her hospital bed. Two climbed on opposite sides of the bed — one pressing on her chest, the other on her abdomen.

At the foot of the bed, Dr. Joseph Varon called out a rhythm: one-two, one-two, one-two.

“Keep on pumping!” he yelled.

But they couldn’t save her.

At least 10 people who were at the funeral later developed coronavirus symptoms, according to her daughter, who fell sick herself. Most people weren’t wearing masks. Her daughter says her mother told her she wished they had been more careful.

“We didn’t take precautions like we should have,” the daughter said. “We just got totally caught up in the moment.”

Now, the 66-year-old Latina woman’s death is a grim warning for Texas, which has seen a surge in the number of people testing positive for the coronavirus since it began aggressively loosening restrictions in May. Hospitalizations due to COVID-19 in the state have more than doubled in the last two weeks, and Texas is reporting, on average, more than four times as many cases each day as it was a month ago. It surpassed 10,000 new confirmed cases in a single day Tuesday.


Nearly 80% of the state’s hospital beds are in use, and intensive care units are filling up in some of the nation’s biggest cities, including San Antonio and Houston, where leaders are warning their health facilities could become overwhelmed in the coming days. In all, Texas has recorded more than 2,670 deaths and more than 200,000 confirmed cases of the virus.

While rising case numbers partly reflect more testing, Texas has a positive test rate of 13.5%, more than double the rate from a month ago.

“We’re going to get into situations like Italy did, like Spain did, like New York did just a couple of months ago,” said Varon, board chair at United Memorial Medical Center, a small north Houston hospital.

United Memorial has been rapidly dedicating more and more space to virus care. Now, 88 of 117 beds are devoted to such patients — and Varon says the hospital may soon turn over the entire facility to treating those with the virus. Outside, long lines of cars wait hours for tests.

The hospital has taped off three separate wings with a sequence of large tarps and gates. Assisting Varon is a team of nurses and volunteer medical students. Anyone seeing a patient with COVID-19 is required to wear two sets of masks, gowns, gloves, shoe and head coverings, and a face shield.

Varon has worked more than 100 days with barely a rest and normally sleeps just a few hours a night. When he isn’t seeing patients or trying to obtain more hospital supplies, he does media interviews to encourage people to wear masks and take the virus seriously.

[mtpockets]

NEW: #COVID19 cases continue to spread at alarming rates in some CA counties.

CA is now asking Napa, San Benito, and Yolo to close indoor operations for:

-Restaurants
-Wineries
-Movie theaters
-Zoos, museums
-Cardrooms

Bars must close ALL operations.

[mtpockets]

Up to 56 hospitals in Florida reported zero ICU beds available
Another 35 Florida hospitals reported that ICU capacity was at 10% or less

[mtpockets]

Georgia set a new single-day record for new coronavirus cases on Friday, reporting more than 4,400 new infections. The skyrocketing case numbers prompted Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms to order the city to reverse its reopening plan and return to Phase 1.

Georgia reported 4,484 cases on Friday, bringing the state's total to 111,211, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health. The state's total deaths increased to 2,965.

Georgia is far from the only state facing an uptick in cases. The United States reported 63,200 coronavirus cases on Thursday – another all-time, single-day high for new confirmed infections.


Bottoms issued an order on Friday evening that says Atlanta will return to Phase 1, effective immediately, "in response to the alarming increase" in cases. The city was previously in Phase 2.

"Based upon the surge of COVID-19 cases and other data trends, pursuant to the recommendations of our Reopening Advisory Committee, Atlanta will return to Phase I of our reopening plan," the mayor said in a press release. "Georgia reopened in a reckless manner and the people of our city and state are suffering the consequences."



As part of Phase 1, individuals are required to stay home except for essential trips and wear a face mask in public. The order also prohibits gatherings of any kind on city property.

Businesses must continue teleworking, and restaurants and retail stores can only remain open for to-go and curbside pickups. All non-essential city facilities will remain closed.

Following the announcement, Governor Brian Kemp criticized Bottoms' decision and said it was "legally unenforceable."

"Atlanta Mayor @KeishaBottoms' action today is merely guidance - both non-binding and legally unenforceable," Kemp tweeted. "As clearly stated in my executive orders, no local action can be more or less restrictive, and that rule applies statewide."

"If the Mayor actually wants to flatten the curve in Atlanta, she should start enforcing state restrictions, which she has failed to do," he continued.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/atlanta...inkId=93580630

[LWW]

This is getting scarier

Funny reading this after Empty Pockets parroting, so are you scared because Pockets will never ever get a BJ again? China speaks, big dick obeys!!!

[mtpockets]

Nearly 600 military medical teams sent to Texas hospitals to help with COVID-19

Florida's cases are still rising and now they opened Disney World, we shall see the impact that will have.

Funny reading this after Empty Pockets parroting, so are you scared because Pockets will never ever get a BJ again? China speaks, big dick obeys!!!

I really admire your flexibility, how do you manage to get both feet in your mouth and your head up your ass at the same time?

Enjoy your day Pop Tart

[mtpockets]

California orders immediate statewide closure of indoor facilities at restaurants, bars, movie theatres, museums, weeks after easing several coronavirus restrictions. Comes as number of cases soar; 8,358 new cases registered today for total of 329,162. (Chart courtesy LA Times)

[Corbi]

California orders immediate statewide closure of indoor facilities at restaurants, bars, movie theatres, museums, weeks after easing several coronavirus restrictions. Comes as number of cases soar; 8,358 new cases registered today for total of 329,162. (Chart courtesy LA Times)

I'm positive that none of the increased numbers are the results of 2 things however:
#1, increased testing
#2, the large scale protests and riots.

The increases surely came from restaurants and museums. Surprised the increased numbers weren't blamed on candle makers and cobblers?

[xTeTe]

California orders immediate statewide closure of indoor facilities at restaurants, bars, movie theatres, museums, weeks after easing several coronavirus restrictions. Comes as number of cases soar; 8,358 new cases registered today for total of 329,162. (Chart courtesy LA Times)

It gave me anxiety just thinking about it, but I had a bad feeling the past couple of weeks this was going to happen. It's pretty stupid considering they've narrowed down the majority of outbreaks to bars and dine in restaurants. Wouldn't be shocked if the rest are from protesting but the state won't admit that.

I really don't want to go back to doing these ghetto workouts at home but I have a feeling the gyms are going to be closed for a while here.

[mtpockets]

It gave me anxiety just thinking about it, but I had a bad feeling the past couple of weeks this was going to happen. It's pretty stupid considering they've narrowed down the majority of outbreaks to bars and dine in restaurants. Wouldn't be shocked if the rest are from protesting but the state won't admit that.

I really don't want to go back to doing these ghetto workouts at home but I have a feeling the gyms are going to be closed for a while here.

People exercising their right to get sick and possibly die over mutual safety

[mtpockets]

Large public events will be banned in Philadelphia through the end of February.

Banned events include parades, concerts, fairs and block parties.

[mtpockets]

Miami hospitals have reached 95% capacity because of the growing Covid-19 pandemic, the city's mayor, Francis Suarez, told reporters Thursday at a news briefing.

The demographic with the highest infection rate is people between 18 and 34, who represent 27% of the population, Suarez said.

"They are going back to the home and infecting everybody in the household," Suarez said.
Surveys show 33.7% of respondents report being infected by a family member, Suarez said, emphasizing the importance of sanitizing measures at home.
Florida is reeling from the pandemic, with 315,775 positive coronavirus cases reported across the state, according to statistics released Thursday by the Florida Department of Health. That's an increase of 13,965 cases from the previous day.

[Jtbny]

Miami hospitals have reached 95% capacity because of the growing Covid-19 pandemic, the city's mayor, Francis Suarez, told reporters Thursday at a news briefing.

The demographic with the highest infection rate is people between 18 and 34, who represent 27% of the population, Suarez said.

"They are going back to the home and infecting everybody in the household," Suarez said.
Surveys show 33.7% of respondents report being infected by a family member, Suarez said, emphasizing the importance of sanitizing measures at home.
Florida is reeling from the pandemic, with 315,775 positive coronavirus cases reported across the state, according to statistics released Thursday by the Florida Department of Health. That's an increase of 13,965 cases from the previous day.

Even though the Fla numbers are reaching/surpassing NY peak levels their death rate is super low in comparison - in a state with a higher number of elderly. I haven't looked into it but is that because treatments are better? Mutation making it less devastating? Both? Neither?

[x-trainer ben]

I had to quote that again, because it goes against all that was said here and in the MISC.

"highest infection rate is people between **18 and 34**, who represent 27% of the population"

[x-trainer ben]

Even though the Fla numbers are reaching/surpassing NY peak levels their death rate is super low in comparison - in a state with a higher number of elderly. I haven't looked into it but is that because treatments are better? Mutation making it less devastating? Both? Neither?

I heard it mutated and there are many strains, so perhaps NYC/NJ and Florida have different strains.

[sumolgi]

Even though the Fla numbers are reaching/surpassing NY peak levels their death rate is super low in comparison - in a state with a higher number of elderly. I haven't looked into it but is that because treatments are better? Mutation making it less devastating? Both? Neither?

They're dialing in what works is all. That rate will keep dropping as the new drugs are distributed and treatment plans evolve.

[xTeTe]

Expect the numbers to drop quite a bit in California going forward. Now they are pretty much only testing people that are experiencing symptoms and actually have to go to the hospital. Some testing will occur on high risk people as well.

But the lack of tests and long turnaround times pretty much guarantee that anyone that is asymptomatic isn't getting tested now.

[Corbi]

They are even fudging the numbers in the UK, is it shear incompetence or is there something else going on behind the scenes??
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-h...hzE8cufBjRQXIY

[Jtbny]

I heard it mutated and there are many strains, so perhaps NYC/NJ and Florida have different strains.

That's been the rumor since the beginning right? West coast got China version while NY got the Euro version. Lets hope if mutated its less deadly. Watched a doc on Netflix that explains that mutations are actually a good thing because the virus wants to live and killing its hosts doesn't help that cause. Went on to say something about that being the reason bats have tens of viruses yet aren't bothered. I'm probably butchering that some but thats the take away.

They're dialing in what works is all. That rate will keep dropping as the new drugs are distributed and treatment plans evolve.

That's where I was leaning - better treatments. NY got real scary with the numbers. I'd watch the daily briefing and just /boggle at the death numbers. So glad that other states didn't end up where we were even though cases are rising. The media seems to under report the fact that deaths have severely dropped but do a good job of blasting the number of cases. Fear porn FTW!

[ElrondHubbard]

Officials in Texas and Arizona have requested refrigerated trucks to hold the dead as hospitals and morgues become overwhelmed by victims of the raging COVID-19 pandemic.

“In the hospital, there are only so many places to put bodies,” Ken Davis, chief medical officer of Christus Santa Rosa Health System in the San Antonio area, said in a briefing this week. “We're out of space, and our funeral homes are out of space, and we need those beds. So, when someone dies, we need to quickly turn that bed over.

https://arstechnica.com/science/2020...erator-trucks/

Some places are seeing things improving, some obviously aren't.