Coronavirus in the US

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New California coronavirus case brings US total to 125

"Contra Costa County in Northern California has confirmed its first case of coronavirus, bringing the total number of cases in the United States to 125.

This is the first presumptive positive case in Contra Costa County and the 26th case in California.

The patient – who is a resident of the county – had no known travel history to infected areas and no known contact with a confirmed case, according to a news release. The patient is being treated at a hospital in the county."

Updated the tallies in post #3319 to reflect this latest case.

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‘This virus is not Sars, it’s not Mers, and it’s not influenza’

The World Health Organization’s director general has warned countries not to compare the Covid-19 pathogen to other epidemics.

“It is a unique virus with unique characteristics,” said Dr Tedros at a WHO press briefing on Tuesday. “Both Covdi-19 and influenza cause respiratory diseases and spread the same way: by small droplets of…in the nose and mouth of people who are sick.”

However, there are some important differences between Covid-19 and influenza, he added:

"With influenza people who are infected but not yet sick are major drivers of transmission, which does not appear to be the case [here].

"The second major difference is that Covid-19 causes more severe disease that seasonal influenza.

"While many people globally have built up immunity to these strains Covid-19 is [new virus] which no one has immunity, that means more people will suffer infections.

"Globally about 3.4% of Covid-19 cases have died. By comparison seasonal flu generally kills far fewer than those affected.

We have vaccines and therapeutics for seasonal flu, [but] none for Covid-19."

As well as urging people not to compare the Covid-19 outbreak to seasonal influenza, Dr Tedros championed the world’s ability to still contain the virus.

He said:

"We don’t talk about containment for seasonal flu, it’s just not possible. But it is for Covid-19.

"There are not yet any vaccines or therapeutics, which is why we must do everything we can to contain it.

"We can’t treat Covid-19 exactly the same way we treat flu.

"But there are enough similarities which means countries are not starting from scratch.

"Systems can and are being adapted.

Source: Telegraph

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On the other hand, bad news may not be initially reported and acted on in a timely manner under an authoritarian government. People everywhere have a tendency to “shoot the messenger”; in an authoritarian environment, it may be more dangerous to be the bearer of bad news than in a less authoritarian environment. For example, when Li Wenliang (a physician in Wuhan who later died of COVID-19) mentioned the new virus to other physicians, the first official response was a police summons to tell him to stop “making false comments”, according to https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-51403795 .

Yes, the government built a new hospital quickly after realizing that COVID-19 was a serious problem, but the initial response of a cover-up gave the virus more of a head start.

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Semantic issue, but as WHO head, he should be more precise in terminology. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is not the virus. I noticed in some of the other quotes attributed to him, he again seems to imply that COVID-19 is the virus. Maybe he wants to avoid use of SARS-CoV-2 to avoid confusion with SARS, and doesn’t use novel coronavirus because of lack of specificity, but, as a health authority, clearer medical terminology is useful for the public and the press. COVID-19 virus has unfortunate redundancy but is also much like measles being caused by measles virus, polio being caused by polio virus, etc.

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@doschicos

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6909e1.htm?s_cid=mm6909e1_w

apologies if this was already discussed. Are these findings considered positive? Is the virus only transmitted when a person is symptomatic?
Thanks for your help in understanding this.

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US currently has 10% of face masks needed for a ‘full-blown’ coronavirus pandemic, HHS official says

"Health and Human Services official Dr. Robert Kadlec estimates the country would need roughly 3.5 billion of medical-grade N95 masks, which filter out about 95% of all liquid or airborne particles. “We have about 35 million,” Kadlec said before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions on Tuesday. “Ten percent, and we’re actively working on that.” (CNBC)

I’m sure he understands the difference. To lay people, which is 99.99%, this illness goes by one name - Covid-19. If they aren’t calling it “coronavirus” or “novel coronavirus” still. Besides, how do you actually say SARS-CoV-2 in an oral press conference? He’s trying to educate. Scientific precision in terminology is secondary to the message.

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By reports I’ve read, an infected person can be contagious without showing symptoms but most shedding and spread of the virus happens when someone is contagious. The best way to protect yourself is to stay clear of anyone with symptoms, wash your hands frequently and thoroughly and don’t touch your face. Get good sleep, eat healthy foods, try not to stress.

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I’ve seen this record played in the past with HIV and AIDS. He’ll eventually adjust. I wouldn’t hold the press to this standard at this point, but scientists, medical professionals, and health officials, yeah. COVID-19 virus is not difficult to say.

COVID-19 might also be renamed, as it’s so vague. AIDS was renamed from early days as well (awful initial name). But sorry for the sidetrack.

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Seriously though, how do you say SARS-CoV-2 verbally? Sars cove 2?

I think the name is supposed to be somewhat vague. It’s not supposed to be tied to any geographical place.

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“Or/And protecting others in case you yourself are contagious. In a way, it is selfless as well as selfish behavior in a community. :)”

Another way to look at it but one that assumes the other party isn’t participating in what’s been advised to be good herd behavior.

Will agree that the practice of self-preservation occasionally has beneficial effects to others.

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The WHO website …

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/events-as-they-happen

… either says COVID-19 virus (as I wrote) or 2019 coronavirus in the public materials. Both are clear, imo.

Enjoy your updates.

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HIV - the name of the virus. AIDS - the name of the disease it causes.

Likewise, Covid-19 is now used to refer to the illness caused by SARS CoV-2 virus (which is the official virus name BTW).

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/925710

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Yes, see post #3327

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My county is now advising anyone over 50 to avoid large gatherings.

https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/03/03/coronavirus-two-new-santa-clara-county-cases-of-unknown-origin/

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Drove to my old GP (we have recently moved and haven’t yet decided on where to go locally), got out of the car, disinfected myself and knocked on the window. Was ushered into a room with a door that opens directly onto the sidewalk (good) by a receptionist wearing no protection whatsoever (bad). Didn’t have to sneeze and cough at all, didn’t touch anything (good).

Doctor came in with mask and gloves (hopefully good enough) and took 4 tries to swab my throat - it makes you gag, cough and recoil simultaneously (bad - I bet this is one route health care providers are being infected)… Results will take three days - bad, gotta isolate myself until Monday at least. Boss won’t be happy. I’ll phone up and ask on Friday just in case, would really like to leave the house over the weekend.

Doctor said her colleague is away so they’re swamped as it is anyways. Told her I’d tried to find some centralised testing places with drive through testing but it’s being ill enough to be hospitalised or GP, that I wouldn’t have minded to be swabbed on the sidewalk and that I’d feel horrible being responsible for shutting down her office, which is the only one in town. Doctor shrugged and said “if it happens, it happens.”

Any medic I’ve talked to recently appears to be resigned to the fact that we will just have to try and slow things down as much as possible, but no one appears to hope for real containment. They’d have to be much more aggressive about testing and isolating. I have a hunch European countries simply don’t have enough testing capacity either.

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Don’t be so sure that lockdown of cities can’t happen in a democracy. There’re draconian emergency laws on the book in almost any country and dealing with a serious pandemic is one of those emergencies. Some parts of South Korea and Italy have been effectively shut down. UK health minister Matt Hancock admitted that it’s also a possibility in UK: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/coronavirus-uk-outbreak-city-shut-down-matt-hancock-interview-bbc-andrew-marr-a9366971.html

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Maybe they should just name it the OK Boomer Virus.

Better than possibly contaminating the whole office and having everyone quarantined.

Hope you and the family are better soon and virus-free!

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CHINA - China says 75 international arrivals tested positive for coronavirus

“In a statement released on Wednesday, the Custom Authority said that as of March 3, 6,728 international arrivals to China were showing symptoms, with 779 arrivals classified as suspected cases and 75 testing positive.” (CNN)

South Korea plans to use a GPS-based app to monitor people quarantined at home

South Korea has come up with a new way to make sure people self-quarantined at home stay put: a GPS-based app…will monitor people who are quarantined – and if they leave their designated location, the system will set off an alarm.

The application will be implemented later this week in Daegu and surrounding North Gyeongsang province…There are an estimated 2,300 people currently under quarantine in Daegu alone…

South Korean authorities say several people have broken quarantine and left their homes.

Currently, more than 2,000 confirmed patients in Daegu and North Gyeongsang province are waiting for beds.

The South Korean government began categorizing confirmed cases so that patients with more serious health conditions can be hospitalized, while people with milder symptoms can be monitored from home or government designated facilities." (CNN)

I hope someone on he US task force is looking at the best techniques implemented in other countries.

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I’m not saying there couldn’t be a lockdown of areas in the US. I am saying it would be much different to accomplish in our free society. I’m not sure this is the pandemic that would bring it about either. Perhaps for something more dangerous.

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Two coronavirus patients in California are in critical condition

"One is a resident of Contra Costa County who has underlying health conditions and is under medical isolation in hospital, the county’s health officials said.

Authorities are investigating how the patient caught the disease…the patient had no known travel history to infected areas or known contact with any confirmed cases…believe this to be a “community transmission” case.

The other patient…is an older person in Placer County who was likely exposed during international travel on a Princess cruise ship that departed from San Francisco to Mexico…associated with another confirmed case in Sonoma County. The patient is “critically ill” and in isolation at a local hospital…

California cases: In total, there are now 27 coronavirus cases in California" (CNN)

How and when you should be tested for the coronavirus

Here’s what the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends … [with policy changes incorporated. ]

"Before you get the test: Health officials urge anyone who believes they should be tested to call ahead, rather than showing up unannounced and potentially exposing others to an infectious disease

When should you be tested? The CDC recommends calling a healthcare professional if you feel sick with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, and have been in close contact with a person known to have coronavirus, or if you live in or have recently traveled from an area with ongoing spread of the virus.

The CDC recommends these types of people should be tested:

Those who have a fever OR lower respiratory symptoms (cough or shortness of breath) and have had “close contact” with a confirmed coronavirus patient within 14 days of their first symptoms.

Those who have fever AND lower respiratory symptoms, require hospitalization, and have traveled to areas impacted by the epidemic in the last 14 days.

Patients with fever and severe acute lower respiratory symptoms who require hospitalization and for whom no other diagnosis has been found – such as the flu. No travel or contact exposure is needed." (CNN)

Read more here:
https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/04/health/us-coronavirus-test-explainer/index.html

BELARUS - 5 new cases totaling 6.

Four cases have been reported in the country’s capital Minsk, while another two are in the northeastern Vitebsk region. All patients are experiencing mild symptoms.