@Artist2233 , this guardian article explains some of how the „underlying conditions“ are relevant.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/04/why-are-some-people-at-greater-risk-from-coronavirus
As just one example, Dartmouth has issued an update notifying students that anyone who travels internationally to (or transits through) a country rated as CDC Level 2 or 3 will be required to self-isolate off campus for 14 days before returning to school, and if it’s a CDC Level 1 country, they have to "self-observe’ for 14 days (also off campus). The only countries currently at any of those levels are China, South Korea, Japan, Italy, Iran, and Hong Kong (level 1). So it shouldn’t actually affect the vast majority of spring break plans.
I am thinking that the elderly population of the US may be somewhat more protected from infection as that of Asian countries or Southern European countries, since fewer of them live with their families and can isolate themselves more effectively. Once quarantines were declared in China and the active population and students forced home with their elderly relatives, the relatives stood no chance.
Just goes to show, again, that anyone in quarantine is potentially written off - it exists to protect the rest of the world, not the quarantined, infected or not. The inhabitants of Wuhan and Hubei province ARE martyrs, whether they did it for China or the rest of the world. I sure hope the head start they should have given us (and it was always clear it could never be more than a head start) hasn’t been wasted and squandered by useless officials in other countries,
The CDC needs to mobilize the help of corporations for testing. There are thousands of private lab facilities and resources that could be trained and perform testing. I know it’s hard but corporations are very good at swift actions. Trump/Pens can have a call with all the CEOs and I bet things would get moving very quickly. I maybe oversimplify things but this is the time where pharmaceutical companies would want to step up and be the heroes, we just need leadership to call for actions.
NY now has a good sampling of people directly exposed to the Covid-19. They have 1000 names of friends , neighbors, synagogue members, coworkers, hospital staff that have had direct contact with the attorney now in serious condition with this virus in a NYC hospital. His wife, two of his children and the neighbor who drove him to the hospital have all come up positive for Covid-19. In the next week or do, we’ll see how many of those listed 1000 or so contacts come up positive. We’ll also find out how fatal this virus is among those without certain preexisting conditions and situations, as well as possibly how deadly it is for those with such conditions. In the sample of 1000 there are likely mostly healthy, individuals, but a number of elderly and at-risk persons. The man himself does have underlying health conditions, according to the news and is in serious condition at a top NYChodpitsl, Columbia-Presby. Lawrence Hospital, where he was initially treated, is a decent medical center and hospital, but this was beyond what they could handle, which is why he was transferred. They did not test for Covid-19, according to what I read, so staff there that dealt with him are under self quarantine.
Almost everyone has underlying health conditions. Does anyone know specifically what conditions he has? How about the other 50 year old that died in Washington State? What conditions? Diabetes? High Blood Pressure? This lack of info is really driving me bananas.
Agree! I told my husband that if needed, I can roll up my sleeves and help. There are tons of positions on Indeed for lab personnel. This is not the time for purple squirrel searching. Hire the folks and put them to work! 
Smart I think but just Dartmouth’s policy, not CDC or governments. Just to clarify.
For the six new cases confirmed in L.A. County, none of the new cases are from community spread and all the new cases were exposed to coronavirus through close contacts, the country said in a statement. None of the cases were linked to the first case reported in L.A. County in January.
The cost of this virus is going to be high, I’m afraid, in deaths of those who are at high risk, and from the down time that should be taken by those diagnosed with Covid-19. Though , it looks like testing for this virus might be free , the medical fees in going to get RSV symptoms checked out are not likely to be. Someone with cold symptoms often continue with life’s routines of work, school, etc, and unless identified with Covid-19 will likely continue to do so. But you gotta be diagnosed to know if that’s what you have.
I work around Folks who are not going to want to take off from work unless necessary. They cannot afford to take off the time as they are barely making it financially as it is, and they get zero sick leave. In fact, unless they physically cannot drag themselves to work, they are going to show up and get that paycheck as ever. When they get sick enough, that they are more scared of dying or terrible harm, than they are of losing their paycheck, maybe, maybe , they’ll show up to a medical center, or someone might insist on taking them there. Of course, these folks are going to spread this virus. Not to mention all those out there who are asymptomatic or not feeling badly enough to miss work/class/church/fun/commitments. But just might be infected.
At very very minimum, there should be a cry out for all of us to be very careful in our contacts with elderly and ill folks. Also, anyone in a high risk category, should go into self quarantine if they possibly could, and take great precautions when around others. Yes, N-95 masks in order for anyone in these two categories— around impacted population or part of it. I know I was very careful with my contacts with my fragile , elderly parent, and restricted and controlled access to her even without this mess happening. She could not afford to get a bad cold or flu, without it likely being a high risk illness and possible death sentence. Right now, I have no contact who is in such a situation of which I am aware.
I believe ( will have to double check) the NY attorney had some preexisting pulmonary issues. Will have to find where I saw that.
Smokers are also probably at higher risk of greater vulnerability to the virus.
[quote=“doschicos, post:3448, topic:2080517”]
@doschicos, that’s why I said “As just one example, Dartmouth has issued an update.” I was responding to a comment that wondered what colleges would about allowing students who had traveled internationally over spring break back on campus.
SLOVENIA - 1st case confirmed. The patient travelled to the country from Morocco, through Italy, and is now in a Ljubljana hospital. So far, Slovenia has performed 352 coronavirus tests.
IRAQ - 2nd death today. The patient lived in Baghdad and suffered from other chronic conditions.
It has been publicly confirmed by NYS he has underlying respiratory issues. No need to search for it.
While that may be true, many live in group housing such as nursing homes or assisted living facilities with central dining. One infected worker or visitor could take down an entire facility. We’re seeing that already at one Washington nursing home.
This study published in the journal Radiology proposes CT scanning as a better test than PCR for Covid-19. The throat-swab lab test apparently does not detect all positives when performed at initial presentation :
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/02/200226151951.htm
Excerpt from the article, which was published on 2/26/20:
Northwestern just cancelled this weekends Dance Marathon fundraiser and also issued a statement cancelling all school sponsored international spring break travel. They provided similar information to what Dartmouth provided but clearly stated that the spring break travel policies for students, faculty and staff are being evaluated day to day. Northwestern spring break is not until 3/20, so a lot could change.
CT scans have lots of radiation. I would think they would be saved only if it was assumed a patient had a couple false negatives.
This Washington state nursing home will have all residents tested for coronavirus
"All residents at the Kirkland, Washington nursing home where five residents died of novel coronavirus will have the opportunity to be tested, according to the head of King County’s health department.
Dr. Jeff Duchin announced in a press conference that they are developing a plan to test all residents for coronavirus, but adds, “I want the families to understand that the care that they receive is not dependent on the results of their test.” Duchin says residents at Life Care Center “likely have been affected or are at a high risk for infection, and are being managed as if they are.”
Family members of some residents have complained to CNN that their loved ones still have not been tested for the virus. Duchin confirmed that state officials have heard many of the same complaints.
Duchin says more state resources are being devoted to Life Care Center. Two state health workers are now on site at the nursing home, dedicated to evaluating the needs of the facility’s residents and workers." (CNN)
Really? Wouldn’t you think that would be one of the first things to do - test all the residents?
9 more people tested positive in NY (having trouble linking the article on my phone )the article is in the Lower Hudson newspaper. Another family tests positive and 1000 quarantined.
King County sets up 4 new temporary quarantine centers for coronavirus
King County, Washington, is setting up more modular buildings to serve as quarantine and isolation units for novel coronavirus cases.
County Executive Dow Constantine announced in a news conference today that they now have three sites set aside for the buildings in the communities of White Center, Interbay and North Seattle.
Constantine also confirmed they are moving forward with the purchase of a motel in Kent to use for quarantine, despite concerns from Kent community leaders. Constantine says they hope to have the motel “operational within days.”
“This situation requires us to act with urgency,” Constantine said. “We all need to be in this together.” (CNN)
There’s a photo and the units they show look very similar to those trailers on construction sites that are used for onsite offices. Maybe a little longer butN= not that big at all.