General Discussion/Q&A on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

[Lynda2475]

Most of the world is ahead of Australia. This is what COVID experts from four countries say we could learn

Why is the UK experiencing significantly higher case rates and death rates compared with the US (which has less no NHS equivalent so less accessible health care for those without insurance) given fully vaccination rates are only 1% different? Only other major difference is vaccine use, with UK using AZ at much higher rate than US uses J&J, so much more MRNA vaccines in use in US. Both started their rollout before last Christmas.

Over the last week:

• UK is averaging 40k cases a day and 1000 deaths a day from a population of 68M (almost 5 times smaller than the US)
• US is averaging 80k cases a day and 1100 deaths per day from a population of 329M
• Singapore averaging 2700 cases a day and 13 deaths for a population of 5.4M
• Canada is averaging 2300 cases a day and 24 deaths a day from a population of 37M

Canada is the most similar to Australia wrt to ts pandemic response, population mix (i.e. they also have an first nations population, something not really a factor in UK and Singapore) and vaccine mix, so hopefully Australia's experience will be similar to Canada and not UK.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Over the last week:

• UK is averaging 40k cases a day and 1000 deaths a day from a population of 68M (almost 5 times smaller than the US)

The UK is not currently averaging 1000 deaths a day:





On the UK, they have gone with a much lower level of public health measures than most (and removed them earlier), and are principally relying on vaccinations.

Why scientists worldwide are watching UK COVID infections

The country’s relaxation of measures such as masking — especially in England — is showing the limits of relying on vaccines alone.

www.nature.com

 

[drron]

I think they have got those UK numbers wrong. Recently deaths peaked on 3/11 at 292 but by 14/11 were 63. In the week to 14/11 there were 1093 deaths for a daily average of 156.
Which makes the average death rate for the UK 2.3 per million population and for the US 3.3 per million.

covid cases uk today - Bing

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www.bing.com

The USA figures appear to be correct.

covid cases usa today chart - Bing

Intelligent search from Bing makes it easier to quickly find what you’re looking for and rewards you.

www.bing.com

 

[lovetravellingoz]

I think they have got those UK numbers wrong. Recently deaths peaked on 3/11 at 292 but by 14/11 were 63. In the week to 14/11 there were 1093 deaths for a daily average of 156.

The article was accurate.

​

In the UK, daily case numbers are hovering around the 40,000 mark, with weekly deaths now averaging over 1,000.​

​

The article also talked about lessons learnt. Type of vaccine not being one of them.

 

[Lynda2475]

The UK is not currently averaging 1000 deaths a day

ABC have edited the article now to say 1000 deaths a week, when I read it earlier today it said per day,

 

[drron]

And another reason for some of the differences may indeed be Genetic. Oxford University has found a gene that doubles the chance of severe respiratory illness with Covid. South Asians have a high incidence of this genetic variant and African Americans a low incidence.

Oxford University issued a media statement saying, ‘Scientists have identified the gene responsible for doubling the risk of respiratory failure from COVID-19.’

Genome-wide association studies identified the 3p21.31 region of the human DNA as conferring a two-fold increased risk of respiratory failure.

And about 60% of people with South Asian ancestry carry the high-risk genetic signal, compared to 15% of those with European ancestry.

The study published by the journal Nature Genetics on November 4, 2021, also found that just 2% of people with Afro-Caribbean ancestry carried the higher risk genotype.

Welcome to Precision Vaccinations News

Precision Vaccinations News publishes vaccine news patients can trust to make informed immunization decisions in partnership with doctors, nurses, and pharmacists.

www.coronavirustoday.com

 

[drron]

I note quite a few comments over this year saying how different we are compared to other countries in what can be done. the US is often mentioned but the reality seems to be different.They have similiar problems to Australia.
First the drop in Overseas students.

.


And in OS tourist arrivals.

Then in hospital ER departments experiencing much sicker patients as people had put off health checks during the pandemic.

ERs Are Swamped With Seriously Ill Patients, Although Many Don’t Have Covid - KFF Health News

Certain patients who couldn't get in to see a doctor earlier in the pandemic, or were avoiding the covid risks inside hospitals, have become too sick to stay away. Many ERs now struggle to cope with an onslaught of demand.

khn.org

 

[tgh]

Just when there is a decent glow in the tunnel…the empire strikes back...
This is all over the news feeds with limited science to back it up …..yet.

Researchers spotted B.1.1.529 in genome-sequencing data from Botswana. The variant stood out because it contains more than 30 changes to the spike protein — the SARS-CoV-2 protein that recognizes host cells and is the main target of the body’s immune responses. Many of the changes have been found in variants such as Delta and Alpha and are linked to heightened infectivity and the ability to evade infection-blocking antibodies

Heavily mutated Omicron variant puts scientists on alert

Researchers are racing to determine whether a fast-spreading coronavirus variant poses a threat to COVID vaccines’ effectiveness.

www.nature.com

 

[drron]

Just when there is a decent glow in the tunnel…the empire strikes back...
This is all over the news feeds with limited science to back it up …..yet.

Researchers spotted B.1.1.529 in genome-sequencing data from Botswana. The variant stood out because it contains more than 30 changes to the spike protein — the SARS-CoV-2 protein that recognizes host cells and is the main target of the body’s immune responses. Many of the changes have been found in variants such as Delta and Alpha and are linked to heightened infectivity and the ability to evade infection-blocking antibodies

Heavily mutated Omicron variant puts scientists on alert

Researchers are racing to determine whether a fast-spreading coronavirus variant poses a threat to COVID vaccines’ effectiveness.

www.nature.com

The Empire has not necessarily struck back. More work has been done on the reasons for Delta to be more infectious and it is not just the mutations in the spike protein that increases infectivity.

New Clues to Delta Variant’s Spread in Studies of Virus-Like Particles

About 70,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with COVID-19 each and every day. It’s clear that these new cases are being driven by the more-infectious Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2, the nov…

directorsblog.nih.gov

So a mutation in the N protein means that once the virus gets into the cell this mutation dramatically increases the numbers of copies that can be made. That would increase the chance of transmission of the virus. No reports so far of this new variant having a mutation in the N protein.

 

[andye]

Cases going up in Europe but deaths seem quite well-correlated with Vax rate

 

[Flashback]

Back to PCR tests for day 2 arrivals test in the UK, LFT gone for now.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-59443504

A PCR test for all entrants to the country is a fast way of tracking Omicron.

A quirk of this variant means it gives an unusual test result (known as S-gene drop out) that will allow health officials to react more quickly than having to wait for a full genetic analysis.

 

[drron]

New York in panic mode.

Welcome to Precision Vaccinations News

Precision Vaccinations News publishes vaccine news patients can trust to make informed immunization decisions in partnership with doctors, nurses, and pharmacists.

www.coronavirustoday.com

 

[Pushka]

New York in panic mode.

Welcome to Precision Vaccinations News

Precision Vaccinations News publishes vaccine news patients can trust to make informed immunization decisions in partnership with doctors, nurses, and pharmacists.

www.coronavirustoday.com

Sweet they got Macys Parade and Thankgiving in hey? Reading from the Health Official who noted the new strain, she reports fatigue as the main symptom and gone after two days. Sounds like it kicks in the immune system immediately given that's a major symptom of most auto immune illnesses.

 

[vetrade]

This is what the Sth African health minister said Satd:

 

[Pushka]

Dr Chris Moy was actually sounding almost - very positive in speech - prepared to consider that this strain might actually be milder although as spreadable as Delta. Progress!

 

[N860CR]

Pretty amazing that, despite tens of thousands of “covid deaths” in the last few days, not a single person on the planet has “died” with this variant.

 

[Flashback]

Pretty amazing that, despite tens of thousands of “covid deaths” in the last few days, not a single person on the planet has “died” with this variant.

Deaths are usually a lagging indicator, too early to tell.

 

[Pushka]

Pretty amazing that, despite tens of thousands of “covid deaths” in the last few days, not a single person on the planet has “died” with this variant.

But even if they did the demographics will be important to assess as well. I heard, God knows if true, that the 20-40 year old non vaccinated people were at risk. Swine flu in 2009 was getting to the teenagers. Oldies were seemingly unaffected as presumably there was some kind of pandemic in the '70's that I don't remember. I was at Uni. Likely well preserved by alcohol. Not that I drank back then but the air was sweeter in those days but as second hand smoke, sadly.

 

[Quickstatus]

Moved here

many practices in SA are strictly no entry to premises if unvaccinated

My understanding is different. Unvaxxed are initially seen by telehealth or in some segregated way rather than the normal way which is waiting room until called - they are not prevented from seeking a medical consult. After the telehealth, it may be necessary to see the GP in rooms - and this can be arranged.

Could you please check to story by ringing some GP practices and see what their policy is - I suspect it is a little different to strictly no entry...

 

[Pushka]

Moved here


My understanding is different. Unvaxxed are initially seen by telehealth or in some segregated way rather than the normal way which is waiting room until called - they are not prevented from seeking a medical consult. After the telehealth, it may be necessary to see the GP in rooms - and this can be arranged.

Could you please check to story by ringing some GP practices and see what their policy is - I suspect it is a little different to strictly no entry...

These are the texts I received from two GP clinics in SA

Dear xx_

As you will be entering a high-risk setting, from 23rd November 2021 you will need to show proof of your covid-19 Vaccination. If you are under the age of 12 year or unvaccinated you will need to call the clinic prior to your appointment on 1300 934 325.

Please ensure you are wearing a surgical mask as cloth masks are no longer accepted.

Kind regards,
Western Hospital GP Clinic

Hi xx_
As of Tuesday 23rd November All patients attending PHC Henley Beach need to show proof of their Covid-19 vaccination status prior to their appointment.
Face Masks must be worn at all times.
All Respiratory Symptoms will only be offered a Telehealth consultation initially.
Thank you for helping us protecting our staff, patients and the wider community.

Covid-19 Management Plan - Henley Beach - Pro Health Care

Pro Health Care Henley Beach have implemented changes to mitigate Covid-19 in order to keep everyone safe.

prohealthcare.com.au