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Covid 19: Facts, News, A Place for Support from Friends => Covid 19/Monkeypox: Facts, News, Support from Friends => Topic started by: georgiapeach on March 15, 2020, 08:59:16 AM

Title: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on March 15, 2020, 08:59:16 AM
PLEASE USE this to POST OFFICIAL Worldwide and Country Specific UPDATES ONLY.

WHO/CDC/Government (for example) Info only

Provide the LINKS and Dates if possible


Appreciate all help with this!

POST 3 will have all news articles that I find accurate and useful.
Title: Re: Coronovirus: Related Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on March 15, 2020, 08:59:30 AM
IMPORTANT and USEFUL LINKS:

https://ncov2019.live/
Story here: https://www.timesofisrael.com/updated-every-minute-17-year-old-whiz-kids-coronavirus-site-used-by-millions/

My own favorite daily email update via Johns Hopkins
Sign up here: http://www.centerforhealthsecurity.org/newsroom/newsletters/e-newsletter-sign-up.html

CDC:           
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
  Has Maps, Updates, Medical Info

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public




Title: Re: Coronovirus: Related Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on March 15, 2020, 08:59:45 AM
Reference Articles HERE.
 These are ones I have read and feel that are medically accurate.

Excellent overview!
https://www.howardluksmd.com/sports-medicine/covid-19-update-3-14-2020-concerned-physicians-unite/?fbclid=IwAR0fVN3N16it6Lk1aj5AOngpuSygNqNjV4JcwkKPk-VOnZ-72d6LxLnnyJ8
Title: Re: Coronovirus: Related Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on March 15, 2020, 02:32:13 PM
Warnings and Misinformation

Please use caution with the disease maps. Hackers are using them to spread malware: see here (https://thenextweb.com/security/2020/03/11/hackers-are-using-coronavirus-maps-to-infect-your-computer/). It's best to go directly to the source here (https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/).

Title: Re: Coronovirus: Related Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on March 15, 2020, 06:02:31 PM
Updating info from Argentina:

President just announced a total border closing after detecting tourists from countries with high ammount of cases are entering via terrestrial. Only Argentinians citizens could enter the country. This measure will extend for now until the end of the month, but could be extended if required.
Title: Re: Coronovirus: Related Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on March 15, 2020, 07:56:17 PM
I’m posting this in this thread since it’s the closest in scope

The United States Center for Disease Control has officially recommending that any kind of gathering for 50 or more persons in the US be postponed for at least 8 weeks as of today.
Title: Re: Coronovirus: Related Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on March 15, 2020, 09:59:00 PM
And as a taste of what’s to come, many school districts are now closing for periods up to a month, with the possibility that in some areas, closures may run through the remainder of the school year.
(Last time I can remember something similar was after the incident where students were killed by Ohio National Guardsmen at Kent State University in spring 1970.)

New York City has now decided to order the closure of bars, movie theatre and similar venues. This has already happened in much of Europe.
Title: Re: Coronovirus: Related Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on March 15, 2020, 10:14:50 PM
Its important to stay 6 FEET away ( 2 meters) from others and that is not happening.

We all need to do our part.
Title: Re: Coronovirus: Related Travel Info
Post by: Gra1162 on March 15, 2020, 10:44:01 PM
macau is getting better and they are thinking about reopening skls

hong kong is also doing a good job as ppl here know how to take care of themselves

china's situation is not getting any better however

the hong kong health officals have said the virus will stay in hk for about 2-3 years at least

and i heard your not allowed to wear masks in some parts of the world as your spreading fear to ppl
Title: Re: Coronovirus: Related Travel Info
Post by: BourkieBoy on March 16, 2020, 12:49:53 AM
News from Australia (Regarding Sporting Events):

The Australia vs New Zealand men's cricket one day international series was cancelled after Game 1.  The 2020 Australian Grand Prix was also cancelled. Cricket Australia cancelled the Australian women's cricket team's tour of South Africa due to the virus.

The AFL, AFL Women's, and the National Rugby League announced that they would not suspend play, but that matches would be played behind closed doors beginning 16 March. In addition, due to the imposition of mandatory quarantine for international travellers to New Zealand, it was announced that the New Zealand Warriors would remain based in Australia for the foreseeable future. The Australian Rugby League Commission is considering condensing or extending the 2020 NRL season.
Title: Re: Coronovirus: Related Travel Info
Post by: BourkieBoy on March 16, 2020, 12:53:12 AM
News From Australia (Travel Related):

On March 15, 2020, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that from midnight, all travelers arriving in or returning to Australia from outside of the country must self-isolate for 14 days, mirroring a similar requirement imposed by New Zealand. Failure to comply can result in a fine of $11,000 to $50,000 and jail time depending on the state. 

Cruise ships will also be barred from docking in the country for 30 days.

Gatherings of more than 500 people will also be banned starting Monday (16th March). Excludes schools, universities, public transport, work, etc...


Schools will remain open, unless there are specific coronavirus cases in the school.  :groan:
Title: Re: Coronovirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Maanca on March 16, 2020, 12:39:23 PM
Re: Canada

The border is closed to non-citizens and excepts permanent residents, etc

Starting Wednesday, only 4 airports are accepting international flights. Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Calgary
Title: Re: Coronovirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on March 16, 2020, 01:00:29 PM
https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/canada-restricting-who-can-enter-the-country-due-to-covid-19-pm-trudeau-1.4854503

OTTAWA --Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced that Canada will be shutting the border to non-Canadian citizens, with the exception of their immediate families, permanent residents, diplomats, air crews, and U.S. citizens at this time.

Anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19 will not be able to enter Canada.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on March 16, 2020, 03:48:22 PM
The White House task force has recommended that any gatherings, even within families be limited to no more than 10 people. In a matter of days that number has shrink from 500 to 250 to 50 and now 10. Stay in place is coming, and very soon.
Walmart has reduced its hours of  operation to 6 am to 11 pm Nd stores already with reduced irons will remain unchanged for now.
I took Edele for a walk to the grocery store to pick up items that I couldn’t get delivered.Found them all, but the store, near lunchtime wasn’t overly busy. No hand sanitizer or clorox wipes in stock. Starbucks location within the store was observing Starbucks guidance of take away only and closed seating area. A sushi restaurant has closed today for the duration.
My building cancelled all planned activities starting today indefinitely. The city public library is closed, the morning after the governor closed all public schools for four weeks.
Well if nothing’s open then people will essentially be forced to stay home.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on March 16, 2020, 04:18:08 PM
 270 tourists that refused to stay in quarantine were expelled from Argentina yesterday. Most of them didn't even have the chance to pass the controls at the airport.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on March 16, 2020, 10:45:36 PM
The White House task force has recommended that any gatherings, even within families be limited to no more than 10 people. In a matter of days that number has shrink from 500 to 250 to 50 and now 10. Stay in place is coming, and very soon.

If you are wondering why the White House had this sudden shift in approach and tone on Monday morning, there’s this from Political Wire:

Quote
White House Pivots After Dire Report on Death Toll

March 16, 2020 at 11:25 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“Sweeping new federal recommendations announced on Monday for Americans to sharply limit their activities appeared to draw on a dire scientific report warning that, without action by the government and individuals to slow the spread of coronavirus and suppress new cases, 2.2 million people in the United States could die,” the New York Times reports.

“To curb the epidemic, there would need to be drastic restrictions on work, school and social gatherings for periods of time until a vaccine was available, which could take 18 months, according to the report, compiled by British researchers. They cautioned that such steps carried enormous costs that could also affect people’s health, but concluded they were ‘the only viable strategy at the current time.'”

Washington Post: “Nearly eight weeks after the first coronavirus case was reported in the United States, Trump conveyed that he at last recognizes the magnitude of the crisis that is threatening lives across the nation, disrupting the economy and fundamentally upending the daily rhythms of American life.” 

Source: https://politicalwire.com/2020/03/16/white-house-pivots-after-dire-report-on-death-toll/
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: claude_24hrs on March 17, 2020, 06:47:50 AM
Update info from the Philippines:

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has already declared that the island of Luzon (including Metro Manila as already announced before) is now on lockdown as the whole country is now under state of calamity.

Also, flights from/to Luzon island have been suspended from March 20 to April 12.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on March 17, 2020, 11:55:51 AM
Update from Argentina:

Starting Friday, long distance buses and trains, and national flights are suspended until the 25th. Also local train and buses could only transport passengers seated.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on March 17, 2020, 06:32:35 PM
From Australia: New BAN>>THE WORLD!

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-18/coronavirus-australia-live-updates-covid19-latest-news-anzac-day/12064922?nw=0
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: BourkieBoy on March 17, 2020, 09:45:14 PM
Effective 5pm today (Wednesday) gatherings of more than 100 people inside a private home for example, are banned!  :dick

Also, Australians are not allowed to leave the country! Level 4 ban, DO NOT TRAVEL!

https://www.skynews.com.au/details/_6142413846001
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on March 18, 2020, 07:59:43 AM
Mostly geared to UK residents but excellent country by country coverage:

https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2020/mar/18/coronavirus-latest-travel-updates-countries-restrictions-bans-fco-warnings
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on March 18, 2020, 07:13:19 PM
Message from CBS: (and Phil!)

https://www.facebook.com/47360808996/videos/245218866874027/
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Plaidmoon on March 18, 2020, 07:36:05 PM
Message from CBS: (and Phil!)

https://www.facebook.com/47360808996/videos/245218866874027/

If that's Phil's house, he's got one amazing bathroom/makeup suite. I want one like it.  :tup:
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Lemontail on March 18, 2020, 08:48:11 PM
Message from CBS: (and Phil!)

https://www.facebook.com/47360808996/videos/245218866874027/

If that's Phil's house, he's got one amazing bathroom/makeup suite. I want one like it.  :tup:

He probably made millions from years of hosting TAR.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: BourkieBoy on March 19, 2020, 12:20:38 AM
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced a travel ban will be placed on all non-residents and non-citizens coming to Australia. The ban will be effective from 9pm on Friday.

https://www.theage.com.au/national/coronavirus-updates-live-global-covid-19-cases-pass-200-000-death-toll-continues-to-rise-as-indonesia-infections-surge-20200318-p54bjc.html
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on March 19, 2020, 04:30:54 AM
Thanks Bourkie.

Prob same info: https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/health-wellbeing/australia-closes-borders-to-stop-coronavirus-c-752927

Additionally both QUANTAS and JETSTAR are suspending International flights:
https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/health-wellbeing/devastating-qantas-and-jetstar-to-suspend-international-flying-cut-two-thirds-of-staff-c-752192
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: HavaDrPepper on March 19, 2020, 03:48:46 PM
May I ask what is the status of Americans that entered Australia on March 14th.  I have a friend on a trip with a tour there. She's been in Sydney, the Blue Mountains National Park and is currently in Byron Bay.

Several of us are wondering if she will be able to fly home (where she will be in quarantine for 14 days) at all.

Thanks for any info if you have it.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on March 19, 2020, 03:49:37 PM
The US State Department has raised its travel advisory for all countries to Level 4 Do Not Travel

From CNN:

Washington (CNN)The US State Department on Thursday warned American citizens not to travel abroad due to the coronavirus pandemic, issuing its highest level travel alert.
The Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory "advises U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel due to the global impact of COVID-19."
"In countries where commercial departure options remain available, U.S. citizens who live in the United States should arrange for immediate return to the United States, unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period," the alert said.
The State Department alert advised US citizens living abroad to "avoid all international travel."
"Many countries are experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks and implementing travel restrictions and mandatory quarantines, closing borders, and prohibiting non-citizens from entry with little advance notice," it said.
"Airlines have cancelled many international flights and several cruise operators have suspended operations or cancelled trips. If you choose to travel internationally, your travel plans may be severely disrupted, and you may be forced to remain outside of the United States for an indefinite timeframe," it said.
Full article here:
https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/19/politics/state-department-travel-advisory/index.html
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on March 19, 2020, 03:56:25 PM
May I ask what is the status of Americans that entered Australia on March 14th.  I have a friend on a trip with a tour there. She's been in Sydney, the Blue Mountains National Park and is currently in Byron Bay.

Several of us are wondering if she will be able to fly home (where she will be in quarantine for 14 days) at all.
.

Thanks for any info if you have it.
They need to arrange for immediate travel back to the United States. They may need to immediately contact the US Embassy or Consulate as well. The tour operator should have already begun this. But if they haven’t, then your friends need to act immediately. See my post above. I know it’s got to be unnerving, but this US guidance was just the afternoon
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on March 19, 2020, 05:10:40 PM
Update from Argentina:

It's almost confirmed that total quarantine will be imposed until 3/31/20.  The only doubt is if going to start at midnight today or tomorrow.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: BourkieBoy on March 19, 2020, 06:22:32 PM
May I ask what is the status of Americans that entered Australia on March 14th.  I have a friend on a trip with a tour there. She's been in Sydney, the Blue Mountains National Park and is currently in Byron Bay.

Several of us are wondering if she will be able to fly home (where she will be in quarantine for 14 days) at all.

Thanks for any info if you have it.

I highly suggest your friend gets herself and her tour group to Ballina Byron Gateway Airport and book a flight to Sydney/Melbourne. Once landed, I highly suggest she books herself a ticket to LAX. Borders shut at 9pm. No-one comes in, limited flights out

This is serious. If your friend does not act quickly, the US may shut their borders & she very well may find herself stuck in Australia for quite some time!
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on March 19, 2020, 07:26:46 PM
Update from Argentina:

It's almost confirmed that total quarantine will be imposed until 3/31/20.  The only doubt is if going to start at midnight today or tomorrow.

Just announced by the president with total according of all the governors, full quarantine starts tonight at midnight.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on March 19, 2020, 07:57:45 PM
Update from Argentina:

It's almost confirmed that total quarantine will be imposed until 3/31/20.  The only doubt is if going to start at midnight today or tomorrow.

Just announced by the president with total according of all the governors, full quarantine starts tonight at midnight.


What does Full Quarantine mean exactly please? Are we talking house arrest here or limited entry /exit  from the country? Thanks!
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on March 19, 2020, 08:07:01 PM
NO NEW OR RENEWAL US PASSPORTS TO BE ISSUED EXCEPT FOR LIFE AND DEATH ISSUES:

Quote
Change in Passport Services Operations                             

Due to public health measures to limit the spread of COVID-19, effective March 20, 2020, we are only able to offer service for customers with a qualified life-or-death emergency and who need a passport for immediate international travel within 72 hours.

Life-or-death emergencies are serious illnesses, injuries, or deaths in your immediate family (e.g. parent, child, spouse, sibling, aunt, uncle, etc) that require you to travel outside the United States within 72 hours (3 days).

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/ea/passport-covid-19.html
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on March 20, 2020, 10:13:24 AM
Update from Argentina:

It's almost confirmed that total quarantine will be imposed until 3/31/20.  The only doubt is if going to start at midnight today or tomorrow.

Just announced by the president with total according of all the governors, full quarantine starts tonight at midnight.


What does Full Quarantine mean exactly please? Are we talking house arrest here or limited entry /exit  from the country? Thanks!

Yes. Only allowed to leave the house to purchase food or supplies and medicine. Travel only with authorization. Exception for food, health, combustible, law enforcement and news personal. No exit and entry to the country allowed (Vice-president is currently outside the country and is not certain if she could return or should stay in Cuba).
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on March 20, 2020, 12:08:16 PM
That is same as California now... rest of US will follow I am sure.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on March 20, 2020, 12:10:35 PM
Reminder that post 2 has useful links. The Johns Hopkins one in particular is outstanding.

If you have one you think particularly good for outside the US please message meand I'll take a look. Thanks!
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on March 20, 2020, 01:07:25 PM
 US TAX FILING DATE Changed!

https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/20/politics/steven-mnuchin-tax-day-july-15/index.html?fbclid=IwAR2jR_D5CHwozfcjZgaMvwK89U6rgpDGyvFbaT_0TpVSGJa5F3r4mAYdW3E

Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on March 20, 2020, 03:00:45 PM
Two items I’ve seen this morning.
The United States and Mexico have agreed to limit all border traffic to essential travel only, similar to the US Canada agreement a few days ago.
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/coronavirus-travel-advice/index.html

In addition to the shelter in place oreders In California, the states of New York and Illinois have or plan to do so shortly. Update Illinois and Connecticut have also now issued stay in place orders statewide.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/20/health/us-coronavirus-friday/index.html

(And as a personal note. This tells you what doctors are really thinking. I had a routine medical appointment scheduled ten days from now, I sent a message to my doctor on Tuesday night to ask what he wanted to do. He replied Wednesday that the appointment should be delayed “to at least June” and put a note in my file that any script refill requests from my pharmacy would be issued for essentially four refills, when they’re needed. Since most of them are 90 days, that amounts to a year.)
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Maanca on March 20, 2020, 03:12:35 PM
US TAX FILING DATE Changed!

https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/20/politics/steven-mnuchin-tax-day-july-15/index.html?fbclid=IwAR2jR_D5CHwozfcjZgaMvwK89U6rgpDGyvFbaT_0TpVSGJa5F3r4mAYdW3E

Same in Canada. The filing deadline here is normally April 30. Now it's extended into the summer.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on March 20, 2020, 06:10:12 PM
 US State Department working on repatriation of stranded American travelers. Read article, there’s a lot there.

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/article241374936.html
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Slowhatch on March 21, 2020, 12:27:47 AM
Quote
That is same as California now... rest of US will follow I am sure.
Yes and No. I've printed out my county's emergency order and there are many exceptions. If it comes to your state/county, just Google "county name" self-isolation pdf (or something similar); it shouldn't take more than a few minutes to find the right text.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: BourkieBoy on March 22, 2020, 12:22:18 AM
Update on school closures in Victoria! I hope this is the right thread!

I will also inform National Cabinet that school holidays will be brought forward in Victoria, starting on Tuesday 24 March.

The decision whether to re-open schools after the Term 1 holidays will likewise be determined following advice from the Chief Health Officer.
- Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews.

https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/live-coronavirus-victoria-updates-793-dead-in-italy-in-a-single-day-spain-s-death-toll-jumps-by-30-per-cent-while-covid-19-cases-in-australia-surpass-1-000-20200321-p54cky.html

Looks like I have an extended break coming up! I do want to celebrate, however, getting time off from school for coronavirus, is probably something that you shouldn't celebrate!
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: HavaDrPepper on March 22, 2020, 07:14:00 PM
May I ask what is the status of Americans that entered Australia on March 14th.  I have a friend on a trip with a tour there. She's been in Sydney, the Blue Mountains National Park and is currently in Byron Bay.

Several of us are wondering if she will be able to fly home (where she will be in quarantine for 14 days) at all.

Thanks for any info if you have it.

I highly suggest your friend gets herself and her tour group to Ballina Byron Gateway Airport and book a flight to Sydney/Melbourne. Once landed, I highly suggest she books herself a ticket to LAX. Borders shut at 9pm. No-one comes in, limited flights out

This is serious. If your friend does not act quickly, the US may shut their borders & she very well may find herself stuck in Australia for quite some time!

Update on my friend:

She left from Gold Coast Airport at 6 am on a flight to Sydney. She has now boarded a flight to LAX. She said there will be flights to San Francisco the rest of the week and then no more.  She will be in quarantine when she gets home. Ohio is also on a stay at home effective 11:59 p.m. EDT Monday 3/23/20.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on March 22, 2020, 08:30:12 PM
Glad she made it! Thanks for the update.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on March 22, 2020, 08:36:37 PM
Glad she made it! Thanks for the update.
So am I. The window for nonessential international flights is rapidly closing.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on March 23, 2020, 11:25:07 AM
Hope!
https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/03/who-launches-global-megatrial-four-most-promising-coronavirus-treatments
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on March 23, 2020, 01:36:23 PM
Tokyo Olympics to be postponed to 2021
From Political Wire:
https://politicalwire.com/2020/03/23/olympics-will-be-postponed-until-next-year/ (https://politicalwire.com/2020/03/23/olympics-will-be-postponed-until-next-year/)
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Hubickichibi on March 23, 2020, 09:02:00 PM
They use robots in undermanned hospitals
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/02/07/business/tech/coronavirus-robots-china-hospitals/
some of them have funny face (https://cutekawaiiresources.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/81.gif?w=560)
(https://s.alicdn.com/@sc01/kf/Hd8efe17d220b4bcda6d09a84bafa0a61K.jpg_300x300.jpg)(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/jyFpjHSoJUovTfJYSl27quzI8rgjzGkq1GtzFQtN3ErUrkpXigxeL7Ep3SLGWCDc9QRTQqCFRjFnXvXJIrQABlAg-K0tPnzO7nSpzNWuFgqpGxouCH-8DJCgby-Py0XDFHAMh8vVrjo)
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: claude_24hrs on March 23, 2020, 09:36:58 PM
Tokyo Olympics to be postponed to 2021
From Political Wire:
https://politicalwire.com/2020/03/23/olympics-will-be-postponed-until-next-year/ (https://politicalwire.com/2020/03/23/olympics-will-be-postponed-until-next-year/)

Not yet official. As it was suggested by IOC member Dick Pound to call for postpone the games. Wait till the official IOC announcement in a coming of weeks.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on March 23, 2020, 10:59:44 PM
Tokyo Olympics to be postponed to 2021
From Political Wire:
https://politicalwire.com/2020/03/23/olympics-will-be-postponed-until-next-year/ (https://politicalwire.com/2020/03/23/olympics-will-be-postponed-until-next-year/)
Read Dick Pound’s comments. He’s a long time senior member of the IOC and knows everything. The decision to postpone has been made internally, three major national teams, Australia, Canada and the United States have requested postponement, and two sporting federations the track/field(Athletics) and Swimming have also formally requesting a delay to 2021. Dick Pound is also the IOC’s chief negotiator on the Broadcasting rights for the IOC. And who would want to broadcast events held in empty venues?

Not yet official. As it was suggested by IOC member Dick Pound to call for postpone the games. Wait till the official IOC announcement in a coming of weeks.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on March 23, 2020, 11:46:58 PM
It appears not yet to have been confirmed OFFICIALLY. I think it is all but sure but will wait for the official word.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: BourkieBoy on March 24, 2020, 05:34:16 AM
Australia news!

From midnight tomorrow, food courts and shopping centres will no longer be open (though takeaway food is still allowable).

Auction houses and open house inspections can not continue services.

Beauty therapy, tanning, waxing, nail salons and tattoo parlors will now be forced to close.

Hair dressers and barber shops will be allowed, only if they abide by social distancing (of one person per four square metres) and that nobody is in the premises for more than 30 minutes.

Weddings will now be limited to no more than five people, and funerals to no more than 10 people.

The prime minister told Australians to limit the number of guests people had in their homes, urging them not to hold BBQs, birthday parties and family gatherings.

He said the states and territories will also consider whether to ban house parties.


https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/coronavirus-updates-victoria-live-who-says-pandemic-is-accelerating-olympics-postponed-20200324-p54d7o.html
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: BourkieBoy on March 24, 2020, 06:01:13 AM
Full list of closures from midnight tomorrow:

Food courts in shopping centres but they will be allowed to serve takeaway.

Auction houses and auction rooms.

Open house inspections and auctions.

The states and territories will make a decision on markets. Food markets will be exempt.

Waxing salons, beauty salons, spa and massage parlours, nail salons. Health-related services are exempt.

Hairdressers and barbers can continue but with strict limitations on the number of people. Patrons should spend no more than 30 minutes there.

Amusement parks and arcades.

Indoor and outdoor play centres.

Community and recreation centres, health clubs, yoga studios, barre studios.

Bootcamps and outdoor personal training will be limited to 10 people and social distancing must be adhered to.

Swimming pools.

Large groups of people doing sporting activity outside eg playing a game of soccer.

Galleries, libraries, youth centres, RSLs.

Scotty needs another holiday I think!  :funny:

https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/coronavirus-updates-victoria-live-who-says-pandemic-is-accelerating-olympics-postponed-20200324-p54d7o.html
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on March 24, 2020, 07:48:05 AM
If you haven't signed up to receive these emails yet you may want to reconsider. Read the pulsepoints to see all the failures/issues/successes you may have missed.

http://www.centerforhealthsecurity.org/newsroom/newsletters/pulsepoints/
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on March 24, 2020, 12:56:54 PM
An example of how to hold an election during a pandemic where there’s no mandatory vote by mail. From the Political Wire newsfeed

https://politicalwire.com/2020/03/24/all-georgia-voters-will-get-absentee-ballot-request-forms/

Quote
All Georgia Voters Will Get Absentee Ballot Request Forms

March 24, 2020 at 12:44 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard 53 Comments

“Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger announced Tuesday that all of Georgia’s 6.9 million active voters will be mailed absentee ballot request forms for the May 19 primary, a major push to encourage voting by mail during the coronavirus pandemic,” the Atlanta Journal Constitution reports.

“The absentee voting effort will allow Georgians to decide on their choices for president and other elected offices from home, without having to visit in-person voting locations where the coronavirus could more easily spread. Early voting and election day precincts will remain open.”

Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on March 24, 2020, 04:36:54 PM
Guess I better check my mail then...   :clap2:
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on March 24, 2020, 06:15:07 PM
Here, they’re returning early voting, including voting by mail, to a 40 day period prior to the primary election in early June, but one still has to request an absentee ballot, in writing by mail on the approved form.

Update: the Secretary of state is going to send out ballot request form to all registered voters, with business reply postage free envelopes. The ballots themselves are already sent and returned postage free.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Plaidmoon on March 27, 2020, 12:32:08 PM
Here's an interesting website I saw a reference to in another forum: https://healthweather.us/ (https://healthweather.us/) It's from a company that manufactures smart thermometers and it tracks the occurrence of people having fevers in the United States (but apparently not Hawaii or Alaska). It's not a true COVID-19 occurrence map, but it does correlate well to what appear to be the current hot spots and may give some clues as to whether stay at home orders are working. Overall, since we are getting into spring, the atypical numbers are low (compared to winter?) but the relative values appear to be significant. However, in sparsely populated areas, data is lacking, so you can't determine a lot there.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on March 27, 2020, 04:07:45 PM
Hot spots ❤️ lol
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: BourkieBoy on March 29, 2020, 08:17:16 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L89nN03pBzI

In other news, Victoria is in 'Stage 3' lockdown. This means you will be find $1600 if you are caught by the police gathering in groups of 2 people or more! However, there is some good news! The 'curve is flattening' in Australia at the moment, so that is very good news!

Meanwhile, that idiot conservative commentator Andrew Bolt believes that Australia get back to work in two weeks! (April 14). I don't know whether to laugh at his stupidity or slap my self on the forehead with his stupidity!  :groan:

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/blogs/andrew-bolt/good-news-means-we-must-get-back-to-in-two-weeks/news-story/6ece8ff86c873db05c4fe0fc25a90f04?from=htc_rss
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Declive on March 29, 2020, 08:36:06 PM
Forgot to write it here, but Bolsonaro's last national TV announcement was him saying that people should just go back to their normal lives and forget about this virus, which according to him is "just a minor flu"

That...is disguised genocide.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on March 29, 2020, 08:48:01 PM
Forgot to write it here, but Bolsonaro's last national TV announcement was him saying that people should just go back to their normal lives and forget about this virus, which according to him is "just a minor flu"

That...is disguised genocide.

Well, here the president has just announced that quarantine extends until Easter.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on March 30, 2020, 01:14:07 AM
Trump apparently received a new study that indicates at least one to two million cases in the US, and 100,000 to 200,000 deaths. He quickly decided to extend the current guidance through April 39, and conceded that the death tolls would likely reach 100,000.
Not so clear is his position on getting sufficient numbers of ventilators, masks, oxygen, PPC gowns, and other needed supplies.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on March 30, 2020, 07:13:32 AM
April 30. And that is just the beginning. Glad for some slight sign of sanity.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Plaidmoon on March 30, 2020, 12:38:58 PM
April 30. And that is just the beginning. Glad for some slight sign of sanity.

I work for a government agency and on a conference call today with my boss was told that our current minimal staffing (and my full time teleworking) would continue through April 30th at the minimum and more likely until May 30th. As a high risk person (diabetes), I'm kind of relieved but working at home has been weird.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on March 30, 2020, 04:59:01 PM
Glad for you Plaid! Home is the best place for all of us right now.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on April 01, 2020, 04:30:27 AM
On Tuesday, the White House daily coronavirus briefing went on for two hours, as the two medical experts disclosed the extent and nature the pandemic is likely to take on the modeling that’s being used.

With the expectation that infections and deaths will be far greater than previously disclosed, it is horrific and jaw dropping. But the experts finally got through. As CNN reported:

Even with blanket nationwide adoption of stringent mitigation efforts, between 100,000 and 240,000 Americans could face death in the coming weeks in a cascading nationwide ordeal, according to modeling explained by senior members of the President's emergency task force Tuesday.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/31/politics/trump-coronavirus/index.html
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: HavaDrPepper on April 01, 2020, 10:45:10 AM
I've been using the John Hopkins map and tracking the number of cases in each state on a spreadsheet. I'm calculating the percentage of cases in the state against their population. 

I am so proud of my governor and the restrictions he put in place even before Ohio had a confirmed case.  With the 7th largest state population, we are sitting at approximately  33rd percentage wise with the number of cases. The highest we have been was 28th since I started tracking. I have also been watching our daily briefings and they reiterate every single day that Ohio has not seen the surge yet and that there are more positive cases in the state than what are reported. We have so few tests that they save them for the individuals with the most severe symptoms.  They give all kinds of data in those briefings as well.  I love it!  Age range of infections in Ohio... less than 1 year old to 99.  This virus does not discriminate.  They also upload a spreadsheet of the basic information (county, age of individual, sex of individual, onset date of virus, date of death if applicable and hospitalization (yes/no) on a daily basis.  The other day there were 39 deaths... 37 of them were age 60 and older. 23 of those 37 were male.  Oh yeah, the number of tests actually run in Ohio as of 3/31/20 is 29,191... approximately 39% of the positives in New York.

Nice to see positive coverage about Ohio since most media tends to ignore us.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-52113186
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on April 01, 2020, 12:25:10 PM
Nice update!

We can beat this...but social separation is key.

I am so thankful to have all of you safely in my computer so we can stay in touch!
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Jimmer on April 01, 2020, 07:14:23 PM
I've been using the John Hopkins map and tracking the number of cases in each state on a spreadsheet. I'm calculating the percentage of cases in the state against their population. 

I am so proud of my governor and the restrictions he put in place even before Ohio had a confirmed case.  With the 7th largest state population, we are sitting at approximately  33rd percentage wise with the number of cases.

I think it's cool that you are tracking cases! However, I'm not sure how valid it is to compare states, even when accounting for population during the crisis. The is a lot of uncertainty in regards to number of cases because there is lots of variability in who gets tested, plus the onset and peak of the virus will vary across states. It's definitely good data to have, but the data could be noisy and have hidden factors, so be careful with the conclusions you draw!
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: HavaDrPepper on April 02, 2020, 05:06:35 PM
I've been using the John Hopkins map and tracking the number of cases in each state on a spreadsheet. I'm calculating the percentage of cases in the state against their population. 

I am so proud of my governor and the restrictions he put in place even before Ohio had a confirmed case.  With the 7th largest state population, we are sitting at approximately  33rd percentage wise with the number of cases.

I think it's cool that you are tracking cases! However, I'm not sure how valid it is to compare states, even when accounting for population during the crisis. The is a lot of uncertainty in regards to number of cases because there is lots of variability in who gets tested, plus the onset and peak of the virus will vary across states. It's definitely good data to have, but the data could be noisy and have hidden factors, so be careful with the conclusions you draw!

It isn't really a comparison but just interesting data to me.  Is it exact. Nope. Is it fluid. Yep. Only #1 and #2 have not changed since I started doing it. Like you said there are many factors. 

My main reason for doing it was because someone on another message board made a comment about the USA taking the top spot with number of cases and how horrible that looked for the USA (person is from Canada).  I responded with the fact that you cannot base this on number of actual cases but on a percentage based on population.  Then I went down a rabbit hole on my own about the 50 states, DC and Puerto Rico.  Interesting fact... Texas (#2 population wise) is sitting at 47th out of 52. Will they stay there, who knows.  California (#1 population wise) is sitting in 28th. Interesting, right?

It is interesting to see what states are at the top though.  4 of the top 5 are in the northeast (New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut).  Louisiana has snuck into the top 5 (3rd)  and Michigan is now up to 6th.  You can tell where the hot spots in the country are.  Washington has been moving down (now 8th) because their cases are on the downswing since they are in the recovery phase.  DC is sitting in 7th, Rhode Island in 9th and Colorado in 10th.

 :carryon:
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Jimmer on April 02, 2020, 06:22:44 PM
Yes it still is interesting, good insight!
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on April 02, 2020, 07:46:58 PM


It is interesting to see what states are at the top though.  4 of the top 5 are in the northeast (New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut).  Louisiana has snuck into the top 5 (3rd)  and Michigan is now up to 6th.  You can tell where the hot spots in the country are.  Washington has been moving down (now 8th) because their cases are on the downswing since they are in the recovery phase.  DC is sitting in 7th, Rhode Island in 9th and Colorado in 10th.

 :carryon:

How about giving us a Top Ten daily update? Or however often you do them...
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on April 06, 2020, 02:38:42 PM
I HIGHLY recommend these updates From Johns Hopkins Health Security...they are excellent.

You can sign up for daily and emergency email alerts here:

http://www.centerforhealthsecurity.org/newsroom/newsletters/e-newsletter-sign-up.html

Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: claude_24hrs on April 06, 2020, 11:41:10 PM
On the regard in my home country's status about COVID-19, the press secretary announced the lockdown to extend until April 30.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: BourkieBoy on April 08, 2020, 11:12:09 PM
Australia's border/travel restrictions at the moment. At the moment, the only travel 'allowed' is between Victoria & New South Wales. But that is restricted and discouraged and must only be used for 'essential' reasons! :(  :'(

(https://imgur.com/8sWL3Mb.jpg)
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on April 08, 2020, 11:33:50 PM
Update:

Quarantine extended until April 23rd. Government is analysing if some activities are allowed to restart after passing that date, with some restrictions.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: SuperTux on April 10, 2020, 08:30:04 PM
ABC news says that intelligence reported warned of coronavirus crisis as early as November last year.

Link: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/intelligence-report-warned-coronavirus-crisis-early-november-sources/story?id=70031273 (https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/intelligence-report-warned-coronavirus-crisis-early-november-sources/story?id=70031273)

My questions:
1) The first case of Covid-19 in Wuhan was diagnosed on Dec 8, 2019. How come America knew it in November? By then nobody knew it in China, even our disease prevention and control center.
2) The intelligence report gave the White House more than three months to prepare. And this is the preparation result?
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: claude_24hrs on April 10, 2020, 08:37:44 PM
For the whole coronavirus lockdown data outside of mainland China, Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:2020 coronavirus quarantines outside Hubei) has the whole template that worldwide lockdowns have been started and would end the targeted date. Once the government may extend in the next days or lifted the expiry date.

Some countries have extended the lockdown to end in May as government have strict measures with continuous number of COVID-19 cases.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Lemontail on April 10, 2020, 08:42:29 PM
ABC news says that intelligence reported warned of coronavirus crisis as early as November last year.

Link: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/intelligence-report-warned-coronavirus-crisis-early-november-sources/story?id=70031273 (https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/intelligence-report-warned-coronavirus-crisis-early-november-sources/story?id=70031273)

My questions:
1) The first case of Covid-19 in Wuhan was diagnosed on Dec 8, 2019. How come America knew it in November? By then nobody knew it in China, even our disease prevention and control center.
2) The intelligence report gave the White House more than three months to prepare. And this is the preparation result?

Wasn't it 1 December 2019, with possible earlier case on 17 November 2019?
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: SuperTux on April 10, 2020, 08:56:26 PM
ABC news says that intelligence reported warned of coronavirus crisis as early as November last year.

Link: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/intelligence-report-warned-coronavirus-crisis-early-november-sources/story?id=70031273 (https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/intelligence-report-warned-coronavirus-crisis-early-november-sources/story?id=70031273)

My questions:
1) The first case of Covid-19 in Wuhan was diagnosed on Dec 8, 2019. How come America knew it in November? By then nobody knew it in China, even our disease prevention and control center.
2) The intelligence report gave the White House more than three months to prepare. And this is the preparation result?

Wasn't it 1 December 2019, with possible earlier case on 17 November 2019?

The date of diagnosis and publicity was Dec 8. The presumed date of his infection was Dec 1.

But maybe you're right because I notice there's news saying it could be traced back to Nov 17.

Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on April 10, 2020, 11:48:54 PM
The wiki article may be inaccurate and states it is not updated. Wiki can be edited...it cannot always be counted to be an accurate source and is certainly NOT an "Official Update."
Moving forward please only quote verified sources here. Thanks.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: dpe on April 13, 2020, 12:47:46 PM
https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/survivor-season-finale-amazing-race-premiere-date-cbs-1234578484/

AMAZING RACE IN MAY
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: HavaDrPepper on April 13, 2020, 02:00:49 PM


It is interesting to see what states are at the top though.  4 of the top 5 are in the northeast (New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut).  Louisiana has snuck into the top 5 (3rd)  and Michigan is now up to 6th.  You can tell where the hot spots in the country are.  Washington has been moving down (now 8th) because their cases are on the downswing since they are in the recovery phase.  DC is sitting in 7th, Rhode Island in 9th and Colorado in 10th.

 :carryon:

How about giving us a Top Ten daily update? Or however often you do them...

Sorry Peach... I don't come on here every day!

But, here are the stats for 4/13/20:

1 - New York   note: as of 2:45 p.m. New York is showing 195,198 cases with a population of approximately 19.4 million.  First state to reach the 1% mark.
2 - New Jersey
3 - Louisiana
4 - Massachusetts
5 - Connecticut
6 - District of Columbia
7 - Rhode Island
8 - Michigan
9 - Pennsylvania
10 - Delaware

Top 10 states in population and their ranking of cases (all these states have 10+ million in population):

1 - California ranks 32
2 - Texas ranks 39
3 - Florida ranks 20
4 - New York ranks 1
5 - Pennsylvania ranks 9
6 - Illinois ranks 11
7 - Ohio ranks 31
8 - Georgia ranks 15
9 - North Carolina ranks 44
10 - Michigan ranks 8

California, Texas, Ohio and North Carolina all have been at least 25th or lower in the rankings all along.  From my memory, the highest Ohio has been (my home) has been 27th.  Also, note the state of Washington has fallen to 13th.

Definitely fluid but very interesting.  John Hopkins has also added new maps to their website with statistical information for each county in the USA.  Now that is really interesting!  https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/us-map
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on April 18, 2020, 03:07:30 PM
This article is about a renowned global expert on pandemics and global public health, Dr. Julio Frenk, currently President of The University of Miami.
After an overview of his background and experience, it quotes Dr. Frenk from an interview (via Zoom) about pandemics and the COVID19 pandemic in particular. Fascinating, and shows why one university got ahead of the curve.
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/coronavirus/article242035071.html
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on April 21, 2020, 12:07:45 PM
Update from Argentina:

It's almost sure that quarantine will be extended beyond April 26th. No info on the new ending date yet; but there are rumors that it'll apply only for urban areas and provinces with confirmed cases. On those that have no cases there could be a limited aperture of the activities.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Declive on April 21, 2020, 01:27:17 PM
I think Brazil will become the new epicenter of COVID once the US cases start to go down.

Even though i think the people are taking good measures, our country is large and i'm only saying what i see - in the south we are taking good measures.

Up north i think people are really not taking care of themselves. Plus the president is really minimizing the crisis, since he said it is "just a minur flu"
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Maanca on April 21, 2020, 01:45:00 PM
For sure, man, a leader like Bolsonaro at the helm of this is a recipe for disaster :(
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Declive on April 21, 2020, 03:21:05 PM
For sure, man, a leader like Bolsonaro at the helm of this is a recipe for disaster :(

Yeah. The the health minister was doing a great job, always putting science in 1st place and presenting studies along with his thoughts. And Bolsonaro fired him.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: HavaDrPepper on April 21, 2020, 06:48:26 PM
It was an interesting weekend looking at the updates from the Ohio Department of Health. On 4/18 there were 1081 new cases, 4/19 was 1353 and 4/20 was 1224.  But digging into the numbers and other info on the state website, the majority of those cases were from a prison.  Today's increase was 734 which is more in line with what it has been and that number includes more positives in one of the prisons.  I expect our numbers to be higher until the prison testing is done.

In Thursday's press conference, it was stated that all residents of a prison dorm (not sure the number in it) were tested. 152 were positive and 60 of those showed ABSOLUTELY NO SYMPTOMS at all.  There had been a few cases at another prison a week or 2 earlier.  The decision was made to test all inmates and prison workers at all prisons in the state.

Today's stats show 13,725 positive cases in the state.  Prisoners are 3,762 of those numbers. Prison staff have 319 positives.  Almost 30% of the positive cases in the state.

Another number they have been tracking is the number of health care professionals that confirm positive.  Up until this past weekend, that number has been about 21% of the state total.  It is now down to 16% because of the uptick in the prison positives.  Healthcare workers are 2,169 positives in the state.

Top 10 states as of 4/21:

1. New York
2. New Jersey (has now also reached the 1% of their population mark)
3. Massachusetts
4. Connecticut
5. Louisiana
6. Rhode Island
7. District of Columbia
8. Michigan
9. Delaware
10. Pennsylvania

Ohio now ranks 22nd, the highest it has been.  State of Washington, the first hot spot has dropped to 17th.

Other interesting (to me) stats:

The age range for positives in the state of Ohio is less than 1 year old to the ripe old age of 106!  Until they started testing the prisons, the gender percent was pretty even at 50% male/50% female.  That is now 60% male/40% female.  In my small county, females are 17 of the 23 positives with an age range of 21 to 91.  3 deaths, 2 male/1 female. Males were 64 and 72. Female was 82.

School buildings are closed for the school year, all learning will continue online.  The state shut down expires May 1st. Some things are going to open up but no specifics have been released yet.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on April 21, 2020, 08:20:16 PM
The numbers over the past week in Iowa have coincided with outbreaks in the past few weeks at various meat packing facilities for pork, beef and poultry. It has lead to daily increases of over 200 to 500 positive cases per day; 84 of the state’s 99 counties have now reported at least 1 positive test, which shows the continued incidence of community spread in the many counties that are rural. The states three most populous counties continue to lead in the number of cases, which over half the cases statewide are age 60 and under, including children and infants.
Its not clear what the governor plans to do when her current orders expire next week, except that public schools will remain closed until the fall. One area of the state is under more strict measures, and two other of the five remaining areas are close to needed more strict measures. If that occurs, over half of the state’s population and half of its area will be affected. But a new program has been announced for testing that would allow many locally based testing sites that would rapidly increase the data to determine the actual extent of current and historic spread of COVID19, that might allow some reopening. Meanwhile the three largest healthcare networks in the state continue to consolidate their resources and this suggest Iowa has not yet peaked in transmissions. Routine medical appointments or for minor health issues are out of the question anytime soon.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on April 25, 2020, 12:30:15 AM
Update from Argentina:

It's almost sure that quarantine will be extended beyond April 26th. No info on the new ending date yet; but there are rumors that it'll apply only for urban areas and provinces with confirmed cases. On those that have no cases there could be a limited aperture of the activities.

Still pending the official announcement but quarantine will extend until May 10th. In 9 provinces Governors will have the authority to restart local activities on the basis of following strict protocols. In the rest there could be happening something similar in areas without cases.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on April 25, 2020, 02:43:43 PM
An update: In the 48 hours between 10 AM Thursday and Saturday, there were over 1100 new cases reported in Iowa, and there are now over 5,000 cases reported statewide. The death count has reached 100 statewide. A lot of the cases do seem to be in communities with the meat, poultry, and pork packing plants, as those facilities are having to close and deep clean and test employees, who appear to be getting it from community spread. The governor here has decided, for some reason, to allow farmers’ markets to reopen under strict social distancing guidelines and to allow elective surgeries but not dental procedures.

In walking Edele around, I continue to see people without masks, generally middle age or younger. Some of them appear to be employees who aren’t able to work remotely. It’s pretty apparent that somehow the numerous orders set to expire on April 30, as the trend has clearly not peaked, and the daily variations is making it difficult to see if the light at the end of the tunnel is coming anytime soon. And even if businesses were to be allowed to reopen, with schools closed until the next school year in August, many parents simply wouldn’t be able to go into a workplace rather than working remotely.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on April 26, 2020, 01:20:40 AM
Update from Argentina:

It's almost sure that quarantine will be extended beyond April 26th. No info on the new ending date yet; but there are rumors that it'll apply only for urban areas and provinces with confirmed cases. On those that have no cases there could be a limited aperture of the activities.

Still pending the official announcement but quarantine will extend until May 10th. In 9 provinces Governors will have the authority to restart local activities on the basis of following strict protocols. In the rest there could be happening something similar in areas without cases.

A little update:

President confirmed the date of the new extension and hinted that there could be more periods of confinement before starting with the complete reopening of all activities.

Also it'll be allowed to exit the house during one hour daily only and with a distance range of not more than 500 meters around the place people is living (this is besides of going to purchase medicine and groceries); it's implicit that they must follow the protocols imposed for circulating on the street.

EDIT: Two governors had already told that won't allow the "one hour exits" in their provinces, and the same criteria could be applied in the city of Buenos Aires and other jurisdictions, as it's feared that may lead into an increase in the number of people infected.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on April 26, 2020, 05:29:36 PM
Another update:

Seven jurisdictions have now banned the "one hour exits" announced yesterday by the National Goverment in every major city and urban areas of them. That group includes the "big four": City of Buenos Aires, Province of Buenos Aires, Province of Santa Fé and Province of Córdoba. 
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on April 27, 2020, 01:45:56 PM
I'll be interested to see the CDC Covid numbers for a week after our stupid Georgia Gov opened Georgia up again. Expecting the worse...
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on April 27, 2020, 03:36:20 PM
I’ll have to re-read the material, but the governor took a dual track. For the 77 countries that have had few or no cases reported since early March, certain categories of retail businesses may reopen provided social distancing is strictly followed. The remaining 22 counties are to maintain the closures through at least May 15th.
It creates the abnormality that Polk County remains under the strict guidelines, but the county to its immediate south does not. And the city of Des Moines’ southern boundaries is on the county line, so residents could just go south and escape the social distancing limitations.

Then the number of newly reported cases continues to average over 500, bringing the total to 6400, and about 140 deaths reported to date. Health scientists at the University of Iowa continue working on a Iowa specific model, but have expressed concerns that there were be a higher number of cases and deaths than earlier indicated. At the time, the governor had not yet changed the restrictions limiting access to places and people as she has been doing since last week, but it was clear, it would make things worst, and that a second wave of cases was nearly certain later this year.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: HavaDrPepper on April 29, 2020, 03:46:21 PM
Ohio's stay at home order is scheduled to expire on May 1st but from everything I'm hearing in the daily press conferences, it will continue to be in effect to continue to encourage the citizens of the state to continue making reasonable and rational decisions about leaving home.  Large gatherings of more than 10 people are still prohibited.

A slow reopening is happening starting May 1. Elective surgeries will be allowed and other health care providers that closed will be able to open up (dentists and veterinarians etc).

Manufacturing, distribution and construction may reopen on May 4 if mandatory safety requirements are met. Also general office environments are included in this.

May 12 is the date for consumer, retail and services may reopen if they meet mandatory safety requirements.  At first the plan was going to require customers at retail businesses to wear face coverings. This was requested by all members of the the business task force that helped to come up with the guidelines.  There was a massive amount of resistance to this so it was changed to "highly recommended".  In the last 24 hours, there has been resistance the other way... from the businesses that are trying to protect their employees.  Can't win situation.

Numbers for Ohio are now at 17,303 with 937 deaths.  Of that 17,303 positives, 7,106 of them are: prisoners/prison staff, and health care workers.  Long-term care (nursing homes) data is incomplete but what they have released shows about 1,000 positives there.

Ohio has 88 counties and from the time I started tracking (March 16 was first time this data was released) Ohio hit 80 counties with positives on April 6. My small county had its first positive on March 28. On April 15, there were 87 counties with positives.  The lone hold out, a small county with only 13,000 people in southeast Ohio (hilly terrain and high unemployment as well) finally had a case on April 28th.  The counties with large numbers include the counties that include Cleveland and Columbus and the 2 counties with the prisons with the largest number of positive cases. # 5 of the counties is the one with Toledo and the county with Cincinnati is #6.

I am definitely thinking there will be a second surge in Ohio with the stupid decisions the citizens around me are making.  Our leadership is trying to take it slower but also letting people get back to work but I keep seeing the complaints about having to wear a face covering and....     I NEED TO GET A HAIRCUT!  Another person I know doesn't want to reschedule her daughter's graduation party from June to early August because she won't have enough time to go shopping for things the daughter will need at college.     :badhorse:
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: BourkieBoy on April 30, 2020, 07:51:16 PM
A little update from Australia!

From today, residents in New South Wales will be able to visit to another household

In the Northern Territory it's now legal to play outdoor non-contact sport, hold an outdoor wedding or funeral. In two weeks time, the Territory will allow for pubs and restaurants to reopen, as well as shopping centres, indoor gyms and beauty therapy for "non-facial services". On June 5, all businesses will be allowed to return, including nightclubs and team sports.

From Saturday, Queenslanders will be able to drive within 50 kilometres of their home or go shopping for non-essential items.

Western Australians will be able to gather in groups as big as 10 from Monday.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has said the state will not consider loosening its restrictions until May 11.  :groan:

https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/coronavirus-updates-live-sydney-aged-care-resident-dies-russian-pm-diagnosed-with-covid-19-20200501-p54ou6.html
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Air on April 30, 2020, 08:22:20 PM
A little update from Australia!

From today, residents in New South Wales will be able to visit to another household

In the Northern Territory it's now legal to play outdoor non-contact sport, hold an outdoor wedding or funeral. In two weeks time, the Territory will allow for pubs and restaurants to reopen, as well as shopping centres, indoor gyms and beauty therapy for "non-facial services". On June 5, all businesses will be allowed to return, including nightclubs and team sports.

From Saturday, Queenslanders will be able to drive within 50 kilometres of their home or go shopping for non-essential items.

Western Australians will be able to gather in groups as big as 10 from Monday.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has said the state will not consider loosening its restrictions until May 11.  :groan:

https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/coronavirus-updates-live-sydney-aged-care-resident-dies-russian-pm-diagnosed-with-covid-19-20200501-p54ou6.html

this is because the northern territory hasn't reported a new case in literally nearly a month, queensland has reported 7 cases over the last 7 days (and wa has reported 3), and vic has a high rate of community transmission making it *literally* more dangerous to open up in vic

stop being so partisan
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Lemontail on April 30, 2020, 09:59:50 PM
Good thing I'm not in Orange County in SoCal...
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on May 01, 2020, 10:44:46 AM
Good thing I'm not in Orange County in SoCal...

New news??
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: chill_sd on May 01, 2020, 11:53:49 AM
Good thing I'm not in Orange County in SoCal...

New news??

This may be a reference to the Governor shutting down their beaches due to rules not being followed. San Diego and other coastal counties have had success with people social distancing on newly reopened beaches.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on May 05, 2020, 07:44:24 AM

This was posted this morning from Political Wire with a link to the Los Angeles Times reporting.

https://politicalwire.com/2020/05/05/a-mutant-coronavirus-has-emerged/

 A Mutant Coronavirus Has Emerged
May 5, 2020 at 8:07 am EDT By Taegan Goddard 17 Comments

“Scientists have identified a new strain of the coronavirus that has become dominant worldwide and appears to be more contagious than the versions that spread in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic,” the Los Angeles Times reports.
“The new strain appeared in February in Europe, migrated quickly to the East Coast of the United States and has been the dominant strain across the world since mid-March.”
“In addition to spreading faster, it may make people vulnerable to a second infection after a first bout with the disease.”

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-05-05/mutant-coronavirus-has-emerged-more-contagious-than-original
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on May 08, 2020, 02:41:33 PM
Update from Argentina:

To be announced tonight, but the quarantine will be extended until May 24th (in fact it'll be until the next day as it's a national holiday).

Places with high affluence of public (bars, stadiums, cinemas, etc) will remain closed with no estimated date of reopening yet.

It's rumored that some companies would be allowed to restart with their work but with minimal staff and rotating their empoyees to reduces the chances of contagion. However this will depend of local authorities decisions. In the metropolitan area (the city of Buenos Aires and its surroundings) that concentrate the 60% of the cases the consensus from the specialists is to keep the current status for a little longer than in the other jurisdictions of the country, as is considered that the peak of contagion is still to come.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on May 09, 2020, 01:39:50 AM
Update from Argentina:

To be announced tonight, but the quarantine will be extended until May 24th (in fact it'll be until the next day as it's a national holiday).

Places with high affluence of public (bars, stadiums, cinemas, etc) will remain closed with no estimated date of reopening yet.

It's rumored that some companies would be allowed to restart with their work but with minimal staff and rotating their empoyees to reduces the chances of contagion. However this will depend of local authorities decisions. In the metropolitan area (the city of Buenos Aires and its surroundings) that concentrate the 60% of the cases the consensus from the specialists is to keep the current status for a little longer than in the other jurisdictions of the country, as is considered that the peak of contagion is still to come.

Short update:

As expected, the metropolitan area will remain in quarantine without changes, maintaining the status of phase 3 of the strategy against the virus. The rest of the country is going to advance to the phase 4, that involves a slow return to work for some activities as told before. Borders will remain closed and travel between jurisdictions is still not allowed to general population.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Declive on May 09, 2020, 06:06:27 PM
Brazil reached 10000 deaths today.
And our president went on a jet ski ride. He also had a BBQ planned.
While everyday he goes out and shakes hands with people, too.

I wished we had followed Argentina's plan from the beginning. Now we're all screwed over here.
I believe Brazil will become the new epicenter of COVID19, once the US is done with it.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: claude_24hrs on May 12, 2020, 12:48:47 AM
The Philippines now has 11,000 coronavirus cases as of today, with nearly 800 deaths and 2,000 recoveries.

Just earlier today PH time, our President has announced the "Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine" lockdown in Metro Manila, the province of Laguna and Cebu City until May 31, as it was previously announced the lockdown in the mentioned areas until May 15, with the remaining areas shifted to "General Community Quarantine" from May 16, that people may allow to return to work and limited number of passengers in public transportation to implement with social distancing rules.

Americans are screwed with reaching 80,000 deaths and 1.3 million cases of COVID-19.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on May 12, 2020, 02:55:39 PM
Senate hearing:

https://www.help.senate.gov/hearings/covid-19-safely-getting-back-to-work-and-back-to-school
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: HavaDrPepper on May 14, 2020, 11:18:05 AM
My small county in Ohio of about 49,000 people has 46 confirmed and 2 probable cases as of yesterday.  9 were hospitalized, 20 have recovered and there were 3 deaths. Average age is 56.  75% are female, 25% are male.  Ages range from 21 to 91.

There has been an outbreak in a county near me that has a huge poultry farming/processing facility.  The cases in that county shot up in number of cases in the last week going from less than 50 to 101. They also have 138 pending cases.  Along with the outbreak at Cooper Farms, there is now a nursing home being watched very closely with having both a resident and an employee testing positive.

As for Ohio, we are now over 25,000 cases.  Age range of all positives are less than 1 to 108 years.  54% are male/46% are female.

Between prisoners, prison workers and healthcare workers, they total 9,034 of those cases for 36%.  Another 4,385 (17%) cases involve nursing home residents and employees.  In the national media you see a lot about how this is hitting the black community hard.  That is not the case in Ohio. 50% of our cases are White with only 26% being black.

As for the state population percentages, not a whole lot has changed for the top of the chart with 4 of the top 5 being in the northeast:

1. New York - 1.75%
2. New Jersey - 1.58%
3. Rhode Island - 1.13%
4. Connecticut - 0.97%
5. District of Columbia - 0.93%

The rest of the top 10:
6. Massachusetts
7. Delaware
8. Louisiana
9. Illinois
10. Maryland

Ohio has moved back down to 27th since the surge in mid-April from the prison population.  Other states with over 10 million population:
Pennsylvania - 11
Michigan - 12
Georgia - 19
Florida - 32
California - 34
North Carolina - 38
Texas - 41

Washington the original epicenter is now at 26th.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on May 16, 2020, 12:18:17 PM
Thanks for the great updates. I am bracing for more as states are testing "back to normal" too fast...
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on May 16, 2020, 04:24:15 PM
CNN correspondent Will Ripley, who is based in Hong Kong, but who has spent the last thre and a half months in Tokyo, returned to Hong Kong this week. What is usually a five hour trip became 23 hours, and into a two week home isolation after returning. He documented the trip in a eight minute segment posted on his IG account, and that aired on CNN.

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CAP5pJPJ418/?igshid=4wf9zfxde8z6
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: TARUSAFan on May 17, 2020, 07:23:26 AM
From a post shared by a friend in Facebook, this really saddens me.


Quote
A very SAD day for a 100 years old industry of AVIATION.

- Virgin fires more than 3,000 people including 600 Pilots.

- Virgin Australia files for Bankruptcy.

- Air Mauritius goes into Administration.

- South African Airways Bankrupt.

- Finnair returns 12 planes and lays off 2,400 people.

- YOU grounds 22 planes and fires 4,100 people.

- Ryanair grounds 113 planes and gets rid of 900 pilots for the moment, 450 more in the coming months.

- Norwegian completely stops its long-haul activity!!! The 787s are returned to the lessors.

- SAS returns 14 planes and fires 520 pilots... The Scandinavian states are studying a plan to liquidate Norwegian and SAS to rebuild a new company from their ashes.

- Ethiad cancels 18 orders for A350, grounds 10 A380 and 10 Boeing 787. Lays off 720 staff.

- Emirates grounds 38 A380s and cancels all orders for the Boeing 777x (150 aircraft, the largest order for this type). They "invite" all employees over 56 to retire

- Wizzair returns 32 A320s and lays off 1,200 people, including 200 pilots, another wave of 430 layoffs planned in the coming months. Remaining employees will see their wages reduced by 30%.

- IAG (British Airways’ parent company) abandons the takeover of Air Europa (and will pay €40 million compensation for that).

- IAG (Iberia) grounds 56 planes.

- IAG (British Airways) grounds 34 planes. Everyone over 58 to retire.

- Luxair reduces its fleet by 50% (and associated redundancies)

- CSA abolishes its long-haul sector and keeps only 5 medium-haul aircraft.

- Eurowings goes into Bankruptcy

- Brussels Airline reduces its fleet by 50% (and associated redundancies).

- Lufthansa plans to ground 72 aircraft (in 2 instalments).

- Hop is studying the possibility of reducing fleet and staff by 50%.

Additional info:

Currently, 60 new aircraft stored at Airbus with no buyers in sight (order cancellations) including 18 A350s.

They *forecast a minimum of 8,000 grounded planes by September*. With an average of 5.8 crews per plane (medium and long haul combined), that would make *more than 90,000 unemployed pilots worldwide*

*The Air Transport Industry is on Life Support !*

This will have a major impact on our lifestyle.

https://www.facebook.com/roumel.mercado/posts/10158025791461488 (https://www.facebook.com/roumel.mercado/posts/10158025791461488)



Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: ghostbusted on May 18, 2020, 12:16:34 AM
I have a kind of off the wall idea to help the airline industry. The solution may already be built into the planes. They all have emergency oxygen supplies built in with drop down masks. If they can enlarge the supply tanks and/or switch the supply to air couldn't each passenger have a separate air supply to breath so you wouldn't have to worry about the virus being carried throughout the cabin?
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on May 19, 2020, 07:41:03 PM
Update from Argentina:

It's rummored that quarantine will have a new extesion, this time until June 7th, as confirmed cases have increased until reaching three digits numbers in the last days (what coincides with the expectation of the contagion peak for this moment of the year when quarantine was initially imposed).
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Declive on May 19, 2020, 08:37:52 PM
Bolsonaro cancelled his national TV pronouncement where we would advise AGAINST the quarantine.

Just as Brazil had its worst day with 1179 deaths registered. The total number is already at 18000 deaths.

He already fired two health ministers who were advising in favour of the Quarantine.
He doesn't want a health minister. He wants a puppet.
And there is definitely blood in his hands.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on May 23, 2020, 08:41:27 PM
Update from Argentina:

It's rummored that quarantine will have a new extesion, this time until June 7th, as confirmed cases have increased until reaching three digits numbers in the last days (what coincides with the expectation of the contagion peak for this moment of the year when quarantine was initially imposed).

President Fernández has just confirmed the new extension until June 7th in the current conditionds in the Metropolitan area (with an increase of the cases on the poorer neighborhoods) and in the provinces of Córdoba and Chaco. Some of the previous restrictions could return trying to reduce the contagion again. Good news are the absence of new cases during the last days in 19 provinces of the country.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Air on May 23, 2020, 09:04:11 PM
I can swim on June 1 *dab*
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on May 23, 2020, 11:04:15 PM
The front page of Sunday’s (May 24th) New York Times:

(https://pmcdeadline2.files.wordpress.com/2020/05/times.jpg?w=681&h=383&crop=1)
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: claude_24hrs on May 24, 2020, 06:50:28 PM
For Declive:

Brazil now has the second highest number corona cases after the US and has overtook Russia with more than 300,000.

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/05/22/americas/brazil-coronavirus-cases/index.html
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Declive on May 24, 2020, 07:48:33 PM
Yes. From the news (one month ago) i was already predicting that Brazil would become the new epicenter of COVID19.

But if i would speak for what i see, i would never guess that. My city has 400000 people and only 25 active cases (64, but 39 recovered).
I live very close to the Uruguay border (they are doing an amazing job as well as us in the Brazilian extreme south).

So, thank god for the news because we can prevent. It's sad though that there is so much ignorance in the rest of the country, as well as in our president's mind.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Jobby on May 27, 2020, 03:29:21 AM
Glad to hear Declive's safe <3

In Singapore, we crossed 30,000 cases and while that may sound like a norm to you, you have to know that as a really small country, we currently hold the highest cases per 1 million population for countries over 10,000 cases.

Within the community, there's only less than 10 cases everyday, but within the foreign workers dorms which have now been quarantined, we are still getting 500-1000 cases everyday.

This all happened when we first had cases in the foreign workers dorms and did not do anything about it, and they went on to spread to many other foreign workers dorms in Singapore. Really sad.

This whole issue highlighted a lot of issues about the gap between the rich and the poor, Government efficiency, how Singaporeans generally view foreign workers etc.

But on a larger issue for me, it highlighted how it just takes one area to be affected and for nothing to be done (around two weeks), and there will be about more than 30000 cases potential cases. Think from the perspective of Europe and even USA... If you have even a dozen cases in the community, you are NOT READY to be reopened. It just takes one case and it could result in a whole community getting infected. The only time when you can reopen is when you don't even have any cases in the community. Otherwise, there still must be social distancing, no public activities, everyone must wear mask etc.

In Singapore if you don't keep your distance or wear a mask, it's a fine of 300 dollars. Subsequent time, 1000 dollars. And the third time, 10,000 dollars and a jail term. I know the freedom to live, to believe in your own rights is extremely important. But it pains my heart to see all the protests that are still going on in USA/Europe for the country to stop the lock down. If you take a look from another perspective, you are just plain selfish. Nobody wants to be locked down, and you shouldn't be complaining or let alone, protesting about it. The country is unsafe at this moment and all these protesters are definitely not helping with the situation.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on May 27, 2020, 09:35:25 AM
Beautifully said Jobby.

It is an insane time when our President who has ZERO medical knowledge (search "Should I be taking insulin?" if you doubt me) thinks opening businesses, beaches, churches is a good thing.

As individuals we ALL have to do our part to contain this. I haven't been out without a mask either on or at the ready Only when I am walking alone) in months. Nor have I been anywhere but food pickups in ages and my walks.

I am so thankful for Internet. Connecting remotely is what is keeping us all sane I think.

Be careful out there. This is by no means over.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: redskevin88 on May 27, 2020, 08:12:19 PM
You going back to work next week Joab?
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on May 28, 2020, 01:40:34 AM
After over a week of fewer than 300 positive results daily, today there were 595 positive results. The statewide total well over 18000, and nearly 500 deaths statewide since early March.
Meanwhile the governor is allowing casinos, bars, churches, and other indoor facilities to reopen with social distancing and capacity limitations. The Y across the street reopens on Monday which will greatly increase foot and auto traffic. So far as I can tell, the office buildings are still mostly working remotely.

But this makes me very nervous about what the infection rate may be like in a few weeks.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on May 28, 2020, 06:48:30 AM
Georgia rates are up significantly as well.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: panikmoon on May 30, 2020, 12:14:34 PM
I work at a major theme park in LA so I was pretty worried when I saw this article yesterday. I feel like its elaborated on as I didn't hear Kathryn Barger say those exact words (plus her name is spelled wrong in the article), but yikes. I'm definitely not ready to go back to work just yet. The headline reads "Los Angeles County Task Force Will Present Guidelines On Tuesday For ‘Immediate Reopening’ Of Film And TV Production, Theme Parks"  :nono2:

https://deadline.com/2020/05/los-angeles-county-film-tv-theme-park-reopening-guidelines-tuesday-1202946877/?fbclid=IwAR3E7AK4tTIoOIER6wYPmy6e4YoFLh69NgNSgu5PHXpwefqEHJBbCge1vvU
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: HavaDrPepper on May 30, 2020, 04:50:35 PM
Ohio's 21 day trend for number of new cases is at 540. The low was 21 days ago on May 10 (Mother's Day) at 384.  Eleven days later was the high of 731.  The hospitalizations and ICU admissions 21 day trends are at 81 and 17.  Hospitalizations high was 136 which was May 29th. ICU admissions high of 42 was earlier this past week, not sure of the date.

We have been on a rolling re-opening since May 1st.  About 95% of the state is open but with restrictions on many industries. Restaurant/bars are not at full capacity because of social distancing requirements for tables. Childcare services are opening May 31. Catering and banquet centers are permitted to reopen June 1 with many having to follow the restaurant regulations.

Still closed: K-12 schools, Older adult day care services and senior centers, adult day support or vocational habilitation services in congregate settings, rooming and boarding houses including workers' camps. 

And, the biggie... certain entertainment/recreation sites: Auditoriums/stadiums/arenas, movie theaters/performance theaters/concert/music halls (although drive in theaters can open), public recreation centers/indoor sports facilities, amusement parks/theme parks/outdoor water parks/funplexes etc, aquariums/zoos/museums/historical sites etc, country clubs/social clubs, certain spectator sports, gambling industries (horse racing permitted with no spectators), laser tag facilities/roller skating rinks etc, and parades/fairs/festivals/carnivals.

Ohio has 2 huge amusement parks (Cedar Point and Kings Island) and multiple zoos that bring in a large number of visitors and several hall of fame museums (Rock and Roll in Cleveland, Pro Football in Akron). When asked by press in the latest press conference, the governor said these would be addressed the first week of June.

2 weeks ago the Ohio State Fair cancelled this year's fair. Several counties near me have also cancelled. Haven't heard about my county yet. 4th of July festivals are being cancelled including fireworks displays. Our local festival is cancelled but fireworks is still being discussed. Decision to be made next week.  And, last week the huge country concert that is held in July (about 45 minutes from me) finally cancelled.  Even though it is outside, it was a good decision.  Drunk people do not socially distance well at all.

Swimming pools regulated by local health departments are permitted to open on June 6th.  Lots of regulations to follow. My town's pool/waterpark is scheduled to open but I'm suspecting it won't go so well.  Just found out today that the public pools in many of the neighboring towns are not opening and my neighbor (whose daughter works at our pool) is expecting those people to come to our pool/waterpark.

On the other hand what I am suspecting will happen is that positive cases will escalate in the next couple of weeks.  I haven't seen a lot of social distancing taking place during the protests/riots happening all over the country these last few days.  This country might have their second wave a couple months earlier than originally thought.

Sigh....
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: claude_24hrs on May 31, 2020, 08:59:44 AM
In the Philippines, the lockdown (known here as (Modified) Enhanced Community Quarantine) will end at 11:59 pm Philippine time (UTC+8) as the country is shifted into orange quarantine zone (known here as General Community Quarantine). Metro Manila has a total of 78-day lockdown (began on March 15, 2020), comparing to Wuhan's 77-day lockdown.

With a number of 17,224 COVID-19 cases, 950 deaths and 3,808 people have been recovered. It is going to focus on a "new normal" (green zone) to implement with social distancing guidelines. In some areas in Metro Manila are mostly from rural Barangays (villages) are considering a Barangay Lockdown even if COVID cases are continuing higher. Public transportation will be a capacity of less than 50 percent and passengers are divided by half of normal capacity of everyday commuters.

Speaking of education, the school year will start on August 24 instead of traditional June schedule. Enrollment will begin on June 1 via online form. Even the President wanted a COVID-19 vaccine for school-aged youngsters in the country as before the targeted date of school opening is still on the August schedule. Hoping that the crisis would get a massive improvement in the next few weeks even is on FLATTENING THE CURVE.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Declive on June 02, 2020, 06:47:11 PM
Peak day of deaths in Brazil. 1292 deaths due to COVID19.

President Bolsonaro, 2 hours ago
"We are sorry for all the deaths. But it's everyone's destiny to die."

Reminder: after he fired our two health ministers who were advising in favor of the quarantine, we are now 18 days without anyone in charge of health in the country.

A complete circus.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on June 02, 2020, 07:58:33 PM
Update from Argentina:

It's almost sure that once again the quarantine will be extended in the same terms they are till now, as number of confirmed cases are still in a three digits numbers (although today we were close to one thousand for the first time since quarantine was imposed). Also the peak of the contagion curve has been moved again, now to the second half of June. Fortunately, the deaths are barely over five hundreds since this started.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on June 04, 2020, 07:28:09 PM
Update from Argentina:

It's almost sure that once again the quarantine will be extended in the same terms they are till now, as number of confirmed cases are still in a three digits numbers (although today we were close to one thousand for the first time since quarantine was imposed). Also the peak of the contagion curve has been moved again, now to the second half of June. Fortunately, the deaths are barely over five hundreds since this started.

President has confirmed today that quarantine is extended until June 28th on the Buenos Aires metropolitan area and specific zones of the provinces of Cordoba, Chaco, Chubut and Río Negro. The other provinces are continuing with the advances of the phases in pursuit of slowly normalize everything.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on June 10, 2020, 10:10:06 PM
Among the numerous events cancelled because of the COVID19 pandemic, one can now add the Iowa State Fair, perhaps the best known of them all, and immortalized in Rogers and Hammerstein musical “State Fair.” (1945). It was last cancelled during World War 2. I was expecting this as many county fairs inIowa had already been cancelled for 2020.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on June 11, 2020, 08:04:41 PM
Update from Argentina:

For the first time since the quarantine was declared the daily number of confirmed cases has surpassed one thousand.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on June 12, 2020, 05:27:23 AM
The US is seeing a marked increase as well.

This ain't over folks...we are in this for the long haul.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: claude_24hrs on June 12, 2020, 09:55:28 AM
That is too bad for a South American country with spiking COVID-19 cases. Brazil has reached 800,000 cases of COVID, with deaths climbed to 40,000.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Declive on June 12, 2020, 07:21:44 PM
Argentina & Uruguay are doing great.
Over here in Brazil it's chaos. Everyday we think we reached the top of the mountain and the descend is starting. But it's not.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: HavaDrPepper on June 13, 2020, 09:01:18 AM
8 states in the USA have over 1% of their population been confirmed to have/had Covid-19.  The top 2 are very close to hitting that 2% mark.  This is calculated using population numbers from the worldpopulationreview.com website and the confirmed cases numbers from the John Hopkins website.  Of course these are not exact because the population numbers are not up to date and exact so in essence these are very fluid numbers but in my opinion give a much better picture when you look at what policies were or were not put in place in the various areas.

1. New York - 1.9635%
2. New Jersey - 1.8594%
3. Rhode Island - 1.5099%
4. Massachusetts - 1.5059%
5. District of Columbia - 1.3396%
6. Connecticut - 1.2542%
7. Illinois - 1.0363%
8. Delaware - 1.0350%
9. Maryland - 0.9964%
10. Louisiana - 0.9686%

Top 10 states in population with all over 10 million and where they fall in this population percentage ranking:

1. California ranks 33rd
2. Texas ranks 39th
3. Florida ranks 38th
4. New York ranks 1st
5. Pennsylvania ranks 14th
6. Illinois ranks 7th
7. Ohio ranks 34th
8. Georgia ranks 20th
9. North Carolina ranks 28th
10. Michigan ranks 13th

The first hot spot in the nation (Washington state) now sits in 37th. It was in the top 10 when I started doing this.  As for my home state of Ohio, numbers are still increasing but are averaging between 400 and 475 new cases reported each day. We even had a day of only 278 new cases!

I will say that looking at my spreadsheet of Ohio's daily numbers, we had ups and downs but not a lot of huge spikes.  Just the major spike in mid April when they tested some of the prisons and we had over 4200 new cases in 4 days.  Oddly enough the next time the numbers went up to over 600 per day was 3 weeks after Easter.

At this time about 95% of Ohio is open for business if they choose to be. Amusement parks can open next week I believe.  I think at this time the only major area not open are arenas, stadiums and auditoriums... all venues that have large amounts of people in crowded conditions.  An announcement about these is hoping to be made soon.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on June 13, 2020, 04:15:42 PM
Expect these #s to change and rise drastically approx 2-3 weeks after the recent mass demonstrations.

The demonstrations were appropriate. But the consequences will be devastating.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on June 13, 2020, 08:29:08 PM
Peach, it won’t just be the #BLM demonstrations/protests. It’ll also be those who wanted to defy or abandon preventative public health measures too soon, and we’re already seeing signs of rising cases numbers in 20 of the 50 states.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: HavaDrPepper on June 14, 2020, 07:47:05 AM
Expect these #s to change and rise drastically approx 2-3 weeks after the recent mass demonstrations.

The demonstrations were appropriate. But the consequences will be devastating.

Couldn't agree more.  I think I made a comment about that on here when the protests started.

Another reason (at least in Ohio) for an upswing in numbers is the fact that testing is more readily available.  Wal-Mart, Rite Aid and CVS stores are starting to put testing availability into their stores in the state.  Although at this time, it is mainly in the larger population centers.  My town has both Wal-Mart and CVS and have no testing. We are also the county seat!  Testing is also required before any medical procedure and I wouldn't doubt that asymptomatic confirmations are being found during that.

Another interesting stat from Ohio is the fact that the median age of the cases is going down. At one time it was 54 and now it is 49.  4 of the last 5 new cases in my county have been 53 and younger with 2 of them being 20 years old.  I'm keeping an eye on this as it peaked my interest.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on June 19, 2020, 06:32:35 AM
This week, the number of cases in 23 of the 50 states are rising, and three large states that began reopening earlier, Texas, Florida, and Arizona were setting daily records for newly reported cases. I saw another report that so far, there’s been no indication of any effect of the protests and demonstrations nationwide following the murder in police custody of George Floyd in Minneapolis three weeks ago.
Attention will turn tomorrow to Tulsa where a rally, in a facility designed for 20,000 will have overflow crowds into a second or more nearby facilities for about 200,000 reserved places. Masks aren’t being required and social distancing won’t be followed.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: HavaDrPepper on June 19, 2020, 01:40:10 PM
My cousin's daughter is a dermatologist in Orlando. She shared a Newsweek story today about ICU beds filling up in Florida.  Right now it is the Miami area that is in trouble but it could spread elsewhere.  https://www.newsweek.com/multiple-florida-hospitals-run-out-icu-beds-coronavirus-cases-spike-1511934

Ohio is seeing an increase in cases in 5 specific counties in southwest Ohio (Cincinnati/Dayton metroplex areas).  The governor talked about it on yesterday's briefing.  Some cases pertain to outbreaks in certain plants in the area but most of it is community spread.  A county near me had a major outbreak in a food processing plant in May. Their numbers shot up, doubling in just days.  They are now staying level.

I just updated my state population spreadsheet percentages:

Top 10: New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, District of Columbia, Connecticut, Delaware, Louisiana, Illinois, Maryland.

Top 10 most populous states and their current rank and rank last posted 6 days ago:

California: 30 - 33
Texas: 39 - 39
Florida: 33 - 38
New York: 1 - 1
Pennsylvania: 16 - 14
Illinois: 9 - 7
Ohio: 37 - 34
Georgia: 21 - 20
North Carolina: 28 - 28
Michigan: 15 - 13

FWIW: Oklahoma currently sits at 42nd in the population percentage ranking.  Not sure the rally is going to be a true indicator because IMO many people are going to be from out of state and if infected, those will be counted against their home state.  (Over 1M requests for tickets but only 3.9M residents in OK... yeah, there will be people from out of state there). The various protests around the country are the same situation with people coming in from out of state to participate at the early protests.

That also goes back to my original feelings about Florida.  I believe many people were infected there in the beginning during spring break but then went back to their home states where the infections are being counted in those numbers, not Florida.  A county near me had their first case in a 20-something young man that had been in Florida within 2 weeks of his positive diagnosis.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: HavaDrPepper on June 21, 2020, 03:37:37 PM
Ohio had an increase in cases the last several days but the 21 day average is at 443. Yesterday was 546 and the 19th was 700. The 21 day average for hospitalizations is 57 and yesterday was 41.  This trailing average has been going down steadily  :tup:  The 21 day average for ICU admissions is at 14 and yesterday was 11.  This also is steadily going down.  :tup  And, finally the 21 day average for deaths is at 26... yesterday's reporting was for just 3!!!  That is twice in the last 21 days that we have had a death number that low.  The governor has stated that the hospital/ICU numbers are the ones he watches very carefully because of not wanting the hospitals to get overloaded. 

The number of tests being run has also increased.  We have been consistently over 10,000 tests per day for the last week.  More pop-up test sites are being put out there, especially in an area that has seen an increase in positive cases (southwest Ohio - Cincinnati/Dayton area).

Peach... One of my scrapbooking acquaintances in the suburbs of Atlanta now has her twin 18 year old daughters that have tested positive.  She is negative at this time and her husband has refused testing (whole other story about him).  She just updated us that 3 of the daughter's friends that they work with have also tested positive.  One of the friends has a brother and boyfriend that have also tested positive.  All these cases stem from 1 person that brought it into the restaurant these kids work at (all except the brother/boyfriend work at the same place).  According to her the restaurant had strict policies about masks and social distancing as well.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on June 21, 2020, 03:48:25 PM
I’m seeing media reports in the last few days that more younger people are showing positive results for COVID19 and it seems to be a shift in infection patterns from before. Whether it’s because they more frequently exposed to the coronavirus or the coronavirus has further mutated isn’t clear, but it has to be a basis for concern now that it is summer in the northern hemisphere and increasing the opportunities for community transmission.

This is from one of my area’s tv stations daily COVID19 newsletters sent out today:

Quote
Officials in states across the South are warning that more young people are testing positive for the coronavirus. The shifts in demographics have been recorded in parts of Florida, South Carolina, Georgia, Texas and other states — many of which were some of the first to reopen. In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis said cases are “shifting in a radical direction” toward populations in their 20s and 30s. Those younger groups testing positive are mostly asymptomatic and don’t require clinical attention, the governor said.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on June 21, 2020, 08:05:22 PM
Peach... One of my scrapbooking acquaintances in the suburbs of Atlanta now has her twin 18 year old daughters that have tested positive.  She is negative at this time and her husband has refused testing (whole other story about him).  She just updated us that 3 of the daughter's friends that they work with have also tested positive.  One of the friends has a brother and boyfriend that have also tested positive.  All these cases stem from 1 person that brought it into the restaurant these kids work at (all except the brother/boyfriend work at the same place).  According to her the restaurant had strict policies about masks and social distancing as well.

You can't eat and wear a mask...this is why Georgia opened up too much AND too soon...
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: HavaDrPepper on June 25, 2020, 02:13:56 PM
Today's update from Ohio was interesting.

The last 24 hours had the 4th highest single day spike (892 cases).
60% of those cases were in the age range of 20-49 (so about 530-540 cases).

However, hospitalizations including those admitted to ICU and deaths are staying steady.

There was also an expert from Hamilton County (Cincinnati) that talked about that area (which is the hot spot in Ohio now) with lots of charts. Bottom line is the cases are now showing up in the younger people, many of whom are asymptomatic.  Even though more testing is available, there is no evidence that that is actually the cause of the increase in cases.

Peach, all of the kids I talked about worked at the restaurant and were wearing masks when on duty as required.  Now when they were off duty... more than likely not as they are all friends and run around with each other outside of work.  I would guess that when they took breaks, the masks came off because there aren't a whole lot of younger individuals that wear them.  Between my 2 neighbors, there are 5 kids in the 18 to 24 year old range.  I have not seen any of them with a mask when they've been around. Even the 18 year old's graduation party of over 25 people had no masks being worn.

Due to other issues, I don't eat out so not going into restaurants at all.  But very few of the younger generation are wearing masks when in either Wal-Mart or the grocery. Heck, today at Wal-Mart, I saw an employee with the mask on but under her nose.  :groan:

I still wear one when in a store even though I have trouble breathing with it on right now. Allergies are killer in Ohio this month!

Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on June 26, 2020, 03:36:09 PM
Update from Argentina:

President Fernández announced that the quarantine will continue until July 17th in the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires. Also the quarantine is returning mostly to Phase 1, although some things will remain allowed, as the rate of contagion has been increasing in the last weeks due to having more people on the streets after entering Phase 3. There will be restrictions to the public transportation, who could only be used by essential workers and the controls on the streets will be more severe.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: claude_24hrs on June 26, 2020, 08:44:17 PM
Poor covid updates have become worst in the Americas. Brazil reached its 1 million covid cases a week ago, while the US have continued rising in covid cases in California, Florida and Texas.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Declive on June 26, 2020, 10:23:27 PM
As of today, we reached 9,905,748 cases of COVID19 worldwide. 496,868 deaths.
Which means that tomorrow we will reach 10 million cases and half a million deaths.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: BourkieBoy on June 26, 2020, 10:28:50 PM
Panic buying has started again. If you are sick, you stay at home and you don't leave your house until you are better. How hard can that be for my fellow braindead & dumb Victorians?  :groan:

Never knew coronavirus made you sh*t yourself to death! :res:  :groan:

(https://imgur.com/5mmIjUx.jpg)
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on June 27, 2020, 01:20:17 AM
The US is seeing increases in new confirmed cases in every US state in the south and the west and creeping into the Midwest,. Iowa is now included in that list, as well as Wisconsin. Texas and Florida have rolled back of some of the reopening of public accommodations especially the serving of alcoholic beverages. I’ve been feeling things have been proceeding too quickly, and not as thought out as they should have been. The issue has always been sufficient testing and sensible social distancing and the use of masks outside homes at all times.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: HavaDrPepper on June 27, 2020, 04:44:40 PM
The age of those testing positive is skewing down in Ohio.  This and the southwest corner of the state (Cincinnati area) was the focus on the Thursday update with an expert from Cincinnati discussing it.  Median age for Ohio is now down to 47 as of 6/27.  But deaths, hospitalizations and ICU admissions are still holding steady which makes sense if the largest number of positives are the younger, asymptomatic individuals.

Ohio also had its largest number of tests run on 6/26... over 23,000.  I would guess that is because of all the pop up testing they are now doing in the hot spot of southwest Ohio.

If today's positives are at the same level as today, Ohio will pass 50,000 positive cases on tomorrow's update.

But even with the increase in cases these last few days, Ohio is moving down on my population percentage stats!  Sitting at 37th out of 52 and that is for the state with the 7th largest population in the country.  #1 and #2 most populous states (California/Texas) are sitting in 32 and 33. Even though their cases are going up, because of their population, the percentage doesn't move that much.  Florida is at #26.  Some states with small populations have moved up with their increase in cases (Iowa is now 13th, Nebraska is 12th and Arizona has moved to 11th).
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on June 28, 2020, 12:49:45 AM
The US is seeing increases in new confirmed cases in every US state in the south and the west and creeping into the Midwest,. Iowa is now included in that list, as well as Wisconsin. Texas and Florida have rolled back of some of the reopening of public accommodations especially the serving of alcoholic beverages. I’ve been feeling things have been proceeding too quickly, and not as thought out as they should have been. The issue has always been sufficient testing and sensible social distancing and the use of masks outside homes at all times.
The CBS news graphic which I’ve relied on to described on to describe the state now showing an increase in cases, has added Michigan and Indiana in the last day. And in Michigan a unspecified number of the new cases have been tied to one specific bar.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: HavaDrPepper on June 30, 2020, 01:28:39 PM
The Michigan bar is in a college town that just happens to be a suburb of the state capitol.

From what I'm seeing there was a period of time (June 12-20) when the people were exposed. Last article I read stated that 12 of the cases had contact with people who were in the bar but that they themselves did not visit it.  This article states the number is now at 107 cases. 95 actually were at the bar during the infection period.  The age range of the cases is 16 to 28 with a median age of 21.  All are advised to self-quarantine.  28 of the cases are asymptomatic.

I also read today that New York has expanded its list of states that visitors have to quarantine for 14 days if entering New York. New Jersey and Connecticut are expected to do the same.  There are now 16 states on the list... 10 from the south east. 5 from the west coast (CA, NV, UT, AZ and WA) and Iowa.

Ohio had another large increase today but even more scary is the fact that hospitalizations and ICU admissions increased dramatically. Deaths also increased by a large amount.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on July 02, 2020, 11:41:58 PM
The preliminary report about a mutated form of the novel coronavirus that was supplantng and replacing the original strain has now been confirmed.
It is far more infectious (3 to 9 times so, spreads faster, but it is no more deadly than the original strain.https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/02/health/coronavirus-mutation-spread-study/index.html
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Leafsfan. on July 03, 2020, 10:30:11 AM
This is a startling stat:
Canada has recorded a total of 104,772 COVID-19 cases since the beginning of January.
The United States has recorded 101,707 COVID-19 cases in the last two days.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: HavaDrPepper on July 03, 2020, 11:49:44 AM
This is a startling stat:
Canada has recorded a total of 104,772 COVID-19 cases since the beginning of January.
The United States has recorded 101,707 COVID-19 cases in the last two days.

Sobering yes but not to put down those numbers but look at the populations of the 2 countries.  Makes total sense that the USA has way more cases.

A comment made by a friend from Canada back when the USA took over the #1 spot on the JH Map of cases in the world is what led me to start tracking USA populations and cases by percentage. My comment to her was just what I said here... compare the populations of the countries you are comparing.

IMO
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on July 03, 2020, 04:26:15 PM
Then carry that to individual states and provinces.

I (literally) just saw today’s numbers for Iowa, and there’s a definite trend towards more cases in the state. A significant spike.is being seen in Polk County, where the state capital is located, and the increase in cases is being led by younger people. There’s an issue with face masks, since those are only being recommended and with social distancing, especially in entertainment districts.

I fear what the numbers will look like in a couple of weeks after this long, hot, and humid holiday weekend.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: ovalorange on July 04, 2020, 07:32:04 PM
Panic buying has started again. If you are sick, you stay at home and you don't leave your house until you are better. How hard can that be for my fellow braindead & dumb Victorians?  :groan:

Never knew coronavirus made you sh*t yourself to death! :res:  :groan:

You're not currently in mandatory lockdown are you? Stay safe  :2hearts:
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on July 06, 2020, 07:37:13 AM
On CNN.com this am:

https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/06/asia/china-mongolia-bubonic-plague-intl-hnk-scli-scn/index.html

The bubonic plague is historically known as The Black Death in medieval European history, reputedly killed half of European populations or more until it ran its course.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Declive on July 06, 2020, 07:02:23 PM
Jair Bolsonaro seems to have tested positive for COVID19.
This might just be an invention to magically "cure" himself with hydroxychloroquine which he blindly defends even though there is no certainty of effectiveness.

Or if he really is, let's see how he deals with it. He said "it's just a minor flu..."
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: BourkieBoy on July 07, 2020, 01:19:47 AM
Panic buying has started again. If you are sick, you stay at home and you don't leave your house until you are better. How hard can that be for my fellow braindead & dumb Victorians?  :groan:

Never knew coronavirus made you sh*t yourself to death! :res:  :groan:

You're not currently in mandatory lockdown are you? Stay safe  :2hearts:

Hi oval, yes from 11:59pm tomorrow until at least August 19, Metropolitan Melbourne is back in Stage Three lockdown! :)

The Left-Wing Socialist Victorian Government has the audacity to blame their failures in the hotel quarantine system on people’s complacency with this pandemic. My anger at the moment is indescribable.  :groan:

https://www.skynews.com.au/details/_6169791659001
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: redskevin88 on July 07, 2020, 05:48:48 AM

Hi oval, yes from 11:59pm tomorrow until at least August 19, Metropolitan Melbourne is back in Stage Three lockdown! :)

The Left-Wing Socialist Victorian Government has the audacity to blame their failures in the hotel quarantine system on people’s complacency with this pandemic. My anger at the moment is indescribable.  :groan:

https://www.skynews.com.au/details/_6169791659001

I don't see the need to play the blame game. Left-or-right there is enough blame on both sides.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: claude_24hrs on July 07, 2020, 06:13:53 AM
Panic buying has started again. If you are sick, you stay at home and you don't leave your house until you are better. How hard can that be for my fellow braindead & dumb Victorians?  :groan:

Never knew coronavirus made you sh*t yourself to death! :res:  :groan:

You're not currently in mandatory lockdown are you? Stay safe  :2hearts:

Hi oval, yes from 11:59pm tomorrow until at least August 19, Metropolitan Melbourne is back in Stage Three lockdown! :)

The Left-Wing Socialist Victorian Government has the audacity to blame their failures in the hotel quarantine system on people’s complacency with this pandemic. My anger at the moment is indescribable.  :groan:

https://www.skynews.com.au/details/_6169791659001

Not in Melbourne, the state of Victoria has already closed the border with New South Wales less than 24 hours ago.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: ovalorange on July 07, 2020, 06:38:47 AM
It's okay Bourkie you just need to do your part for the community. And don't worry, the politicians can't hear your screams from inside  :kuss:
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Declive on July 07, 2020, 05:41:30 PM
It is projected that tomorrow we will be reaching 12 million cases and 550.000 deaths worldwide due to COVID19.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on July 07, 2020, 05:59:20 PM
Moderator note:
Please leave the partisan labels and nicpics out of the posts in this thread, which is for relaying official information related to COVID19.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on July 08, 2020, 07:18:58 AM
WHO acknowledges emerging evidence of airborne transmission of COVID19

https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/08/health/airborne-transmission-of-coronavirus-who/index.html
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Declive on July 09, 2020, 07:12:02 PM
Jair Bolsonaro seems to have tested positive for COVID19.
This might just be an invention to magically "cure" himself with hydroxychloroquine which he blindly defends even though there is no certainty of effectiveness.

My prediction seems about right. He made a propaganda of himself taking hydroxychloroquine and saying he's been feeling better already.
And of course i'm not going to believe in that.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: BourkieBoy on July 09, 2020, 11:16:25 PM
Victoria records 288 new cases on Friday, for a state total of 3,397 cases

https://www.9news.com.au/national/coronavirus-victoria-288-new-cases-recorded-in-melbourne-hotspot-biggest-jump-in-infections-since-covid19-began/bb76fc4c-8dbf-492e-a832-f9afe7bbed75
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: claude_24hrs on July 10, 2020, 06:16:41 AM
Victoria records 288 new cases on Friday, for a state total of 3,397 cases

https://www.9news.com.au/national/coronavirus-victoria-288-new-cases-recorded-in-melbourne-hotspot-biggest-jump-in-infections-since-covid19-began/bb76fc4c-8dbf-492e-a832-f9afe7bbed75

Soon it will surpass New South Wales as Victoria will become the worst affected COVID-19 area in Australia. Queensland has opened its borders but Victorian residents are banned to visit and they will be turned away.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: BourkieBoy on July 10, 2020, 08:31:34 PM
Victoria recorded 181 new cases in the last 24 hours, for a state total of 3,560 cases of coronavirus.

There is now 1,249 active cases in the state, 49 Victorians are in hospital and 12 of these are in the ICU

A remember to only leave your house if you are in the Metropolitan Melbourne area & the Mitchell Shire for shopping, exercise, work/education and caregiving

https://www.theage.com.au/national/coronavirus-updates-live-nsw-on-high-alert-as-victoria-expects-further-covid-19-case-spike-australian-death-toll-stands-at-106-20200710-p55azy.html
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: claude_24hrs on July 10, 2020, 08:54:30 PM
Victoria recorded 181 new cases in the last 24 hours, for a state total of 3,560 cases of coronavirus.

There is now 1,249 active cases in the state, 49 Victorians are in hospital and 12 of these are in the ICU

A remember to only leave your house if you are in the Metropolitan Melbourne area & the Mitchell Shire for shopping, exercise, work/education and caregiving

https://www.theage.com.au/national/coronavirus-updates-live-nsw-on-high-alert-as-victoria-expects-further-covid-19-case-spike-australian-death-toll-stands-at-106-20200710-p55azy.html

Victoria has now overtook New South Wales as the worst affected COVID-19 area in Australia as cases have risen in the past 3 weeks.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on July 11, 2020, 04:36:34 AM
This is nothing compared to what is happening in most of the U.S. especially in southern and western states since the last week in June.
In Iowa,  there were almost 750 cases in the 24 hour period ending 10 am Friday, and one local news report indicated a spike may be coming in Polk County, the state’s most populous and has had the most cases of any county for over a month. I can tell you many people aren’t socially distancing and aren’t wearing face coverings. I expect a surge as a result of the holiday weekend a week ago, even though not much of a surge took place following weeks of #Black Lives Matter protests.
And the state leaders appear determined to reopen public schools, state colleges and universities.
It’s going to get ugly, I’m afraid.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: BourkieBoy on July 11, 2020, 08:46:26 PM
Victoria recorded 287 new cases in the last 24 hours, for a state total of 3,799 coronavirus cases

Students in Prep-Year 10 and who reside in Metropolitan Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire, will return to remote schooling from July 20 to at least August 20

Victoria also recorded one new death overnight, a man in his 70s, taking the state's death toll to 24

https://www.theage.com.au/national/coronavirus-updates-live-nsw-on-high-alert-as-victoria-sees-covid-19-spike-roll-on-australian-death-toll-stands-at-107-20200711-p55b6a.html
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: HavaDrPepper on July 13, 2020, 01:14:50 PM
This is nothing compared to what is happening in most of the U.S. especially in southern and western states since the last week in June.
In Iowa,  there were almost 750 cases in the 24 hour period ending 10 am Friday, and one local news report indicated a spike may be coming in Polk County, the state’s most populous and has had the most cases of any county for over a month. I can tell you many people aren’t socially distancing and aren’t wearing face coverings. I expect a surge as a result of the holiday weekend a week ago, even though not much of a surge took place following weeks of #Black Lives Matter protests.
And the state leaders appear determined to reopen public schools, state colleges and universities.
It’s going to get ugly, I’m afraid.

I agree that it is going to get ugly.

Ohio has now instituted a county health advisory system. There are multiple indicators that they look at to make a determination as to whether they are Level 1, 2, 3 or 4 with 4 being the worst.  It is updated on a weekly basis and each week will be compared to the previous week along with looking at the various indicators. The first week there were 7 counties in Level 3 with one on the "watch list" for Level 4.  The 2nd week there are now 12 counties in Level 3. One from the previous week was downgraded to Level 2.  Level 3 counties are put under a health order to wear masks in all public places and of course there is lots of backlash about it from the general public.  Level 4 counties will be put on stay at home orders and so far no county has actually been made a Level 4 county. My county has been Level 1 both times. The county with the larger city north of me was Level 2 for both weeks.  2 other counties that are adjacent to mine with lower populations have moved from Level 1 to Level 2.

I've been seeing some news reports that some health officials are now thinking that some of the rise in cases is due to the protests and demonstrations in late May/early June.  Nothing conclusive though.

And, then there are my neighbors that think a 2 week vacation in Florida is a good thing to do right now.  After all, just can't lose the DVC (Disney Vacation Club) points from 2018 that need to be used by the end of August.  They are both teachers as well.  SMH  I will be avoiding them at all costs when they get home.  Even my relatives in Orlando that have Disney Annual Passes are avoiding Disney. The doctor in that family is adamant about it.

Today's numbers were just released for Ohio. 1,261 cases bringing the state total to 66,853.  Our 21 day rolling average is now over 1,000 cases per day.  The last week has not been good.  Deaths are still low though. ICU admissions are staying at less than 20 per day.  Median age of cases is down to 44.  Keeps going down.  The last 2 cases in my county were both 19 years old.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on July 14, 2020, 01:32:16 AM
A medical study released Monday indicates that young adults who smoke cigarettes or e-cigarettes have a one in three chance of severe COVID19 infection.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/13/health/young-adults-smoking-risk-coronavirus-wellness/index.html
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on July 15, 2020, 11:13:29 AM
Update from Argentina:

We have officially broken the 100k confirmed cases barrier, with a daily rate that is fluctuating between 2.5k and 3.5k. Expectations of flattening the curve are moved to mid August.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: claude_24hrs on July 16, 2020, 11:09:38 AM
Victoria recorded 287 new cases in the last 24 hours, for a state total of 3,799 coronavirus cases

Students in Prep-Year 10 and who reside in Metropolitan Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire, will return to remote schooling from July 20 to at least August 20

Victoria also recorded one new death overnight, a man in his 70s, taking the state's death toll to 24

https://www.theage.com.au/national/coronavirus-updates-live-nsw-on-high-alert-as-victoria-sees-covid-19-spike-roll-on-australian-death-toll-stands-at-107-20200711-p55b6a.html

It is happening, Bourkie.

Australia now has 10,000 coronavirus cases and Victoria remains the epicenter of the outbreak at 4,750 cases. As for New South Wales, cases have climbed in the past 5 days are almost 100, mostly in Sydney.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Declive on July 16, 2020, 12:35:50 PM
Worldwide we're expected to reach 14 million cases & 600.000 deaths tomorrow.

If we sum the deaths and the active critical cases, COVID19 has a 4.7% ratio.
Which means 95.3% are either recovered or in mild condition.

Take care, everyone, nevertheless.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on July 16, 2020, 04:24:44 PM
In the US, it is clear that the Trump Administration has no national strategy to address the new round on COVID19 cases, where all but 2 states are showing day to day increases. The mess is being left to the states, and those responses varying, with even governors of Trump’s party in disagreement on testing, reopenings, and mandatory wearing of face masks, and whether primary, secondary, and colleges should be open to in person classes, remote learning, or a combination.
Meanwhile a number of regional and national retail chains are requiring face masks to be worn within their stores, and a few incidents have occurred where customers are refusing to comply.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: claude_24hrs on July 17, 2020, 04:55:04 AM
Worldwide we're expected to reach 14 million cases & 600.000 deaths tomorrow.

If we sum the deaths and the active critical cases, COVID19 has a 4.7% ratio.
Which means 95.3% are either recovered or in mild condition.

Take care, everyone, nevertheless.

India has now reached 1 million cases and becoming the third country to do so after the US and Brazil.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on July 17, 2020, 09:17:17 AM

India has now reached 1 million cases and becoming the third country to do so after the US and Brazil.

Claude, please provide a reputable LINK to all Covid news and facts.

Undocumented info here will likely be deleted. Reputable news sources INFO is welcome.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: claude_24hrs on July 17, 2020, 09:40:59 AM

India has now reached 1 million cases and becoming the third country to do so after the US and Brazil.

Claude, please provide a reputable LINK to all Covid news and facts.

Undocumented info here will likely be deleted. Reputable news sources INFO is welcome.

Here you go Peach (forgot to add link that I lost in my mind):

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/07/16/asia/india-wealth-gap-coronavirus-intl-hnk/index.html
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: HavaDrPepper on July 17, 2020, 06:09:43 PM
My small county has had 17 new cases reported in the last 5 days  :groan: 7 of those today.  We are up to 130 cases. Included in those cases are an 11 year old girl and a 15 year old girl. 2 19 year old (1 male, 1 female) were listed on the report of July 9th.  Our age is skewing lower and lower.

However, of the 130 cases there have only been 4 deaths and 16 hospitalizations.

With the new health advisory system in place, 19 counties are now required to wear masks when out in public.  The county just north of mine is one of them and it is the county most people go to for shopping facilities that we don't have in town or various medical specialists.  Thank goodness my specialist appointment was last month in that county so I have no need to visit it. I'll be staying right in my town for the time being.  I can get what groceries I need and if I can't find something, there's always Amazon.

The last time I ran the state population percentages numbers a couple days ago, 20 states have reached the 1% of the population having tested positive. New York is over 2% and New Jersey is close at 1.97%.  However, of the 10 largest population states, even though Ohio has had a large increase in numbers lately, we are still at 38th and the lowest of those 10 states.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on July 18, 2020, 04:53:05 PM
Update from Argentina:

President announced yesterday a new period of quarantine that will last until August 2nd for the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires. However, this is a more flexible one, what doesn't mean that depending of the number of cases the same might return to Phase 1

There's a schedule for the reopening of some activities that for the first time includes barbershops and opening of parks (but only for waking or running). 

Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on July 20, 2020, 06:09:03 PM
Update from Argentina:

President announced yesterday a new period of quarantine that will last until August 2nd for the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires. However, this is a more flexible one, what doesn't mean that depending of the number of cases the same might return to Phase 1

There's a schedule for the reopening of some activities that for the first time includes barbershops and opening of parks (but only for waking or running).

Update:

More activities scheduled to reopening on this week: car washers and temples (maximum of 10 persons).

On the following weeks: movings (only on weekends), law studios, some medical non-essential specialties and shops in high transit areas (except transport connecting points).
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: HavaDrPepper on July 21, 2020, 12:05:05 PM
My county health department did not release any numbers on Saturday or Sunday after the update on Friday showing us at 130 cases.  Yesterday's update that normally comes out right at the same time as the state update (2p.m. EDT) came out several hours later.

In the 72 hours since the previous update, there were an additional 25 cases (130 on Friday, 155 on Monday)!  We've never had that high of a number throughout the last 3+ months.  On this update they also gave a breakdown as to the number of cases in each age group: 20-30 = 8, 30-40 = 7, 40-50 = 7, 50-60 = 2, 60-70 = 1. So still skewing younger on the ages.  The average age dropped from 51 on Friday to 50 on Monday.

They also released the number of cases for several towns in the area.  They included the 7 cases from Friday's report plus the 25 on this report.  My town (the county seat) and the next largest town had the majority of the cases.  Mine was at 11 and the other town has 15.  Three smaller towns had 6 between them.

With the new health advisory system in place in Ohio, I can see my county moving up to Level 2 this week. It definitely meets the first indicator they look at  (new cases per capita... flagged if greater than 50 cases per 100,000 residents. We are about 40 to 45,000 residents so would need at least 25 new cases during a week. Yep, done met that).  Since I don't know details for the cases, I can't say that we do or don't meet any of the other indicators.  I'm guessing we probably meet at least 1 more which would put us in Level 2 (meet 2 to 3 indicators).  Meeting 4 of the 7 indicators is Level 3.

Basically, my county has gone up 43 cases in 7 days. It took from March 27th to June 28th to get to 101 cases.  My cousin and I think it is due to all the holiday parties over the 4th of July because both of us were seeing a heck of a lot of them being posted on Facebook.  Health orders were in place on Memorial Day weekend so people were more cautious but as they started loosening up in June, people started getting more relaxed about it.

As for me.  Thank goodness for retirement. I can stay home except for grocery run once a week.

From my point of view... it is now hitting rural America. I live in what is considered a rural county. Largest town (mine) is less than 10,000 people.

We aren't anywhere near controlling this.

IMO
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on July 22, 2020, 01:20:36 AM
Some of the most frightening news is that babies and small children are testing positive. We have NO idea what long range implications that may have ...
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: HavaDrPepper on July 22, 2020, 07:07:14 PM
No kidding Peach.

7 new cases in my county today including an 8 year old girl and a less than 1 year old boy.  Only 1 case was 60 or older so the average age is now below 50.  And, my town had an increase of 4 cases in 3 days.

Ohio has a mandatory mask order in public places going into effect Thursday, July 23 at 6 p.m.  They are also requesting that all visitors from certain states self-isolate when they come into Ohio. This goes for residents that are returning from vacation as well.  States include South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Texas, Arizona, Nevada and Idaho.  All states reporting positive testing rates of 15% or higher.

It hasn't been announced but I got the impression from today's press conference that more counties will be at Level 3 when this week's update comes out tomorrow.  With last week's update, 60% of the state was under a mask order.  I'm guessing that more counties are moving from Level 1 or 2 to 3 that the percent will be much higher so might as well go the whole state.

Guess I'll see what tomorrow brings.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on July 23, 2020, 03:40:42 PM
This should put the situation in the US in focus. It’s getting even more worse, not better:
Quote
More than 4 million people in the U.S. are known to have been infected with the coronavirus and more than 143,000 people have died, according to the latest numbers from Johns Hopkins University. Within the past two weeks, the U.S. documented more than 915,000 new cases of coronavirus, which is more than the number reported across the country during the entire month of June.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on July 23, 2020, 06:35:11 PM
Update from Argentina:

A new record of daily confirmed cases was reached today: 6.127. The numbers were increasing in the last week specially in the municipalities surruonding the city of Buenos Aires (that keeps its numbers at the same levels in the same period) and in some other provinces.

Still no news if this means another return to phase one.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: HavaDrPepper on July 24, 2020, 04:08:54 PM
Well in 2 days my county had an increase of 17 cases and per the health department, 60 new cases in one week.  It took us from March 27th to June 30th to get to 101 cases.  July has not been a good month as we are up to 183 cases.  My town in the last week has 20 cases (they just started reporting this info).

Yesterday's press conference was very informative in my opinion.  The county just north of me that went Level 3 last week is on the watch list for Level 4.  Level 4 means shut down.  The governor explained why this county is on the watch list and went through the information that got several other counties into Level 3 for the first time.  One county had multiple positives from a 'drink wine and paint party'.  Other counties had found out through tracing that their increase came from people that had been vacationing out of state or family gatherings over the 4th of July holiday weekend.

But, the governor did emphasize that several counties that were Level 3 and did the mask wearing and social distancing was able to get themselves off of Level 3, down to Level 2.  A county that had been close to Level 4 has been taken off.  He kept emphasizing that these measures work.

My county is at Level 2. Besides the county north of me that was Level 3 previously, another county that shares a border to mine (and the Level 3 county) is Level 3 this week.  All counties around the original Level 3 are now Level 2.  That Level 3 county has the largest city in this area with 2 major hospitals. A lot of people from the surrounding counties work and shop in that county so I guess I'm not surprised that the surrounding counties have more positives.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on July 27, 2020, 12:37:18 PM
An article written in one of the most important newspaper of the country has showed some facts to take into account about the development of the pandemia in the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires:

The coronavirus pandemic in Argentina is going through a defining moment. Daily numbers can dazzle and not let see what really happens. Last week there was talk of a record of cases. And it was true. But that title hid something. Something that has been expected for a long time and, if the math does not fail and social responsibility accompanies, one would be on the way to achieving it.

The following statistical analysis, based on official figures, is conditioned by the variable of the registration: the greater the gap between positive tests and real cases, the more flawed the information can be. But it is the only one available. As a correction factor for this margin of error, it should be noted that the ability to record grew. The number of PCR tests performed doubled between June and July, and today they are about 14 thousand per day. About 3,000 were made in mid-May and 1,500 in April.

First data: in an unprecedented event since the pandemic began, the number of new cases of coronavirus accounted for last week in Capital had a significant reduction. There were 489 less inhabitants detected. We have to wait a few days to know if this trend is consolidating, especially to evaluate the results of the light quarantine that began on Monday, July 20.

This diagnosis should not come as a surprise. The Covid motorcycle, due to the managed quarantine, began to slow down unbridled a while ago, although the daily information does not emphasize that. However, despite having been achieved to put the plague back on an exponential slide, it was and still is imperative that the measures that allowed it do not decline until that the so-called “herd immunity” on the rise can do the job of compensating for the lean confinement while there is no vaccine available.

An analysis of the curve since the start of the pandemic in Argentina -with the exceptions of the inevitable under-registration already stated- allows us to account for this behavior: May 15 was the peak of acceleration of cases in the City and just over a month later, on June 19, it was verified in the surrounding municipalities of the city. Since then, the number of infections - although it may not seem so at first glance - increased more and more slowly in the metropolitan area. That is, the drawing of the curve has never been so vertical since then and tended to horizontal.

This encouraging fact, however, would not allow the quarantine to be relaxed much more than it already is, nor to neglect preventive measures. On the contrary, they should take more care than ever to avoid a setback in their livestock. If these indicators continue on the same path, it is likely that the authorities will not have to back down again in the isolation phase of the Metropolitan Area.

A clarification is needed: although the percentage growth of cases is getting smaller, that final number still grows. The issue is how much it grows, and that the volume of active infected people must be sustainable for the health system - particularly intensive therapies - so that no patient is left without a hospital bed in case they have to be hospitalized. For that 5 percent of patients the difference between life and death may depend on that availability. The more or less harsh quarantine is also a consequence, and especially, of the vacant sanitary space. So the peak acceleration of the curve is one thing and the peak of cases is another. The further the transmission speed is lowered, the less painful it will be to pass that demonic point.

That said, the numbers are telling. And curiously they show that there have actually been two acceleration peaks of infections, both in the City and in the GBA. The first, in both districts, was registered on April 10, three weeks after quarantine has begun. A premature spike from hangover from pre-confinement cases. Then the intensity of new cases dropped, to grow again a few weeks later, at the beginning of May in the City and seven days later, in the Province. The second peak speed - and for now the last - was even more evident. It happened on May 15 in the City and on June 19, in the Province.

This does not mean that after these last spikes in speed, infections have not continued to increase in volume, but that they did so - at least in the records - at a decidedly lower rate. In other words, the contagiousness index (R0) decreased.

Weekly periods were taken to make these calculations, which gives an average of daily cases in a span of seven days. That puts aside speculation about whether the high amount of a single day has to do with the chance of the dragging of non-centralized figures in previous reports. With this measurement logic, that variable becomes less important. What can be seen, week by week, is how much the Covid has pressed the accelerator both among Buenos Aires City and Province of Buenos Aires residents, the two populations in the country most affected by the pandemic.

In that first peak identified on April 10 (from there the transitory drop coincides with the first effects of the quarantine started on March 20), the City curve climbed 54 percent in one week and the Province curve 60 percent. Then the speed growth rate decreased. And May 1 was the first floor of acceleration of the curve in Capital, with a weekly increase of 30 percent. While in the GBA the same happened on May 8, with a rise of 22 percent.

From that moment, as a result of the relaxation of the insulation, there was a sustained growth in the speed of the curve. It behaved like this until May 15 in the City, when the hot tachometer came to mark an intersemanual increase of 65 percent. In the province, the speed did not stop rising until June 19, when that increase from one week to the next was 50 percent.

From that point on, the curves began to slow down week by week. Here is a summary: from May 15 to 22 in the City, 62 percent grew; through May 29, 60 percent; as of June 5, 37 percent; as of June 12, 33 percent; as of June 19, 30 percent; as of June 26, it had a slight rebound, to 33 percent; as of July 3, 25 percent; as of July 10, 23 percent; and as of July 17, 21 percent.

According to the closing of data from the last week, on Friday, July 24 in the City, the number of cases grew by just 16.8 percent and in the GBA almost double, 30.3 percent. But the speed of the Buenos Aires curve is also in a downward progression. It was 49 percent between June 19 and 26 and the following weeks it scored 40, 35 and 36, to finally reach the last record of 30 percent.

Obviously, as the case base is higher, the weekly balance remains a high sum. But the important thing is that, far from being shot, the curve transforms the phantom with a sharp peak into a less challenging hill. A mechanism in which, in addition, 44 percent of already recovered patients begin to have their weight as a universe of immune allies.

A peculiarity for nothing less, also, in the case of the Capital: since the acceleration of the curve fell from 22 to 16.8 percent in the last week, the number of new cases accumulated in seven days decreased: 7,479 now, against 7,968 the previous one. With this, the daily average decreased from 1,138 to 1,068.

In the GBA, although the speed of the curve has decreased, it has not yet done enough so that this is reflected, too, in the absolute numbers of a week. In the last one, it added 20,686 new cases, while in the previous one there had been 18,109, with a daily average that went from 2,587 to 2,955. In any case, the trend seems to indicate that, if the same course were followed, it would not be so far from achieving that result: in the last week the accumulated amount fell 6 percentage points in the Conurbano. To achieve fewer cases this week, next Friday should drop another 7 points. That day, surely, the authorities will announce once again how the quarantine will continue.


NOTES: GBA and Conurbano are two of the names given to the whole of the municipalities surrounding the city of Buenos Aires. Also, due to the length of the article I used Google Translator, so my apologies is something is not correct.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: claude_24hrs on July 27, 2020, 05:13:38 PM
Global cases of the coronavirus already exceeded to 16 million with 9.4 million recoveries and nearly 650,000 deaths so far.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/coronavirus-latest-news-07-26-2020-11595740448
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on July 27, 2020, 09:46:56 PM
In the US, it is increasingly more difficult to make generalizations about the current state of affairs. The Trump administration has directed that all their data about cases go, not the the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention but to a political officeholder in the Department of Health and Human Services.

Likewise the president refuses to take any steps to mandate preventive measures such as requiring the use of face coverings, or social distancing. A number of governors seem to want to follow that approach, even as to demanding that public elementary and secondary schools reopen, even though the mutated strain of COVID19 poses an demonstrable increased risk, and as many states in the south and west are seeing resurgence of positive cases especially among people under age 30.

Then, there’s the matter of providing financial resources to the postal service, state and local governments, the unemployed, and the schools as well as various economic sectors. Until this week, people eligible for unemployment benefits were receiving an additional $600 a week. In spite of calls to extend it, GOP senators in the Senate are now proposing that the federal assistance be limited to $200 a week. What they’re overlooking is that many jobs have permanently disappeared and won’t be back, and creating a crisis of foreclosure and evictions since a moratorium has expired. It’s not likely many landlords are going to find new tenants with the income and security deposits necessary with the high unemployment levels.

Meanwilr an inkling of good news. One of the vaccines under development in the US began the third phase of testing today to see if the vaccine candidate works in 30,000 test subjects. It’s being organized at the Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami (my alma mater, no less) and is in an area that is the current epicenter of the COVID outbreak. The six month test is administered to people who do not shoe any current symptoms, and is designed to see if it works, whether any side effects are likely, and what dosage is optimal.

Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: HavaDrPepper on July 29, 2020, 05:02:50 PM
Unfortunately, requiring the use of face masks or even social distancing doesn't mean it happens.  Yes, those things do work but there are still those that believe this is a "just a flu" and will not follow any requirements or recommendations put out there by the leaders of their state or even major retailers.  People are still not wearing masks in the local Lowe's or Wal-Mart.

Ohio now has a mandatory mask order for public spaces.  Not happening in many places and my county is now seeing a steep rise in the number of cases.  113 since July 1st. Took us from March 27th to June 30th to reach 101 cases. 

I have FB friends that have been going out every single weekend on their motorcycle and stopping to eat at various places on their trips... all without masks (at least in the photos).  These same friends have had multiple family get-togethers since the beginning of May (when Ohio was still under stay at home orders) and these get-togethers are upwards of 20 to 30 people.  Besides my next door neighbors that had a family graduation party for their high school graduate (about 20 people), another family whose house I can see from my office window had a huge party on July 4th. I was told later it was a retirement party for one of the parents.  Again over 20 people.  Neither party had any social distancing or masks. Granted they were both outside but if you aren't going to social distance, wear a mask.

And, graduation party neighbors went to Florida 10 days ago. Couldn't lose the DVC points from 2018 so had to go to Disney World.  And, my eye doctor is on a tour to Alaska. Granted Alaska isn't hit as hard but she is on a tour with other people... some that she doesn't know! 

And just yesterday, it was announced that because some of the county fairs were not following the recommendations put out by the state health department and state agricultural board (oversees all fairs), any county fairs happening starting Aug 1st will be junior fairs only aka only the 4-H projects and livestock shows will be held.  Some of the fairs that were not following protocol has had positive cases traced back to them.  I live in the county seat and just about a mile from the fairgrounds. My county fair starts Aug 2nd and was supposed to be a "full fair" meaning rides, carnival games, grandstand shows, harness racing, demolition derby and more.  Of course, I thought they were nuts for having it all anyways.  People are bitching and complaining about the new orders by the governor as the number of cases in the county are exploding.  Only notice put out by the fair board is that they are looking into the new order as it was a surprise announcement that no one expected.

You can't please everybody all of the time but common sense has completely gone out the window these days.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: claude_24hrs on July 29, 2020, 08:26:03 PM
For Bourkie:

Queensland will close its border (again) for Greater Sydney residents effective August 1 at 1 am local time (10 am board time, July 31).

https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/health-safety/queensland-border-another-nsw-suburb-banned-from-entering-state-as-new-restrictions-enforced/news-story/6a57525364532504702d9f1bbda569cf
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: SuperTux on July 30, 2020, 08:09:12 PM
The number of COVID-19 daily cases in Xinjiang, China has been over 100 recently.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: claude_24hrs on July 31, 2020, 06:47:03 AM
This is for Bourkie:

Australia has in steadily rising numbers of COVID-19 infections to almost 17,000 with Victoria had reached its 10,000 case mark in the past 24 hours.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-31/victoria-coronavirus-cases-climb-as-dan-andrews-gives-update/12510618
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: MrDS on July 31, 2020, 07:24:01 AM
Latest updates from the UK... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-53609467

The government last night imposed restrictions in certain parts of England (including where I am - yay!) that people from different households cannot meet indoors or in private gardens and can only meet outside in your bubble (bubble here is defined as your own household or in the case of a single adult household it's your household plus one other household of any size). This after the first local lockdown in Leicester is beginning to be eased as the cases per 100,000 number now falls in line with those areas under the new restrictions. Additionally, further lockdown easing including the reopening of casinos, beauticians, and bowling alleys have been postponed until at least the 15th August, with Chris Whitty (chief medical officer for the UK) citing that we may have reached the limit in terms of easing restrictions.

In the UK, each of the four constituent countries are allowed to ease restrictions independently of the other 3, with Scotland's first minister Nicola Sturgeon advising people from Scotland to not travel to the north west of England. The tightening of lockdown restrictions in parts of the UK have come under fire as they were announced both late at night and on Twitter with little clarity (running theme here in the UK) as to what the restrictions exactly entailed.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: HavaDrPepper on July 31, 2020, 03:48:58 PM
My county of approximately 45,000 has seen an increase of 127 cases in 31 days.  Took us 95 days to get to 101 cases (March 27th to June 30th).

And the locals are in an uproar that they have to wear a mask in Wal-Mart and Lowe's or the other grocery store in town not to mention the small shops that are just trying to stay afloat.  The entitlement attitude  of "you can't tell me what to do" is strong around here and it is ticking me off. 

Totally understandable why Ohio has had a uptick in cases this month especially in the more rural areas of the state (like where I am).

The governor made the decision to let county fairs happen with strict guidelines.  Well, guess what, those guidelines were not followed by many attendees and some of them have come down with COVID.  So he pulled back on those guidelines and only the junior fair (animal showing and 4-H projects) will be allowed with some food vendors for our fair that starts August 2nd. No entertainment or carnival rides/activities.  The fools around here instead of getting upset with those who didn't follow guidelines at those earlier fairs are blaming the governor.  It's not his fault people don't follow the rules.

I'm sick of those that don't take it seriously which does include extended family members.  Needless to say I have avoided them.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on July 31, 2020, 04:16:17 PM
Update from Argentina:

The current phase of the quarantine in the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires will extend until August 16th; was announced this noon. In the rest of the country, as some of the number of cases have increased again, the local goverment are the ones who will decide if they return to previous phases o continue with the current ones.

Also - and as it was told in the article I posted previously - the ammount of cases in the city of Buenos Aires are in an average of 1.000/1.200 cases daily (what is still a high number); but the good news - according to the local authorities - is that the R0 number is now 1.03, what apparently reflects a steady descend in the last weeks.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on July 31, 2020, 08:01:33 PM
Latest updates from the UK... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-53609467

The government last night imposed restrictions in certain parts of England (including where I am - yay!) that people from different households cannot meet indoors or in private gardens and can only meet outside in your bubble (bubble here is defined as your own household or in the case of a single adult household it's your household plus one other household of any size). This after the first local lockdown in Leicester is beginning to be eased as the cases per 100,000 number now falls in line with those areas under the new restrictions. Additionally, further lockdown easing including the reopening of casinos, beauticians, and bowling alleys have been postponed until at least the 15th August, with Chris Whitty (chief medical officer for the UK) citing that we may have reached the limit in terms of easing restrictions.

In the UK, each of the four constituent countries are allowed to ease restrictions independently of the other 3, with Scotland's first minister Nicola Sturgeon advising people from Scotland to not travel to the north west of England. The tightening of lockdown restrictions in parts of the UK have come under fire as they were announced both late at night and on Twitter with little clarity (running theme here in the UK) as to what the restrictions exactly entailed.


The only way we are going to get control of this in the US is to also institute some restrictions as well.

But with NO effective leadership right now it won't happen. So more will die.

If you have some restrictions, be glad...you are saving lives.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: HavaDrPepper on August 02, 2020, 04:16:35 PM
Unfortunately Peach, even with restrictions, people aren't doing what is needed.  Instead they call all levels of leadership "morons" and blow them off.

I'm seeing it in my area.  There is no reason we needed to have as many cases as we've got because in the beginning we were doing good.  But more than doubling the number of cases in 31 days is not acceptable.  Restrictions are still there although people seem to forget that the mass gathering order still exists in Ohio.

Not to mention that people think it is OK to go to the hot spot of the nation for vacation. (my neighbors who are now home)  Contact tracing has shown in Ohio that many cases have been because of travel or gatherings of more than 10 people.  A school in a county in the eastern part of the state still sent 40-some students/chaperones on a school sponsored trip in June to South Carolina.  28 of them contracted COVID.    A funeral for an individual in a county near me has spawned over 20 cases in multiple counties.

:duno:
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: claude_24hrs on August 02, 2020, 08:26:07 PM
South Africa became the fifth country to hit a half million mark of rising coronavirus cases.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-53625789
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: BourkieBoy on August 11, 2020, 06:20:32 AM
Russia has found a coronavirus vaccine? ???

I don’t trust Russia. Do we believe it works?

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/11/russia-approves-coronavirus-vaccine-despite-testing-safety-concerns-vladimir-putin
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: ZBC Company on August 11, 2020, 07:08:35 AM
Russia has found a coronavirus vaccine? ???

I don’t trust Russia. Do we believe it works?

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/11/russia-approves-coronavirus-vaccine-despite-testing-safety-concerns-vladimir-putin
Russia act like it cold war
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on August 11, 2020, 06:28:38 PM
From what I’ve seen in news feeds, Russia has approved a vaccine before finishing the various clinical trials that are necessary before vaccines are to be approved for use.
What increasingly looks likely is a number of vaccines are going to be approved around the world once early results are known for the third set of trials, once there enough data to assess the risk of a vaccine not working, the size of the dosage, and to length of its effectiveness, I.e. whether the immunity response lasts.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on August 14, 2020, 02:28:48 PM
Update from Argentina:

Announced this noon, quarantine in the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires extended until the end of the month in the same currently conditions. Some sports activities banned since the beginning of the isolation are going to be allowed again with restrictions.

Some jurisdictions in the rest of the country are returning to Phase 1 due to the sudden increasing of cases. President added today that "the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires" is no longer the main problem because of that situation.

Also announced that the vaccine that's going to be produced here (the Oxford one) will be ready for the first semester of next year (probably January/March).
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on August 14, 2020, 03:46:51 PM
Russia has found a coronavirus vaccine? ???

I don’t trust Russia. Do we believe it works?

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/11/russia-approves-coronavirus-vaccine-despite-testing-safety-concerns-vladimir-putin

There is no evidence of true scientific testing of this. TESTING of any new virus will take months. Not weeks.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on August 14, 2020, 03:57:33 PM
While at the moment there is continued uncertainty about some of the extent of community spread due to reopening schools and the degree of voluntary compliance with masks in public spaces, indoor and outdoor, many regional and national businesses have implemented policies requiring masks be worn in their businesses. On the other hand we have a county sheriff in the Ocala Florida area who has issued a directive prohibiting the wearing of masks in the two sheriffs’ offices in that county by anyone, even as the city of Ocala adopted a mandatory mask ordinance.

Some schools and school districts have seen rapid increases in cases in as little as a day after reopening in person classes. More schools are reopening over the next week or two, so there may be a rapid outbreak across the country.

There’s also the question of colleges and universities. Many have chosen to have virtual classes only, others have gone to a hybrid model, others are allowing students to choose, but a few are requiring in person classes. No idea how all of that will play out, but some universities with strong health care systems associated with them are reopening under strict guidelines that limit social contact with mandatory mask wearing, mandated social distancing, and frequent COVID-19 testing of students, faculty, and staff who are on campus. The University of Miami introduced a new wrinkle last week in directing that all students must submit a negative test result before they can even come onto campus if they reside off campus, and all residents sharing an off campus residence must comply with the same rules, including a curfew that they must self enforce. There is a zero tolerance policy for any violations of social distancing, mask wearing, or testing.

They’re in an athletic conference for sports that has chosen to proceed with their fall sports including football. The team has been on campus for weeks and are being tested daily. That conference, the Atlantic Coast Conference, as well as the Southeastern conference and the Big 12 conference are all currently planning to proceed with their fall sports, although with revised mostly in conference matchups. The other two of the five bowl championship conferences, along with virtually every other conferences at all levels have either cancelled outright or postponed their fall sports until the spring semester (which start in January). Professional sports have resumed or will be starting their revised schedules. The NFL cancelled preseason games but are planning to play the season as scheduled. Still unknown is whether whether fans will be allowed in the stadiums.

So far, no sporting event is allowing spectators at their games or events. The Indianapolis 500 which is being held this weekend is also operating on a limited capacity at the track. Most of these events are being televised.
I did notice that in Florida, high school sports, especially football will play their normal schedules. Don’t know if if the number of spectators will be limited or masks, social distancing, etc., will be observed.

So in other words, the United States has no national plan and no nationally mandatory elements.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: HavaDrPepper on August 15, 2020, 10:33:35 AM
A friend of mine in Michigan has posted that the Michigan organization governing high school sports is only allowing those sports with have no contact with other individuals, such as swimming, cross country running or golf.  Any other sport with multiple players on the field will not be held this fall but in the spring.

Locally, the athletic conference my town school is in has gone to a 6 game schedule this year with no season championship since all teams will not play each other.  They tried to keep close rivalry games on the schedule.  Each team has 3 home and 3 away games. Games are running from Aug 28 to Oct 2.  The local team's first home game isn't until Sept 11 which actually is good since a new stadium is being built. More time to get things done right!  What concerns me though is the first game of the season the local team travels to a school that is within the county in the state with the highest number of cases per 100,000 population and the city where the game is being played is the hot spot for the county.

However, my county is not faring well at all these days.  Just since July 1st we have added 126 cases. And on the state list of case rates per county, we are at 11th as of Aug 12th.  From July 29 to Aug 11 we had 52 new cases. The above mentioned county that sits at #1 has 123 cases.  Both these counties are less than 50,000 in population so considered rural counties.  Again these case rates are extrapolated according to county population so other counties may have had a larger number of cases but due to county population their case rate is lower.

The state put out a map of what they know about the 611 school districts plans to return to school. Basically, the large metropolitan areas are choosing to go fully remote (61 districts).  172 districts are choosing a hybrid model with some being in the metro areas, others in the rural areas.  340 of the districts are choosing to go a regular schedule with the majority of these being in the rural counties (including my local school).  39 districts had not made a decision yet.  A cousin lives in one of them and their decision came out Wednesday night.  2 days a week in school for several weeks with a reevaluation done at that time as to what they will do going forward.  Many in our area fully expect our local rural schools to shut down within the first month since the rates of infection are going up not down.

And, honestly, I am just waiting to see how many COVID cases end up popping up from those teams on the collegiate level that do continue with their plans to play.  College players have not always followed the rules in place by the NCAA and schools in the past, why would they do it now?  Heck, even adult professional athletes don't follow the protocols and look at what has happened in professional baseball.

Yes, I'm sad I can't see my alma mater play this fall nor will I see the Buckeyes play, but it is just not meant to be right now.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: BourkieBoy on August 18, 2020, 07:11:29 PM
Quote
The federal government has secured a promising vaccine being developed at Oxford University after brokering a deal with a UK-based drug company.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison vowed every Australian would gain "early access" to the drug for free should trials prove successful.

“The Oxford vaccine is one of the most advanced and promising in the world and under this deal, we have secured early access for every Australian,” Mr Morrison said.

“However, there is no guarantee that this, or any other, vaccine will be successful, which is why we are continuing our discussions with many parties around the world while backing our own researchers at the same time to find a vaccine.”

The agreement with pharma-giant AstraZeneca would see the vaccine likely manufactured in Australia by Melbourne-based biotech business CSL.

A separate $24.5 million contract was also signed for 100 million needles and syringes while distribution, timing and purchase price for the drug itself are yet to be disclosed.

In Australia, the University of Queensland was in phase one in the development of its most promising vaccine as the government worked on building a portfolio of vaccine investment should the Oxford trials fail.

The government also canvassed the possibility of distributing vaccines to other Pacific Island nations as a gesture of goodwill.


Up to 167 possible vaccines are under development globally.

https://www.skynews.com.au/details/_6182254443001

 :conf: :cheer:
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on August 19, 2020, 04:05:53 PM
I have a suspicion that the ultimate vaccine will be a cocktail of the ones that show sufficient success in the phase three testing worldwide.

Meanwhile, issues with student noncompliance with Covid-19 protocols has caused three universities that had resumed in person learning to temporarily shift back to all online learning. And the uproar over the actions of the United States Postal Service Postmaster General to reduce delivery capacity of mail, remove mailboxes and automated sorting equipment intensified because of its impact on voting by mail, including absentee ballots, and ballot requests in a number of states, which would lead to voter suppression. This being the case where a number of states held primary election with most voting by mail with notable increases in voter participation using mail in or drop off options, depending on state laws. At least twenty states are planning to sue over the USPS plans, because even though a 90 days moratorium was announced, it does not undo the removal of sorting machines and mailboxes, the removal of overtime, or a decision not to continue treating election related mail as first class. Committees in both house of Congress are scheduled for Saturday and Monday, and the US House of Representatives has been recalled from a recess to consider legislation beginning on Saturday.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: HavaDrPepper on August 20, 2020, 02:59:54 PM
As the news anchor was summarizing Gov DeWine's news conference, she made a comment that a university in their city had put out information about a change in status for the university. Researching I have found that university has a level system and are updating the number of cases associated with the university on a daily basis.  The news anchor indicated the change was on the level status and that they were seeing more cases from students not following protocols (safe distancing and masks). More information will come in their news cast later today.

My county is not doing so great. We are in the top 10 of case rates per county (#8).  All of the top 10 are counties with rural populations with the largest county population in the list at 74,000.  The average population for the 10 counties is around 48,000.  The news station I watch out of Dayton covers an area called the "Miami Valley". 5 of the top 10 are in this area.

A lead story on that news station website is about a 9 year old girl that has been in and out of the hospital the last several months dealing with inflamed blood vessels, a brain bleed and coronavirus.  Upon showing medical issues in May she was taken to the hospital and her COVID-19 test was positive.  This 9 year old girl has now passed away.

Little update on the state population percentages:

1 state has broken the 3% number (Louisiana)

9 states are above the 2% number (Florida, Arizona, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, New York, New Jersey, South Carolina and Nevada)

Placements 11th through 38th are above the 1% number (Tennessee knocking on 2%, Rhode Island, Texas, District of Columbia, Arkansas, Massachusetts, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, California, Nebraska, Idaho, Utah, Connecticut, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Virginia, Indiana, Kansas, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin, New Mexico, Michigan, Pennsylvania)

Placements 39th through 52nd are still below 1%: Ohio, Puerto Rico, Colorado, Kentucky, Washington, Alaska, Wyoming, Montana, Oregon, New Hampshire, West Virginia, Hawaii, Maine, Vermont.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on August 20, 2020, 03:49:46 PM
My home state has now confirmed a data discrepancy generated by a data error whereby if an individual tests negative, but later tests positive, that result is incorporated for that person on the date of the earlier negative test. This suppresses the actual number of positive cases and the positivity rate, and provides data that is lower than it should be. (A poster I am familiar with advised that California had the same problem, and it was finally fixed this past week.)
For this state, this data issue is a problem because many public schools and colleges and universities are in the midst of finalizing their COVID-19 reopening plans.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on August 21, 2020, 11:36:29 PM
Short update from Argentina:

The Health Minister of the City of Buenos Aires informed today that the R0 index is for the first time under 1(0,95), in what seems to be the first sign that the contagion curve could be starting to decrease. Howevever he told to the residents of the city that this is still far from be over.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on August 22, 2020, 07:28:11 PM
In spite the strictest possible protocols and standards of behavior in order to be on campus, two floors of a high rise freshman dorm were put under isolation (four positive cases, several symptomatic cases) and quarantine (the remaining students living on two adjacent floors (about 50 others) due to violations of the COVID-19 social protocols. In an email released on Tuesday to all students and later to the media, the university identified two specific AirBnBs, one in Miami Beach and another in the Florida Keys, rented by undergraduate students where students deliberately gathered without masks, without social distancing, without observing curfew and with more people in attendance that permitted under local mandates.
The entire group was to be tested on Friday. Meanwhile student athletes who have been on campus since mid summer continue to test 100% negative. Both university president Dr. Frenk and head football coach
Manny Diaz issued video statements about this incident and warned of the consequences of noncompliance with the university’s Covid-19 protocols. Earlier university statements made clear that there would be zero tolerance for violations and students could be suspended for the semester or indefinite for noncompliance. I would suspect the instigators of this incident, will probably have more serious sanctions.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: BourkieBoy on August 23, 2020, 05:58:46 PM
In spite the strictest possible protocols and standards of behavior in order to be on campus, two floors of a high rise freshman dorm were put under isolation (four positive cases, several symptomatic cases) and quarantine (the remaining students living on two adjacent floors (about 50 others) due to violations of the COVID-19 social protocols. In an email released on Tuesday to all students and later to the media, the university identified two specific AirBnBs, one in Miami Beach and another in the Florida Keys, rented by undergraduate students where students deliberately gathered without masks, without social distancing, without observing curfew and with more people in attendance that permitted under local mandates.
The entire group was to be tested on Friday. Meanwhile student athletes who have been on campus since mid summer continue to test 100% negative. Both university president Dr. Frenk and head football coach
Manny Diaz issued video statements about this incident and warned of the consequences of noncompliance with the university’s Covid-19 protocols. Earlier university statements made clear that there would be zero tolerance for violations and students could be suspended for the semester or indefinite for noncompliance. I would suspect the instigators of this incident, will probably have more serious sanctions.
This seems t

Yep, I know how you feel! People at one of Melbourne's biggest universities threw a massive party on Friday/Saturday night. It's very interesting to see that these people think it's OK to throw a massive party, yet, I'm not allowed to leave my house after an 8pm curfew and I'm not allowed to more than 5 kilometres from my house, or, I'll receive a $1652 fine from the police! Complete filth

https://www.9news.com.au/national/coronavirus-victoria-man-who-got-bored-at-home-among-199-fined-for-breaching-covid19-regulations/b2157783-da9d-45db-84df-e11af4a26da9
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: HavaDrPepper on August 26, 2020, 03:55:21 PM
My alma mater has positive cases (45) stemming from an off campus gathering. (University of Toledo).

Also, in Ohio the following universities have positive cases:
University of Dayton (240 active cases with 262 cases since 6/23/20)
Miami of Ohio (125 students, 3 employees) 27 of the positives are student athletes that are now in quarantine. Some can be linked to an off campus gathering in early August.
Ohio State University (80 students during the testing period of 8/14-22, 12 employees in the testing period of 8/1-22)

Another university was mentioned by a reporter in a press conference but I can't find any news on it online.
Another university had 8 student athletes test positive during a proactive screening of all athletes before coming to summer workouts in early July. I haven't seen any news on any current cases at this school.

Then there are the other schools elsewhere in the country with cases, big name schools included.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on August 28, 2020, 07:02:10 PM
Update from Argentina:

President announced today that the quarantine wil follow until September 20th. This is because of a new increase on the confirmed cases in the whole country (today's number reached 11.717, with the highest concentration in the province of Buenos Aires).

However, it was given authorization for having social meetings in open spaces until 10 persons (this is a clear consequence of being revealed through a photo on Tuesday that the President itself haven't complied his own order of not doing this kind of reunions) and in the city of Buenos Aires bars and restarants were allowed to give customers service via tables in the sidewalks.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on August 30, 2020, 02:03:02 PM
The University of Miami has started a publicly accessible COVID-19 dashboard tracking testing, positivity numbers and rates and hospitalizations in the university community, separately tracking students and faculty/staff. There were about 160 positive tests, but very few were put in isolation with most going in quarantine for two weeks. Faculty/staff had one noticeable day of positive tests during that week.

As Hard Rock Stadium, where both the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, the the Hurricanes play their home football games, has set a maximum attendance level, for now, of 13.000 attendees, the University has set its policies for attendance. The University has decided that students will not be allowed to attend the two home games in September in person. Certainly sends a message to students about the need for strict compliance with all the health protocols in place, given that one of the games is a nationally known rivalry with Florida State. Both the Dolphins and the Hurricanes have set plans in place to allocate available seats to season ticket holders.

Meanwhile in Iowa, this past week has been terrible on the COVID-19 front. Positive tests have gone up dramatically even with problems with accurate reporting of results statewide and some tracking issues due to a derecho that stormed through the central and eastern parts of Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana Plus a small corner of the southwest corner of lower Michigan on August 10, with winds notably above gale force (39 mph) and gusts over hurricanes force (75 to 100 mph), yes I was in that area, did not lose power but my internet service was affected at tim s for a week thereafter. Nursing homes and care facilities with COVID-19 cases had to transfer these cases to hospitals until power could be restored. Areas near Cedar Rapids (state’s second largest city) still have areas without power, internet/phone service or both, Several major fiber optic cables were heavily damaged and some of that infrastructure needed to be replaced.

The testing rate result increases seem to coincide with the reopening of schools and coolers and universities across the state. In fact Iowa currently has the highest positive rate of new cases in any state in the country. Something I had openingly feared would happen, as the governor still refuses to impose a mask requirement or mandate social distancing, even as an increasing number of national, regional, and local retailers are imposing such requirements within their facilities.  Many people are still refusing to wear masks at all times outside their residences, which is why I take Edele out after dark in the overnight.

Edit: I saw a notification from my building management this a.m. (Monday) that the residents in one apartment tested positive for COVID-19 and are in quarantine. This is the first such test result since the lockout took place in mid-March, needless to say it confirms what I have felt all along.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on September 02, 2020, 01:35:58 PM
Iowa State University one county north of here reopened for on campus students a couple of weeks ago. They have a football game scheduled in their on campus stadium scheduled at the end of next week. With the statewide surge in cases, especially in counties with large student populations, the school has just scrapped plans to allow 25,000 to attend the game. The game will be played with no spectators.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Jimmer on September 02, 2020, 05:29:38 PM
Thank goodness they scrapped plans on having fans, it was an idiotic decision with Ames being the peak in the country in terms of new cases per capita. I was worried for a lot of my friends who still go to school there.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: HavaDrPepper on September 02, 2020, 06:40:11 PM
The state of Ohio put out a very detailed document in early July for the over 600 school districts to adhere to when making their decisions as to whether they go to virtual school, hybrid or in person schooling this fall.

The school district in my town of 9 to 10,000 people chose to go in person 5 days a week.  Virtual schooling is an option for those that choose. Teachers would be teaching both in person and virtual at the same time.  Many protocols were put into place as far as seating arrangements, how many people in the hallways at a time etc. All to eliminate the gathering of students.  All students are to wear a mask and all students are to clean their desk before sitting down and when the get up to leave the room.

School started on Aug 25th.  On Aug 26th, a high school student informed the school that they were tested randomly by their employer. Their results were positive.  22 additional students were put into quarantine at that time (day 2) and school went on as normal for everyone else.  On day 3 or 4 (not sure of the timing on this), another 3 students had positive test results. 2 in the high school and 1 in the middle school (grade 6-8).  An additional 150 students are now in quarantine.

I asked my neighbor last night who teaches in a neighboring district why the quarantine and not shutting down the school and having everyone do virtual. He thinks it is because of the assigned seating. They can determine who came in closest contact to the students. His school has not started yet but that is what he has been told would happen with them (unless there are too many cases).  He also has talked with contacts in our district (he had 3 kids go through the school so knows a lot of people besides living here) and some of them think NO additional students should be quarantined but only the positive cases  :duno:  He teaches 7th grade and did say that 25% of his students have chosen to go virtual. He has been working all week getting everything set up in his classroom.  Oh yeah, word is out that some of the kids that are positive went to a soccer game when they were supposed to be quarantining.

I also found out this week that a cousin and his wife had tested positive in late July.  Neither of them had any symptoms but they both quarantined at home and checked in with the county health department twice a day.  They were released as "recovered" after 10 days.  Found out from another neighbor who is a friend of theirs that 2 of the 3 couples that go out to eat together had gone out to eat (neighbor and his wife chose not to go that night). The other guy got sick the next day with the symptoms and got tested... he was positive. His wife also tested positive. So several days later is when my cousin and his wife got tested and had the positive results.  The other guy's wife had minor symptoms.  None of them were hospitalized though and all are recovered.  They don't know if the other guy got it at work or if all of them got it at the restaurant. My cousin has a job where he delivers product to multiple places during the day. I said it was quite possible he was the one that got it and passed it to the others.  They don't think they will ever really know.

My county is now up to 475 cases which is over 1% of our county population.  It took from March 27th to June 29th to reach 101 cases. That number doubled in July to 228. The end of August was 458 (again doubling the number of cases).  And with the attitude of many around here, I don't see it getting any better in the month of September.  Because of our increase in cases we are on the top 10 "hot spot" list for the state again.  The county ranking list (cases per 100K) first started on Aug 8th.  We were 16th that week, moved to 11th on Aug 11th. Moved into the top 10 on Aug 18th and still there.  The hottest areas in the state are in the rural counties and especially the western half of the state (which is where I am).
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on September 02, 2020, 11:38:34 PM
On August 30th, I wrote:

Quote
The University of Miami has started a publicly accessible COVID-19 dashboard tracking testing, positivity numbers and rates and hospitalizations in the university community, separately tracking students and faculty/staff. There were about 160 positive tests, but very few were put in isolation with most going in quarantine for two weeks. Faculty/staff had one noticeable day of positive tests during that week.

The dashboard is now cumulative to early in the summer, it now distinguishes between students living on or off campus. In an interview with a national media on video, President Frenk and the one Vice President over the University’s health care network mentioned that a significant number of the student, faculty and staff cases came from the medical school campus. Nonetheless, the University decided that students would not be permitted to attend the first two college football home acmes, which are held at Hard Rock Stadium owned by the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, and limiting seating capacity to 13,000 (about 25%) with numerous limitations and restrictions inside the stadium and surrounding property.

And this is the peak of the hurricane season in the Atlantic Ocean basin, where there have been 16 named storms already a pace ahead of 2005 by a week, and a forecast of about 25 named storms for the season as a whole, which would tie the record set in 2005. Haven’t heard how Louisiana, Texas, and Arkansas are handling the wind and water damage from Major Hurricane Laura and Tropical Storm Marco which arrived 48 hours apart and managing the pandemic.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: HavaDrPepper on September 11, 2020, 03:20:21 PM
More colleges in Ohio have put up COVID numbers on their websites.  University of Dayton and University of Miami are the hot spots with Dayton being the hottest.

K-12 school districts are required to send information to the state and that will be put on the state dashboard. Information will not violate HIPAA and will probably just be general numbers.  I believe that dashboard is to start next week.

Earlier this week a school in the Dayton area was notified of a positive player on its football team. The opponent from the week before was notified and their football staff went through film to determine how many of their players were in contact with the positive individual. Initial press release stated a "significant number of offensive line" would be quarantined but a release today states no one has been in quarantine and they have been doing symptom checks daily. They were originally going to postpone their game scheduled for tonight.  But they are now going ahead with it.  The school with the positive case planned to postpone its games for 2 weeks.  The school has 4 total positive cases and has chosen to move to virtual schooling at this time.

In the news today though is a different team in the Dayton area has a positive case on the junior varsity football team.  They are postponing their game scheduled for tonight. No word if future games will be played or not.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on September 11, 2020, 03:40:34 PM
The University of Miami mentioned in HavaDrPepper’s is actually Miami University.
Meanwhile The U University of Miami is now requiring any student whether living on or off campus, that has to come on campus for any reason, even once, through the rest of the fall semester must have a negative Covid-19 test before they can do so every two weeks. Faculty and staff will continue to be randomly tested. Students who attempt to circumvent this requirement will face discipline.
The football team played its first game of the season last night and the attendance at Hard Rock Stadium was only about 8500 of the permitted 13000. The game was played in rainy conditions as a tropical disturbance was beginning to pass over the area and is expected to for a tropical cyclone after it reaches the Gulf of Mexico. No word yet about and COVID-19 issues as a result of the game.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: HavaDrPepper on September 11, 2020, 03:43:54 PM
You are right Schnauzers. Some people around here do call it U of Miami though. I'm around too many of them so that's what I hear!

Sorry about the confusion.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on September 18, 2020, 09:36:51 PM
Update from Argentina:

Today was announced that the quarantine will be extended once again, this time until October 11th.

In some provinces some restrictions will return as the cases, although at a slow rate, continue increasing.
Good news are that in the whole Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires the numbers of the contagion curve (although still high) are not increasing; and for the first time it looks that the tendency finally is starting to flatten, with the City of Buenos Aires showing constant decreasing numbers for the last 10 weeks.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on September 19, 2020, 03:50:31 AM
That tropical disturbance I mentioned in my last post became Hurricane Sally causing massive flooding in Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, and Georgia before dissipating. (Since then, six more tropical cyclones formed in the Atlantic basin, the last three of the six formed in a six hour period, including short lived Subtropical Storm Alpha, only the second time the regular name list in the Atlantic basin was exhausted. The international body’s rule is to use the names of the letter of the Greek alphabet, the rule only used once previously in 2005. (Got to Zeta.) Chronologically, the list was exhausted 32 days earlier in 2020 than in 2005.
Meanwhile the USCDCP has reversed a controversial guideline that was adopted last month about not testing asymptotic cases for COVID-19 when it was learned that political official has forced the change over the objections of senior medical and scientific staff with the CDC.
In Iowa, the governor is still battling it out with local school districts over opening schools for in person classes. I’ve not notice any changes with office and government workers still mostly working remotely, and with retail business requiring wearing of face coverings inside stores.
And in Florida, the University of Miami had very few cases after their first football game of the season on the 10th. A second game is being played during prime time tonight on a broadcast network against the University of Louisville. The Canes are playing their next game at home on next Saturday night on the same network against arch rival Florida State University.
Meanwhile, there really isn’t a nationwide policy on COVID-19, that’ll depend on the outcome of the presidential election in six weeks.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on September 19, 2020, 07:27:35 AM
The UK has reinstituted very strict local travel restrictions again. Locals limited to very small distances only.

Research carefully if you are there or hoped to go..
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on September 19, 2020, 07:31:49 AM
The US has extended entry restrictions until OCT 21
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: claude_24hrs on September 19, 2020, 08:44:56 AM
And even in Israel too, it already reimposed a second lockdown to avoid overcrowds during Jewish New Year. Israel became the first country to have a nationwide lockdown twice.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on September 21, 2020, 10:50:32 PM
Update from Argentina:

Today was announced that the quarantine will be extended once again, this time until October 11th.

In some provinces some restrictions will return as the cases, although at a slow rate, continue increasing.
Good news are that in the whole Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires the numbers of the contagion curve (although still high) are not increasing; and for the first time it looks that the tendency finally is starting to flatten, with the City of Buenos Aires showing constant decreasing numbers for the last 10 weeks.

More info:

On Saturday in the city the numbers of cases were in three digits (almost seven hundreds) and were reported only four deaths. Members of the Health Minister are saying that if these numbers don't change during the following two weeks - and continue going down -, it will be a strong sign that the city has passed the peak of the contagion curve.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: claude_24hrs on September 22, 2020, 09:59:34 PM
USA now has over 200,000 COVID-19 deaths.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-54244515
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: claude_24hrs on September 27, 2020, 10:05:58 PM
COVID-19 deaths now just reaching almost 1 million.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/world/coronavirus-deaths-1-million/
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: claude_24hrs on September 29, 2020, 12:40:19 AM
COVID-19 deaths now just reaching almost 1 million.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/world/coronavirus-deaths-1-million/

Deaths from covid reached 1 million and it is OFFICIAL.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-54334496
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: BourkieBoy on October 02, 2020, 12:11:51 AM
Is it true President Trump has tested positive for COVID-19?  :lol: :funny:
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: claude_24hrs on October 02, 2020, 12:45:34 AM
Is it true President Trump has tested positive for COVID-19?  :lol: :funny:

Yes, it is official. Not President Trump himself, his wife (First Lady) Melania has tested positive as well.

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/10/01/politics/hope-hicks-positive-coronavirus/index.html
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: redskevin88 on October 02, 2020, 05:15:58 AM
Is it true President Trump has tested positive for COVID-19?  :lol: :funny:

It's no laughing matter even if you detest and hate Trump. I feel bad for his family and also for Hope Hicks. Plus if the situation gets worst, America would be in a lot of chaos and no one would like the result.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on October 02, 2020, 06:15:32 PM
As of this afternoon, DC time, President Trump is being flown to Walter Reed Military Medical Center for “tests” and is expected to stay for several days. Reports are filtering out that aides noticed he wasn’t looking well and was fatigued during the day on Wednesday.
Other family members in the White House (presumably his son Barron) tested negative. One US Senator (Lee from Utah) has also tested positive, as have at least two aides or staff in the West Wing. A contract tracing process is definitely in progress but given the many people who have been in Trump’s presence this week, it’s going to take a few days just to run them all down.
The Vice President and his wife are routinely tested daily, and so far, the results are negative. And Trump’s election opponent, former Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden had tests this morning and those came back negative.
What’s going to be concerning is that the CDC guidance calls for all these people to self isolate for 14 days even if they had negative test results, and in this instance, it includes Cabinet secretaries and members of the US House and Senate, and key people in the Trump campaign.
So the full scope of this won’t be known for a while.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: SuperTux on October 02, 2020, 08:21:46 PM
Is it true President Trump has tested positive for COVID-19?  :lol: :funny:

I doubt whether he's really got COVID-19. People are guessing that it could be a tactic for presidential election—he's actually fine and after a few days he will turn out to be healthy and claim the virus is just a kind of "flu" that has nothing to worry about.

If he did get infected, hope he recovers soon.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on October 02, 2020, 08:39:15 PM
Is it true President Trump has tested positive for COVID-19?  :lol: :funny:

I doubt whether he's really got COVID-19. People are guessing that it could be a tactic for presidential election—he's actually fine and after a few days he will turn out to be healthy and claim the virus is just a kind of "flu" that has nothing to worry about.

If he did get infected, hope he recovers soon.

The medical situation is factual. Speculating that he doesn’t actually have it is outsides the bounds of this thread. Several other elected officials who were at the same event this past weekend have also tested positive for COVID-19, as have members of the White House staff, and the white house press corps.
As a mod, I will begin moderating posts containing random speculation not strongly based in fact. It’s hard enough with an administration that is still not taking these developments seriously as to precautions like mask wearing, social distancing and quarantines, even as President Trump has been flown to the Walter Reed Military Medical Center for tests and a few nights stay.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on October 09, 2020, 08:25:34 PM
Update from Argentina:

President announced the extension of the quarantine until October 25th. However some changes will happen during this period. It was announced that the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires is no longer the principal focus of the contagions, that has shifted to the rest of the provinces (although not all of them). For that reason, in 18 jurisdictions there will be again restrictions to the circulation of people.

Regarding the city of Buenos Aires, the numbers keep decreasing. The daily number of confirmed cases are back in three digits (around 850-900) per day and R0 index have been in 0.96 for the last days, in another sign that the peak has apparently passed.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on October 10, 2020, 12:16:28 AM
^^ THANKFUL!
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: claude_24hrs on October 20, 2020, 01:26:24 AM
Global COVID-19 cases are now exceeded 40 million, with 27.6 million recoveries and 1.13 deaths since the outbreak began late last year.

Argentina became the fifth country to reach a million cases, and the second Latin American country to do so.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-54609384

As for Spain, the number of cases were booming since late July were a surge reappeared in Barcelona, expecting a 1 million case in the next 24-48 hours.

ETA: Europe's coronavirus cases have already risen once again with restrictions (re)imposed in several European countries such as France. In the UK, a localized lockdown was implemented in several cities to curb the spread of virus.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on October 20, 2020, 02:03:02 AM
With the general election now two weeks away, 48 of the 50 states are reporting increases in COVID-19 cases, and an increase in hospitalizations. It’s become clear no vaccine will be far enough along to br approved for potential use before the election. It continues to be hard to generalize what is happening and will happen until the results of the election are known.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on October 20, 2020, 09:55:55 AM
This item from Political Wire helps explain the currents. Most of these rural countries are in states where the governors has refused requirements for masks or social distancing.

https://politicalwire.com/2020/10/20/rural-infections-run-out-of-control/
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on October 23, 2020, 10:58:39 PM
There’s definitely a massive surge of cases being reported in the US. Some localities are reporting a 24% positivity rate in the past week, and the national daily cases set a record (over 85,000) since the pandemic began. 48 of the 50 states, plus DC are reporting increases in the number of cases and hospitalizations.

Some new studies are suggesting the people who have blood type A may have a higher risks of infection, while people with. Look type O may have less. Another genetic link may involve people with Down’s Syndrome. Dr. Anthony Fucci, a remember of the White House coronavirus task force, but who is on the outs with President Trump indicated today that the time may have arrived for a national face requirement to reduce the risk of transmission as what is feared to be a second wave of.COVID-19 cases seems to be underway.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on October 24, 2020, 03:39:43 PM
Update from Argentina:

The quarantine extends for another fifteen days in the same conditions from the last extension.

Good news come from the City of Buenos Aires, where the numbers in the last weeks have experienced a 40% drop in both confirmed cases and hospitalizations, according to the city's Chief of Government.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: SuperTux on October 25, 2020, 08:43:01 AM
Update from China:

137 new cases were found in Kashi, Xinjiang, China. All of them were asymptomatic.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: HavaDrPepper on October 27, 2020, 03:34:50 PM
An individual in my small town that had it last spring has been confirmed to have it again.  In the spring, he had very mild symptoms.  Not so lucky this time. I don't believe he is hospitalized but the person that told me has first hand knowledge as her husband and this individual serve on the local school board together. She said it has hit him very hard this time.

For the state, cases are increasing with over 2000 cases a day this last week. One day was 2858 cases, the highest number on record. 7 day moving average of positivity rates has gone from 2.7% on Sept 24th to 5.7% on Oct 25th.  My county has had skyrocketing cases this month. We could very possibly double our September EOM number by the end of October and that is not a good thing. We have also been in the top 10 of the highest occurrence ranking list all of this month, now sitting as #2. Most of the rural area of the state I live in has been in the top 10 recently.

Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: claude_24hrs on October 28, 2020, 06:04:54 PM
In the world events, France has declared a second national lockdown beginning this Friday as covid cases have rising and it peaked 1 million cases nearly a week ago.

Europe's covid cases are exploding with Russia still has the highest covid cases in the continent, while France itself became the worst affected covid country in the whole of Europe.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on October 29, 2020, 07:20:07 PM
LATEST US RESTRICTIONS FOR ALL 50 STATES


https://www.fodors.com/news/photos/where-can-you-travel-whats-open-whats-closed-heres-the-current-status-for-all-50-states (https://www.fodors.com/news/photos/where-can-you-travel-whats-open-whats-closed-heres-the-current-status-for-all-50-states)
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: claude_24hrs on November 01, 2020, 01:03:34 AM
England has announced to impose a second lockdown will start on Thursday, November 5 up until at the start of December. Unlike the first lockdown, schools will allow to stay open. The whole of UK now has over a million covid cases and the 9th country to do so.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-54763956
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on November 04, 2020, 11:13:14 PM
48 of the 50 states are reporting massive numbers of new cases in this election week, with over 100,000 cases reported on Tuesday.
Positivity rates are soaring. Iowa now has a 15% percent positivity rates,and additional counties reporting rates of over 10%. The governor here has chosen to do nothing, not even trying to prepares for a new wave of cases requiring hospitalization.

Maybe there’ll be something more helpful in a few days.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: HavaDrPepper on November 05, 2020, 11:17:49 AM
Ohio's positivity rates are up to 8.9%. The first 4 days of November has brought 14,512 new cases.  My county is still being hit hard with cases. The EOM number doubled what the EOM September number was  :'(  78% of the state lives in counties where there is high exposure and spread.  Only 1% of the state lives in what is considered low risk areas.  I guess a good stat is the fact that the state is still at less than 2% of the population have been COVID positive (but that could change today if we have another 4000 case day).

There was no press conference on Tuesday so I will be very interested to see what he says today. And, I'm totally sure that my county will stay Level 3 and maybe even be on the watch list leading to Level 4 (which means the county should only go out for essential services and supplies).  No county has been put on Level 4 but if this keeps up, who knows...

Ironically, I was supposed to attend a funeral tomorrow for a lady that graduated with my dad and my parents took vacations with her and her husband many times.  The funeral has been postponed 2 weeks because the only daughter (brother was killed in the 80's) and her husband are COVID positive.  Honestly doesn't surprise me because they have not been very good at social distancing or even staying at home during the whole pandemic.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on November 05, 2020, 09:19:22 PM
Short update from Argentina:

Still pending of an oficial announcement, but the information circulating on the media is that the quarantine won't be extended again, at least in the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires as the number continue to decrease.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on November 06, 2020, 05:16:35 PM
Short update from Argentina:

Still pending of an oficial announcement, but the information circulating on the media is that the quarantine won't be extended again, at least in the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires as the number continue to decrease.

Now it's official: after more than seven month this Monday the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires is leaving this current stage of the quarantine and enters a new phase, called DISPO (Preventive and Mandatory Social Distancing). This stage implies new openings to come (more flexibility for indoor social meetings, authorization for practicing sport activities in small groups, artistic events with limited audience, classes in universities and schools, and more).
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on November 07, 2020, 02:29:37 PM
We can now expect in the coming days, even before his inauguration on January 20th, a national plan from President-Elect Joe Biden to address the pandemic both in terms of public health and economic remediation and recovery.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: claude_24hrs on November 08, 2020, 07:28:13 PM
COVID-19 cases are now exceeded to 50 million worldwide since where it began almost 11 months ago in Wuhan, China. US is now have 10 million cases. Nearly 50 percent of new cases coming from Europe where the second wave began in late July in Spain.

https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/11/08/932871098/covid-19-cases-top-50-million-globally-u-s-nears-10-million
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: SuperTux on November 09, 2020, 12:00:18 AM
Update from China:

1) One case was found in Tianjin. Tianjin has proclaimed a "war footing" to counter the virus.

PS: The strain from the local case in Tianjin shares large similarities with that from cases popular during the period from April to June in Northern America. This is the #1 trend on Weibo now.

2) One local case was found in Yingqian village, Pudong New Area, Shanghai. The patient is a porter working in Pudong Airport.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on November 10, 2020, 04:49:55 PM
The announcement of preliminary results of one of the vaccine candidates (Pfizer and its partner, the German company, BioNTech) of a 90 percent effectiveness rate, is raising expectations that an emergency approval may take place before years end. There are a couple of logistical issues (it’s a two step vaccine meaning two doses administered four weeks apart, the need to have cold storage of the doses,) and the need to manufacture sufficient doses before it is approved for distribution.

Meanwhile, Iowa has fallen into thr grips of a massive outbreak of COVID-19 with 4000 new cases statewide daily, a rise in hospitalization (to capacity in some urban counties), respirator use, and ICU bed occupancy. The state’s largest health care system, UnityPoint, is at capacity at all of its hospitals statewide which is causing much longer waits in all of its emergency care facilities across the state and postponement of all elective surgeries.

Positivity rates in almost every county now exceeds 10%, and most now exceed 15% of those tested within the last two weeks. Urban school systems are beginning to seek waivers for remote instruction from the state’s mandatory in class instruction requirement, which will last for up to 2 weeks at a time.

And Iowa’s governor has finally issued a partial mask wearing mandate for gatherings of over 25 indoors, and 100 outdoors.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: HavaDrPepper on November 10, 2020, 07:01:57 PM
Ohio had its highest ever single day number of cases today. Over 6500.  An increase of about 1800 cases in one day.  Yesterday there was a press conference with the new Chief Medical Officer for the state (a new position within the Ohio Department of Health) and the leads for the 3 healthcare zones in Ohio that were set up previously.  They updated viewers on the capacities in their zones which at this time is not critical.  But what is becoming critical is the number of caregivers coming down with the virus which means less staff available to take care of COVID cases.  In addition to the 3 zone leads, they had the President of Mercy Health in Lima, Ohio (just 14 miles from me) talk about what is happening in our area which is mainly rural.  Again, not having enough staff is the problem.

There was no regular press conference today but the Governor will be making a rare evening statewide address to discuss the critical stage Ohio has entered and what impacts are to be on moving forward.  The last time he did one of these saw the start of the wearing masks in public areas in July (that many people ignore  :furious:).  When asked about another shutdown, he was not said yes and not said no.  So whether another shutdown is in the cards for Ohio, who knows.  The other thing that he could be talking about could be the possibility of counties reaching Level 4 in the health advisory system.  With the extremely large number of cases in just the last (averaging over 3600 per day for the last 14 days), it wouldn't surprise me if there are now Level 4 counties especially with the increase in hospitalizations and ICU occupancies which are 2 of the 7 indicators needing to be met.  And, the daily positivity testing rate is now at 11%. The 7 day rolling average is 9.6%.

Yesterday I asked my local county health department if the increase in cases were from community spread or if some could be attributed to large gatherings.  They didn't answer but another person responded today with this...  i know someone who threw a party knowing she had covid... they knew she did as well. Then they all got to enjoy their paid time off of work. Intentional covid spread IS happening.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: claude_24hrs on November 11, 2020, 07:12:36 PM
Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine shows it is 90 percent effective.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/09/health/covid-vaccine-pfizer.html
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: claude_24hrs on November 16, 2020, 06:03:40 PM
Moderna's coronavirus vaccine shows 95% effective and will immune all world's population of 7.7 billion. Cases in the US exceeded to 11 million with reimpose restrictions in some states implemented due to winter surge.

https://www.bbc.com/news/health-54902908
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: fossil-racer on November 16, 2020, 07:26:59 PM
I don't really trust the vaccine tbh. Too much of the unknown

The Vaccine Reaction
https://thevaccinereaction.org/vaccination/risk-failure-reports/

Things to Read:
Moderna’s COVID-19 Vaccine Provokes ‘COVID-Like Symptoms’ in Phase 3 Trial
Johnson & Johnson Pauses Phase 3 COVID-19 Vaccine Trial Following ‘Unexplained Illness’
20 Volunteers Suffer Serious Reactions to Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 Vaccine
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on November 16, 2020, 07:55:54 PM
One of the primary reason for the series of trials is to test its efficacy and for side effects. I’ve had vaccines for all sorts of things my entire life, and never had an adverse reaction. The risks of vaccines are overstated by those who should know better. This all started because some parent became convince that childhood vaccines cause autism, something that has been medically disproven. Now that argument has reached the level of the absurd. Once these vaccines are approved and become widely available, you can expect the vaccination for COVID-19 will become essentially mandatory on many levels as a way to restore normalcy.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on November 16, 2020, 07:59:07 PM
Meanwhile, tonight, Iowa’s governor finally issued a broader mask mandate, but it’s full of loopholes. First, it only applies to indoor spaces, and not outdoors, and given the demonstrated ability of the coronavirus to spread in the air, that’s insane. The current proclamation expires December 11.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on November 17, 2020, 06:06:40 AM
One of the primary reason for the series of trials is to test its efficacy and for side effects. I’ve had vaccines for all sorts of things my entire life, and never had an adverse reaction. The risks of vaccines are overstated by those who should know better. This all started because some parent became convince that childhood vaccines cause autism, something that has been medically disproven. Now that argument has reached the level of the absurd. Once these vaccines are approved and become widely available, you can expect the vaccination for COVID-19 will become essentially mandatory on many levels as a way to restore normalcy.

I'm medical. And have to agree this is being rushed. I've had about every known vaccine after traveling extensively in Africa and Asia.

But I'm not sure I want this pne yet.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: SuperTux on November 19, 2020, 08:24:39 PM
Update from China:

31 new cases were found in China today, among which 4 were in Shanghai and 17 were imported cases.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: claude_24hrs on November 19, 2020, 10:05:40 PM
US now has a quarter of million of COVID-19 deaths.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/live-blog/2020-11-19-covid-live-updates-n1248218
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: redskevin88 on November 20, 2020, 02:20:33 AM
But I'm not sure I want this pne yet.

Do you mind stating your reasons? Just curious to hear something from a medical point of view.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: claude_24hrs on November 22, 2020, 04:05:01 AM
Toronto and surrounding areas will be on lockdown effective Monday at 0000 Eastern Time as Ontario sharply increased COVID-19 cases in the past few weeks.

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/11/21/americas/toronto-lockdown-covid-intl/index.html
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: SuperTux on November 22, 2020, 06:14:39 PM
Yesterday 68 new cases were found in Hong Kong.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on November 23, 2020, 11:51:42 PM
The US General Services Administration has now formally “ascertained “ that former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen Kamala Harris have “apparently” been elected as President and Vice President of the United States beginning on January 20,2021, and the the formal transition has begun. In terms of the COVID-19 pandemic, this allows the incoming administration to contact and coordinate with professional staff at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including the Pandemic Task Force within the White House, as the incoming administration prepares a COVID-19 response plan, including a vaccine distribution plan to implement of the first day of the new administration. It is unclear whether Congress will be able to enact any sort of pandemic or economic rescue plan during its lame duck session, especially as the GOP majority in the outgoing Senate has already been reduced by one seat, to 52 to 48, and at least three GOP Senators are in COVID-19 quarantine per CDC protocols.
Senate control in the new Senate is unclear as both US Senate seats from Georgia are in runoffs to be held January 5th, and a Democratic sweep of both seats would lead to a equal division in the Senate, with a Vice President Harris deciding control.
In the meantime, the rate of new cases, new hospitalization, use of of ICU beds and ventilators are reaching all time highs in a majority of states, and that rate of child COVID-19 diagnoses have risen substantially in just the last two weeks (since Halloween)  Experts are fearful of what will happen this week for the Thanksgiving holiday as many families and groups are likely to gather ignoring social distancing and mask guidance.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on November 24, 2020, 08:34:41 AM
This Georgia election is going to be Brutal. I want to throe something at the Republican lying TV ads 20 x a day Ugh.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Bookworm on November 24, 2020, 10:02:33 AM
This Georgia election is going to be Brutal. I want to throe something at the Republican lying TV ads 20 x a day Ugh.
And somehow both my senators think it's in their best interest to campaign there, too! Scott already got COVID from it- nervous to see how much of a mess it becomes.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on November 27, 2020, 09:33:40 PM
Update from Argentina:

President Fernández  has announced today that the Dispo has been extended to the whole country - with the exception of two cities - until December 20th.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on November 28, 2020, 01:58:31 PM
Update from Argentina:

President Fernández  has announced today that the Dispo has been extended to the whole country - with the exception of two cities - until December 20th.

Some of the new dispositions announced for the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires starting November 30th include: a new maximun of 20 persons for gatherings in open spaces; bars and restaurants extend their opening hours until 3.00am and their tables at open air could have now a limit of 8 persons; open air events with an attendance of 500 persons with some area restrictions.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on November 30, 2020, 02:22:32 PM
Moderna has requested emergency use authorization for its COVID-19 vaccine candidate from the US Food and Drug Administration. It’s the first application so far submitted.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: claude_24hrs on December 01, 2020, 07:37:41 AM
Exactly one year ago today, China had its reported first case of what was then the new coronavirus would later be known as COVID-19 from a human-to-human transmission.

366 days later, the virus escalated over 63.2 million cases worldwide with 40 million recoveries and 1.4 million deaths. More than 10 countries have cases of the disease reached 1 million.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on December 01, 2020, 04:49:34 PM
A panel of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has voted to recommend that front line healthcare workers and residents of long term care facilities be the first groups that receive COVID-19 vaccines.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on December 02, 2020, 01:43:51 AM
The UK has approved the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine on an emergency use basis. It appears the US Food and Drug Administration will also grant emergency use authorization once the scientific review of that vaccine candidate and the Moderna vaccine candidate is completed, probably in two weeks.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: SuperTux on December 07, 2020, 10:00:05 PM
Update from China:

Three new local cases in Chengdu, Sichuan. One of them, a twenty-year-old girl, went to three different bars at one night.

Chengdu University of Technology is said to have been blocked.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on December 08, 2020, 12:18:01 AM
The US President Elect, Joe Biden, stated this past Thursday that he will call on all Americans to wear facial coverings/masks throughout the first 100 days after he takes office on January 20, 2021. The outgoing surgeon general has endorsed the idea. Dr. Anthony Facci will stay on in the next administration in his infectious disease control role at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, he will also serve as Chief Medical Adviser to the President once Biden takes office.
Meanwhile the actual statistics across the US are grim, record in reported cases daily and weekly for the last three weeks, records in the number of deaths due to COVID-19 or its complications, near and over capacity for ICUs and ventilation units, even has the possibility that front line health care workers will be first to receive one of the approved vaccines after FDA approval which is thought to be happening as early as sometime next week.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on December 11, 2020, 08:58:45 PM
The United States has joined the UK, Mexico, Canada and a few other countries in granting emergency use authorization to Pfizer and BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine for use. Initial administration of doses, primarily to front line health care workers is expected to begin Monday or Tuesday.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on December 20, 2020, 05:09:13 AM
Even as the United States Food and Drug Administration gave emergency use authorization for the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine that is now entering distribution, it was also confirmed that the authorities overseeing distribution of the first Pfizer vaccine failed to direct how millions of doses available for shipment were to be directed, thus hampering the early stages of vaccinations across the country.

Meanwhile the United Kingdom has confirmed the existence of a third strain of COVID-19 spreading in the south and east of England. It is reported that this new strain spreads even faster than the strain first detected in March and spread across the globe in a matter of weeks. UK authorities have tightened their ongoing lockdown for the holiday period in an effort to slow down the spread of the newest strain. Not clear if this newest strain originated in England, came from elsewhere, or if other countries have detected it in their populations.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on December 21, 2020, 02:36:50 AM
New information as reported by CNN international. The new variant of the COVID-19 coronavirus was first detected last October, and may have been detected in countries outside the UK. The new variant is reportedly transmitted at a 70 percent faster rate than the mutation that spread back in March.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: claude_24hrs on December 21, 2020, 04:38:54 AM
Just almost a week ago, the world had 3/4 hundredth million cases of COVID-19 and deaths with 1.6 million. United States and Europe are still the highest number of new cases.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: BourkieBoy on December 21, 2020, 09:14:12 PM
New information as reported by CNN international. The new variant of the COVID-19 coronavirus was first detected last October, and may have been detected in countries outside the UK. The new variant is reportedly transmitted at a 70 percent faster rate than the mutation that spread back in March.

This strain has been found in Australia's hotel quarantine system as well! But the Prime Minister has refused to shut off flights coming into Australia from the UK! I swear, if this gets into the Australian community (hello Melbourne in July & Northern Beaches right now), I swear to God they'll be hell to pay!  :groan:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9077253/How-mutant-Covid-19-strain-arrived-Australia-inside-story.html?ito=push-notification&ci=62077&si=22227314
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on December 22, 2020, 09:53:14 PM
Update from Argentina:

President Fernández announced that the DISPO is  extended until January 31st. However there are increasing concerns about the current situation as confirmed cases are growing again - at a slow rate -, mostly due to a relax on the behaviour of part of the people who are not following the directives given by the Health authorities. On the same note, all flights to and coming from the UK have been suspended indefinitely.

Also, tonight the AMMAT (the local version of the US FDA) has authorized the emergency use of the Pfizer vaccine, although the goverment haven't been able to close a deal to provide the doses required to start a campaign to vaccinate the population. Also, there's a flight travelling to Moscow to get 300 thousand doses of the Sputnik V vaccine; however this vaccine has not approval of the AMMAT yet and is unclear when they can be used. And the same agency approved a new treatment against the virus based on equine serum that helps mitigate the effects of the disease on the most serious cases.

EDIT: According to the data provided, and after the Phase 3 trials, in the severe cases the mortality of the disease has been reduced in a 45%.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: claude_24hrs on December 22, 2020, 10:13:39 PM
New information as reported by CNN international. The new variant of the COVID-19 coronavirus was first detected last October, and may have been detected in countries outside the UK. The new variant is reportedly transmitted at a 70 percent faster rate than the mutation that spread back in March.

As many countries already imposed a travel ban to the UK to prevent the spread of the new virus variant.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Lemontail on December 23, 2020, 07:09:25 PM
The virus has spread to Antarctica, with more than 36 people tested positive whilst working on a Chilean base.

Link (https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/covid-19-reaches-antarctica-pandemic-now-on-every-continent-1.5241333)

With this, the virus has spread to every continent.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on December 23, 2020, 09:11:26 PM
The latest information I saw today is that this more infectious variant originated in South Africa although discovered in the UK, and may explain the Antarctic outbreak.

President Trump has threatened to veto the COVID-19 relief legislation which is part of a5500 page plus bill that includes annual appropriations for most federal government departments unless changes are made. If the official print of the bill does not reach the White House by midnight ET on the 23RD, he could “pocket veto” the bill by not acting by January 2nd. All this in spite of indications he would sign the bill. No one has any idea what he really wants.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on December 24, 2020, 04:46:10 PM
Short update:

The goverment is analizing a new closure of the frontiers as a response to the new variant of the virus.

Also the authorities have declded to turn back the authorization to have events with an attendance until 200 persons due to the increase of cases in the last couple weeks.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on December 25, 2020, 12:08:42 AM
At the request of the CDC, President Trump is now expected to sign an order requiring all passengers on flights from the UK into the US to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days of the flight in order to board the flight and enter the United States.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: SuperTux on December 28, 2020, 01:42:06 AM
Update: 21 new cases found in Mainland China.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: claude_24hrs on December 28, 2020, 02:52:25 AM
China has been flattened the curve from COVID-19 since early March not before declaring pandemic. In March, China was the worst affected COVID-19 country as it has now placed below 60 in the countries affected by the virus.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on December 31, 2020, 04:29:20 AM
Update from Argentina:

Yesterday there was an emergency reunion between the president and the governor of the province of Buenos Aires and the Chief of Government of the CABA to analize the sudden increase of cases in the Metropolitan Area. Although the rumors were that there could be a return to a more strict lockdown - at least for a brief period of time -, the final decision was to maintain the current status but putting more emphasis on the controls and testing.

Also on Tuesday started the vaccination plan after been given an emergency authorization to the Russian vaccine and frontline workers were the first ones to receive it. And yesterday the ANMAT approved the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine, something important because the company has facilities in the country and we could start the local production of it in the next month to be used not only here but in other countries of the continent.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on December 31, 2020, 09:52:33 AM
Just want to send each of you wishes for health, courage to deal with this next wave,
and most of all HOPE for better days to come.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: claude_24hrs on December 31, 2020, 10:18:32 AM
366 days ago, the cases of the unknown virus what would be known as COVID-19 were 27 cases and 12 recoveries were all in China with no deaths had yet to be recorded.

Now as the 2020 comes to a close, almost 83 million cases with almost 47 million recoveries and 1.807 million deaths worldwide. 2021 will be hoping a better into a healthy year and vaccines become commonly used to people have returning to pre-COVID normal.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on December 31, 2020, 12:12:43 PM
Update from Argentina:

Yesterday there was an emergency reunion between the president and the governor of the province of Buenos Aires and the Chief of Government of the CABA to analize the sudden increase of cases in the Metropolitan Area. Although the rumors were that there could be a return to a more strict lockdown - at least for a brief period of time -, the final decision was to maintain the current status but putting more emphasis on the controls and testing.

Also on Tuesday started the vaccination plan after been given an emergency authorization to the Russian vaccine and frontline workers were the first ones to receive it. And yesterday the ANMAT approved the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine, something important because the company has facilities in the country and we could start the local production of it in the next month to be used not only here but in other countries of the continent.

More about the AstraZeneca vaccine: the facility already have the equivalent of ten million doses produced, but it's still pending of being packed, what is going to be done in Mexico (this a joint operation between laboratories in both countries), and then distribuited in Latin America. Argentina has secured 22,4 million doses to be received no longer than March 2021.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on December 31, 2020, 05:44:28 PM
I’m not aware what the status of the Astra-Zeneca/Oxford vaccine is in the U.S. at this time. Unclear how far along the trials are or in seeking US emergency use authorizations.

Just a reminder that the oft mentioned 95% effectiveness rate isn’t reached until several weeks after the second dosage is administered.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: claude_24hrs on January 04, 2021, 05:38:26 PM
England has announced a national lockdown until mid-February to avoid the spread of the new SARS-CoV-2 variant.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on January 05, 2021, 12:59:11 AM
I am reading from various sources, e.g., CNN.com and the Associated Press app, that there are two distinct variants of Covid-19 at play. One was discovered in the UK had has been found in some US states, including California, Colorado, and New York, and a more concerning variant in South Africa, that carries with it 12 distinct mutations within it. Both transmit faster than earlier mutations, but the variant found in South Africa may have mutations that may make the vaccines developed up to now less effective or even ineffective.

With that in mind the often preached precautions remain as important as ever, and will until a threshold is reached that increases immunity and reduces transmutability.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: SuperTux on January 06, 2021, 09:43:50 PM
Update from China:

On Jan 6, 52 indigenous cases were detected in China (excluding Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan), among which 51 were in Hebei Province, China. The burst was believed to be due to some patients attending a wedding ceremony which involved people from multiple provinces.

Shijiazhuang, the capital of Hebei Province, has announced a lockdown for three days. Universal nucleic acid tests will be applied there.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on January 06, 2021, 11:51:13 PM
Expect drastic change in the US approach in two weeks in the United States, when Joe Biden takes office as President of the United States. With Democrats winning both Senate seats inGeorgia in runoffs on Tuesday, and thus effective control of the US Senate and having maintained narrow control of the House of Representatives, it will be easier for the new administration to get its nominees confirmed and legislation voted on in Congress. New initiatives include a nationwide policy on wearing masks and a vamped up vaccination program, and various spending programs for small businesses, individuals, and state and local government.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on January 07, 2021, 05:09:49 PM
Update from Argentina:

As this surge of new cases keep increasing, it was decided that starting midnight no activities will be allowed between 11.00pm and 6.00am and only essencial workers will be allowed to circulate duing that period. This decision has provoked the resistance of business owner specially in tourist locations as we're currently in summer season, when they have the biggest ammount of incomes of the year.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: SuperTux on January 09, 2021, 02:40:44 AM
Update from Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, China:

The first round of the nucleic acid test has just finished. A total of 10,251,875 people were tested, among whom 354 were positive.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on January 15, 2021, 06:50:10 PM
The United States, the United Kingdom, and other countries are now requiring proof of a negative COVID-19 test result taken shortly before travel on international flights inbound to those particular countries. This is in response to the repidliy spreading COVID-19 coronavirus variants recently identified in the United Kingdom and in South Africa.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: claude_24hrs on January 17, 2021, 01:41:34 AM
Global COVID-19 deaths exceeded to 2 million since first started 12 months ago.

Link: https://time.com/5930111/2-million-covid-19-deaths/
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: fossil-racer on January 17, 2021, 02:07:00 AM
https://thevaccinereaction.org/vaccination/risk-failure-reports/

People have died from the vaccine and vaccine may or may not decrease transmission.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on January 17, 2021, 12:47:16 PM
The goal of most initial vaccines (and right now that includes the Covid ones) is not irradication of the disease itself. Right now it is decreasing your risk of severe effects from Covid. As in yes you may still get it but you should be a lot less sick as you hopefully will have some antibodies. There is also nothing that says getting the vaccine prevents you from spreading it.

"In short then, what has been measured in the trials on the BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 vaccines, as well as other experimental COVID-19 vaccines, is not whether they prevent infection with and transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus but how well they can prevent or minimize symptoms of COVID-19 disease that can be caused by the virus. There is no evidence to suggest the vaccines will have any effect in terms of protecting people from getting the virus and spreading it."

https://thevaccinereaction.org/2021/01/no-evidence-covid-19-vaccines-will-block-spread-of-coronavirus/


Wear a mask people.




Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on January 17, 2021, 12:52:35 PM
The United States, the United Kingdom, and other countries are now requiring proof of a negative COVID-19 test result taken shortly before travel on international flights inbound to those particular countries. This is in response to the repidliy spreading COVID-19 coronavirus variants recently identified in the United Kingdom and in South Africa.

This also is a question. If I test negative today how long can I be presumed "Unable to spread"?? If I am negative now to the best of my understanding I could still test positive if exposed within a few days later...

Until we have instant results this is also no guarantee that I am safe to be around some days later.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on January 17, 2021, 07:17:36 PM
The United States, the United Kingdom, and other countries are now requiring proof of a negative COVID-19 test result taken shortly before travel on international flights inbound to those particular countries. This is in response to the repidliy spreading COVID-19 coronavirus variants recently identified in the United Kingdom and in South Africa.
.
This also is a question. If I test negative today how long can I be presumed "Unable to spread"?? If I am negative now to the best of my understanding I could still test positive if exposed within a few days later...

Until we have instant results this is also no guarantee that I am safe to be around some days later.

My understanding is that a second negative test within about five days would make it greatly probable that one does not currently have an active case of COVID-19. The requirement of a negative COVID-19 test presupposes no symptoms or high temperature. As to those vaccinated, maximum protection is reached at least 30 days after the second vaccination. But that  level of effectiveness is for 95% of a given population.
As to the newly discovered UK and SA variants, tests are underway to see if the mutations affect vaccines already being used under emergency use authorizations. That may vary from country to country as different countries have approved different vaccines for emergency use
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on January 19, 2021, 02:55:54 AM
A fourth new variant of the COVID-19 coronavirus has been discovered in zbarvaria. It’s not known what the variant does in terms of transmission or severity yet, but is different from the variants recently discovered in the UK, South Africa, and Brazil.

https://www.politico.eu/article/new-coronavirus-variant-identified-in-german-hospital/
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on January 21, 2021, 02:54:32 PM
The new Biden Administration has just released its comprehensive national COVID-19 strategy.
 https://politicalwire.com/2021/01/21/biden-rolls-out-national-coronavirus-strategy/ (https://politicalwire.com/2021/01/21/biden-rolls-out-national-coronavirus-strategy/)

Will post more details as they are available online. President Biden signed an executive order requiring masks to be worn in all federal buildings and property.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: claude_24hrs on January 26, 2021, 04:27:55 PM
Global COVID-19 cases now toppled 100 million since the pandemic began in late 2019 when it was an outbreak. Indonesia became the first Southeast Asian and the third Asian country reached 1 million cases.

https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/26/world/coronavirus-100-million-cases-intl/index.html
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on January 29, 2021, 01:05:36 PM
Here’s a list of the executive actions taken by President Joe Biden on the COVID-19 pandemic. They’re among 42 such actions taken in the first eight days of the  Administration:

Quote
Covid-19
'Proclamation on the Suspension of Entry as Immigrants and Non-Immigrants of Certain Additional Persons Who Pose a Risk of Transmitting Coronavirus Disease.' Reinstates Covid-19 travel restrictions for individuals traveling to the United States from Brazil, the Schengen area, the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa.
'Memorandum to Extend Federal Support to Governors' Use of the National Guard to Respond to COVID-19 and to Increase Reimbursement and Other Assistance Provided to States.' Directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency to expand reimbursement to states to fully cover the cost for National Guard personnel and emergency supplies.
'Executive Order on a Sustainable Public Health Supply Chain.' Accelerates manufacturing and delivery of supplies for vaccination, testing and personal protective equipment.
'Executive Order on Establishing the COVID-19 Pandemic Testing Board and Ensuring a Sustainable Public Health Workforce for COVID-19 and Other Biological Threats.' Establishes the Pandemic Testing Board to expand US coronavirus testing capacity.
'Executive Order on Improving and Expanding Access to Care and Treatments for COVID-19.' Establishes a preclinical program to boost development of therapeutics in response.
'Executive Order on Ensuring a Data-Driven Response to COVID-19 and Future High-Consequence Public Health Threats.' Enhances the nation's collection, production, sharing and analysis of coronavirus data.
'Create more vaccination sites.' Directs FEMA to create federally supported community vaccination centers.
'Executive Order on Supporting the Reopening and Continuing Operation of Schools and Early Childhood Education Providers.' Directs the Department of Education and HHS to provide guidance for safely reopening and operating schools, child care providers and institutions of higher education.
'Executive Order on Protecting Worker Health and Safety.' Calls on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to release clear guidance on Covid-19 and to decide whether to establish emergency temporary standards, and directs OSHA to enforce worker health and safety requirements.
'Executive Order on Promoting COVID-19 Safety in Domestic and International Travel.' Requires mask-wearing in airports and on certain modes of transportation, including many trains, airplanes, maritime vessels and intercity buses. International travelers must provide proof of negative Covid-19 tests prior to coming to the US.
'Executive Order on Ensuring an Equitable Pandemic Response and Recovery.' Creates the Covid-19 Health Equity Task Force to help ensure an equitable pandemic response and recovery.
'National Security Directive on United States Global Leadership to Strengthen the International COVID-19 Response and to Advance Global Health Security and Biological Preparedness.' A presidential directive to restore America's leadership, support the international pandemic response effort, promote resilience for future threats and advance global health security and the Global Health Security Agenda.
'Executive Order on Protecting the Federal Workforce and Requiring Mask-Wearing.' Launches a "100 Days Masking Challenge" asking Americans to wear masks for 100 days. Requires masks and physical distancing in federal buildings, on federal lands and by government contractors, and urges states and local governments to do the same.
'Letter to His Excellency António Guterres.' Stops the United States' withdrawal from the World Health Organization, with Dr. Anthony Fauci becoming the head of the delegation to the WHO.
'Executive Order on Organizing and Mobilizing the United States Government to Provide a Unified and Effective Response to Combat COVID-19 and to Provide United States Leadership on Global Health and Security.' Creates the position of Covid-19 response coordinator, reporting directly to Biden and managing efforts to produce and distribute vaccines and medical equipment.
https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/29/politics/biden-executive-orders-climate-health-care-coronavirus-immigration/index.html (https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/29/politics/biden-executive-orders-climate-health-care-coronavirus-immigration/index.html)
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on January 30, 2021, 05:01:24 PM
Some more:

 https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/travel-us-mask-mandate-biden/index.html (https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/travel-us-mask-mandate-biden/index.html)

CDC orders a masks only requirement in connection with all public transportation in the US including vehicles for hire and requires masks only, not facial coverings.

 https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/30/health/us-coronavirus-saturday/index.html (https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/30/health/us-coronavirus-saturday/index.html)
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Maanca on January 30, 2021, 05:04:10 PM
Anyone entering Canada internationally (which only 4 cities are allowing) must now take a mandatory test and must quarantine. (Those multiple days in a hotel will add up, and that cost is the idea) https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trudeau-announces-new-restrictions-on-international-travel-to-canada/ar-BB1ddw03
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on January 30, 2021, 08:05:11 PM
Canada is also prohibiting flights to and from Spring Break destinations during March and April.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on February 02, 2021, 10:46:27 PM
The US administration is increasing vaccine distribution and beginning a program to use retail chain pharmacies nationwide for administering Covid-19 vaccinations.

 https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/02/02/fact-sheet-president-biden-announces-increased-vaccine-supply-initial-launch-of-the-federal-retail-pharmacy-program-and-expansion-of-fema-reimbursement-to-states/ (https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/02/02/fact-sheet-president-biden-announces-increased-vaccine-supply-initial-launch-of-the-federal-retail-pharmacy-program-and-expansion-of-fema-reimbursement-to-states/)

Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on February 10, 2021, 04:58:40 AM
The Biden administration is considering a rule that would require negative Covid-19 test results for domestic air travel, according to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on February 12, 2021, 01:31:18 AM
Dr. Anthony Fauci gave a virtual lecture at the University of Miami on February 10th sharing insight about COVID-19 lessons, challenges:Well worth the read

​https://news.miami.edu/stories/2021/02/fauci-shares-insight-about-covid-19-lessons,-challenges.html​​​
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Declive on February 12, 2021, 01:52:43 AM
Melbourne announced a 5 days lockdown.

Problem is: the tickets for the Australian Open were already sold.
And the crowd is packing up Rod Laver Arena to watch Thiem vs Kyrgios (starts in minutes).
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on February 19, 2021, 07:31:01 PM
Update from Argentina:

After been extended until January 31st., the DISPO has a new extension until February 28th. As the number of cases is apparently decreasing again, some measurements taken in December might cease.

Also, classes in schools in the city of Buenos Aires started last Wednesday in small groups and following a strict protocol. In the rest of the jurisdictions will start on March in the same conditions.

Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on February 19, 2021, 07:36:15 PM
Now the bad news:

President Fernandez asked the resignation of Health Minister González García after been discovered that he reserved 3.000 dosis of the Sputnik V vaccine to be used on his friends, celebrities and members of his political party, jumping the line in the vaccination plan.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: claude_24hrs on February 21, 2021, 05:35:24 PM
United States still has the most number of Covid deaths as now reached half million deaths since the pandemic began in January 2020.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/u-s-reaches-500-000-deaths-coronavirus-n1257992
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on February 22, 2021, 01:59:29 AM
Not quite. It’s expected this week, President Joe Biden will conduct a brief ceremony marking the occasion on the evening of the day on which that figure is confirmed,
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on February 24, 2021, 08:12:38 AM
The FDA has announced that the Johnson &Johnson COVID-19 vaccine,which only requires a single dose, and has far fewer storage requirements has demonstrated the requirements for an emergency use authorization in the US. The US CDCP is expected to issue that authorization this week. Supplies of this vaccine are expected to begin delivery next week.

A preliminary study is expected to be published this week, that a variant of the COVID-19 virus first found in California last year, now appears to have rapidly spread  in California and is reported more easily transmitted and cause more severe or fatal cases than other variants currently being seen globally. It’s not clear yet how effective available Covid-19 vaccines are against this particular variant.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on February 25, 2021, 11:05:20 AM
In addition to the variant of concern found in California, a second variant of concern has now been reported from New York City.

In the reports of two prepublication studies identifying these two new emerging variants (in California and in New York), where current vaccines may not be fully effective, are said to be highly transmittable, and may cause more severe cases. These instances are not isolated given the emergence of variants that have raised similar concerns elsewhere in South Africa, Braziland the UK.

Pilfer is reported researching the possibility of a booster dose to address these new variants of concern.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on February 27, 2021, 05:41:00 PM
The United States has now issued an emergency use authorization for the Johnson & Johnson one dose COVID-19 vaccine. Distribution should begin this coming week.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on February 27, 2021, 05:57:39 PM
Update from Argentina:

The Gamaleya National Center and the Russian Direct Investment Fund have reached a preliminary agreement with the Richmond Laboratory of Argentina to start producing the Sputnik V vaccine. As they have to built a complete new facility to this, is estimated that in no longer than one year the first dosis will be completely produced in the country. Also, this same place will provide dosis to the rest of the countries in the continent that are using that vaccine.

Also, almost one million dosis of the chinese vaccine Sinopharm have arrived to the country to continue with the vaccination plan.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on March 02, 2021, 04:26:16 PM
An important milestone is in sight for the United States:

President Biden stated today that there will be a sufficient supply of the three US approved vaccines to vaccinate all adults in the US by the end of May. He’s also directing that teachers should have a priority in receiving vaccination by the end of March. The President wants all elementary and secondary schools reopening as soon as possible as faculty and staff receive their vaccinations.All of this is being made possible by the agreement by Merck Laboratories to manufacture dosages of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.
Still to be determined is the use of the vaccine for those under age 18.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on March 17, 2021, 12:04:33 AM
The Biden administration currently expects that every state will be able to expand vaccinations to all adults 18 and over by May 1. However, there is growing concern that the so-called B.1.1.7 variants, which is 64% more infectious that the COVID-19 strains previously encountered will supplant that earlier strains and become the dominant strain in the US by April.
And reports of travel to locations and activities without masks and social distancing is becoming an issue in spring break destinations, see https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/16/health/us-coronavirus-tuesday/index.html, even as former president Trump told an interviewer that people, inctluding his supports should be vaccinated. That statement came two days after the Biden White House said it would welcome such a statement. That statement came about a week after reports serfaced that the former president and former First Lady had received vaccinations in January before leaving the White House. Both had been treated for COVID-19 disease last summer.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on March 21, 2021, 07:35:17 AM
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/miami-curfew-spring-break-crowds/

Curfew enabled. Crowds are being dispersed as well.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on March 29, 2021, 05:09:07 PM
News from Argentina:

A sudden increase of cases in the whole country has been considered by the Health experts as the first signs of the arriving of the "second wave". In the city of Buenos Aires we have passed from an average of around 700 daily cases to over a thousand. People returning from travels outside the country have to be tested inside the airport. Those who are negative are authorized to return to their homes - where they have to stay in quarantine for a week at least - and those whose results are positive are isolated in designated places.

Vaccination plan is proceeding at a slow rhythm due to the delay on the dosis delivering; and the goal of having enough population vaccinated by the middle of the year to have a minimal herd immunity is far for being achieved.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on March 30, 2021, 12:04:47 AM
The White House announced today that 90% of all adults will be eligible to receive a Covid-19 vaccine, and at a location within 5 miles of their home by April 19:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/03/29/fact-sheet-president-biden-announces-90-of-the-adult-u-s-population-will-be-eligible-for-vaccination-and-90-will-have-a-vaccination-site-within-5-miles-of-home-by-april-19/

President Biden also announced that the use of local pharmacies will be greatly expanded in the next three weeks, and confirmed that over this past weekend over 10 million doses of the authorized vaccines had been administered. The Administration and the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention remain deeply concerned over the recession of mask mandates and the increase in congregate activities as infection rates are starting to rise again, possibly in connection with the spread of variants and the lesser compliance with mask and social distancing requirements.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2021/03/29/remarks-by-president-biden-on-the-covid-19-response-and-the-state-of-vaccinations/

Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Declive on April 01, 2021, 10:39:23 PM
For the first time, Brazil vaccinated 1 million people in the last 24h.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on April 02, 2021, 10:45:42 PM
Update from Argentina:

President Fernandez has tested positive to COVID-19 despite the fact that he had received the first dosis of the Sputnik V vaccine. He has been isolated and the people who he's been in contact the last 48 hours were informed of the situation in order of being tested too.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on April 06, 2021, 11:56:56 PM
Update from Argentina:

New restrictions are considered by the goverment officers as we have reached today the highest amount of confirmed cases since the beginning of the pandemic: 20.000 cases in a single day. Among all of them is a return to the Phase 3, although some of the activities not allowed in this specific phase wouldn't be included this time as the economic area of the goverment has stated that closing everything again is impossible because it could imply a bigger crisis to the one that the country is experiencing after what happened last year.

In the meantime, more dosis of different vaccines are arriving, but the vaccination plan is still moving slowly.

Also, last report informed that the President is well, with no major issues affecting his health after being tested positive of Covid.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on April 07, 2021, 05:05:56 AM
While concerns remain about a 4th wave of Covid-19 cases aimed at a younger groups with the new variants, the administration’s rollout of vaccinations has reached a new phase. President Biden announced Tuesday that 150 million vaccinations have taken place since his first inauguration, 75 days ago. It’s on pace to reach the new 200 million vaccinations in 100 days he set last month. President Biden also announced that everyone 16 and older will be eligible for vaccinations as of April 16th, two weeks earlier than previously planned. Most of the vaccinations are the first Pfizer or Moderna vaccinations but many have how received their second vaccination.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on April 13, 2021, 08:48:16 AM
https://twitter.com/i/events/1381929259438989318 (https://twitter.com/i/events/1381929259438989318)




The CDC and FDA recommend a pause in Johnson & Johnson vaccine over six rare blood clotting cases

The US Centers for Disease Control and Food and Drug Administration released a joint statement, confirming a story in The New York Times that the authorities would recommend a pause in administering the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. There have been six recorded cases of rare blood clots around two weeks after the one-shot vaccine was given.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: claude_24hrs on April 13, 2021, 09:43:34 AM
As in case, AstraZeneca vaccine was actually the first COVID-19 vaccine caused many European countries (except the UK) had to pause after complained several blood clot cases since mid-March. Europe is grappling on the third wave in the continent as cases have soared.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on April 13, 2021, 10:26:12 AM
As in case, AstraZeneca vaccine was actually the first COVID-19 vaccine caused many European countries (except the UK) had to pause after complained several blood clot cases since mid-March. Europe is grappling on the third wave in the continent as cases have soared.

https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/09/health/vaccine-advisers-astrazeneca-us/index.html
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on April 13, 2021, 03:12:29 PM
https://twitter.com/i/events/1381929259438989318 (https://twitter.com/i/events/1381929259438989318)




The CDC and FDA recommend a pause in Johnson & Johnson vaccine over six rare blood clotting cases

The US Centers for Disease Control and Food and Drug Administration released a joint statement, confirming a story in The New York Times that the authorities would recommend a pause in administering the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. There have been six recorded cases of rare blood clots around two weeks after the one-shot vaccine was given.
Whether it’s coincidental or not isn’t clear, but all six cases involved women with the same specific type of blood clot occurring. That’s highly unusual.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: claude_24hrs on April 17, 2021, 07:32:12 AM
Global COVID-19 deaths has now passed to 3 million since where it began earlier last year. US still has the most number of COVID deaths but Brazil's COVID deaths have been climbed in the past 7 weeks causing a P1 variant originating in Brazil attributes the death rate.

Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2021/04/17/world/3-million-death-toll-covid-intl/index.html
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: claude_24hrs on April 29, 2021, 09:56:28 PM
Global COVID-19 cases now exceeding 150 million for the first time since the outbreak began 16 months ago in Wuhan, China. India is already now the second worst COVID-19 affected country overtook Brazil and second to the United States. Daily cases in India have soared to 300,000 as infections have continued to rise.

Link: https://news.cgtn.com/news/2021-04-30/Global-COVID-19-tally-surpasses-150-million-ZSdHaNo5Q4/index.html
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on May 03, 2021, 06:43:57 PM
The US Food and Drug Administration is expected to approve the use of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for those between ages 12 to 15 early next week.

https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/03/health/pfizer-covid-vaccine-teens-fda/index.html
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on May 13, 2021, 04:10:21 PM
This afternoon the US CDC announced that fully vaccinated people only may be indoors or outdoors without masks and without socially distancing
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on May 17, 2021, 05:16:59 AM
Just as some guidance this is the current policy to enter in the UK:

The US is an Amber country

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/red-amber-and-green-list-rules-for-entering-england

Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on May 21, 2021, 07:33:33 AM
Update from Argentina:

The country is finally back to Phase 1 until the end of the month. This was disposed by the health authorities yesterday and will be effective at midnight. Essential workers will be allowed to circulate long distances while the rest of the people only to buy food and medicines.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on May 26, 2021, 02:35:30 PM
Update from Argentina:

The country is finally back to Phase 1 until the end of the month. This was disposed by the health authorities yesterday and will be effective at midnight. Essential workers will be allowed to circulate long distances while the rest of the people only to buy food and medicines.

Also is expected to arrive during this period almost 4 millions of dosis of vaccines from Astro Zeneca and new batches of Sputnik-V.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Maanca on June 18, 2021, 10:19:14 PM
On July 1st, Alberta will be the first province in Canada to lift all restrictions.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on June 22, 2021, 02:35:09 PM
OLYMPICS:

SUMMER OLYMPICS & WORLD CUP The 2020 Summer Olympic Games are slated to proceed in Tokyo despite rising concerns over Japanese vaccination rates and the nation’s current burden of COVID-19 cases. Olympic organizers announced some local fans will be allowed at events under strict rules, including mask wearing, no cheering, and returning directly home. Stadiums and other venues will be limited to 50% capacity or up to 10,000 domestic fans, whichever is less. Spectators will be allowed only if no state of emergency is in effect, and the rules could change as vaccinations increase or if a surge is predicted. Japan is advancing efforts to improve national vaccination rates, with 33 million inoculations to date and 7.7% of the population fully vaccinated.

Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security <centerhealthsecurity@mail301.jh.edu>
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: claude_24hrs on July 08, 2021, 07:57:41 PM
Global COVID-19 deaths have now succeeded into 4 million since the pandemic began in late 2019.

Link: https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/global-covid-19-death-toll-surpasses-4-million/ar-AALTZhP

In addition, the Olympics will completely take place without spectators following the state of emergency (restrictions) imposed in Tokyo for six weeks starting July 12 and lasting through August 22.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on July 08, 2021, 08:08:25 PM
Update from Argentina:

Through a DNU (Decree of Necessity and Urgency) the goverment has modified the article of the Vaccines Law that didn't allow the purchase of vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson; after a debate about the modification of the law in the Congress to provide around 100.000 children with diseases with Pfizer vaccines was rejected by the majority of the members of the Chamber of Deputies.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on July 09, 2021, 02:33:09 AM
The government of Japan has announced a new state of emergency due to COVID-19 in Tokyo and three adjacent prefectures, thus prohibiting even local spectators attending any Olympic events.

In the US, a rise in infections and hospitalizations are being reported in states the have a lower level of vaccinations; a majority of the infections appear to be from the delta variant. It’s not clear whether booster vaccinations will be needed yet, per the CDC, but Pfizer has now stated they are seeking approval for a booster vaccine, and to modify the vaccine to address the delta variant.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on July 09, 2021, 09:22:25 AM
I'd take a booster in a heartbeat. Ths is no joke. I'm back to mask wearing in public 100%. VERY strange that the US denied the need for a booster. That is 100% contrary to medical advice.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: redskevin88 on July 14, 2021, 06:25:17 AM
Somebody when clubbing when contagious for COVID and there's a new dangerous cluster in Singapore. Back to square one again.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/covid-19-cases-singapore-local-unlinked-jul-14-ktv-cluster-15217120
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on July 16, 2021, 11:07:17 PM
Canada announced today that fully vaccinated Americans will be allowed. To enter Canada for non-essential travel beginning in mid-August. Nonessential visitors from other countries will be. Permitted as of mid-September.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on July 17, 2021, 04:24:34 AM
Update from Argentina:

Through a DNU (Decree of Necessity and Urgency) the goverment has modified the article of the Vaccines Law that didn't allow the purchase of vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson; after a debate about the modification of the law in the Congress to provide around 100.000 children with diseases with Pfizer vaccines was rejected by the majority of the members of the Chamber of Deputies.

Now the restrictions are over 3.5 millions of doses of the Moderna vaccine have arrived yesterday night. This batch is part of the USA vaccine donation plan announced by President Biden administration.

Also, as the curve of contagion is slowly decreasing again and the vaccination plan is increasing its rate, some jurisdictions are moving back into phases two and three.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on July 17, 2021, 09:05:37 AM
Hoping for better days Alen!
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on July 17, 2021, 09:32:56 AM
Only concern now is Delta. So far 18 cases were confirmed from this new variant. All of them in people that returned from travelling international. This people followed the new directives and isolated in designated places. No reports on infecting close contacts or community circulation so far; although is expected to happen at some point.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on July 19, 2021, 06:43:21 PM
Quick update:

The Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires (AMBA) has officially returned to Phase 4 starting today. Also kids and teens with pre-existent diseases now can register to be vaccinated in the AMBA
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on July 20, 2021, 07:48:20 PM
No major policy announcements, but a lot of concerning information in the US. The Delta variant accounted for 86% of all new cases this past week, and cases and hospitalizations have increased in all 50 states and the District of Columbia over the past week. Reactions to this are muted with many states unwilling to re-impose restrictions and much of the burden of responding is being left to localities and businesses with many states having outlawed the use of vaccination “passports” and a conflict between fully vaccinated people who aren’t required to wear masks in most circumstances under CDC guidance, and unvaccinated people who are refusing to wear face coverings or be vaccinated. In short, it’s a mess!
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on July 27, 2021, 05:15:39 PM
A number of developments are expected this week.
The US CDCP is now expected to recommend that fully vaccinated people in those local communities where new cases of the Delta variant is rapidly surging should resume wearing masks in some indoor situations. They are going to recommend that children in K to 12 classes wear masks at schools.
The White House is expected to require all federal government employees and contractors to be vaccinated; those who aren’t will be required to submit to weekly COVID-19 tests and other requirements. The department of veterans affairs which operates a medical system for all veterans, has put the same requirements in place in view of the medical care facilities the department operates and the extensive contact the department has with veterans. 
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on July 27, 2021, 07:57:41 PM
Update from Argentina:

It was announced today by the Health Ministry that an agreement was made to receive 20 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine during the rest of this year. Also two hundred thousand doses of the Cansino vaccine will be arriving on the next days.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on July 29, 2021, 06:14:18 PM
This is a link to an official White House fact sheet outlining the steps being taken to boost vaccination rates in the face of the Delta Variant of COVID-19 affecting unvaccinated individuals. The steps include mandated vaccinations for federal government employees and federal contractors, adding COVID-19 vaccinations to the list of required vaccinations for US military personnel worldwide, efforts to vaccinate students age 12 and older before the new school year begins, and other incentives.

 https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/07/29/fact-sheet-president-biden-to-announce-new-actions-to-get-more-americans-vaccinated-and-slow-the-spread-of-the-delta-variant/ (https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/07/29/fact-sheet-president-biden-to-announce-new-actions-to-get-more-americans-vaccinated-and-slow-the-spread-of-the-delta-variant/)
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: claude_24hrs on August 04, 2021, 09:25:28 PM
Global COVID-19 cases now exceeded to 200 million since the pandemic first reported in December 2019. As the Delta variant become dominated in majority of Asia and Australia.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/covid-cases-surpass-200-million-around-globe-delta-variant-spreads-n1275980
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on August 08, 2021, 12:38:39 PM
Moderation note:

I have removed several posts that were in fact irrelevant to the actual topic in this thread.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on August 08, 2021, 02:28:26 PM
Update from Argentina:

President Fernández announced a plan for a gradual lifting of all restrictions implemented since the beginning of the pandemic as the number of cases have been in constant declining for the last ten weeks and the vaccination plan is advancing in all the country. However, these decisions are conditioned to the containing of the circulation in the community of the Delta variant, something that so far has been done.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on August 09, 2021, 08:06:59 PM
The US Defense Department is signing off on inclusion of a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for all military personnel worldwide to be completed by mid-September. The vaccine for COVID-19 will be added to a permanent list of vaccinations currently required for all military personnel.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on August 14, 2021, 06:06:53 AM
The US FDA and CDC have authorized a “booster” vaccination for people with compromised immune systems. Dr. Anthony Fauci and others suggest that by winter (January 2022) that may be more generally recommended by they’ll want to get approval for a vaccination for children 12 and under by that time as well.

Reports suggest that new cases and hospitalizations are “taking hold” in the Southern US as hospital and .iCU capacity are reaching their limits from Texas to Florida and even though the number of vaccinations has risen to 1million/day by Friday including among those between ages 12 and 30.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on August 16, 2021, 10:43:51 PM
Reports tonight that the U.s is expected to announce that booster vaccinations should be given eight months after the initial one dose or two dose vaccinations were completed. The expectation is that the booster dosage will be available starting in mid-September.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on August 16, 2021, 11:06:30 PM
Reports tonight that the U.s is expected to announce that booster vaccinations should be given eight months after the initial one dose or two dose vaccinations were completed. The expectation is that the booster dosage will be available starting in mid-September.

Is there a source for this please? I'd like to look into this a bit more. Thanks!
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on August 17, 2021, 12:25:02 AM
There’s
https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/16/politics/covid-19-booster-shots-biden-administration/index.html

and
https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2021/08/16/booster-shot-coronavirus/

and

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/16/us/politics/vaccination-booster-shots.html

Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on August 17, 2021, 07:14:31 PM
Thanks so much that's great!     
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on August 17, 2021, 08:51:36 PM
The US Transportation Security Administration has extended its requirements to wear masks on all forms of public transportation, including airplanes, trains, busses, taxis, and marine vessel to at least January 18, 2022

https://apple.news/A7pRucZFPRSiDhPSgzn4zIA
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on August 23, 2021, 12:22:38 PM
TheUS Food and Drug Administration has given final approval to the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination.  It is the first COVID-19 vaccine to obtain that approval, meaning the FDA considers thr Pfizer. Accident to be safe and effective for medical use.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: claude_24hrs on September 05, 2021, 08:30:35 PM
US has a recorded 40 million COVID-19 cases and is the still worst affected COVID country. The first country in the world reaching its 40 million mark.

Source: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/u-s-hits-40-million-covid-cases-delta-variant-spreads-n1278538
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on September 09, 2021, 03:31:07 PM
This via Political Wire this afternoon.

“President Biden is announcing sweeping new vaccine mandates Thursday that will impact tens of millions of Americans, pushing all businesses with more than 100 employees to require their workforces to be inoculated or face weekly testing,” the Washington Post reports.

Associated Press: “The expansive rules mandate that all employers with more than 100 workers require them to be vaccinated or test for the virus weekly, affecting about 80 million Americans. And the roughly 17 million workers at health facilities that receive federal Medicare or Medicaid also will have to be fully vaccinated.”

“Biden is also signing an executive order to require vaccination for employees of the executive branch and contractors who do business with the federal government — with no option to test out. That covers several million more workers.”

CNN reports companies could face thousands of dollars in fines per employee if they don’t comply.“
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on September 19, 2021, 04:06:21 PM
From the Washington Post, Friday, September 17, 2021

By Carolyn Y. Johnson, Laurie McGinley and Joel Achenbach
September 17 at 6:00 PM CT
Expert advisers to the Food and Drug Administration voted unanimously Friday to recommend that the agency authorize a booster shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine six months after vaccination for people 65 years and older and for anyone at risk for severe illness.
The vote is not binding, and Peter Marks, the FDA official overseeing coronavirus vaccines, indicated that the final decision could be slightly different, encompassing people who are at higher risk of infection because of their professions, such as health-care workers and front-line employees, including teachers. The advisory committee members were polled on whether they would agree with making boosters available to people who were at risk of infection because of workplace exposure, and they all said yes.
A decision about boosters from the FDA is expected by next week, and a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory committee is slated to meet Wednesday and Thursday to recommend how a third shot should be used. The FDA advisory committee, following Pfizer’s lead, recommended that the third shot be given at least six months after the second.
Friday’s protracted online meeting, the most important FDA advisory committee meeting since the vaccines were first authorized, gave the Biden administration and Pfizer some, but not all, of what they wanted. Boosters will be on the way into many millions of arms — with the exact number depending on how the FDA and the CDC decide who meets the criteria for being at high risk of serious illness.
The consideration of booster shots comes as the United States endures a fourth wave of covid-19 infections, with hospitals in some corners of the nation confronting the long-feared prospect of rationing care and having to decide which patients receive access to treatments and medical equipment. And the debate has sparked criticism from some officials in the global health community who argue that the U.S. discussion of boosters betrays selfishness, as many in the world do not have access to a first dose of vaccine.
The recommendation to target shots primarily to older adults is far narrower than what the companies and top officials in the Biden administration had sought: a blanket approval to boost anyone 16 and older. The panel voted resoundingly against a broadly available booster. Many committee members said they felt uncomfortable about whether the benefits outweighed the risks to younger adults, citing the lack of robust safety data.
The meeting then took an unusual turn. The voting question was reformulated, to ask if members of the committee thought a booster would be safe and effective for a narrower slice of the population. The panel voted unanimously yes.
The vote and the variety of views on display during hours of debate Friday, even among experts, could complicate the Biden administration’s effort to extend boosters to all adults beginning next week — and exacerbate public confusion.
“Today was an important step forward in providing better protection to Americans from COVID-19,” White House spokesman Kevin Munoz said in a statement. “We stand ready to provide booster shots to eligible Americans once the process concludes at the end of next week.”
The committee’s deliberations did not address many of the questions circulating among the public, including the roughly 81 million people who have received shots made by Moderna and Johnson & Johnson and whose eligibility for a booster may not be decided for weeks.
The all-day meeting revealed an array of opinions among America’s top medical experts on whether boosters are necessary and, if so, when and for whom.
“It would be great to wait until we have all the data about safety,” said Jay M. Portnoy, a professor of pediatrics who works at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Mo. “I’d rather not get the covid disease. I’d rather get the third dose of the vaccine.”
After Pfizer’s initial request for a booster broadly available to the general population was voted down, the panelists had a freewheeling discussion about what the age limit should be for getting an additional shot.
Paul A. Offit, a vaccine expert at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, said he favored boosters for people age 65 and up, after which Eric J. Rubin, editor in chief of the New England Journal of Medicine, said, “I’m 63, so I like the 60 age instead of the 65 age.” Portnoy said he planned to get his dose next week — and then said he would get one the very next day.
Those divisions extended even within the FDA.
“We know that there may be differing opinions about the interpretation of the data regarding the potential need for additional doses, and we strongly encourage all the different viewpoints to be voiced and discussed regarding the data, which is complex and evolving,” Marks said at the introduction of the meeting.
Marks, in addressing the panel, showed his hand about his views without explicitly spelling them out. He noted that many vaccines require additional doses six months down the line, so it “should not be a surprise” if the coronavirus vaccines need another dose as well.
He also said many other vaccines are used not just to prevent severe illness and hospitalizations but also mild cases. And he mentioned the importance of preventing the spread of the virus to vulnerable populations such as younger children, for whom a vaccine has not been approved.
Two career FDA scientists who co-authored a highly unusual paper in the medical journal Lancet this month, arguing that boosters were not needed in the general population, also asked questions that betrayed their inclinations. Both have announced that they will soon step down from the agency.
Phil Krause, one of those FDA officials, asked a pointed question about some of the data Pfizer is using to support the case for boosters.
“Part of this, of course, is the difficulty of looking at this kind of data, without having the chance for FDA to review it or allowing for this kind of data to go through the peer-review process,” Krause said, adding that Pfizer was a co-sponsor of the study.
Marion Gruber, the other FDA official, raised the issue of safety earlier in the meeting, pointing out that the risk of heart inflammation after vaccination, though rare, is highest among younger males, who may have different risks and benefits from the vaccine than do older adults.
Some Americans have already found unofficial ways to get additional vaccine doses, and that number is only expected to increase, experts said. A third dose is already recommended for people with compromised immune systems.
Advisory panel members heard presentations from the FDA, the CDC and Pfizer. The data was often conflicting.
CDC scientist Sara Oliver presented data showing that while protection against milder infections has waned over time, protection against severe disease remains robust, even among older adults. She showed unpublished data that found that through July, adults 75 and older were 88 percent protected against hospitalization.
But scientists from Israel showed that in their highly vaccinated population, protective immunity from vaccination had clearly waned as the country confronted the delta surge this summer. That resulted in a huge uptick in infections, they found — and in severe cases, even among people who were fully vaccinated.
The government there decided to implement a booster campaign at the end of July, beginning with people older than 60, and presented data suggesting that it may have helped save hospitals from being overwhelmed.
Cases “were doubling every 10 days, and we got to places with thousands of cases, doubling every 10 days. It was scary,” said Sharon Alroy-Preis, director of public health services for Israel’s Ministry of Health. “If we had not started boosters at the end of July, we would have come to the capacity of Israeli hospitalization capabilities — and gone beyond it.”
One of the studies from Israel, published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine, showed that people 60 and older who were given a booster shot had an 11-fold lower risk of contracting an infection than people who did not receive the additional shot. Research data from Israel’s Ministry of Health, posted online Wednesday by the FDA in advance of its presentation at Friday’s advisory committee meeting, also showed that the booster campaign dramatically lowered the rate of severe cases among people 60 and older.
Pfizer officials have depended heavily on the data from Israel in making their case that boosters are necessary.
“The Israeli experience could portend the U.S. covid-19 future — and soon,” said William C. Gruber, senior vice president of vaccine clinical research and development at Pfizer.
The booster issue has been swamped with scientific and political controversies in recent weeks. Senior Biden administration officials, worried about data showing a waning of vaccine efficacy, announced in mid-August that boosters would be available the week of Sept. 20, pending FDA and CDC sign-offs.
Many scientists were outraged by the decision to make a political announcement ahead of the scientific confirmation that boosters were safe, effective and necessary. Those scientific agencies subsequently told the White House that only the Pfizer-BioNTech product, whose data was the first to be filed at the agency, could be cleared by then.
Anthony S. Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has spoken forcefully in favor of boosters. In an interview Thursday with The Washington Post, he said the Israeli data suggests that a third shot might prevent viral transmission — something that could help curb the pandemic.
Fauci said some scientists seem to believe “it is okay” for vaccinated people to get infected as long as they experience only mild or moderate symptoms and don’t end up in the hospital. But, he said, “as a clinical person who sees a lot of patients, that isn’t okay,” adding that even mild infections can result in missed work, disruptions of family life and potential cases of long covid, with its debilitating effects.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjAr56s9ovzAhWEVc0KHcAkBaUQFnoECDgQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonpost.com%2Fhealth%2F2021%2F09%2F17%2Fcovid-booster-shots-fda-recommendation%2F&usg=AOvVaw2wGvYzNvAvVyGYovbrpovr
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on September 19, 2021, 05:22:28 PM
Update from Argentina:

As the cases have dropped in the last ten weeks,  the city of Buenos Aires has officially moved into Phase 5, what implies no limits for social reunions indoors or outdoors, events with an attendance of 4.000 persons, bar and restaurants working until 3.00am, reopening of the public offices and no more public transportation only for essential workers among the principal measurements.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on September 21, 2021, 06:54:17 AM
Update from Argentina:

Health Ministry has announced that starting on October 1st. borders will be gradually open. In the first phase and as it was expected, only people from the countries that share borders with the country will be allowed to enter and in limited numbers.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on September 21, 2021, 09:02:09 AM
Update from Argentina:

Health Ministry has announced that starting on October 1st. borders will be gradually open. In the first phase and as it was expected, only people from the countries that share borders with the country will be allowed to enter and in limited numbers.

More about this:

Starting September 24th isolation won't be required to Argentine citizens and residents and foreigner citizens that must return/enter the country because of work (in the case of the foreiger citizens must be authorized by the Migratory authority).

Starting October 1st, it won't be mandatory to do the isolation period after entering the country for those coming for bordering countries.

Between October 1st. and November 1st. the number of persons allowed to enter the country will be progressively increased.

Starting November 1st. all foreigner citizens will be allowed to enter the country. However, there are some requiriments they'll have to follow:

- They will have to be fully vaccinated (two dosis) with a data for the second dosis of 14 days before arriving.
- Negative PCR test made 72 hours before travelling or antigens test to be made at the moment of arriving.
- A second PCR test made during the fifth to seventh day after entering the country.

The persons that want to travel here and have not completed the vaccination schedule MUST do an antigens test at the moment of entering the country, isolation for at least a whole week and a PCR test at the seventh day.

Is expected that once the fully vaccination schedule reaches 50 % of the population some of this requisites will be gradually lifted too.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on September 23, 2021, 04:10:45 PM
For the first time since September 2020 the City of Buenos Aires has reported zero deaths related to COVID-19.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on September 24, 2021, 02:16:09 AM
From CNN:


News Alert: Covid-19 vaccine boosters can begin for older, higher-risk people in the US
Following days of lengthy debate among vaccine experts, booster shots of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine can now be officially administered to some adults in the United States.

Early Friday morning, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky diverged from the agency's independent vaccine advisers to recommend boosters for a broader group of people -- those ages 18 to 64 who are at increased risk of Covid-19 because of their workplaces or institutional settings -- in addition to older adults, long-term care facility residents and some people with underlying health conditions.

https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/24/health/cdc-booster-recommendation-walensky/index.html?utm_term=16324635199981a3bdec03e3f&utm_source=cnn_Breaking+News&utm_medium=email&bt_ee=bwA4ZwwA%2Bm6HQtVwHc0fLXDkHcmxnFaaByWkh5ldTWbWwVDtPYDxb2KPxtIB7lnJ&bt_ts=1632463520000
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on October 01, 2021, 01:50:40 PM
Update from Argentina:

Health Ministry has announced that starting on October 1st. borders will be gradually open. In the first phase and as it was expected, only people from the countries that share borders with the country will be allowed to enter and in limited numbers.

More about this:

Starting September 24th isolation won't be required to Argentine citizens and residents and foreigner citizens that must return/enter the country because of work (in the case of the foreiger citizens must be authorized by the Migratory authority).

Starting October 1st, it won't be mandatory to do the isolation period after entering the country for those coming for bordering countries.

Between October 1st. and November 1st. the number of persons allowed to enter the country will be progressively increased.

Starting November 1st. all foreigner citizens will be allowed to enter the country. However, there are some requiriments they'll have to follow:

- They will have to be fully vaccinated (two dosis) with a data for the second dosis of 14 days before arriving.
- Negative PCR test made 72 hours before travelling or antigens test to be made at the moment of arriving.
- A second PCR test made during the fifth to seventh day after entering the country.

The persons that want to travel here and have not completed the vaccination schedule MUST do an antigens test at the moment of entering the country, isolation for at least a whole week and a PCR test at the seventh day.

Is expected that once the fully vaccination schedule reaches 50 % of the population some of this requisites will be gradually lifted too.

New update:

The head of the Migrations Department has announced that since November 1st the antigen test won't be a mandatory requirement to enter the country.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on October 01, 2021, 03:48:48 PM
Australia has announced the resumption of international travel beginning in November.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on October 13, 2021, 05:10:32 AM
The United States is allowing travel on the ground from Canada and Mexico beginning in early November
https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/12/politics/us-travel-restrictions-canada-mexico-fully-vaccinated/index.html

Quote
(CNN)The United States plans to ease restrictions on travel for fully vaccinated visitors from Canada and Mexico starting in early November, relaxing bans that have been in place for more than 18 months, according to senior administration officials.

The new rules, which are similar to those announced for international air passengers, will be rolled out in a phased approach. The first phase, kicking off in early November, will allow fully vaccinated visitors traveling for nonessential reasons, like visiting friends or for tourism, to cross US land borders. The second phase, starting in early January 2022, will apply the vaccination requirement to all inbound foreign travelers, whether traveling for essential or nonessential reasons.
"These new vaccination requirements deploy the best tool we have in our arsenal to keep people safe and prevent the spread of Covid-19 and will create a consistent, stringent protocol for all foreign nationals traveling into the United States whether by land or air," a senior administration official told reporters.
The US has been limiting nonessential travel on the ground along its borders with Canada and Mexico since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic and extending those restrictions on a monthly basis. Air travel between the US and those countries has been possible. The restrictions don't apply to cross-border trade, US citizens and lawful permanent residents, as well as people traveling for medical purposes or to attend school, among others.

Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on October 15, 2021, 04:04:52 AM
The federal Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of the Moderna vaccine for booster vaccinations for elderly and high risk groups only.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on October 15, 2021, 02:50:01 PM
The federal Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of the Moderna vaccine for booster vaccinations for elderly and high risk groups only.
The FDA is also recommending approval of a booster vaccination for the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on October 19, 2021, 10:49:47 PM
Update from Argentina:

The city of Buenos Aires has officially reached the 70 % of its population with the two doses of the vaccine, as was announced today by the Chief of Goverment. That implies the lifting of more restrictions such as the no obligation of using mask in outdoors unless there's a big gathering of people, activities in outdoor spaces in schools and no more temperature controls at the moment of entering public spaces.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on October 20, 2021, 12:15:40 AM
As a personal note, I was able to get my Pfizer booster on Monday as well as my flu shot. No lines even at the end of the pharmacy’s day, which I hadn’t expected. As was the case in February March, I have some fatigue and stiffness in the one arm, and that’s it. I’m going to bed several hours earlier that normal. Meanwhile, no reaction to the flu shot, which went in the other arm. (That’s getting close to 40 years.)

Some unvaccinated folks are being subjected to employer penalties for not getting vaccinated by a deadline. The football coaching staff at Washingtom aState University, including the head coach and three assistant coaches were let go. A notable death from Covid-19 was reported thupis weekend. Formwer Secretary of State and apRet, Gen. Colin Powell died from complications  related to his suffering from a blood cancer Ann
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on October 20, 2021, 04:41:56 PM
The US Food and Drug Administration has formally approved the use of booster shots of the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines, and is permitting any of the three vaccines to be used for booster shots (“mix and match”)
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on October 26, 2021, 03:49:00 PM
An advisory committee of the US Food and Drug Administration has recommended approval of the Pfizer vaccine at a one-third dosage for use with children ages 5 through 11. It’s just the first step.

https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/26/health/covid-19-young-kids-vaccine-fda-discussion/index.html
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: claude_24hrs on November 01, 2021, 10:01:53 AM
Global COVID-19 deaths have now exceeded to 5 million since the pandemic began less than 2 years ago.

Link: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/covid-s-global-death-toll-now-tops-5-million-n1282838
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on November 01, 2021, 10:14:40 AM
Update from Argentina:

Borders are no longer closed to foreign visitors effective today as was announced in September, and following the requirements informed in my posts from 9/21/2021 and 10/01/21.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on November 01, 2021, 09:47:56 PM
Update from Argentina:

Borders are no longer closed to foreign visitors effective today as was announced in September, and following the requirements informed in my posts from 9/21/2021 and 10/01/21.


Wonderful news!
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on November 02, 2021, 07:36:41 PM
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has signed off on making the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine available to children aged 5to 11, effective immediately.

https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/02/health/covid-19-vaccine-children-acip/index.html
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on November 09, 2021, 07:55:14 PM
Pfizer is now planning to seek emergency use authorization to provide Covid-19 vaccine boosters to all adults 18 and over.

Here’s the story from the Associated Press. Ia their app.

Quote

BY LAURAN NEERGAARD
Yesterday
Pfizer asked U.S. regulators Tuesday to allow boosters of its COVID-19 vaccine for anyone 18 or older, a step that comes amid concern about increased spread of the coronavirus with holiday travel and gatherings.

Older Americans and other groups particularly vulnerable to the virus have had access to a third dose of the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine since September. But the Food and Drug Administration has said it would move quickly to expand boosters to younger ages if warranted.

Pfizer is submitting early results of a booster study in 10,000 people to make its case that it’s time to further expand the booster campaign.

While all three vaccines used in the U.S. continue to offer strong protection against severe COVID-19 illness and death, the shots’ effectiveness against milder infection can wane over time.

Pfizer’s new study concluded a booster could restore protection against symptomatic infection to about 95%, even as the extra-contagious delta variant was surging. Side effects were similar to those seen with the company’s first two shots.

A median of 11 months after their last Pfizer vaccination, trial participants were given either a third dose or a dummy shot. Researchers tracked any infections that occurred at least a week later, and so far have counted five cases of symptomatic COVID-19 among booster recipients compared to 109 cases among people who got dummy shots.

The Biden administration had originally envisioned boosters for all adults, but faced a stinging setback in September when the FDA’s scientific advisers rejected extra Pfizer doses for everyone. The panel wasn’t convinced that young healthy people needed another dose, particularly when most of the world’s population remains unvaccinated, and instead recommended boosters just for certain groups — one of a series of decisions about extra doses for all of the three vaccines used in the U.S.

The current rules: People who initially received Pfizer or Moderna vaccinations are eligible for a booster six months later if they’re 65 or older, or are at high risk of COVID-19 because of health problems or their job or living conditions. Because the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine hasn’t proven as effective as its two-dose competitors, any J&J recipient can get a booster at least two months later.

Also, anyone eligible for a booster doesn’t have to stick with their initial vaccination type and can get a different company’s vaccine, what’s called mixing and matching.

About 194 million Americans are fully vaccinated. Under today’s policies, authorities already estimated about 2 of every 3 vaccinated adults could qualify for a booster within the next few months. Many who don’t meet the criteria often score an extra shot because many vaccine providers don’t check qualifications.

FDA spokeswoman Alison Hunt said the agency would review Pfizer’s application “as expeditiously as possible,” but would not set a timeline for a decision. She also said the FDA hasn’t yet decided whether to convene its panel of outside experts to vet the data.

If the FDA authorizes Pfizer’s request for expanded boosters, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention then will make recommendations for how to use them.

Globally, boosters also are a hodge-podge. Some countries restrict them to older or medically fragile people while others have few restrictions. Israel, for example, has allowed Pfizer boosters for anyone 12 and older. Canada’s health regulator on Tuesday authorized Pfizer boosters for people 18 and older.

Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Mandoli on November 10, 2021, 11:54:51 AM
US opening borders to international travelers:

Quote
Parents held children born while they were stuck abroad. Long-separated couples kissed, and grandparents embraced grandchildren who had doubled in age.

The U.S. fully reopened to many vaccinated international travelers Monday, allowing families and friends to reunite for the first time since the coronavirus emerged and offering a boost to the travel industry decimated by the pandemic. The restrictions closed the U.S. to millions of people for 20 months.

Link: US reopens to international travel, allows happy reunions (https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-lifestyle-health-canada-75b91e1770dc99c3a9d682129e2e006c) [AP]
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on November 19, 2021, 09:31:13 AM
The US Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have approved an expansion of the emergency use authorization for booster shots using the Pfizer and Moderna Covid-19 vaccines for all adults 18 years old or older. This follows studies indicating that the effectiveness of the initial vaccinations decline after about six months.

https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/19/health/covid-vaccine-boosters-fda-cdc/index.html
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on November 24, 2021, 07:27:16 AM
Update from Argentina:

It was announced by the Health authorities that all the persons that completed the vaccination scheme will need to receive a third shot around six months later from the moment of receiving the second dose. Priority for this will have the risk groups and those of age 50 and higher that were inoculated with the Sinopharm vaccine.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on November 25, 2021, 05:40:08 PM
A new variant has emerged, identified as B.1.1.529, in South Africa containing a “multitude” of mutations that has started spreading rapidly in Southern Africa and has been detected in Hong Kong. A technical working group of the World Health Organization is scheduled to meet Friday, November 26, and may determine it is serious enough to be assigned a Greek letter name.

https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-science-health-africa-public-health-2b15d77e29c2607d4686e059e3313391

Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: claude_24hrs on November 25, 2021, 07:15:22 PM
In addition, Europe is become the COVID-19 epicenter once again as cases have risen. Austria had already imposed a full lockdown since earlier this week and vaccinations will be mandatory by February. Countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, Hungary, Slovakia have spiking number of cases.

Link: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/11/04/who-europe-is-once-again-at-the-epicenter-of-the-covid-pandemic.html
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: H_E_L_L_O on November 26, 2021, 01:10:01 PM
Belgium, South Africa, Botswana, Hong Kong, and Israel all have cases of the Omicron variant, previously B.1.1.529, and it’s believed to be 500% more infectious than the Delta variant.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.newsweek.com/new-covid-variant-possibly-500-percent-more-infectious-delta-1653596%3famp=1

Edit: While first discovered in South Africa Botswana it should be noted that the Israeli cases came from travelers who recently returned from Malawi and the Belgian case came from a traveler who recently returned Egypt.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on November 26, 2021, 02:47:56 PM
It should be noted that the cases in Belgium, Hong Kong, and Israel all involved travelers from Southern Africa where the Omicron Variant was first detected.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: H_E_L_L_O on November 27, 2021, 11:01:29 AM
The UK has officially reported 2 cases of the Omicron variant with Germany, the Czech Republic, and Australia investigating possible cases.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nytimes.com/live/2021/11/27/world/covid-omicron-variant-news.amp.html

Germany confirmed 2 cases of the omicron variant.
Italy has now identified a omicron variant case.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on November 28, 2021, 12:23:46 AM
Hong Kong has reported two cases currently in quarantine as travelers arriving in Hong Kong for a mandatory two week quarantine.
Expect more reports in the coming days as samples are tested, sequenced, and the Omicron Variant is identified in such samples.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: H_E_L_L_O on November 28, 2021, 12:21:19 PM
Australia, Denmark, the Czech Republic, and the Netherlands have all confirmed cases of the omicron variant with Austria investigating a possible case.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on November 28, 2021, 09:01:12 PM
This evening te provincial government of Ontario confirmed Canada’s first two cases of the Omicron Variant of Covid-19 with both patients having travelled from Nigeria within the past 24 days.

https://www.ottawapublichealth.ca/en/public-health-topics/novel-coronavirus.aspx?_mid_=32064#November-28-2021-Special-statement-from-Dr-Vera-Etches
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on December 14, 2021, 09:34:14 AM
Update from Argentina:

Several cases of the Omicron variant have been detected in the last week in different parts of the country, with the highest number located in the province of Córdoba. All of them are related with persons that arrived from the African continent.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on December 15, 2021, 01:05:05 PM
 ViaThe Washington Post.

The latest on the spread of the Omicron variant in the United States.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2021/12/14/omicron-us-spread/
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on December 17, 2021, 08:47:54 PM
A federal appeals court has ordered the withdrawal of a judicial stay against the pending OSHA emergency safety standard requiring employers with 100 or more employees to mandate a vaccination mandate with a strict testing protocol for those who do not comply, set to be effective on January 4, 2022.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/12/17/biden-vaccine-mandate-private-companies/

Branches of the US military have begun discharging members who failed to comply with a vaccination mandate. Over 99% of service members have complied with the mandate. The Pentagon through the Secretary of Defense has made clear to the National Guard that its reservists must also comply with the mandate.

For the latest developments concerning the delta and omicron variants of Covid-19 and the latest wave of infections in the US and elsewhere, go to:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/12/17/covid-omicron-variant-live-updates/
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on December 20, 2021, 06:14:17 PM
From CNN.com:

https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/20/health/us-coronavirus-monday/index.html

The proportion of cases involving the Omicron variant in the U.S. has gone from 3% to 73% in one weekl
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: SuperTux on December 23, 2021, 07:08:54 AM
Xi'an, capital of Shannxi province of China, has announced lockdown due to increasing indigenous Covid cases.

During the last fortnight there were 234 indigenous Covid cases in Xi'an.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on December 23, 2021, 07:18:30 AM
Update from Argentina:

The number of cases have suddenly increased in the last week in similar levels to those we had during the second wave.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on December 27, 2021, 06:04:45 PM
A significant development in the handling of isolation and quarantine time periods for asymptomatic people with positive test results or who were exposed to people with positive tests:

http://hill.cm/N2s1IJV

Quote
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is cutting its recommended isolation time for people infected with COVID-19 from 10 to five days, as long as they are asymptomatic.

The agency on Monday said that change applies to everyone, regardless of vaccination status and that after the five days is up, people should wear a mask around other people at all times for another five days.

Additionally, CDC said it was shortening the recommended quarantine to five days for people who are unvaccinated or vaccinated but not boosted if they are exposed.

For people who are vaccinated and boosted, CDC said there's no need to quarantine.

Isolation is the recommended course of action when someone tests positive for COVID-19, while quarantine is suggested for a healthy person with an exposure to someone who tested positive.

CDC said the change was driven by science showing that the majority of virus transmission occurs early in the course of illness, generally in the first two days prior to onset of symptoms and the two to three days after.

"CDC's updated recommendations for isolation and quarantine balance what we know about the spread of the virus and the protection provided by vaccination and booster doses. These updates ensure people can safely continue their daily lives," CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said in a statement.

For anyone exposed to the virus, CDC said best practice would also include a coronavirus test five days after exposure. If symptoms occur, individuals should immediately quarantine until a negative test confirms symptoms are not attributable to COVID-19.

"This is a great example of following the science," said Megan Ranney, an emergency physician and a dean at the Brown University School of Public Health. "We don't need to continue to do things the same way, just because they've always been done that way. We should follow what we're learning about the virus."

But Ranney said she was concerned that people wouldn't wear masks after the five days in isolation or quarantine, particularly people who are not vaccinated.

She also said she wasn't sure why CDC would apply the same isolation standard to everyone regardless of vaccination status, since studies show the period of infectiousness is shorter for people who have been vaccinated.

Monday's announcement follows the agency's move last week to change guidelines to allow health care workers to reduce their time in isolation from 10 days to seven, or even five in times of a staffing crisis.

As the omicron variant stretches many hospitals and health workers to near breaking, federal officials said they want to make sure there are enough staff when there's a COVID-19 outbreak.

On The Money — Stocks set new highs amid omicron surge
Study suggests coronavirus lingers in organs for months
The changes announced on Monday extend the guidance to the general public.

"If it's good enough for health care workers, it should be good enough for everyone," Ranney said. "If the rules truly are that if you are asymptomatic, you can shorten your isolation, that's fair. And that's backed up by the science."
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on December 30, 2021, 07:52:22 AM
Update from Argentina:

The number of cases have suddenly increased in the last week in similar levels to those we had during the second wave.

The authorities have stated that we're in the middle of the third wave of cases, and both Delta and Omicron variants are circulating in the country. However, and despite the high number of positive cases detected in the last week the  occupation in the Intensive Care units in the whole country remains around the 35 % only and the number of daily deaths until now are less than 50.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on January 02, 2022, 02:35:23 PM
New restrictions for the foreigner visitors have been announced to enter the country on December 30th:

Negative PCR made within the 72 hours before to the beginning of the travel.

Also an affidavit provided by Migrations where it must be certificated that there's no observations from the traveler's medical authorities. This includes a medical discharge if the person has suffered the infection during the previous 90 days of entering the country - including the corresponding positive PCR -.

Certificate proving that the person have complete the full vaccination scheme according to the respective country's directives.

A COVID-19 health insurance covering hospitalization, isolation and / or medical transfer services, for those who are positive cases, suspects or close contacts.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on February 03, 2022, 08:47:56 PM
Update from Argentina:

It's been a long time reporting, sorry.

The third wave hit us really hard, specially in the first three weeks of January with number of cases counted over one hundred thousand every day. Also the number of deaths is still in similar numbers to the second wave. Only good thing was that the ICU occupation in the whole country has barely passed the 50 %, what is seen as a effect of the vaccination program mostly. Omicron has becoming the dominant variant during the wave with a small part of Delta variant cases still detected.

A decrease in the number of cases almost to the half of the numbers of January has been reposted in the last ten days.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on February 18, 2022, 01:47:41 AM
A pre-print study from Japan suggests that the recently identified BA.2 sub varian of the Covid-19 omicron variant may be far more serious and even more transmissible, and highly mutated compared to the original Covid-19 coronavirus. Tests and treatments may not work, and new vaccine boosters may be necessary.

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/17/health/ba-2-covid-severity/index.html
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on February 24, 2022, 11:07:13 AM
Update from Argentina:

The number of cases here are contantly decreasing in the last couple of weeks, with last Sunday only reporting a little more of three thousand, the lowest amount since last year.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on March 26, 2022, 04:41:21 AM
The BA.2 sub variant of the Covid-19 Omicron variant is now driving a majority of the Covid-19 cases worldwide, per the WHO, and is now rapidly spreading in Los Angeles. It is said to cause more severe cases than Omicron, and vaccinations and treatments are not handling the sub variant.

See, e.g. The W.H.O. says the BA.2 subvariant of Omicron is driving most cases around the world

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/24/world/who-omicron-variant-ba2-cases.html

BA.2 or 'stealth' subvariant of omicron is more contagious: medical expert explains what is known so far

https://www.9news.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/ba2-stealth-subvariant-omicron-contagious-medical-expert-explains/73-0e50f957-af56-48ed-a13e-fae0e0809769

A roundup of items from The New York Times including Covid Updates: Glaxo Antibody Drug Is Restricted in the Northeast

https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/03/25/world/covid-19-mandates-cases-vaccine

Omicron subvariant BA.2 spreading rapidly in L.A. and across the nation (Los Angeles Times)

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-03-25/percentage-of-omicron-subvariant-ba-2-rising-in-l-a-county




Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on March 29, 2022, 07:02:04 PM
The CDC is now reporting that the BA.2 sub variant is now the most common strain of Covid-19 in the U.S.:

https://apple.news/A2_3QJQPlTkS5H6RJHaF0MQ
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on March 30, 2022, 02:00:54 AM
Same, with additional details, and second booster shot approved for those 50 and older or with immunocompromised conditions
BA.2 sub variant now dominate Covid-19 strain in U.S., has 30% greater transmission rate than original Omicron variant.

https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/600172-omicron-subvariant-ba2-now-dominant-strain-in-the-us-cdc
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on April 18, 2022, 08:29:19 AM
Update from Argentina:

For the first time since the beginning of the pandemic authorities have reported zero deaths related to COVID-19.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on April 18, 2022, 05:11:50 PM
A federal district judge in Florida has struck down the CDC public transportation mask mandate, ruling that theCDC did not have the legal authority to issue the mandate, and that the process it used violate federal law on administrative procedure.
Public transportation includes aircraft, trains, taxis, busses and other modes of public transportation.
It’s not clear yet whether the order will be appealed or if its effect will be stayed pending an appeal.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on April 18, 2022, 08:50:17 PM
The Transportation Security Agency and major airlines have announced that they will no longer enforce a mask mandate. The CDC has stated that pending their review of the decision the mandate is not being enforced.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on April 21, 2022, 10:43:16 AM
At the request of the CDC, the US Justice Department is appealing the federal district judge order overturning the public transportation Covid-19 mask requirement. Cases of the BA.2 sub variant continue to spread, but hospitalizations and death rates are not rising.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on May 04, 2022, 10:27:15 PM
After seeing a federal district judge terminate a mask mandate for public transportation two weeks ago, the CDC has now issued a recommendation about mask wearing in public transportation; the new guidance is not a mandate.

https://deadline.com/2022/05/cdc-reissues-mask-planes-public-transportation-1235015720/
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on May 05, 2022, 05:57:27 PM
From CNN breaking news

Quote

The US Food and Drug Administration announced Thursday that it is limiting the emergency use authorization of the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen Covid-19 vaccine to people 18 and older for whom other vaccines aren't appropriate or accessible and those who opt for J&J because they wouldn't otherwise get vaccinated.

The FDA said in a statement that the change is being made because of the risk of a rare and dangerous clotting condition called thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) after receiving the vaccine


Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: georgiapeach on May 21, 2022, 12:52:54 AM
Not Covid but getting a lot of concern over this:

Could possibly affect our next TAR runs...


https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/monkeypox

https://www.centerforhealthsecurity.org/our-work/publications/monkeypox

https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/index.html

Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on May 21, 2022, 01:37:08 AM
It’s confusing as infection rates slowly rise literally in every state due to the various Omicron sub variants. These sub variants are more infectious but less likely to result in hospitalizations or deaths. Large indoor and possibly outdoor settings seem to be the likely factor in transmission. (Various political and entertainment figures have been testing positive, but news reports aren’t being specific as to which variant or sub variants. Two finalists on the current season of American Idol tested positive in the same week, after the then remaining contestants filmed segments at Disneyland. One contestant had to perform live remotely from his hotel room, while prerecorded rehearsals were used for the other contestant. Both recovered within a week, and completed the following week.(One of the contestants is one of the Final Three, and recorded a hometown visit and performance for the finale Sunday.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on May 21, 2022, 01:38:51 AM
On the monkeypox situation, the disease is frequent in some areas of Africa. What’s unusual about this outbreak is that it’s being detected inEurope and North America.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on June 01, 2022, 11:48:57 AM
The latest on the Omicron subvariants, the lack of effective vaccines and the greater transmissibility of the sub-variants:

https://www.axios.com/2022/06/01/coronavirus-vaccine-omicron-variants

Omicron is outrunning the vaccines designed to fight it
.
Efforts to update COVID vaccines can't seem to keep up with changes in the virus itself.

State of play: New variants appear to be even more immune-resistant than the original Omicron strain, raising the possibility that even retooled vaccines could be outdated by the time they become available this fall.

Driving the news: Preliminary data suggests that the most recent Omicron subvariants are significantly different from the original version that began spreading late last year.

One preprint released last week found that BA.4 and BA.5, which originated in South Africa, are substantially more resistant to antibodies — compared to an earlier strain, and also to the one that's dominant in the U.S. right now — and thus more likely to lead to breakthrough infections.
Other preliminary research has found that the latest subvariants are more pathogenic and can potentially evade even the immune protection that comes from a previous Omicron infection.
The big picture: Clinical trials are underway to study tweaked versions of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, and the FDA has said it will decide this summer whether to recommend these updated versions for use later this year.

A leading option is to target multiple variants, including Omicron, with the same vaccine. But the Omicron version that's around in a few months may be significantly different than the strain the vaccine was designed to target.
Between the lines: Although the vaccine manufacturers have said they can quickly adapt to produce new vaccine versions, collecting data on those vaccines' effectiveness through real-world clinical trials takes time.

"It takes six months for the omicron BA.1 vaccines to be properly tested and then longer to produce them. That's inevitable," Cornell virologist John Moore said.
What they're saying: "It's unclear what the mix will be in the vaccine that's used in the fall, but there's a very good chance that it'll be against the original Omicron," said Celine Gounder, an infectious disease specialist and KHN editor-at-large.

"But it's really unclear that it's going to be much of an improvement versus the original vaccine when BA.4 and BA.5 are so significantly different than the original Omicron."
"It's pretty challenging. We're very much behind the virus given the speed at which it's moving," Gounder added.
Yes, but: The jury is still out as to whether an Omicron-specific vaccine has significant benefits compared to the original version in the first place.

"I'm not convinced they are going to be a meaningful upgrade anyway," said Moore, who also thinks the two latest subvariants "are not game changers."
Three doses of the existing vaccines are still very good at preventing severe disease and death, despite the drop in effectiveness against infection.
The bottom line: Keeping up with a virus that is evolving this quickly is inherently in tension with collecting the data traditionally required to make big regulatory decisions.

In this case, the implications are likely relatively minor. But if a more dangerous variant that requires new vaccines emerges, the current situation suggests that very tough choices will have to be made.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on June 01, 2022, 08:15:02 PM
More on the rapid changes about the various Omicron sub variants from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (via Deadline.com):

https://deadline.com/2022/05/omicron-ba-4-ba-5-variants-increase-1235035960/

“Battle Of Omicron” Being Won By New BA.4 And BA.5 Variants As Overlapping Covid Waves Hit U.S.

Estimates released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention today indicate that the share of cases tied to Omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5 increased 79% in the past week. That means, even as the more transmissible BA.2.12.1 Omicron subvariant became officially dominant in the U.S. last week, it’s already being pushed out by newcomers BA.4 and BA.5. The result would seem to be overlapping waves of Omicron.

While BA.2.12.1 gained an advantage by being more transmissible than BA.2 before it, the two newer variants are said to be making inroads at least in part because of their abilities to reinfect.

We now report findings from a systematic antigenic analysis of these surging Omicron subvariants,” says a recent paper published to the BioRxiv preprint server. “BA.2.12.1 is only modestly (1.8-fold) more resistant to sera from vaccinated and boosted individuals than BA.2. On the other hand, BA.4/5 is substantially (4.2-fold) more resistant and thus more likely to lead to vaccine breakthrough infections.”
If true, that means the new variants have a much larger population that they can potentially access via breakthrough infections, where previous variants like BA.2.12.1 produced far fewer breakthrough infections.

The result has been what epidemiologist and biostatistician Dr. Katelyn Jetelina — who blogs under the moniker Your Local Epidemiologist — calls the “battle of Omicron.”

“After our first massive BA.1 wave,” Dr. Jetelina wrote today in her email newsletter, “BA.2 tried to take hold only to be overtaken by BA.2.12.1. Now, BA.4 and BA.5 are gaining traction very quickly and seem to be easily outcompeting the rest. Given recent lab studies, though, this isn’t a surprise. BA.4/5 are particularly good at escaping antibodies and reinfecting people previously infected with Omicron, as well as boosted individuals.”

The CDC data released today show BA.4 and BA.5, which are folded into the B.1.1.529 designation but likely make up the vast majority of the new cases in that grouping, still with a modest 6.1% share of new cases analyzed at the end of last week. Compare that to 59% for BA.2.12.1 and 6.1% doesn’t seem like much, but the fact that BA.4 and BA.5 are making inroads at all is remarkable.

Even as BA.2.12.1 continues to expand, the new South African variants are slowing its spread. While BA.2.12.1 accounts for 59% of variants identified, that’s only up from 52% last week, a roughly 7% increase overall. As previously mentioned, BA.4 and BA.5 increased 79%, from 3.4% to 6.1%.

Like BA.2.12.1 before them, the new Omicron strains have taken root more rapidly some parts of the U.S. than others. While BA.2.12.1 spread quickly first the Northeast, it’s now the Midwest — specifically Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri — that are feeling the brunt of BA.4 and BA.5.

While the national share of cases attributed those variants is 6.1% this week, in that four-state region it’s 12.4%. The area seeing the smallest share of the new strains is the region of the Northeast that’s been hit hardest by BA.2.12.1: New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

the majority of cases in the U.S., we should expect another (or extended) case surge,” wrote Dr. Jetelina this week. So as the BA.2.12.1 wave seems to be cresting, with a 7-day national average 106,000 new cases on May 21 per the CDC and hospitalizations potentially peaking this week, a new wave is building right behind it, which likely means a much higher trough after BA.2.12.1 and a rise from there.

BA.4 was first identified on January 10, 2022 in cases sequenced in South Africa, per Outbreak.info. That country was likewise the first to identify BA.5 on February 26. It took some time for the new variants to take hold, with daily recorded cases in South Africa averaging about 12,000 through early April.

BA.2 — including BA.2.12.1 — accounted for nearly all of South Africa’s daily cases at the end of February. By the end of April, however, BA.4 and BA.5 were found in 90% of all positive test samples analyzed in that nation. Of those, 70% were BA.4 and 22% were BA.5, according to CovSpectrum.org which sources data from GSAID.

In Europe, the South African variants have hit Portugal hard. They were first detected in that nation the week of April 3. In the roughly eight weeks since then, BA.5 has come to account for 87% of new cases, the country’s National Institute of Health reported today.

Why BA.4 came to dominate in South Africa and BA.5 took over in Portugal is still an open question. For an overview of how each of those variants have fared in different countries, click here.

In the U.S., it’s hard to tell which will win out. It’s still early days and many variant trackers do not break them out separately. In fact, as lab testing becomes less prevalent and local surveillance budgets are cut, it’s increasingly difficult to detect new strains.

California, for instance, doesn’t even separate the newer Omicron variants from the older ones. Instead, its reporting page lumps them all in together under the heading “Omicron,” and that category has completely dominated the chart since January 20, offering little new data. But there are some hints.

The the California Department of Public Health confirmed to the Los Angeles Times that one case of BA.4 was identified in March and one case of BA.5 was documented in April.

When contacted by Deadline last week, California’s public health department said in a statement, “CDPH is not currently producing internal growth or variant proportion estimates for BA.4 or BA.5 due to their relative rarity at the moment and the high number of circulating subvariants in competition with BA.4 and BA.5.”

The statement went on, “Per CDPH data, B.1.1.529 (as categorized by CDC Nowcast to include BA.1, BA.3, BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants) make up 1.5% of circulating variants in CA in the month of May.”

But the CDC data reported today puts the share of those variants in the category “B.1.1.529” at 6.6% (see map above). While still proportionally small as a share of the whole, the category is up an eye-popping 440%.

News reports have BA.4 and BA.5 showing up around the state in the Bay Area last week. A cluster of potential cases was also identified recently in Yolo County, near Sacramento. Los Angeles Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said earlier this month that they had been identified in L.A., as well. So while the state doesn’t have the data on these variants, local health officials do have some visibility into their spread, and the evidence seems to point to increasingly rapid, overlapping waves of new variants.

As Ferrer said on Tuesday, “Within weeks of one variant of concern dominating, there are reports from other parts of the country or other parts of the world of other either subtypes or different strains, and this has been especially true with Omicron.”
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on June 02, 2022, 02:49:16 AM
CNN has other details:

https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/01/health/covid-new-omicron-variants/index.html

New variants are poised to keep Covid-19 circulating at high levels throughout the summer
By Brenda Goodman, CNN
Updated 5:07 PM ET, Wed June 1, 2022

CNN)Even as the US grapples with its most recent wave of Covid-19, new research suggests that variants on the horizon may keep case levels high.

The next influx of infections will probably come from the newer Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5, two closely related viruses that were first characterized in South Africa and that landed in the United States around late March, according to the gene sequence sharing site GISAID.
These variants are gaining ground against BA.2, particularly in the central part of the country. Recent research suggests that they escape immunity created by vaccines and past infections.

According to the most recent updates from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the genomics company Helix, BA.4 and BA.5 together accounted for an estimated 6% to 7% of new infections in the US in late May.

It's a serious threat," Dr. David Ho, a professor of microbiology and immunology at Columbia University in New York City, wrote in an email. "Only a month ago, it was .02 percent."
BA.4 has been detected in at least 30 countries, and BA.5 has been sampled in 32 countries, according to the website Outbreak.info, which is maintained by the Scripps Research Institute.
Ho and his co-authors recently tested antibodies from the blood of vaccinated and boosted people, as well as the antibodies of people who'd recovered from breakthrough Covid-19 infections, against engineered BA.4 and BA.5 viruses in the lab. In each case, they found a drop in potency against BA.4 and BA.5.
They found that that BA.4 and BA.5 viruses are more than four times as likely to escape antibodies in people who've been vaccinated and boosted compared with BA.2 viruses.
More breakthrough infections
All of this means BA.4 and BA.5 are more likely to lead to breakthrough infections, even in people who've had Covid-19 before.
Without upgraded vaccines or boosters, Ho expects that a lot of Americans will get sick in the coming weeks to months. "I think we will see lots of infections but not necessarily more severe disease or deaths," he said.
Ho's research is posted as a preprint, which means it has not been scrutinized by outside experts or published in a medical journal.

South Africa, which is ahead of the US in its BA.4/BA.5 cycle, has seen infections rise but has not seen a corresponding increase in deaths, said Shishi Luo, associate director of bioinformatics and infectious disease at Helix.
"So I think if we extrapolate from South Africa, what we'll see in the US is that BA.4 and BA.5 will increase, because it has some competitive advantages compared to existing strains, but fingers crossed, it is not going to lead to more severe outcomes," Luo said.

One question variant hunters have asked is whether BA.4 and BA.5 can outcompete BA.2.12.1, the highly contagious strain that's currently the main cause of Covid-19 infections in the US.
These branches of the Omicron family tree rose to prominence about the same time; BA.2.12.1 quickly took over the US while BA.4 and BA.5 were establishing themselves in South Africa.
They share some similarities, including changes at location 452 of their genome, a genetic address known for helping variants escape our immunity.
Viruses square off
"It's like boxing," said Dr. Alex Greninger, assistant director of the University of Washington's clinical virology laboratory. "It's like the national champion from South Africa going against the national champion in the United States.
"You don't know how to rank them if they haven't ever fought," he says.

But BA.4 and BA.5 have gone up against BA.2.12.1 in other parts of the world, like the UK. There, scientists found that the time it took the number of infections caused by a variant to double was about 5½ days for BA.2.12.1 and about a day less for BA.4 and BA.5, indicating that those viruses are spreading faster. The doubling times were included in a recent technical report from the UK Health Security Agency.
"The betting favorite now suggests that BA.4 and BA.5 would be able to take out BA.2.12.1," Greninger said.

Ho and his team think they may have figured out what's giving BA.4 and BA.5 an extra edge.
In addition to all the changes in other Omicron variants that help them shrug off our vaccines, these viruses pulled off a F486V mutation. That's a big change that helps disguise them from our immune system. In the past, it came with a downside: It made the virus' spike less likely to be able to bind to our cells, so they were less competitive. But BA.4 and BA.5 have an additional mutation, called R493Q, that restores their ability to bind to cells, restoring their ability to infect us.

Though BA.4 and BA.5 seem capable of overpowering BA.2.12.1, they haven't squared off in the US, and the fitness of these strains depends a lot on the playing field. The variants aren't following a rulebook.

But for the next few months, experts say, there's just going to be a lot of Covid-19 around us.
"For the summer, going into the winter, I expect these viruses to be out there at relatively high levels," Greninger said. "Just the number of cases, the sheer disruptions of the work force -- It's just a very high, high burden of disease."
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on June 13, 2022, 06:12:42 PM
The US CDCP is lifting the requirement for inbound travelers to th US to have a negative test result

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjj7fSGw6v4AhWsoY4IHfxbBMcQvOMEKAB6BAgGEAE&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2022%2F06%2F10%2Fpolitics%2Fus-to-end-pre-departure-testing-requirement%2Findex.html&usg=AOvVaw2a5R_CwFx9BRCOwFj9NU0W

US will end Covid-19 testing requirement for air travelers entering the country

(CNN) - The Biden administration is expected to announce Friday that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will lift its requirement for travelers to test negative for Covid-19 before entering the US, according to a senior administration official and a US Centers For Disease Control and Prevention official.

The move, which CNN was first to report, will go into effect for US-bound air travelers at midnight on Sunday, the officials said.

The CDC is lifting the restriction that the travel industry had lobbied against for months after determining it was no longer necessary "based on the science and data," the senior administration official said. The CDC has the ability to reassess the order at any time and potentially reinstate it, especially if a new variant develops and poses concern. The measure has been in place since January 2021.

That official said the Biden administration plans to work with airlines to ensure a smooth transition with the change, but it will likely be a welcome move for most in the industry.

In a statement to CNN, the CDC said, "The Covid-19 pandemic has now shifted to a new phase, due to the widespread uptake of highly effective Covid-19 vaccines, the availability of effective therapeutics, and the accrual of high rates of vaccine- and infection-induced immunity at the population level in the United States. Each of these measures has contributed to lower risk of severe disease and death across the United States."

Travel industry officials have been increasingly critical of the requirement in recent weeks and directly urged the Biden administration to end the measure, arguing it was having a chilling effect on an already fragile economy, according to Airlines for America chief Nick Calio, whose group met recently with White House officials.

The travel industry, and some scientific experts, said the policy had been out of date for months.

Lawmakers, including Democrats, had also advocated for lifting the requirement in recent weeks.

Nevada Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto said, "I'm glad CDC suspended the burdensome coronavirus testing requirement for international travelers, and I'll continue to do all I can to support the strong recovery of our hospitality industry."

White House officials met last month with travel industry officials, who pressed the Biden administration to end its requirements that vaccinated international travelers take a coronavirus test before flying to the United States.

Airlines for America said its members -- including American Airlines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines -- had believed lifting the requirements would lead more foreigners to visit the US.

The trade association told CNN that in mid-May, domestic travel came within 7 percentage points of pre-pandemic levels, but international travel lagged at 14% below normal.

US Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow praised the decision.

"Prior to the pandemic, travel was one of our nation's largest industry exports. The lifting of this requirement will enable the industry to lead the way toward a broader US economic and jobs recovery," Dow said in a statement.

The industry has criticized the policy as out of date for months, and some medical experts have also questioned its utility

Testing international arrivals doesn't make much sense to Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious diseases specialist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee.

"I've been bemused about that for a long time because we've got plenty of Covid here! It's not as though we're trying to keep Covid out," Schaffner told CNN in March. "It's here already."

Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on June 16, 2022, 08:03:39 AM
Wow, lot of time since I posted an update here. Ok, here we go:

The Health Ministry of the City of Buenos Aires has announced that starting today the use in closed areas and public transportation of the face masks is not longer a requiriment, as the numbers of cases of coronavirus have been decreasing for the last 14 days (we've been through the fourth wave during the last couple of months, however numbers are not nearly close to what we experienced in the previous waves in cases, ICU occupation and deaths, thanks to the vaccination plan).
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on June 16, 2022, 12:28:23 PM
Wow, lot of time since I posted an update here. Ok, here we go:

The Health Ministry of the City of Buenos Aires has announced that starting today the use in closed areas and public transportation of the face masks is not longer a requirement, as the numbers of cases of coronavirus have been decreasing for the last 14 days (we've been through the fourth wave during the last couple of months, however numbers are not nearly close to what we experienced in the previous waves in cases, ICU occupation and deaths, thanks to the vaccination plan).

Just to clarify things, face masks are no longer a requirement on the city's public transportation what means the Buenos Aires Metro system only. On buses and trains - that are under national jurisdiction - that requirement is still on.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on July 06, 2022, 12:28:31 AM

https://deadline.com/2022/07/omicron-ba-5-covid-variant-dominant-ba-five-one-1235058423/

Omicron BA.5: One Variant To Rule Them All…For Now

Today, the more-infectious Omicron BA.5 subvariant is officially the dominant Covid strain in the U.S. Up until how, BA.5 has been tied to its sister Omicron subvariant, BA.4, as both had steadily outcompeted BA.2.12.1 — which itself had been driving cases for the past month or so.

After the original Omicron variant appeared on U.S. shores late last year and caused the deadliest wave of the pandemic, a succession of Omicron subvariants have come and gone: BA.1.1, BA.2, BA.2.12.1 and now BA.4 and BA.5.

BA.5 was first identified in South Africa on February 26. Less than a month ago, on June 4, it only accounted for 9.6% of cases in the U.S., while predecessor BA.2.12.1 sat atop the heap at 62%. Today, the CDC estimates the subvarient is responsible for about 54% of new cases here. That’s double BA.2.12.1, which now accounts for 27% of infections. BA.5’s rise also leaves sister subvariant BA.4 in the dust at 16%. It’s a faster ascention than that of any other variant over the course of the pandemic. And there’ve been a lot of them.

One reason BA.5 is so dominant is that it seems to be more transmissible than even BA.2.12.1 — (BA.4 has some of the same key spike protein mutations as BA.5, but hasn’t had the same impact.

“The Omicron sub-variant BA.5 is the worst version of the virus that we’ve seen,” said Eric Topal, who is Founder and Director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute, Professor of Molecular Medicine and Executive Vice-President of Scripps Research, in a substack post last week. “It takes immune escape, already extensive, to the next level, and, as a function of that, enhanced transmissibility, well beyond Omicron (BA.1) and other Omicron family variants that we’ve seen.”

In other words, BA.5 is much better at evading the immunity provided by vaccines and especially good at dodging the immunity conferred by previous infection.

For example, BA.4 and BA.5 drove a substantial surge in South Africa recently that was not impacted by the county’s high level of immunity.

Per the journal Nature, those who have “hybrid immunity” from vaccination and a past infection are less able to ward off the BA.4 or BA.5 than they were previous strains. That’s because the vaccines we have now are targeting the spike proteins of previous strains. And the new variants have some very different mutations.

While vaccines are less effective, they’re and still more effective than immunization through infection. The jabs also help those infected with BA.4 and BA.5 better ward off the virus’s nastiest effects.

While cases have remained fairly static across the U.S., the New York Times notes that that may be more a result of the measuring stick than the actual measurement. The paper reports that with local and federal cuts to testing services, “lab-based P.C.R. testing capacity in July will be only half of what it was in March.” Add to that the increased use of at-home tests, the results of which are generally not reported, and virus surveillance across the nation is greatly reduced from what it was even six months ago.

Hospitalizations and deaths have not risen meaningfully, either, but then in Portugal it took three weeks after the BA.5 peak in cases for deaths to peak.

A more potent ability to reinfect also means that BA.5 has a larger pool of potential carriers. While other variants are limited by the protection afforded by inoculation, BA.5 can make its way back through populations who assume they’re more protected than they actually are.

“BA.4/5 drove a substantial case wave in South Africa regardless of their high level of immunity,” observed Kaitlyn Jetelina about two weeks ago. Jetelina tweets and blogs under the moniker Your Local Epidemiologist.

She goes on to note that “in South Africa, the BA.4/5 wave contributed to excess deaths, but fewer than past waves.”

In Europe, Portugal is the country hardest hit by the new Omicron subvariants. It experienced a peak in cases on May 16, according to the World Health Organization. Deaths in that country peaked almost exactly three weeks later, on June 6.

What does that mean for the U.S.?

Our future is harder to predict based on other countries’ experiences than it was previously. Portugal got hit much harder than the States in the winter 2000-2001 Delta wave and less hard by last winter’s Omicron surge, which ravaged the U.S. That might be good for us, since the original Omicron is likely more closely related than Delta to BA.5. Previous Omicron infections may provide more protection. Our winter Omicron wave was more recent, as well, which helps. But Portugal has a higher booster rate than the U.S.

One thing is for certain: This won’t be the last variant we see.

Topol warns that “new versions of the virus…are accelerating and we’re not done yet, by any stretch.”

Indeed, like tropical storms in the Caribbean this summer, there is a line of new variants already on their way. And experts say significant mutations — especially in the Omicron subvariants — are coming with increasing speed.

A new strain known as BA.5.1 caused the largest outbreak of cases ever in Macau last week, which prompted local officials to put a large swath of the region under lockdown.

BA.5.1 has turned up in the U.S. in small numbers, as well as the U.K. and Portugal. The strain has been described as “the daughter of BA.5,” and Christine Pagel, Professor and Director of University College London’s Clinical Operational Research Unit, wrote in a piece last month that “it looks like BA.5 and 5.1 will likely win out to become the overall dominant variants.”

Since then, however, BA.2.75 has reared its head. While it’s not in the U.S. yet, the subvariant of BA.2 has been detected in England, Germany and India, where it reportedly has been found in 18% of samples. And it’s spreading fast. See chart below for graph of its growth in India.

More, unfortunately, to come.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: theschnauzers on August 13, 2022, 01:25:59 AM
https://www.cnn.com/2022/08/11/health/cdc-covid-guidance-update/index.html

CNN)The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the nation should move away from restrictive measures such as quarantines and social distancing and focus on reducing severe disease from Covid-19.

In new guidelines released Thursday, the agency no longer recommends staying at least 6 feet away from other people to reduce the risk of exposure -- a shift from guidance that had been in place since the early days of the pandemic.

The shift is a sign of how much has changed since the beginning of the pandemic more than two years ago. Nearly the entire US population has at least some immunity through vaccination, previous infection or, in some cases, both.

"The current conditions of this pandemic are very different from those of the last two years," Greta Massetti, who leads the Field Epidemiology and Prevention Branch at the CDC, said Thursday.

"High levels of population immunity due to vaccination and previous infection and the many available tools to protect the general population, and protect people at higher risk, allow us to focus on protecting people from serious illness from Covid-19."

The new CDC guidelines say contact tracing, another hallmark during the pandemic, should be limited to hospitals and certain high-risk group-living situations such as nursing homes, and the guidelines de-emphasize the use of regular testing to screen for Covid-19, except in certain high-risk settings like nursing homes and prisons.
The new guidance also does not advise quarantining people who've been exposed to Covid-19 but are not infected.
But the guidance does keep some measures the same. It encourages testing for people with symptoms and their close contacts. It also says people who test positive should stay home for at least five days and wear a mask around others for 10 days. It also continues to recommend that people wear masks indoors in about half the country.

The new guidelines also tailor advice on isolation for people who became very sick from Covid-19. People with moderate symptoms -- such as shortness of breath -- and those who were hospitalized should stay home for at least 10 days. People with compromised immune systems should now talk to their doctor about ending their isolation after an infection.

There's new advice on what to do if your Covid-19 symptoms rebound, too. If you end isolation and your Covid-19 symptoms get worse, you should start isolation over again and see your doctor.

Trying to meet people where they are

The changes are an acknowledgment that SARS-CoV-2 may be with us for the long haul. They aim to help people live their lives around Covid-19 with minimal disruptions to work and school. They are also more risk-based, advising people who are at higher risk for severe illness to take more personal precautions than others.
"I think they just overall come into alignment with what people are doing anyway," says Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease specialist at the University of California at San Francisco.

Chin-Hong thinks some states, like California, will continue to go beyond the CDC's guidance in their own recommendations, but by and large, he thinks these reflect the prevailing attitudes toward the pandemic. He sees it as a move by the CDC to try to regain the public's trust.

Under 60, healthy, vaccinated and boosted? 'You're in a pretty good place' with Covid-19
Under 60, healthy, vaccinated and boosted? 'You're in a pretty good place' with Covid-19
A recent survey from the Annenberg Public Policy Center shows that most Americans (54%) are no longer masking indoors, and about 4 in 10 say they've fully returned to their pre-pandemic routines -- up from 16% in January.

"What the CDC is, in my opinion, trying to do, they are trying to still be relevant, and maybe when they say something, people will listen to them instead of being completely 180 degrees away from what behavior is anyway," Chin-Hong said.

Bill Hanage, an epidemiologist at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, agrees that the new guidance shows that the CDC is trying to meet people where they are.

"I think that this is a point where you actually have to sort of get real and start giving people tools they can use to do something or not. Because otherwise, people will just will not take you seriously," Hanage said.
Other experts, however, feel that the new guidelines don't go far enough to correct scientific missteps in previous guidance.

"This revision does not go anywhere near enough to correct the problems of flawed recommendations and lack of evidence," said Dr. Eric Topol, a cardiologist at Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California, said in an email to CNN. Topol has been critical of the CDC for months, saying it wasn't strict enough with its isolation policies for people with Covid.

Latest advice to stay safe from Covid

The CDC recommends that Covid-19 prevention practices continue to depend on a person's risk of becoming severely ill and on its Covid-19 community levels. Community levels reflect cases in a community as well as hospitalization rates and hospital capacity.

When the Covid community level is high -- as it currently is in 41% of counties -- the CDC continues to recommend that everyone wear high-quality masks indoors. High-risk people should also wear quality masks when the community level is medium, as it now is in 39% of counties.

Moderna CEO says Covid vaccines will evolve like 'an iPhone'

The agency also puts more emphasis on improving ventilation. Aerosol scientists have long complained that the 6-foot social distancing guidance was arbitrary and unhelpful because the virus that causes Covid-19 can float through the air for greater distances.

The CDC continues to stress the use of vaccines and therapeutics to reduce "medically significant illness" in Covid-19. For the general population, the agency noted that being vaccinated and boosted is highly protective against severe illness and death. It urges everyone to stay up to date on their shots.
In addition to vaccination, the CDC urges additional measures for people with suppressed immune function, including the use of Evusheld, a kind of passive immunity that's given before a person gets sick. It's especially helpful for people who can't mount an immune response, and experts say it has been underutilized in this country.

The agency also stresses the use of antiviral medications in people who catch Covid-19 and are at higher risk for severe outcomes. This group includes people who are older or unvaccinated or those who have certain medical conditions that put them at higher risk. Conditions that increase risk include overweight and obesity, pregnancy, smoking, diabetes, cancer, heart disease and mental health conditions, including depression.
"These recent changes recognize the importance of protecting those most at risk of severe illness, while also standardizing some basic good public health hygiene for the long-term for those less at risk," said Lori Tremmel Freeman, CEO of the National Association of County and City Health Officials.

"It's important that we make it as easy as possible for people to continue to protect themselves and others around them as we live with Covid," Freeman said in an email to CNN.
Covid guidance for schools

Some of the changes in the guidelines will apply to schools.
The agency removed the recommendation that kids in different classrooms avoid mixing, a practice known as cohorting. It also removed advice that kids who are contacts of someone who tested positive for Covid-19 take regular tests -- and test negative -- to remain in the classroom, which was known as test-to-stay.

Some educators said they didn't expect the updated CDC guidelines to change much, at least for this school year.
"We welcome clear, concise and actionable guidance from the CDC. Specific to this latest round, we don't expect it to be particularly disrupting or impactful in schools," said Noelle Ellerson Ng, associate executive director of advocacy and governance at AASA, The School Superintendents Association.
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Many districts have finalized their opening plans and mitigation strategies and are sticking to what worked the prior school year to keep kids in schools learning.

Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, one of the nation's largest teachers unions, said the new guidelines were welcome news for schools.

"COVID-19 and other viruses are still with us, but with multiple prevention and treatment options available, now is not the time for new mandates. Instead, let's ensure these tools are available and accessible: vaccines, testing and masks (and no stigma for those who mask)," Weingarten wrote in an email to CNN.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Alenaveda on September 23, 2022, 07:09:11 AM
Update from Argentina:

The Health Ministry had announced that the use of face masks in the country is no longer mandatory, due to the constant decrease of cases. However, it still recommends the use of them while traveling on public transportation and closed spaces.
Title: Re: Coronavirus: OFFICIAL Updates/ Health Info/Travel Info
Post by: Maanca on May 05, 2023, 02:12:40 PM
The WHO has just lifted the Public Health Emergency, in place since January 2020