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Your Coronavirus Update – Dec. 20, 2021
RHODE ISLAND & VICINITY
RI has the most cases per capita among all states in the past 7 days. Most of these cases are not yet the Omicron variant. (note, officials say we need to be more concerned about the hospitalization rate [22 out of 50 states], not the case rate) – at the same time Rhode Island has the 2nd highest percent of the population vaccinated (2 shots).
“The omicron variant of the coronavirus is moving faster than surveillance systems can track it and has so unnerved some medical experts that they’re starting to put the brakes on preparations for their holiday gatherings. “Personally, I’m reevaluating plans for the holidays,” said Bronwyn MacInnis, director of pathogen genomic surveillance at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University. “It’s the responsible thing to do and what feels right given the risk.”She and other Massachusetts-based researchers said they’ve been stunned by the pace by which omicron has been crowding out other variants and taking over the pandemic. “At the rate that it seems to be spreading, there isn’t a surveillance system on the planet truly that could keep up with it,” MacInnis said. – (USA TODAY)
NEW TODAY: Testing site opens Monday, Dec. 20th at Chapel View, 400 Chapel View Blvd, Cranston – storefront to the left of Panera Bread. Will be open Monday through Friday, 8am to 6pm; Sat & Sun, 9am to 3pm. Appointment needed: portal.ri.gov – or call 222-8022.Walk-through. Rapid antigen testing ONLY. This test site will be open until noon on 12/24 – closed on Christmas Day.
Lifespan is postponing procedures that require overnight stays.
In the RI Hospital COVID ICU, all patients are unvaccinated and younger than 50 – a few in their 20s are pregnant.
Sen. Pres. Ruggerio says plexiglass barriers may return when the Senate returns this January.
Worcester Health Director Dr. Michael Hirsch says Christmas/holiday hosts should screen guests beforehand. “Ask them to test. They get the answer in 15 minutes. If they’re positive, unfortunately, you’ll have to pack up a little doggy bag and tell them to go home,” Hirsch said.
Boston Bruins are shut down for games through Christmas.
Trinity Repertory Company shut down Saturday night, 30 minutes before a performance, and they will not perform on Sunday.
Harvard will mostly go virtual after the first of the year.
Some Massachusetts health officials are urging President Biden to speak earlier than Tuesday due to the crisis that needs to be explained to the American people.
RHODE ISLAND & VICINITY
RI has the most cases per capita among all states in the past 7 days. Most of these cases are not yet the Omicron variant. (note, officials say we need to be more concerned about the hospitalization rate [22 out of 50 states], not the case rate) – at the same time Rhode Island has the 2nd highest percent of the population vaccinated (2 shots).
“The omicron variant of the coronavirus is moving faster than surveillance systems can track it and has so unnerved some medical experts that they’re starting to put the brakes on preparations for their holiday gatherings. “Personally, I’m reevaluating plans for the holidays,” said Bronwyn MacInnis, director of pathogen genomic surveillance at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University. “It’s the responsible thing to do and what feels right given the risk.”She and other Massachusetts-based researchers said they’ve been stunned by the pace by which omicron has been crowding out other variants and taking over the pandemic. “At the rate that it seems to be spreading, there isn’t a surveillance system on the planet truly that could keep up with it,” MacInnis said. – (USA TODAY)
Lifespan is postponing procedures that require overnight stays.
Sen. Pres. Ruggerio says plexiglass barriers may return when the Senate returns this January.
Worcester Health Director Dr. Michael Hirsch says Christmas/holiday hosts should screen guests beforehand. “Ask them to test. They get the answer in 15 minutes. If they’re positive, unfortunately, you’ll have to pack up a little doggy bag and tell them to go home,” Hirsch said.
Boston Bruins are shut down for games through Christmas.
Trinity Repertory Company shut down Saturday night, 30 minutes before a performance, and they will not perform on Sunday.
Harvard will mostly go virtual after the first of the year.
The RI Small Business Coalition says: “We do not support any mask policy that puts additional burdens on our small businesses. We believe in empowering our small businesses to let them and the consumers make their choice. We are pleased however to see our advocacy lead to small businesses under 250 capacity not forced with a full mask mandate. – Small businesses fear being unfairly burdened with enforcing the new health requirements that include partial mask mandates.”
Video about COVID-19 and how the pandemic started, how we treat it, and how it will end – Dr. Miller of Brown University speaks to Day One University:
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
Breaking: Moderna showing its vaccine is effective against Omicron within a month of getting the booster.
US Army reports 98% compliance with vaccine.
Vir Biotech, in conjunction with GSK (Glaxo), has developed a monoclonal antibody – Sotrovimab – to treat COVID19. It is showing more success in treating the Omicron variant than other antibodies. While more available in Europe, it has now been given EUA (emergency use authorization) in the US.
Monoclonal antibodies are given within 5 days of first symptoms – and NOT given once a patient is hospitalized and oxygen supported.
England will more than likely move to a non-socializing 2-weeks after Christmas
Saturday Night Live performed without an audience.
The Omicron variant is now found in 40 US states and 89 countries
Standard antibodies given for Delta and Alpha Beta strains are not proving as effective in fighting Omicron. A new drug by Glaxo in Europe is showing promise, but is not widely available in the US
UPS and USPS are delivering on time 95+% of the time. FedEx is at 75%. Overall, shipping companies are doing well.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren & Cory Booker test positive as well as former Rep. Katie Hill who is 8 mos. pregnant, and Lil Nas X and members of his group.
Holiday surge warning issued by the CDC – this may just be the beginning – by Christmas week cases could skyrocket by 53% in 7 days – first week of January deaths could spike to 71%. Dr. Fauci says vaccination will make difference. If everyone is vaccinated and boosted, we should feel comfortable in our homes with each other. If no vaccine, very concerned as the virus is very transmissible and they will be very vulnerable.
Dr. Fauci predicts the next month in US will be the dominant variant with plenty of breakthrough infections – why we need to stress boosters on top of 2 vaccines – to prevent very serious illness. Hoping that breakthroughs will be very mild.
Many of new cases are among the vaccinated – while they will still get the virus, it will not be severe enough to be hospitalized.
NY-Broadway doors closing to theatre productions – city’s’ positivity rate doubled in 3 days. 7 shows not performing – but even those who are, attendance is expected to change daily.
Omicron replicated 70 times faster, though it is less virulent.
150 new NFL positive cases in 2 days
Southwest CEO tests positive after testifying unmasked at Senate hearing
Courts have reinstated Pres. Biden’s request for private employer testing mandate.
A US delegation to China had positive COVID cases and is returning home.
Omicron will be the top variant in Europpe by mid-January
Booster shot requirements will begin on Jan. 17th on Broadway.
Johnson & Johnson vaccine should be vaccine of last resort due to possible blood clots.
NFL requiring masks, prohibiting meals inside, etc. as more players test positive.
Booster shot appts are about a week out – but Sockanosset Crossroad are open as well as East Providence. The EP site will stay open to February. Firefighters are giving the shots.
Amtrak has opted to have employees choose weekly covid test rather than vaccinations.
Nurses wearing reindeer antler headbands danced to festive music and Santa Claus showed up at a Lisbon vaccination centre on Saturday as young children 5 to 11 started to receive their COVID-19 shots.
Masks: Do not use masks with valves – when you breathe out, the valve allows everything out of your respiratory tract to go out unblocked – you actually spew out respiratory droplets, putting others at risk. Avoid bandannas, gaiters, scarves, ski masks and face shields used without a mask underneath. To find the approved brands, go to the CDC site, here: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/topics/respirators/disp_part/N95list1sect3.html
Every day, 1,300 Americans are dying.
President Biden will speak to the nation on Tuesday at a time to be announced.
4 NBA teams have curtailed games.
4 Ivy League colleges will go to remote in January.
Outbreak at US military camp in Japan
National Guard coming to Ohio.
Some major national companies planning a mandatory return to the office in January, have now delayed that return.
Airports are packed, with travelers in numbers not see since before the pandemic.
Testing should be used to determine infection rate just prior to going to an event. Not days before.
At home tests are almost impossible to find – get a test wherever you can find one.
Companies who make tests are moving to shifts around the clock but also limited by shortages of staff.
If you buy tests today you won’t get reimbursed by insurance– after January 1st, you will.
Some funeral homes running out of room in certain states.
Pfizer’s vaccine trial for children is setback until first half of 2022.
OSHA violations will begin Jan. 10th regarding COVID mandates in the workplace
100 NFL players have tested positive this week – the NFL is about to change their protocols amidst the surge.
New York City hospitals aren’t seeing a repeat of the surges that swamped emergency rooms early in the pandemic.
England is discussing lockdown measures – Parliament would be recalled prior to that enforcement. Nationally, hospitalization hasn’t increased, except in London where Omicron has been predominant.
Netherlands in lockdown – 2 people and 4 people max for holiday visits.