Category: Covid-19

Scientists said that they have identified a new hybrid version of the coronavirus called deltacron which combines the delta and the omicron variants of the virus.

Driving the news: The variant is considered a recombinant virus, meaning it has melded-together genetic information from both variants, per NBC News.

What theyre saying: Delta basically grabbed omicrons spike protein, Jeremy Kamil, an associate professor of microbiology and immunology at Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, told NBC News. This is essentially delta trying to hang on by plagiarizing from omicron.

Symptoms: Dr. Etienne Simon-Loriere, a virologist at the Institut Pasteur in Paris, told The New York Times that the body will often recognize the deltacron variant as the omicron variant, meaning your COVID-19 symptoms from deltacron may resemble the omicron variant.

Business Insiderused data from theZoe COVID Symptom Studyto compile a list of thetop 14 omicron variant symptoms, which include:

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Deltacron symptoms: The top deltacron COVID symptoms to expect - Deseret News

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) COVID-19 cases in Arkansas are dwindling and doctors say were in a good place for now.

The state has been in a similar situation when it comes to a low number of COVID cases, but because of our progress were much better able to handle any possible upswing that might arise.

With more vaccines and more effective therapies becoming available, hopefully well be able to manage much better than we had over the last two years, said Dr. Steppe Mette with UAMS.

If another surge with a new variant does emerge, doctors dont expect it to be quite as severe.

Next wave thatll be milder in intensity and fewer patients affected, Mette said.

Dr. Mette said people can feel comfortable gathering together once again. However, the virus isnt going away completely.

We can expect to see COVID in our communities for many years to come, Mette said.

The stealth omicron variant is starting to rise across the globe, but a lot about what could come from it is still unknown.

Originally posted here:

What the third year of COVID-19 could look like - KNWA

By NANCY WEST, InDepthNH.org

CONCORD At least one House member has tested positive for COVID-19 after attending all three long session days in Representatives Hall this week, according an email sent to some members who sat within a six- to seven-foot radius of the infected member.The email was sent Saturday morning at 10 a.m. by Aaron Goulette, Chief of Staff of the New Hampshire House of Representatives.

Rep. Bill Marsh, D-Brookfield, who is also a physician, said sending the notice only to members who sat near the infected House member was inadequate.

Since we know aerosol spread of Covid occurs over longer distances in indoor spaces, especially when people are confined for such long hours over multiple days, I believe the 6-7 foot radius for notifications is inadequate.

Basically everyone in the room is at risk, and likely many brought Covid back to their communities, Marsh said. I still recommend continuous wearing of a well-fitting N95 mask for personal protection.

In an email to InDepthNH.org, Goulette said all legislators seated in the vicinity of the affected legislator in Representatives Hall have been notified. The legislator also provided names of individuals he or she had close contact with outside of Representatives Hall who have also been notified, he said.

The affected legislator had a household member who tested positive for COVID-19 earlier in the week. The legislator did not use the self-test kit provided by the General Court prior to attendance. No staff, members of the public or press were indicated to have been close contacts, Goulette said.

The number of hospitalizations due to COVID-19 has been low in recent weeks as were case numbers, although the state has said that number will no longer be accurate because people testing at home may or may not report to the state.

The number of deaths has declined, but from March 11 to March 18, the state reported 20 deaths due to COVID-19.

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday were long sessions held in Representatives Hall in the State House and the House only recently began meeting there again. The session day March 10 was the first time in Representatives Hall since the pandemic began because it was considered close quarters giving the 400 members no room to socially distance. Before that, the House met outside, in a parking lot, in a sports arena and hotel center.

With over 400 people packed into Reps Hall, most not wearing masks, and at the current prevalence, it was nearly certain at least one Representative would test positive, Marsh said.

Speaker Sherman Packard, R-Londonderry and Gov. Chris Sununus spokesman didnt return requests for comment.

In the email to close contacts, Goulette said the House member who isnt identified sat in the general area of Division 4 in Representatives Hall and tested positive by antigen self-test on Friday.

You are receiving this notification because your assigned seat is within a roughly 6-7 foot radius of the member who has tested positive. The member was present for session all three days (3/15-3/17), Goulette said in the email Saturday.

He attached the latest guidance from DHHS on isolation and quarantine.

As a non-household contact, DHHS does not recommend quarantine, the email said.

Goulette included the following recommendations:

Wear a well-fitting face mask around other people for 10 days, especially in indoor settings.

If symptoms develop, stay home and get tested for COVID-19.

Get tested for COVID-19 on day 5, even if you dont have symptoms.

If testing is positive, follow isolation recommendations above.

The House and the state DHHS have refused to identify lawmakers or staffers who have become infected with COVID-19 during the pandemic or provide numbers of those infected.

The only way the public usually finds out is if the lawmaker makes a public statement or mentions it on social media.

Republicans and Democrats have been deeply divided over most issues related to COVID-19 with many Republicans in the House refusing to wear masks and others refusing vaccinations.

At least six House members themselves reported getting infected with COVID-19 when transmission rates were much higher at the Jan. 5 and 6 sessions held at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Manchester.

Rep. David Meuse, D- Portsmouth, said over half of those attending the mask-optional legislative sessions go mask-less despite the fact that people are still dying and being hospitalized.

Meanwhile, were packed into Reps Hall elbow-to-elbow like sardines sharing the same space on session days for 9-13 hours. This is reckless considering COVID is spread by airborne droplets released by quiet breathing, speaking, and coughingnot to mention 350+ legislators shouting themselves silly during voice votes, Meuse said.

Meuse said the Speaker provided free test kits prior to sessions, but none are provided after sessionsand after potential exposure.

There is no requirement to use them or to report positive test results to anyone. Meanwhile, there is zero transparency when it comes to legislators testing positive. The only way we hear about legislators becoming ill with the virus is from each other or from Facebook posts, Meuse said.

He said many legislators are age 60 and older and have health conditions that make them more vulnerable.

While our timing for the last three session days seems fortunate with cases and hospitalizations statewide hitting low points not seen since August, cases are rising in Europe and Asia due to the highly transmissible new B-2 sub variant of Omicron. During past surges, weve seen the U.S. lag rises in Europe and Asia by 2-3 weekswhich means by the next time we meet on March 31 to debate our remaining bills, B-2 could be starting to have an impact in New Hampshire.

So yes, Im concerned. Our look ma, no hands! approach to battling COVID seems to have devolved into COVID is over!even as people continue to die and be hospitalized due to the current variant and as a new variant waits in the on-deck circle, Meuse said.

House members are still awaiting a ruling in a federal lawsuit filed by a number of medically at-risk Democrats, including former Minority Leader Renny Cushing of Hampton, last year to allow remote participation citing the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Cushing died on March 7 at his home in Hampton at the age of 69. His obituary in the New York Times said according to his wife, Kristie Conrad, the cause of death was prostate cancer with complications from Covid.

The U.S. District Court judge sided with Speaker Packard, but that decision was overturned by the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals. A rehearing was requested by Packard, was granted and held, but a decision has yet to be released despite a recent request for an expedited ruling.

Marsh said the CDC currently lists every county in New Hampshire as low transmission.But NH DHHS still lists five counties and Manchester at substantial levels of transmission, with the others as moderate.

So it is unclear whether public health guidance was followed in planning this Session, but clearly the result is not what anyone would have desired, Marsh said.

Link:

House Member Tests Positive for COVID-19 After 3 Long Session Days Back in Reps Hall - InDepthNH.org

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. Dutchess County reported one additional COVID-19 death Sunday, bringing the countys fatalities related to the pandemic to 654, according to the countys COVID-19 dashboard.

Dutchess County reported a slight dip in active cases to 116 as of Friday, March 18, down from 121 the day before.

Dutchess County has registered a total of 63,558 confirmed COVID-19 cases since the pandemics start in March 2020.

Ulster County did not update its COVID-19 statistics Sunday. As of Friday, March 18 active cases stood at 135, up from 120 cases reported on Thursday, March 17, according to the countys COVID-19 dashboard.

It was the fourth consecutive day that the countys cases rose.

The county reported no new deaths on Saturday, leaving its total at 372 since the pandemic began.The county said Saturday it has recorded 37,301 confirmed cases and 36,794 recoveries since March 2020.

The dashboard numbers do not include home test results not reported to health departments.

Data as of March 19, from the state Department of Health.

Ellenville Regional Hospital, 3.

HealthAlliance Hospitals in Kingston, 4.

Northern Dutchess Hospital in Rhinebeck, 1.

Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie, 4.

Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital in Poughkeepsie, 0.

Data from New York states online vaccine tracker.

Ulster County: 74.2% fully vaccinated, 81.2% with at least one dose of a two-dose regimen.

Dutchess County: 69.1% fully vaccinated, 76.7% with at least one dose of a two-dose regimen.

Appointments: vaccinateulster.com, bit.ly/dut-vax, bit.ly/ny-vaxme.

For online local coverage related to the coronavirus, go to dailyfreeman.com/tag/coronavirus.

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Dutchess County reports one new COVID-19 death as its active cases dip slightly - The Daily Freeman

KEARNEY With just 21 cases of COVID-19 recorded in the seven counties of the Two Rivers Public Health Department between March 9-16, the Two Rivers weekly risk dial has dropped to the middle of the second-lowest moderate range.

Thats the lowest the dial has been since last Aug. 4.

The 21 cases are just half as many as the new cases reported in each of the last two weeks, and 95% fewer than the number confirmed when cases peaked here in late January.

But its not time to relax quite yet, Susan Puckett, community health nurse at Two Rivers, said during Fridays weekly community conference call.

A new omicron variant is sweeping through Europe and is responsible for 20% of new cases nationwide in the U.S. The U.S. often follows COVID-19 trends in Europe by a few weeks.

That 20% is an estimate, since not every positive at-home COVID test is sent on to a lab for variant testing now, but this variant is as contagious and transmissible as the first omicron variant, she said. Thats the variant that sent new cases soaring in January.

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Puckett said Nebraska now is averaging just 21.7 cases per day per 100,000 people, but Jeremy Eschliman, health director for Two Rivers, said more people are testing themselves at home and not all are reporting the results, so figures for positive tests may not be entirely accurate.

Since the pandemic began on March 20, 2020, the state has had 477,187 cases of COVID-19 and 4,044 deaths. Were in good shape, Puckett said, especially compared to surrounding states, where cases and deaths are much higher, especially in heavily populated urban areas like St. Louis, Kansas City and Des Moines.

Two Rivers, which includes Buffalo, Dawson, Franklin, Gosper, Harlan, Kearney and Phelps counties, has had 200 people die of COVID as of Feb. 17, 2022.

Puckett urged people who are traveling to take a rapid antigen test before leaving home. Some people with COVID have mild symptoms, or none at all, especially those who become ill despite being vaccinated.

Many people have COVID symptoms that are milder than a common cold these days, and this time of year, some people think they have spring allergies when its actually COVID, she added.

Likewise, people with minor cold sniffles should test themselves, too. Have a sniffle? Stick a swab up your nose and find out if you have COVID, she said.

Vaccinations remain stalled here. As of Wednesday, just 52% of the total Two Rivers population of 97,132 has received two shots of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or one J&J inoculation. Not quite half of the regions population has received a booster shot.

She said people who test positive, and have high-risk conditions, should also talk to a health care provider about whether they would be a candidate for anti-viral medications that are prescribed for COVID-19 patients. Puckett said that starting anti-virals within five days of the first symptoms is advantageous.

And its still a good idea to wear a mask for greater protection and avoid non-essential indoor activities, she said.

Puckett also urges people to Google Test to Treat Initiative, a new federal program unveiled this week that is aimed at increasing access to treatments, including anti-viral pills, for people who test positive for COVID.

In other news, Puckett said flu and flu hospitalizations are rising. Flu vaccinations are recommended for small children, pregnant women, adults over age 65, residents of nursing homes and long-term face facilities, and people with chronic health conditions, such as heart disease and lung disease.

Two Rivers also has supplied free in-home COVID test kits to libraries in Franklin, Gibbon, Minden and Lexington. Up to 7,500 tests also are available at the Two Rivers office at 516 W. 11th St.

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COVID-19 cases and risk dial plummet in the Two Rivers district - Kearney Hub

By Oscar C. Marroquin

Its obvious that COVID-19 has radically reshaped many aspects of our society and our lives over the past two years.

But perhaps unnoticed by most, the pandemic has also accelerated a quiet but powerful transformation in the way that we at UPMC approach how we care for patients. And the result has been hundreds of lives saved and the promise that we can continue to improve care for years to come.

Prompted by the urgent need to help patients facing a deadly virus, UPMC committed itself at the start of the crisis to truly becoming a learning health system, with near real-time changes in how we manage patients based on the analysis of our own data, as well as the latest scientific findings and regulatory approvals.

For decades, clinicians and researchers nationwide have known that our processes for digesting credible, scientific knowledge and integrating that into care for patients are too slow and too cumbersome sometimes taking years.

Thats why the National Academy of Medicine called for development of a learning health system (LHS) in 2009 and set the goal that, by 2020, 90 percent of clinical decisions will be supported by accurate, timely, and up-to-date clinical information, and will reflect the best available evidence.

Others have defined the LHS as an environment in which science, informatics, incentives, and culture are aligned for continuous improvement and innovation, with best practices seamlessly embedded in the delivery process and new knowledge captured as an integral byproduct of the delivery experience.

DOH cancer screening program offers free services to low, moderate-income patients

Thats a mouthful, and a heavy lift for any health system. At UPMC, wed made some progress toward that goal in recent years, particularly in the science and informatics realms. Because we already had a robust data and analytics infrastructure, we could turn our attention quickly at the start of the pandemic to the incentives, culture and embedding of best practices needed to care for our patients.

That first involved creating a multidisciplinary COVID-19 Therapeutics Committee composed of physicians, pharmacists, hospital leaders and others to evaluate any possible treatment options and to rapidly share updated guidelines with all facilities across our system.

In addition to continuously evaluating UPMCs internal patient data and controlled clinical trials, the committee had to weigh a surge of COVID-19-related publications from around the globe some peer-reviewed and many not.

This placed a premium on expertise in evaluating the merits of published information that appeared at unprecedented scale and our researchers led or were involved in many trials that rapidly proved which treatments worked best for which patients. Thus, while our therapeutics committee recognized the benefits of and implemented some treatments like steroids, remdesivir and tocilizumab it refuted the use of hydroxychloroquine, despite the governments approval for its emergency use early on in the pandemic.

COVID-19 isnt going away, but health officials say Pa. is ready to transition to the next phase

Information technology specialists at UPMC created alerts and orders in our electronic health record systems to reinforce guideline recommendations.

They also collaborated with our research teams to integrate clinical practice with clinical trial enrollment across our vast system to ensure equitable care, regardless of geography or hospital type. Instead of separating research and care, all care became an opportunity to learn quickly about improving patient results.

Alongside the therapeutics committee, an intensive care unit management group made real-time recommendations regarding respiratory support strategies and other critical, supportive care, while a systemwide infection prevention taskforce guided testing, contact tracing, isolation and the use of personal protective equipment.

The result of this concerted effort was significant improvement in care in a stunningly short time and mostly prior to mass vaccination. Based on our data from more than 11,400 COVID-19 patients, the adjusted risk of in-hospital mortality decreased monthly by an average of 5% from March 2020 through early June 2021.

At the same time, we saw no appreciable variation in the type or volume of drugs and therapies used for patients with COVID-19 across 22 hospitals, achieving our goal of equity and access regardless of a patients ZIP code.

While this pandemic is not over, were already looking ahead to whats next for our learning health system. Although we cant determine the extent to which any single change improved outcomes for our COVID patients, we know that our accelerated learning saved lives. Now we must continue to apply these lessons to the continuing hard work of health care long after this crisis passes. Our patients deserve nothing less.

Dr. Oscar C. Marroquin is Chief Healthcare Data and Analytics Officer for UPMC. He writes from Pittsburgh.

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How COVID-19 changed the way our health system 'learns' and saved lives | Opinion - Pennsylvania Capital-Star

Mourners gathered Saturday at Ramis Heart COVID-19 Memorial for the second annual lighting ceremony for those who lost their lives to the virus and the loved ones they left behind.

Ramis Heart COVID-19 Memorial, the country first permanent one for those who died from the coronavirus, was unveiled last year at Allaire Community Farm in Wall Township. The heart-shaped memorial contains over 3,500 names arranged in 11 yellow-painted shell hearts. It continues to grow as more people lose their lives to the insidious virus.

Before it was moved to the farm, the memorial was on display on the sands of Belmar Beach, where a vigil was held to honor health care workers, survivors and people lost to the disease. This years vigil marks the first remembrance event at the memorials permanent site. It also marks two years since the start of the pandemic that upended life around the world, and hit New Jersey especially hard. The state of 9.2 million residents has reported 33,167 COVID-19 deaths--30,184 confirmed fatalities and 2,983 probable ones--since its first known case March 4, 2020.

New Jersey has the fifth-most coronavirus deaths per capita in the U.S. behind Mississippi, Arizona, Alabama and Oklahoma as of the latest data reported March 13.

The evening included the unveiling of Letters of Hope, a traveling art installation which showcases some of the artwork that has been incorporated into the COVID Hope Quilt a national memorial and community art project to honor frontline workers who have faced extraordinary challenges during COVID-19, and to commemorate others who have been affected by or lost to the pandemic. Loosely based on the AIDS quilt, it features panel blocks to honor frontline workers and memorial panel blocks for those lost.

The Ramis Heart COVID-19 Memorial is also surrounded by a garden on the 25-acre complex, a working farm, equine therapy and animal rescue facility. The memorial and its accompanying garden are centrally located on the farm and measure approximately 60 feet by 12 feet. It includes a variety of plantings, two 8-by-8-foot sculptures, and a walking path constructed out of heart-shaped stepping stones. Since the pandemic continues to claim lives, additional opportunities have been made available to include a loved one in the permanent memorial. Those interested can pursue that through the Ramis Heart website.

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Jackie Roman may be reached at jroman@njadvancemedia.com.

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Lighting ceremony honors loved ones lost to COVID-19 (PHOTOS) - NJ.com

When Sydney resident Evelyn Bratchfords housemate tested positive for Covid this week, she was away at her boyfriends house.

Unwilling to return home and risk being exposed, she says: Now I feel like a little lost egg.

I turned up at my friends house last night with a small bag of things from the suitcase in the back of my car and my pillow.

Screening potential flatmates is always a risky business, even without the added pressure of a pandemic. Since restrictions eased in Sydney late last year, Bratchford has had to hunt for both a new house and a new flatmate, making her well-accustomed to the challenges.

Bratchford lives with two other people, and in the last few months has felt quite relaxed about her homes Covid protocols. But in the lead-up to Christmas, the whole household resolved to shield together.

I wanted to be able to go away, and I was really conscious of what I was doing, as were my housemates, she says. We were all really aware that in the weeks before Christmas, we just wanted to settle down, because cases were going off the rails.

While Bratchford is lucky to have like-minded housemates, Jemima Mowbray, policy and advocacy manager at the Tenants Union of New South Wales, says questions about what kinds of risk people are comfortable with have become essential in recent months.

In lockdown, there were clear restrictions in place. But now you have to make your own decisions and there is a whole lot more to negotiate, says Mowbray. People want to have a friendly conversation, and it might be easy to get along with someone, but you need to establish the ground rules, how you live and what you are comfortable with Covid makes that really clear.

Navigating these conversations can be uncomfortable, and asymmetrical attitudes about what safe socialising looks like can easily fuel household tensions. Bratchford acknowledges it can be hard to tell where new flatmates stand, especially when you dont know them that well.

When looking for a new housemate, Bratchfords household advertised themselves as fully vaccinated after noticing a lot of sharehouse ads included this information.

Claudia Conley, community manager at Flatmates.com.au, says: We have seen a lot of members actively offering their vaccination status on a listing. A large number of property listings are advertising that they want a fully vaccinated and Covid-safe home.

Conley also says the websites support services have seen an uptick in members asking if they can screen potential candidates based on vaccination status.

But with rent due and bills to pay, the pressure to fill a room can lessen the importance of Covid safety. That is the case for Brisbane-based university student Hugo, who is currently looking for a housemate. He reflects that he probably should be asking potential flatmates about their attitudes to Covid-19, but says: I dont want to put people off.

At the end of the day, we need someone to take the room, and if theyre a nice person, thats good enough for us.

Sydney-based student Emilia Roux is in a similar situation as she seeks to move out of home for the first time. Having someone on the same page as you about Covid is a good thing, but its not a dealbreaker, she says.

It is hard to be picky at the moment given there are less international students and people moving out of home, so it is already difficult to find people without the added pressure of Covid precautions.

Shes taken a subtle approach. Mostly I think it is about observing someone and picking up on their cues to see if theyre on the same wavelength. For example, do they wear a mask?

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Mowbray thinks broader housing pressures have resulted in sacrifices being made. I suspect there have been big clashes, where people have moved out and found different accommodation, she says. But on the other hand, you can find yourself in a situation where you need housing and staying put is the only option for you.

Bratchford and her household did have conversations about how to manage Covid should they need to isolate from each other within their home. We talked about it a lot and we were never able to decide what we would do in that situation.

We would joke about getting that dreaded video call from somebodys room after they did a test and got the result, and we didnt have a plan.

The dreaded call came, and Bratchford resolved to stay at a friends place while her flatmate recuperates. Their other flatmate, who has both had Covid and isolated as a household contact previously, also chose to leave.

But the question still remains, Bratchford says: What are we going to do if next month I get Covid?

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There is a whole lot more to negotiate: how Covid-19 has changed housemate hunting - The Guardian

AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) When it comes to recovery after COVID-19, everyone who has had the virus will experience a different path to feeling better. In doing so, some may experience what is called long COVID.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, long COVID, also known as post-COVID conditions is a wide range of new, returning, or ongoing health problems people can experience four or more weeks after first being infected with the virus.

Regional Medical Director for region one at the Texas Department of State Health Services Dr. Scott Milton said they are learning all the time about long covid and the issues that it can bring.

I think it is clear that it is obviously who have gotten infected and many times have gotten seriously infected that are most at risk for getting a long term compilation of covid, whether that be some neurological problems or chronic respiratory problems, said Dr. Milton.

Dr. Milton said the best way to prevent getting long covid is to get vaccinated.

We have learned so much more about the vaccines from having them around for more than a year, in how safe and effective they are and so people should be much more reassured if they havent been vaccinated yet, that its safe to do so and thats the best way to prevent that, added Dr. Milton.

As of July 2021, long COVID can be considered a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Dr. Milton also addressed the reason why the High Plains are still seeing deaths as new cases drop on the High Plains.

He says its due to a lag.

If people are going to get sick enough to be hospitalized, its usually ten to twelve days after they get exposed, and then when they get hospitalized, usually they are so sick, they dont get out of the hospital right away. Especially if they go to the ICU. They have been infected a long time ago, then they develop a severe covid infection and a severe immune response and it just takes weeks and weeks, said Dr. Milton.

As of this writing, the High plains has seen over 2,000 deaths due to COVID-19.

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Health expert talks COVID-19 and the effects of long COVID - KAMR - MyHighPlains.com

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