#cleantheair โ Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #cleantheair, aggregated by home.social.
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@DenisCOVIDinfoguy I see it in every hospital in Victoria, BC & yet majority of staff aren't masked. I'm one of very few people in health care services, who have to see clients in all 3 of the hospitals here, who never stopped masking up. Cleaner air systems haven't been installed to increase public health safety in hospitals either. Our health care system will collapse - physically & financially - if provincial & federal governments keep ignoring covid & the many dire, costly, medical consequences it brings.
#BCpoli #CDNpoli #medical #Healthcare #FailureToProtect #HealthCareCrisis #Covid #MasksSaveLives #CovidSafety #AirborneInfections #CleanTheAir #PreventativeHealth #WearAMask
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I'm still trying to wrap my head around the concept of an airborne-transmission-informed #publichealth body, let alone one that knows how to communicate...?!? ๐๐๐
๐ฟ๐ช๐ง๐๐๐ข ๐พ๐ค๐ช๐ฃ๐ฉ๐ฎ ๐ฟ๐๐ฅ๐๐ง๐ฉ๐ข๐๐ฃ๐ฉ ๐ค๐ ๐๐ช๐๐ก๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ก๐ฉ๐, ๐ท๐ช๐ข ๐๐ญ๐ถ๐ฆ๐๐ฌ๐บ (โช@๐ฅ๐ถ๐ณ๐ฉ๐ข๐ฎ๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ข๐ญ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฏ๐ค.๐ฃ๐ด๐ฌ๐บ.๐ด๐ฐ๐ค๐ช๐ข๐ญโฌ):
"An airborne virus is a virus that can infect other people through unseen particles in the air, sometimes for hours after the sick person has left the area! Masks and clean, ventilated air can reduce the risk of getting sick from airborne viruses or infecting others."
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/4zO-zE_ZUwQ
#CovidIsAirborne #airbornetransmission #CleanAir #CleanTheAir #CovidIsNotOver
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Start the new year with cleaner air. ๐จ Pick up a DIY Corsi-Rosenthal Kit and build your own Corsi-Rosenthal Box. The kit is on sale for only $199.99! ๐ But donโt wait because the sale ends today. โฐ
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Good Muggy Morning SARS2PAians! โ๏ธ๐โ๏ธ
I hope you are having a safe Spring!
The top news lately are the newest variants causing country-wide summer waves including Spain: https://ibb.co/hRpvjt5
and Portugal: https://ibb.co/khTtyJX
They are KP.3.x.y and LB.x.y.
These new immune evasive variants are filling up hospitals and causing notable increases in deaths.
KP.3 is now the variant "grandfather" that is the fastest, the most immune evasive, and the most easily bound to cells. Specifically, the most watched upcoming variant is its grandchild, KP.3.1.1.
The newest variants that have a very good chance of causing a sizeable increase in numbers, if not a full blown-out wave, are variants of KP.3 that already have immune evasive mutations (FLuQE) but also have an advantageous specific spike deletion (S:S31del).
These new and fastest variants are immune evasive to BOTH current vaccinations, AND prior infections.
Nationally, KP.2 is still just barely at the top of the leaderboard. KP.2.3 is right behind it, already a variant that is being watched.: https://ibb.co/p0d8G8n
๐ดKP.3.1.1 is absolutely blazing fast and burning through Spain, Portugal and other countries, and is part of KP-DEL31.
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NOTE: "KP-DEL31" is gonna be my nickname for it, not variant hunters or virologists. Just to call it something easily condensed and recognizeable for now. They might decide on a different nickname soon. These names are just for convenience. (You don't call your cousin Mister James Robert Smith every time, do you? You call him JimBob or Smitty. It just makes talking easier.)
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I've highlighted FLiRT in pink on the national screenshot but I'll drop it soon as KP-DEL31 becomes more and more relevant.
There's no specific results for PA on the Tableau site. Probably not enough testing here.
In NY/NJ, I've highlighted KP-DEL31 in green on the NY/NJ leaderboard, and as you can see, all the top 5 variants there have this very important spike deletion. But KP.3.1.1 is the variant to keep eyes on.: https://ibb.co/Jcv0rF7
KP.3.1.1 is already found (in only a few days!) in TX, NY, CA, CO, NJ, WA, and VA.
๐ดIf you've dropped wearing respirators for now you might want to reconsider putting them back on as KP.3.1.1 makes gains and spring moves along.
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Wastewater has returned to HIGH levels in the Eastern and Southern states. KP.2, KP.3 and LB.x.y variants are working together on driving this.: https://ibb.co/0nHqQPS
In our region, specifically testing in Maryland is showing a return to higher levels.: https://ibb.co/99MSpy0
The PA wastewater dashboard is showing LARGE increases in Philly, and sizeable increases in Centre and Indiana counties.: https://ibb.co/0J14Tty
MASK UP, oh my Philly โค๏ธ๏ธ!
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Whoa I had a whole angry thing typed out here and juuuuuuust checked back on Twitter, and Dr. Eric Topol wrote just 2 hrs ago that the US FDA has changed its decision for the upcoming vaccine base!!: https://ibb.co/xzB6GVb
The newest mRNA vaccines will be based on KP.2 and NOT JN.1!
This is a wise decision and fantastic news!!
This will certainly better prepare us for Summer.
(NOTE: **Novavax** will have a JN.1 based booster. Novavax is completely different as it has proven effective through multiple years with ONE base so that vaccine will probably not have to be changed as often.)
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๐ดEven with vaccines, there are always other things we can do to practice source control!keep those windows OPEN
wear a respirator
keep the air clean
move meetings outside
work from home
build a Corsi-Rosenthal box
stay home if you are sick!
Continue to have a great and safe Spring!! ๐๐๐
#COVID19 #COVID #COVIDisNotOver #SARS2PA #Pennsylvania #PA
#FLiRT #F456L #R346T #spike_f456l #spike_r346t
#FLuQE #Q493E
#KP2 #KP3 #LB1 #Moderna #Pfizer #Novavax
#WearAMask #CleanTheAir #WashHands #VaccinesSaveLives #StayHomeIfSick ! -
Update for 6/7/2024!
Good morning SARS2PAians!
I hope you're enjoying this beautiful Spring ๐๐๐
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VOCsNationally, KP.2 barely holding on to the top slot on the leaderboard at 8.22%. Fast, immune-evasive LB.1 is directly behind and most likely will take over in a week or less.: https://ibb.co/Q6ZZhsN
Immune-evasive KP.3 is also on the way up.
In PA, KP.3 and LB.1 has not been found in hte (horribly low) random testing we're doing. LB.1 did show up earlier, and "not finding" doesn't mean it's not around, but to not find such a fast variant in qualtities to put it on the PA board is promising.: https://ibb.co/ZN8Nrfp
In NY/NJ, LB.1 has easily displaced KP.2 for the top slot, with LB.1 at almost 17% of share and KP.2 behind at 9%.: https://ibb.co/mRR03KB
Lots of new mutations added in the past few weeks to the latest CDC NOWCAST.: https://ibb.co/b7y1mXb
Even on here, KP.3 is shown to be predicted as the TOP circulating variant, with KP.2 sandwiched between it and also-new-and-evasive LB.1.
Due to antigenic drift/effective ACE2 binding/communal laxness in prevention, this is probably going to bump numbers up for the summer.
Eevn though numbers a still low nationally, Walgreens COVID19 dashboard has already had large increases of positivity in a large number of States.: https://ibb.co/WHcFZK3
Pennsylvania has been considered at a large increase for quite a while already on there.: https://ibb.co/mc0CbPq
JN.1.50, KP.3.2 and KP.2.3 (yes those numbers are weirdly reversed) are also very fast, very immune-landscape-elusive mutes to watch, too.
I hope that I'm wrong but it seems that we'll be drowning in a soup of fast varaints for the fall/winter. My opinion only: This winter might be...something else...if the wrong vaccine formula is used.
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WastewaterThough numbers in PA are still relatively low, WastewaterSCAN has SARS2 levels at MEDIUM. Maryland/DC is starting to tick upward fast.: https://ibb.co/55JvPbt
PA WSS has McKean County showing heavy SARS2 material increases in wastewater, and moderstew increases in Philly.: https://ibb.co/8Pdz6MR
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Vaccine NewsThe most reliable viral geneticists and epidemiologists I'm watching has already said a JN.1 vaccine will be outdated.: https://ibb.co/vBgbr2g
๐ดTHIS IS NOT DUE TO VACCINES BEING INHERENTLY INEFFECTIVE. Do not spread that disnformation.
This is due to the superfast antigenic drift of SARS2, and also us being too slow to communally react to this virus. If a JN.1 vaccine is produced it will hardly effect any useful protection at all.: https://ibb.co/1dFTRKm
The fast rate which this virus gains mutations is absolutely not slowing down, and will most likely never slow down.
It is VITAL that corporate science (as in, the corporate producers of vaccines) keep up with mutations and if need be, drop outdated mutation bases FAST to change formula to one that will actually work effectively.
It is NECESSARY to even being the conversation now with KP.2.
We cannot afford to be slow in considering vaccination formulas or distribution.
Keeping the air clean is decidedly easier in better weather, but if numbers are going up in your area, PLEASE use some sort of source control. Wear a quality respirator, stay home if you are sick, test repeatedly with symptoms!
Enjoy your Spring and keep that air clean! ๐๐๐
#COVID19 #COVID #COVIDisNotOver #SARS2PA #Pennsylvania #PA #FLiRT #F456L #R346T
#spike_f456l #spike_r346t
#Q493E#WearAMask #CleanTheAir #WashHands #VaccinesSaveLives #StayHomeIfSick !
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update for 5/31/2024!!
Good Morning SARS2PAians!
I hope you are enjoying your Spring! ๐๐๐
I just have an update on VOCs as I have to run out the door, and also not much has changed in terms of numbers yet. I'm so sorry this is all I have time for right now.
Nationally, for VOCs, we have a lot of fast movers that might bump up numbers for the summer as they have elsewhere globally already. Looks like the fastest are going to be KP.3 and especially LB.1.: https://ibb.co/wzcJ05J
While we don't have any immensely increased numbers so far, nationally they are starting to slowly rise, and source control will be needed as these immune evasive and FAST variants catch on.
In PA, we have quite a few of the FLiRT variants (in pink) and upcoming immune evasive variants (in teal) coming up. Numbers for these new variants are low but might rise steadily as the spring goes on.: https://ibb.co/h1XS2hP
IN NY/NJ, LB.1 is already at the top of the chart ๐ and the speed of its rise is incredible considering how fast current variants are already!: https://ibb.co/dpRDrPd
Watching these new mutations will give a big clue on when to tighten up source control.
In the meantime, keep that air clean and just for future safety, keep a stock of N95s handy for H5N1 as it spreads through more and more domesticated animal species, the lastest which is alpacas. This is starting to make epidemiologists and viral geneticists kinda nervous.
Insist on full disclosure of animal health/testing/sequencing from farms. You might consider non-dairy milk, or maybe ultra-pasteurized milk. Another option is UHT, shelf-stable milk in sterile packaging (like Parmalat).
:coronavirus: DO NOT CONSUME RAW MILK OR UNDERCOOKED MEAT.:coronavirus:
Hope to have more time to do this on Moday (but not sure) so have a great weekend and be safe! ๐๐๐
#covid #Covid19 #SARS2PA #CovidIsNotOver #Pennsylvania #PA #FLiRT #F456L #R346T #spike_f456l #spike_r346t
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Update for 5/24/2024!
Good morning SARS2PAians! (well, afternoon by the time I got all this ready)
I hope you are having a BEAUTIFUL and healthy day. ๐๐๐
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VOCsNationally, KP.2 is in the lead so far, easily displacng JN.1 variants.: https://ibb.co/JCWtxdr
KP.3 and LB.1 (DeFLiRT) are making FAST gains in the leaderboard, now up to around 5% each nationally.
They are still the top two successful variants that show great potential to take over from even KP.2.: https://ibb.co/kxHkfV1
๐ดJN.1.50 is new, and was just designated on 5/18 and though genetically it's as fast as LB.1 and KP.3, it remains to be seen in meatspace how it will spread.
In PA, JN.1 still in the lead here in random sequencing at 20% and KP.2 behind it at 13%.: https://ibb.co/G7Nnft5
Unfortunately KP.3 has been found here. So we now have BOTH very fast DeFLiRT variants here for the summer, KP.3 and LB.1. Take care, keep windows open, clean the air, wear a quality respirator and be aware of social contacts. These two variants might push the numbers up this summer.
In NY/NJ, KP.2 in the lead and look at that LB.1....in second place at 10% of random testing already. Yikes. It's been making very fast gains for a while now there.: https://ibb.co/8xRfkkh
Some parts of Jersey have noticeable upticks of matarial concentraion on WastewaterSCAN.: https://ibb.co/7STgtLZ
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WastewaterTrying to get as much info as possible here since almsot everything useful is being discontinued. ๐
SARS2 has been bumped up to MEDIUM nationally on WastewaterSCAN.: https://ibb.co/Wf5MdxN
There are noticeable upticks starting to happen in the Harrisburg and Chester areas.: https://ibb.co/g3HQZp0
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Non-SARS2 PathogensGastro pathogens Noro and Rotavirus are still in the HIGH category on WastewaterSCAN. Please wash hands carefully, wash fruits and veg, and be aware of kitchen cleanliness discipline to avoid cathing these bugs. Mostly because they're just gross ๐คข
๐ดConcerning H5N1 (HPAI, "bird flu"), we are NOT in flu season, so seeing upticks for Influenza A is extremely concerning.
This is what the FluA graphs SHOULD look like now in a normal post-FLuA season.: https://ibb.co/X4Q8szS
H5N1 is an influenza A. It's been upgraded to MEDIUM on WastewaterSCAN.: https://ibb.co/wKC300x
However, the online tool makes no differentiation between H5N1 and other types of FLuA. It also cannot tell live virus from inactivated virus or its fragments.
It's extremely telling, though, that the highest concentration of FluA is located exatly where herd breakouts have or are occuring, mostly in the middle of the country in the plains corridor.
To reduce the risk of contracting, transmlitting, or allowing H5N1/HPAI to mutate,
๐ด๐ด๐ดDO NOT DRINK RAW MILK.๐ด๐ด๐ด
I don't give a flying fart if it's legal to sell/buy here in PA. Do NOT be that guy. Do NOT encourage this pathogen to mutate and DO NOT endanger your own life or everyone else's by consuming raw or unpasteurized dairy products.
Use caution in handling raw dairy products, especially meat and milk. Pasteurization has been proven to kill FluA and fluA is very sensitive to heat, but please use caution, fully cook raw meat, and use good sanitary habits when working with raw farm products.
As always, some method of source control is always good to help keep these pathogens in check whether they're just annoying and gross OR have a high kill rate.
I hope you stay safe, enjoy the open windows in Spring, and ARE NOT DRINKING RAW MILK.
Have a great week!!
#covid #Covid19 #SARS2PA #CovidIsNotOver #Pennsylvania #PA #JN1 #FLiRT #F456L #R346T #spike_f456l #spike_r346t
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Good morning SARS2PAians!
I hope your very cloudy annd humid Spring is going well. ๐๐๐
The only thing I have right now are VOC visuals.
Nationally, KP.2 in the lead at 12% of random sequencing. The FLiRT variants are not far behind and VERy fast variants KP.3 and LB.1 are still making fast gains even after only a few days.: https://ibb.co/309Ygcj
In PA, classic JN.1 is still at the lead here. We don't have KP.3 here but we do have fast mover LB.1 which is now over 5% of random sequencing.: https://ibb.co/CpyDWkH
IN NY/NJ, immune evasive variants LB.1 already at over 7% of testing and KP.3 almost at 5%.: https://ibb.co/LZ1hZM7
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WastewaterBiobot has released a statement saying they are stopping keeping up their COVID-19 wastwater visuals. There's still WastewaterSCAN but only three sheds are on there.: https://ibb.co/2tYPPcm
https://biobot.io/from-raw-data-to-actionable-insights-biobots-evolution-of-public-data-sharing/
This is another removal of a GREAT tool that helped everyone stay informed, and gave a heads-up when to buckle down on source control issues.
A very good potential replacement for Biobot is Iowa Covid-19 Tracker and I'll start to try to get familiar with that as soon as I can sit down to do it so the vizzes might look very different soon.: https://iowacovid19tracker.org/
I hope to have more info on Friday, and until then have a GREAT week and safe Spring! ๐๐๐
#covid #Covid19 #SARS2PA #CovidIsNotOver #Pennsylvania #PA #JN1 #FLiRT #F456L #R346T #spike_f456l #spike_r346t
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Update for 5/17/2024!
Good morning SARS2PAians!
I hope you are staying healthy during this very cloudy and rainy period! ๐ฆ๐งโ๏ธโ๏ธ
VOCs
Nationally, the FLiRT group (in pink on the graph), which is the first group that can cause a rise in summer numbers in a few wweeks, is still pushing closer and closer to the top of the chart. FLiRT variant KP.2 is already at almost 10% nationally in random sequencing.: https://ibb.co/Wxtgg1N
The second group (KP.3, LB.1, JN.1.32) that can push up summer numbers is not far behind and is FAST.
To complicate issues even more:
It's been advised where I'm cruising around for this info that the second group is not only VERY immune-evasive to current variant antibodies, but also returning to a more lung-based symptom set rather a gut-based set. JN.1 is mainly centered in the gut, which makes wastewater monitoring more sensitive and more accurate.
A return to a more lung-based centered illness is a bad thing and will make wastewater testing not-as-sensitive as it was for JN.1 relatives.
In PA, KP.2 is already in the lead of random sequencing results at 16% of share.: https://ibb.co/6XpWGfF
We already have LB.1 here so it's oging to very important to track this fast moving and immune evasive variant.
In NY/NJ, KP.3 and LB.1 in fifth and sixth places on the leaderboard. Their rise is increasing quickly as they're up to over 4% of varaint share, up from 3% a week ago.: https://ibb.co/9gsdZ0W
A 1% increase in such a short amount of time in a field of already very fast variants is noteworthy. In a race of thoroughbreds, varaints like this are the potential triple-crown winners.
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WastewaterWastewater levels are still very good (low.) Nationally we're at the same level as last year but not low enough to match 2021 yet.: https://ibb.co/Y3Tv51h
In PA, not much to say. EVERYONE is smashing it. Bucks county area a bit higher than naitonal levels and trending upwards. PLEase use precaution and some sort of source control so these numbers don't go back up.: https://ibb.co/hd2FcNh
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That's all I have this morning, so I hope you have a GREAT week! I apologize for not updating consistently as data is harder to obtain and H5N1 takes over the foreground of virology conversations (as it should, understandable)!!
#covid #Covid19 #SARS2PA #CovidIsNotOver #Pennsylvania #PA #JN1 #FLiRT #F456L #R346T #spike_f456l #spike_r346t
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Update for 5/13/2024!
Good Morning SARS2PAians!
I hope your chilly Spring is going well! ๐๐๐
Just a very quick VOC update as there is absolutely nothing really updated to work with this week ๐
While numbers are still very very low right now (which is great), the virology world and variant hunters are watching a few new mutations lately.
The two most important coming up are KP.3 and LB.1.
Globally, KP.3 is already in 2nd place, very high in places like the UK and Australia, easily growing past previous JN.1 incarnations AND FLiRT variants.: https://ibb.co/ch19ph8
It carries a very rare mutation (S:Q493E) that enhances its fitness and will enable it to grow much fater than previous JN.1 incarnations.: https://ibb.co/9vx0JTn
It is IMMUNE EVASIVE compared to all current acquired immunity, both by vaccination and infection. It's fast enough and evasive enough to probably bump up numbers in June or July.
In the US, KP.3 is in relatively low numbers right now: https://ibb.co/XpRF6D6
BUT KP.3 is growing very quickly as the previous variant snapshot show when put together:
4/01-- 0.34%
4/05-- 0.44%
4/12-- 0.63%
4/19-- 1.17%
4/25-- 1.55%
5/03-- 1.64%
5/06-- 2.23%
5/12-- 3.20%
(This is fast in a landscape that's already thoroughly saturated very very vast variants.)
In PA, variant sequencers have not seen KP.3 pop up yet (doesn't mean it's not here, sequencing and testing are soooooo loooow but at least it's not showing up on the leaderboard.): https://ibb.co/4YzwNFN
However, LB.1 (from the FLiRT group but with an important deletion {S:531del}) is another very fast variant that is probably enough to bump up numbers too.
The summer will probably be FLiRT + FLiRT children vs. KP.3 (nicknamed FLuQE) + FLuQE children.
Those two mutation classes together wil probably start pushing up numbers again in early June.
Unfortunately that's all I have for now as it's getting harder and harder to find updated info.
I hope your Spring continues to be healthy! ๐๐๐
#covid #Covid19 #SARS2PA #CovidIsNotOver #Pennsylvania #PA #JN1 #FLiRT #F456L #R346T #spike_f456l #spike_r346t
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Update for 5/6/2024!
Good Morning SARS2PAians!
Yes I have an update today aaaaand unfortunately that's kinda never a good thing. You DON'T want to hear from me here!
(I am asking you once again....to please make this hobby of mine obsolete ๐๐ Filter the air, be aware of social contacts, wear a quality respirator, and wash hands for the gastro stuff.)
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VOCsWe are dealing with FLiRT now, but there are two groups of incoming variants that are becoming concerningly successful in other countires including right next door in Canada.: https://ibb.co/fkG3gpg
One is an earlier-new group consisting of JN.1.32 and KP.3.
Another, far off-new yet, is KW.1 and its child, KW.1.1.
All of these variants have been proven faster than FliRT in Australia, UK, etc. KP.3 is exceptionally fast.
๐ดDue to antigenic drift, vaccines and previous infection are NOT as effective to protect you with these upcoming variants.
๐ดThis does NOT mean vaccines don't work, so do not go spreading that. (You should also be mightily shunned for spreading that.)
Again: Vaccines are safe and effective...but these incoming variants are starting to yet again DRIFT TOO FAR AWAY from the current XBB vaccines.
I've highlighted the upcoming concerning variants in teal, as opposed to the FLiRT group which is in pink. KW.1.1 isn't above the fold yet nationally at 0.16% so I made a note on the image so I remember to keep track of this number.
Nationally, JN.1.7 and JN.1 are a tthe top of the board. JN.1.32 at 2.23% and KP.3 also at 2.23%. KW.1 at a little under half a percent. These numbers might be higher in actual meatspace because there is not nearly enough labwork/sequencing available to make laser-focused predictions.: https://ibb.co/bRpvDP7
In PA, we do not have group 2 of the far-off variants yet here but we do have KP.2. Gotta watch this one.: https://ibb.co/3kPMBwM
In NY/NJ, whoa, KP.3 already clocking in at over 3%, in the top 10 of random sequencing already. I haven't been watching this one so when I have more time I'll go back and check this one out.: https://ibb.co/qM7C4CY
KP.2 already at over 10%. That's fast, and antigenic drift is absolutely not helping here as any protection we might have had against this new stuff is starting to slip away.
We might be in for a bump up in numbers this spring, as something similar last year happened too.
Just giving everyone a heads-up on what we might be in for this spring/summer.
We can keep it in control by practicing some very comon-sense, easy things!
Have a safe spring!! ๐๐๐
#covid #Covid19 #SARS2PA #CDC #CovidIsNotOver #Wastewater #Pennsylvania #PA #JN1 #FLiRT #F456L #R346T #spike_r346t #spike_f456l
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Good Morning/Afternoon SARS2PAians!!
I hope you are enjoying this GORGEOUS Spring weather ๐๐๐
1/2 Update for May 3, 2024!
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:all_the_things: State of the Subreddit/Fediverse posts:There's not much new to report for COVID right now except some closely watched new mutations, so basically TL;DR is that COVID levels are very very low, enjoy it but please keep source control safety always on the backburner.
So. I don't mean to only have this as a once-a-week thing but it's kind of turning into that. I also don't mean to have people waste their time checking in here if I don't post, but I'm always hesitant to call it a once-a-week-thing as COVID is so volatile and mutations can always manifest something very weird in a short amount of time.
I have no idea when info will be available so I'm keeping it a "twice-a-week thing", Monday and Friday but sometimes I just don't have enough info/anything new/time for a Monday, so Friday is always much better for a full post for me.
I hope you continue to find this informative useful and I suuuuuper apologize if you check in and I don't post. ๐
But even better, go check out the links for yourself and follow people smarter than me for COVID stuff!
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VOCsNationally, JN.1 and JN.1.7 still at the top of the leaderboard. FLiRT variants JN.1.4 and KP.2 keeps chipping away at their lead.: https://ibb.co/JqWkBSD
KP.2 seems to be the fastest mover of the whole FLiRT mutation block and the one the virology world is keeping their eyes on.
In PA, we don't have KP.2 showing up on Rajnarayanan's Tableau site so far, whcih is good but we still have quite a few FLiRTs here.: https://ibb.co/vP5yH4G
In NY/NJ, we can see here KP.2 has climbed above all the other FLiRTs, is in 4th place at >8% and is right behind JN.1 now.: https://ibb.co/ZzLcRxJ
The WHO is now looking to JN.1 being the next mutation that will be the base of the newest COVID vaccine.: https://www.who.int/news/item/26-04-2024-statement-on-the-antigen-composition-of-covid-19-vaccines
๐ดPLEASE GET VACCINATED if available. Don't be a tuff guy. Go get it.
Upcoming fast variants are KP.3 and JN.1.32๐, which are not FLiRTs but very fast. I have them highlighted in teal on the charts as they are both already up to almost 5% of national sequencing.
In PA, we have JN.1.32 in low but measurable amounts at a little over 3% of random sequencing and these two variants wil have to be watched.
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CDCCDC has stopped requiring reporting COVID hospital admissions, hospital capacity or hospital occupancy data at the beginning of May. ๐ This plus nowhere near enough testing and sequencing makes this....hard to keep up with the virus.
"Effective May 1, 2024, hospitals are no longer required to report COVID-19 hospital admissions, hospital capacity, or hospital occupancy data to HHS through CDCโs National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN). CDC encourages ongoing, voluntary reporting of hospitalization data. Data voluntarily reported to NHSN after May 1, 2024, will be available starting May 10, 2024, at COVID Data Tracker Hospitalizations."
"The source of hospital information on the COVID Data Tracker home page will change from the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) to COVID-NET. Instead of displaying national counts of new hospital admissions, it will show COVID-19 hospitalization rates per 100,000 people. More information on COVID-Net is available on COVID-NET Laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 Hospitalizations."
https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home ๐
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Other PathogensWastewaterSCAN now has SARS2 as LOW! YEAH! :canparrot:
Also FluB and RSV! Woohoo! :canparrot:
Still HIGH though are FluA, Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), parainfluenza, and gastro bugs Noro and Rotavirus.: https://ibb.co/By0g9Xt
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H5N1 follows in second post......#covid #Covid19 #SARS2PA #CDC #CovidIsNotOver #Wastewater #Pennsylvania #PA #JN1 #FluB #Influenza #Norovirus #HMPV #FLiRT #F456L #R346T #spike_r346t #spike_f456l
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Good Afternoon SARS2PAians!
I hope your spring is healthy and productive! ๐๐๐
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VOCsNationally, the most concerning variants are, as I posted last week, the FLiRT variants that have specific mutations enabling fast transfer. JN.1.4 and KP.2 are already almost at 10% of variant share but remember the amount of testing and sequencing right now is dismal and it makes everything harder to evaluate.: https://ibb.co/KDt0Bh4
FLiRT variants are highlighted in pink on my screenshot. Expect these to push further and further near the top in the next few weeks (and the CDC NOWCAST confirms this prediction.)
In PA, we still have a few FLiRTs here and you can already see them starting to move toward the top of the variant chart.: https://ibb.co/kc9CQyZ
In NY/NJ, FLiRTs KP.2, JN.1.4, JN.1.16.1, and JN.1.18 already account for ~20% of random sequencing.: https://ibb.co/TrcS9rW
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WastewaterThe GOOD news is COVID is stil fairly low; we've gone below the higher level of two years ago, and are at the lower level of last year at this time!: https://ibb.co/Q83BR3k
We still must watch to see if the FLiRT crew push this metric upwards.
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CDCThe new hospital admits map has changed. High increases all through Central PA excepting Centre Co. and also over tehre in Mercer Co. Philly and Pitt looking very good!: https://ibb.co/Xp8tCJV
The Inpatient Beds Map looks pretty good, some increases in McKean, Potter, and Cameron counties and also around Somerset and Cambria Cos.: https://ibb.co/fD7JYTf
ICU beds over all showing stability, with lots of counties in Central PA and the old coal region on the decrease! Some increases from Lycoming over to McKean though.: https://ibb.co/jMTdyCT
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NOWCASTThe CDC Nowcast is now including multiple fast-moving FLiRT variants in its tracking: KP.2, KP.1.1, KQ.1, JN.1.18.: https://ibb.co/wBY45FV
According to current estimates, these variants combined account for over a third of illnesses already.
These are moving FAST.
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NonSARS2 PathogensMore good news: according to WastewaterSCAN, there are now lots of pathogens considered LOW nationally!
Just be warned that they are still showing HIGH in the Northeast, like FluB, which is LOW nationally but regionally still HIGH. Hopefully these numbers will lower even more as the Spring enables more outdoor/well ventilated activity.: https://ibb.co/vYGmTd1
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H5N1H5N1 particles have been found in dairy milk, and are assumed to be inactivated due to the pasteurization process.
We MUST demand healthy cows, testing and tracking of sick herds, and transparency from the meat and dairy insustries.
This is not necessarily to keep H5N1 out of dairy products.
The more IMMINENT concern than being found in dairy milk is letting this thing percolate until it gains new mutations, whether to infect swine or enable human-to-human transfer.: https://ibb.co/FVbNnky
Some things you can do that are obviously proactive and not panicking about this:
๐ดDemand clean feed for cattle and swine.
๐ดDemand transparent testing, tracing of cattle illness.
๐ดDemand high levels of sampling and sequencing of sick herds.
๐ดAVOID raw dairy products. Seriously, people, DO NOT contribute to this thing by consuming raw dairy products, even if your State allows its sale (and Pennsylvania DOES as far as I know!)
๐ดTry ultra-pasteurized milk, it's the most common milk sold in European countries.
Here's a nifty guide that compares pasteurized/ultra-pasteurized/UHT (ultra high temperature) methods of treating dairy products:
https://www.britannica.com/technology/pasteurization
๐ดAvoid undercooked or rare meats. Meats must be heated to 162 degrees for at least 15 seconds to destroy pathogens like tuberculosis.
๐ดSwitch to providers that are not battery farms and practice humane farming. This is NOT just to be kind to animals (although that's a huge bonus), it is PRACTICAL and keeping herds not densely packed will lessen disease transmission. So far, H5N1 has a 50% kill rate even in non-bird species and we MUST keep outbreaks of it controlled.
I hope you have a FANTASTIC, well-ventilated, healthy and fun Spring!! ๐๐๐
#covid #Covid19 #SARS2PA #CDC #CovidIsNotOver #Wastewater #Pennsylvania #PA #JN1 #FluB #Influenza #Norovirus #HMPV #FLiRT #F456L #R346T #spike_r346t #spike_f456l
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Good Afternoon SARS2PAians!
It's going to get a bit chilly the next few days , butin spite of that I hope you're haivng a great Spring! ๐๐๐
๐ดReminder: If you've built a Corsi-Rosenthal box, you can get lots of seasonal allergy relief by running it! CR boxes have many, many practical uses besides just controlling air particles that carry pathogens.
There was nothing much new to post on Monday plus I had a bunch of family things to handle (and doing this, admittedly takes time) so I apologize again for not posting. But you know the saying "no news is good news" and that defintiely applies to these updates.
I'm going to try and update the link list ASAP.
I hope you still find all this useful and informative. I hope the medical community finds these accurate and reliable.
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VOCsWhile we are experiencing a MOST welcome lull in COVID numbers right now, disease modelers are predicting a bump up in numbers at the end of this month.: https://ibb.co/YpnpfMF
This is due to a variant block that have specific mutations. Together they are nicknamed the FLiRT group and are named so because their most important mutations are located at S:F456L and S:R346T within the structure of the pathogen.
๐ดRight now FLiRT mutes have an 8% advantage even over JN.1. That's fast.: https://ibb.co/NshJLK6
The most important VOCs out there right now are the variants that have the FLiRT designation, and I've highlighted these mutes on these screenshots in pink.
Remember that there is nowhere near the amount of national testing or sequencing that should be implemented, so it makes trying to predict growth activity more difficult.
Nationally, lots of FLiRT mutations out there. It is unknown whether they are fast enough to cause a wave altogether, but they're fast enough to compete with JN.1 to eventually take over quite a bit of the current leaderboard.: https://ibb.co/S7kCkpH
In PA, we have quite a few FLiRT mutation here but these mutes are in relatively low numbers, so far.: https://ibb.co/bdhJwKv
In NY/NJ, FLiRT mute JN.1.4 already in second place on the leaderboard at over 9% of random sequencing. The other FLiRT variants will undoubtedly catch up.: https://ibb.co/ZBgYP2G
Here you can see FLiRT's innate growth advantage compared to JN variants.: https://ibb.co/3swYQ4r
Here you can see JN.1's innate growth advantage compared to older variants.: https://ibb.co/DfH6j53
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WastewaterNationally we're still on the bottom of the lull. This might be the lowest point of the whole year as our numbers ongoing could match 2022/2023, where we had quite a bump up in the middle of the summer (because, reminder: COVID doesn't have a "season", it can bump those numbers up anytime it gets lucky with a new mutation!).: https://ibb.co/3mVzfx9
In PA, wastewater still low pretty much everywhere which is great. MontCo SMASHING it, going way below national levels!!: https://ibb.co/TbrQgk7
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CDCThe counties showing high increase in hospital admits has shifted around. Now the counties with the highest increases are along the NY border and down in the Southwest corner surrounding Greene Co. Adams and York also showing high end increases. Philly corner showing moderate increases.: https://ibb.co/cQRgbwM
The % inpatient beds map looks very good! stable or decreasing everywhere, except some increases in Columbia Co up going Northeast to Wayne Co.: https://ibb.co/Q8JMZvh
Staffed ICU beds in the vast majority of counties steady or going down...except Columbia, Luzerne and Wyoming in the eastern half of the State and Centre, Clearfield and Jefferson in Central PA.: https://ibb.co/5kXgcYR
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Other PathogensWe're still high in non-SARS2 respiratory pathogens according the WastewaterSCAN. FluA, FluB, and Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) are still HIGH.
Gastro stuff is very high too, Norovirus and Roitavirus.
๐ดKeep the air clean, be aware of social contacts and wear a quality respirator in crowds and in places where air filteration is suboptimal. Stay home of you are sick to beat the respiratory stuff.
๐ดWASH HANDS with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds to beat Noro and Rota. Rinse off fruits and veg before you eat them. Be aware of food handling safety in the kitchen. Don't send kids to school with this.
Mostly because...Noro and Rota are not only extremely contagious, they're also just...gross. ๐คข
I hope you have a GREAT and safe Spring!! ๐๐๐
#covid #Covid19 #SARS2PA #CDC #CovidIsNotOver #Wastewater #Pennsylvania #PA #JN1 #FluA #FluB #Influenza #Norovirus #Rotavirus #HMPV #FLiRT #F456L #R346T #spike_r346t #spike_f456l
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Good Afternoon SARS2PAians!
I hope you had a clear and safe view of the eclipse on Tuesday!!! ๐๐๐
I hope you also have a great and safe Spring now that warmer weather is finally here! ๐๐๐
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VOCsNothing much new to report on new variants (which is why I didn't post on Monday...absolutely nothing was updated at all...wastewater, CDC, variants, etc.).
JN.1 and JN.1.4 still at the top of the leaderboard.
The fastest two variants now in the US are JN.1.18 and KP.2 (which is a descendant of JN.1.11.1) and though the two are making gains every update, they don't seem to be near as fast as JN.1 was.: https://ibb.co/zFNhBF7
There are no new imminently concerning variants on the horizon right now.
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WastewaterNational level is still MEDIUM on WastewaterSCAN but we're now approaching where we were at this time last year. Still a ways to go to get to LOW levels but at least it isn't going up for now.: https://ibb.co/yR8ttZ1
Wastewater is showing SARS2 actually increasing in the UPark area.:https://ibb.co/K2MWY4G
PLEASE use quality respirators, be aware of social contacts, and KEEP THE AIR CLEAN!
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Other PathogensWastewaterSCAN has us at MEDIUM for SARS2 but there's still a LOOOOOT out there that is HIGH.: https://ibb.co/R6R5jDM
FluA, FluB, Human Metapneumovirus(HMPV) and gastro pathogens Norovirus and Rotavirus are still HIGH nationally.
In PA, the highest by far is Noro, but also FluA and FluB is very high.
Wear respirators to control SARS2 and WASH THOSE HANDSIES to control the gastro stuff! ๐
UPark has got some work to do with pathogen control. Levels are going up/lagging behind on handling SARS2, FluA, FluB, HMPV, Noro.: https://ibb.co/YcvPpJg
Please get a handle of this stuff, UPark.
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H5N1A condensed version of the current state of H5N1:
H5N1 IS NOT NEW.
So far, the only human cases of contracting H5N1 are through direct contact with infected animals.
So far, scientists are still unsure of how H5N1 affects cattle. THIS IS in fact, NEW.
๐ดCattle cases have been found in 8 states.: https://ibb.co/YcvPpJg
The vast majority are in Texas. 40% of Panhandle cattle have been infected, and that area produces 82% of Texas' milk. This is LOTS of room for new mutations to develop.: https://ibb.co/yFr2Rm1
New Mexico
Idaho
North Carolina
Ohio
Michigan
Kansas
South Dakota.These states are not in the paths of migratory birds so contaminated FEED is suspected. The feed is contaminated by practices that are LEGAL in the US but BANNED in Canada and Europe....mainly, feeding bird waste to cattle.
๐ด Feed for swine was DEREGULATED in 2018 and MUST be re-regulated to protect swine from H5N1. They are genetically similar to humans and can easily percolate a mutation that spreads to humans.: https://ibb.co/NxdSJm7
๐ด Feed for all farm animals must be regulated and animal waste must be kept out of farm animal food.
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Like COVID, H5N1 has the ability to gain new mutations from new hosts. THIS IS NOT A NEW CONCEPT.Some things to watch for that are NOT CURRENT but are progressively bad:
--Cattle-to-cattle transmission proven.
--Contaminant-to-swine (pigs) develop.
--Swine-to-Human acquired.
--Human-to-human transmisison proven.
The first three have to somehow happen before the fourth happens. None of these things seem to be imminent but that progression will mirror pathogens like Spanish Flu.
I keep spending a lot of time on this because I cannot stress enough that H5N1 in humans has a 50% kill (case fatality) rate so far. A vaccine does exist for H5N1 for both humans and birds, but the human version is not stored in mass quantities for now.
Some things we can do together to lessen the chances of allowing H5N1 to mutate:
๐ด Lobby for CLEAN animal feed for swine, cattle, and fowl.
๐ด Buy dairy products from smaller, more humane farms. Grass-fed cattle and free-range chicken eggs are more expensive, but better than battery farming products where thousands of animals are squeezed together.
๐ด Buy ultra-pasteurized dairy products (most of our cream is ultra pasteurized anyway).
๐ด Insist that farm birds are vaccinated against H5N1.
๐ด I can't stress enough that farm feed must be HUMANE and REGULATED. This is not political, this is literally to stop a highly pathogenic disease from becoming capable of infecting humans.
Contaminated cattle feed is exactly how the prion infection called Mad Cow Disease begun.
Clean feed and happy farm animals make better, cleaner, and healthier products!
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There are always simple things we can all do to prevent the possibility of dangerous pathogen mutations!
Source control is the most important part to keeping life, learning, and financial loss to a minimum.
I hope you all continue to have a great Spring! ๐๐๐
#covid #Covid19 #SARS2PA #CDC #CovidIsNotOver #Pennsylvania #PA #JN1 #KP2 #FluA #FluB #Influenza #Norovirus #Rotavirus #H5N1 #HMPV
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Good Afternoon SARS2PAians!!
I hope you're having an awesome Spring.๐๐๐ Hoping for clear weather for everyone in the path of the eclipse on Tuesday!! ๐๐๐
1/2
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VOCsNationally, JN.1, JN.1.4, and JN.1.7 in the top three usual lead slots.: https://ibb.co/pJmbmTW
But JN.1.18 and KP.2 are moving up rather quickly.
In PA, a mixed bag of non-top-leaderboard variants, but sequencing/sampling is getting abysmally low which means predicions are lessening in reliability.: https://ibb.co/chKkY7W
We MUST make sure enough samples are in the hands of viral geneticists so they can make informed models of virus activity.
WastewaterNationally, wastewater SARS2 material continuing to lessen, creating a Spring lull.: https://ibb.co/1R24tHp
In PA, all sheds that report to BIOBOT either match national levels or are on the way there. Bucks a bit high, still has some source control to do and they are well on their way to matching the rest of the sheds.: https://ibb.co/PtjWcky
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CDC:Wow. Lots of statewide increases in new hospital admits. Looks like either a steep decrease OR a steep increase with very few counties in-between.: https://ibb.co/pz6qsvv
Increases are in the Northwest corner by Erie, Southwest corner by Greene Co., int he center of the State from Franklin/Fulton all up through Centre and over to Jefferson. Pike all the way down through the old coal region to Lancaster experiencing increases across the board.
The Inpatient Bed map looks relatively calm, though, very steady. Hopefully this new wave of hospital admits will not contribute to this....but I dunno.: https://ibb.co/CpyPwHt
ICU use holding rather steafdy throughout PA but substantial increases around Mifflin, Juniata and Huntingdon Cos.: https://ibb.co/M5Jg52b
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Non-SARS2 stuffRSV has been downgraded to LOW natinally on WastewaterSCAN.
COVID-19 is still MEDIUM.
Respiratory pathogens FluA, FluB, Human Metapneumovrus and Parainfluenza are still HIGH.
Gastro viruses Rotavirus and Norovirus remain HIGH too.
Of these, FluA, FluB and Noro seem to be highest in PA sheds.
Noro is still taking waaaaaaaay off in the Harrisburg area.: https://ibb.co/Qkp0nw8
Same with FluB, going almost vertical near Harrisburg.: https://ibb.co/85vYfkp
FluA levels are still not coming down near UPark.: https://ibb.co/T4ZBVkz
The source control methods for respiratory infections are all the same!
:ms_arrow_right: Clean the air.
:ms_arrow_right: Wear quality respirators in HIGH level areas and in places where veltilation is poor.
:ms_arrow_right: Be aware of social contacts.The mitigations for Noro mostly depend on mindful handwashing WITH soap and water for 20 seconds. Don't depend on hand sanitizer or gloves to control Noro.
Gloves can be depended on a bit tooooooo much (though yes medically they are beneficial, I'm NOT saying ditch gloves) and do not take the place of handwashing. Noro is very resistant to alcohol.
I'll continue with H5N1 in the follow-up post.
#covid #Covid19 #SARS2PA #CDC #CovidIsNotOver #Pennsylvania #PA #JN1 #JN1_4 #KP2 #FluA #FluB #Influenza #Norovirus #Noro #Rotavirus #H5N1 #HMPV
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Update for 4/1/2024!
Good April Morning SARS2PAians!
I hope your spring is healthy. ๐๐๐
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VOCsJN.1 and JN.1.4 stil dominate the leaderboard, but scientists are especially watching a groiup of new mutations including JN.1.18, JN.1.13, KP.2, JN.1.16, and KQ.1.: https://ibb.co/6RvHcZR
Some of these are moving FAST despite the already-very-fast mutations on the landscape.
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WastewaterWe've reached a level of SARS2 material in wastewater low enough to match previous years (2020, 2021.): https://ibb.co/DMyG0k4
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CDCQuite a lot of counties with new hospital admits, especially the Western half of the State. The Southwest corner by Greene Co and from Centre on over to Erie Co and Jefferson are HIGH on the newest chart.: https://ibb.co/m6KYR0Z
The Inpatient Beds chart looks good except for some increases in Lawrence and around Cameron Cos.: https://ibb.co/SPm1wJt
The ICU bed chart looks very good! Most counties are having decreases! However some increases up by Pike Co and significant increases in Franklin and Fulton Cos.:https://ibb.co/sKdK54P
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ResearchTuberculosis after recovering from COVID-19 is becoming more common.: https://ibb.co/ZxZ7kHY
Reactivation of underlying pathogens is NOT NEW. We know this factually from the chicken pox/shingles pathogen.
Also, measles is known to reset the ENTIRE immune system and bring protection from everything down to zero, potentially leaving reactivation of underlying pathogens, which is by levels of magnitude more complex than the physical disability it can cause and makes it imperative that you **VACCINATE YOUR KIDS**.: https://ibb.co/cbFXrRw
Again: NONE of this is brand new, and COVID19 along with other known pathogens, seems to potentially weaken the immune system enough to reactivate underlying pathogens.
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Non-SARS2 PathogensCOVID and RSV thankfully have been downgraded on WastewaterSCAN to "Medium" and "low" respectively.: https://ibb.co/k2SpgLR
However, quite a number of pathogens are still ranking in the HIGH level: FluA, FluB, Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) and the gastro pathogens Norovirus and Rotavirus are still out there.
HMPV often presents with a rash and is related to RSV:
https://www.cdc.gov/ncird/human-metapneumovirus.html
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22443-human-metapneumovirus-hmpvThe prevention for all these respiratory diseses is the same!
Be conscious of crowds.
Wear a mask in places with low air filtration.
Keep the air clean!
Stay home if you are sick!
For norovirus and rotavirus, it's important to wash hands with soap and warm water for 20sec.
:ms_arrow_right: DO NOT depend on gloves and hand sanitizer to control Norovirus, the particles are very resistant to alcohol.
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H5N1Nothing above here has scientists sitting up at attention right now except one thing: H5N1 bird flu.
H5N1 has jumped to dairy cattle (after infecting numerous other species such as seals, fox, deer, etc.), has been found in cattle in TX, KS, MI, NM, and now Idaho.: https://ibb.co/1JgGY2v
Before now, almost all transmission was bird-to-other-species. "Cow-to-cow transmission cannot be ruled out" and will be a disaster for the food supply if not controlled.: https://ibb.co/mDKVZ7R
There is resistance amongst dairy farmers in the US and in Europe to get their cattle tested.
The absolute worst case scenario is if it "makes the leap" to pigs. That means, if genetically it mutates (like COVID-19 is doing) to be able to:
---Infect pigs.
---Gain capability of pig-to-pig transmission.
The genetic "leap" from bird to mammals was very large, and will also be the "leap" from cattle to pig.....but the "leap" from pigs and ferrets to humans after that will be really, really small.
This would be the same route the Spanish Flu took 106 years ago: Birds -> pigs -> humans.
It is...really not a good time to consume unpasteurized, raw dairy products.
:ms_arrow_right: I'm spending a lot of words on this because so far, this thing has a ****50% kill rate******. That is, 1 out of every 2 people who contract H5N1 will die.
I don't know what else to say. We MUST push for thorough farm testing, biosecurity, and intense transmission research.
Stay safe, I hope you had a GREAT holiday, and don't forget to use some form of source control in your daily adventures! ๐
#covid #Covid19 #SARS2PA #CDC #CovidIsNotOver #Pennsylvania #PA #JN1 #JN1_4 #KP2 #FluA #FluB #Influenza #Norovirus #Noro #Rotavirus #H5N1 #HMPV
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Update for 3/8/2024!
Good Morning SARS2PAiains!!
I hope you're ready for that time change on Sunday! ๐๐๐
This is a wonderfully short update. I mean, it doesn't look short, but it kinda is. ๐คช
There's no new CDC stuff.
There are no new wastewater updates and we are continuing to approach lower levels of previous years as spring gets closer.: https://ibb.co/QfPr8NJ
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Lineage NewsThere's no new immediate variant news as JN.1 is still the only thing all over the place so far.
There are some new varaints being watched as JN.1 (and specifically JN.1.11) seems really capable of producing descendants that worry virologists:
โ๏ธJN.1.16: Concerningly infectious even over very wide areas in China; Lots of this currently being uploaded from what I gather in USA too, already in 9 states.
โKP.1.1 (which is JN.1.11.1.1.1): this has a potential nuts-level of growth rate going by genetics alone.
โKP.2 (which is JN.1.11.1.2): seems closely related to JN.1.16 that I was, in my very very unprofessional opinion, concerned about last update.
โKP.2.1: widespread already in East Asia.
KP.x.y has an extraordinary growth rate only considering mutations but we'll see how any of this checks out in actual biological results.
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NON SARS PATHOGENSThere is still a very high amount of total pathogens all around.: https://ibb.co/3sxWQ3C
Respiratory pathogens are still high according to WastewaterSCAN:
โSARS2
โRSV
โFlu A
โFlu B
โParainfluenza, which has been upgraded to HIGH since last update.
Gastro stuff is still very high too!:
โNorovirus
โRotavirus
Noro is thankfully declining at UPark but still in the very high range.: https://ibb.co/CMSGsjg
If we keep using common sense ways to control it, it prevents DAYS of learning/financial loss and potential hospital visits for dehydration. And...it's just gross to deal with. ๐คข
Fpr respiratory illnesses, wear a quality respirator, be aware of social contacts, mask/respirator up in crowds and in low ventilation areas (low ceilings, restrooms, elevators, etc.), keep the air clean, get those COVID and flu shots, and STAY HOME if you are sick!
For the gastro stuff, don't prepare food when sick. Don't depend on gloves for sanitizing either! Wash fruits and veg before you eat them.
Wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds.
โHand sanitizer and heat does not work well against Norovirus because the individual virions are very very tough to kill. You MUST wash hands with soap and water.
For all pathogens, cover coughs and sneezes in the elbow crease and not your hands.
We're almost there! :canparrot:
It's Goose flyover season! :cangoose:
We're gonna have a great Spring, and simple, common sense consideration and source control is how we get there! ๐๐๐
#covid #Covid19 #SARS2PA #CDC #CovidIsNotOver #Pennsylvania #PA #JN1 #FluA #FluB #Influenza #Norovirus #Noro #Rotavirus
#JN1Sixteen #JN116
#KP1One #KP11
#KP2
#KP2One #KP21#WearAMask #CleanTheAir #VaccinesSaveLives #WashHands #Wastewater #StayHomeIfSick #SourceControl #USESourceControl #COVIDSourceControl
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Update for 3/1/2024!
Good Morning SARS2PAians! โ๏ธ
Welcome to March, after Leap Day ๐๐๐ธ!
There's no new CDC stuff today.
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VOCsNothing currently new with VOCs, JN.1 all over the place nationally: https://ibb.co/GncBGTR
and in PA of course.: https://ibb.co/yS1wq0c
Scientists are still watching JN.1.11, and even though it's sort of fizzled out itself, its children are now moving progressively faster as it develops.
Faster than its parent, JN.1.11.1 is moving along and is being found in most new sampling.
Along with it, JN.1.11.1.1, which is shortened to KP.1, has great potential to make a dent in its grandparent's leaderboard status.
I'm also seeing a LOT of JN.1.16 both here in Canada by the latest sequencing experts. I'm just going to make a mental note of JN.1.16 because it and also JN.1.11.1 are both moving sorta quickly through Canada and are also found in the NY/NJ area.: https://ibb.co/R3Tmstt
None of these are "major eathshaking variants" but to have something faster NOW will bump numbers back up for Spring and we DO NOT want that!
Nothing all that significant in PA yet. No JN.1.16, JN.1.11, JN.1.11.1, or KP.1.
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WastewaterNationally, SARS2 material found in wastewater is DROPPING again!: https://ibb.co/3RM4DDk
This is great. We are starting to approach the lower levels of previous years.: https://ibb.co/pbHnDDJ
Regionally, all regions are down except for the Midwest which is bumping upwards.: https://ibb.co/MhJmxX4
In PA, all 5 sheds that report to Biobot are droping significantly!!: https://ibb.co/tPhVHWJ
And so are the Harrisburg and UPark areas which report to WastewaterSCAN. This is great for still having winter weather. We're handling it. We're doing something right!: https://ibb.co/5cWQDHh
The State PA Wastewater Dashboard now has many sheds, especially in the East, in the blue, SARS concentration lessening.: https://ibb.co/Wx2Pf2J
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Non-SARS2 WastewaterOK, now for the not-so-great wastewater news: we're getting smashed by non-SARS pathogens like FluA, FluB, and Norovirus (which is the "24-hr stomach bug").
Numbers of FluA and FluB are rising significantly in all sheds that report to WastewaterSCAN.
FluA: https://ibb.co/Xkn6xYL
FluB: https://ibb.co/84wfBH9Especially in UPark with FluB, yikes. Please wear a quality respirator to control this. Not doing so means more learning loss!
UPark is getting hit hard with Norovirus, which is already at HIGH levels and is going vertical there.: https://ibb.co/svpJB1t
C'mon, UPark, get a hold of this so your Spring won't be a mess! ๐
:ms_arrow_right: WASH hands, WASH food you eat and don't prepare food if you are sick to prevent the spread of Noro. It's just gross. Don't spread it!
It's still going to take a bit of work but if we do, we'll be more prepared for a healthier Spring.
And that in both scenarios: if we have a relatively calm COVID Spring with no new crazyfast variant (less likely), and also we won't be fighting pathogens on many different fronts if we DO have a crazyfast variant (more likely).
Stay healthy and have a great March! โ๏ธ๐โ๏ธ
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