#norovirus — Public Fediverse posts

Outbreak: #Norovirus

Facility: Alexander Place
Facility Type: LTC Home
Unit/Floor/Area: Home Area 3
Location: #Waterdown #Ontario
Facility Tracking Hash: #HPHS0021

Date: 2026-09-02

Public Health Unit: #Hamilton Public Health Services
PHU Tracking Hash: #OnObHPHS

Click or follow tracking hashtags to see current and historical data for individual facilities or a specific public health unit.

Outbreak: #Norovirus

Facility: Alexander Place
Facility Type: LTC Home
Unit/Floor/Area: Home Area 3
Location: #Waterdown #Ontario
Facility Tracking Hash: #HPHS0021

Date: 2026-09-02

Public Health Unit: #Hamilton Public Health Services
PHU Tracking Hash: #OnObHPHS

Click or follow tracking hashtags to see current and historical data for individual facilities or a specific public health unit.

Outbreak: #Norovirus

Facility: Alexander Place
Facility Type: LTC Home
Unit/Floor/Area: Home Area 3
Location: #Waterdown #Ontario
Facility Tracking Hash: #HPHS0021

Date: 2026-09-02

Public Health Unit: #Hamilton Public Health Services
PHU Tracking Hash: #OnObHPHS

Click or follow tracking hashtags to see current and historical data for individual facilities or a specific public health unit.

Outbreak: #Norovirus

Facility: Alexander Place
Facility Type: LTC Home
Unit/Floor/Area: Home Area 3
Location: #Waterdown #Ontario
Facility Tracking Hash: #HPHS0021

Date: 2026-09-02

Public Health Unit: #Hamilton Public Health Services
PHU Tracking Hash: #OnObHPHS

Click or follow tracking hashtags to see current and historical data for individual facilities or a specific public health unit.

Outbreak: #Norovirus

Facility: Alexander Place
Facility Type: LTC Home
Unit/Floor/Area: Home Area 3
Location: #Waterdown #Ontario
Facility Tracking Hash: #HPHS0021

Date: 2026-09-02

Public Health Unit: #Hamilton Public Health Services
PHU Tracking Hash: #OnObHPHS

Click or follow tracking hashtags to see current and historical data for individual facilities or a specific public health unit.

See Which State Has Now Gone Off The Charts For Covid!!

#COVID19 #SARSCoV2 #Pandemic #CovidIsNotOver #CovidIsAirborne #H5N1 #Measles #WhoopingCough #RSV #Norovirus #Tuberculosis #Polio #Mpox #MaskUp #N95 #KeepMasksInHealthcare

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UO8Bk9tgw80

See Which State Has Now Gone Off The Charts For Covid!!

#COVID19 #SARSCoV2 #Pandemic #CovidIsNotOver #CovidIsAirborne #H5N1 #Measles #WhoopingCough #RSV #Norovirus #Tuberculosis #Polio #Mpox #MaskUp #N95 #KeepMasksInHealthcare

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UO8Bk9tgw80

There Is A Fast And Furious Rise Of Covid In Some Areas

#COVID19 #SARSCoV2 #Pandemic #CovidIsNotOver #CovidIsAirborne #H5N1 #Measles #WhoopingCough #RSV #Norovirus #Tuberculosis #Polio #Mpox #MaskUp #N95 #KeepMasksInHealthcare

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_fG3be_78s

There Is A Fast And Furious Rise Of Covid In Some Areas

#COVID19 #SARSCoV2 #Pandemic #CovidIsNotOver #CovidIsAirborne #H5N1 #Measles #WhoopingCough #RSV #Norovirus #Tuberculosis #Polio #Mpox #MaskUp #N95 #KeepMasksInHealthcare

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_fG3be_78s

Covid Is Peaking Late In Many Areas And Rapidly Rising!

#COVID19 #SARSCoV2 #Pandemic #CovidIsNotOver #CovidIsAirborne #H5N1 #Measles #WhoopingCough #RSV #Norovirus #Tuberculosis #Polio #Mpox #MaskUp #N95 #KeepMasksInHealthcare

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3E99Mlcuiw

Covid Is Peaking Late In Many Areas And Rapidly Rising!

#COVID19 #SARSCoV2 #Pandemic #CovidIsNotOver #CovidIsAirborne #H5N1 #Measles #WhoopingCough #RSV #Norovirus #Tuberculosis #Polio #Mpox #MaskUp #N95 #KeepMasksInHealthcare

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3E99Mlcuiw

RNA structures regulate norovirus life cycle & enable rational attenuation in vivo

Conserved #norovirus RNA structures control replication & #immunity, enabling design of a stable, protective attenuated virus.

#OpenAccess #virology #microbiology

https://davidojcius.blogspot.com/2026/08/rna-structures-control-norovirus.html

Good Afternoon SARS2PAians!

1/2 for Sept. 9th, 2024

I hope you are having a healthy and productive late summer!☀️

__________
VOCs

The national mutation leaderboard hasn't changed much.: https://ibb.co/LP1L4LZ

There are no new mutations that are on the far horizon that can compete with KP.3.1.1 so far.

The closest competitor is the recombinant XEC, a combo of KS.1.1 and KP.3.1, and is maybe almost equally as fast as what we have now.

We have XEC already in PA.: https://ibb.co/JpnYfcJ

The good news is XEC, as I mentioned last time, has only 2 spike mutations different from KP.3.1.1, so any immunity granted against KP.x.y will also work very well against XEC.

Actually, the current versions are pretty stagnant. Stagnation is good as it gives us a breather, but it's also what happened between XBB and JN.1/KP.x.y.: https://ibb.co/BCqrTFN

Thanks to variant hunters, who constantly monitor virus genetics and then estimate growth rates (and some of which are not even paid to do this for us), we will have a few weeks to a month or two of any incoming fast, binding, or immune-evasive mutations.

Keep watching that space. It's important, especially as winter approaches.

__________
Wastewater

WastewaterSCAN still has our region at HIGH levels of SARS2.: https://ibb.co/wRCwRkK

Chester's numbers are not low, but much more manageable than in other areas. Harrisburg is doing much better as numbers keep going down there! Good work Hburg!: https://ibb.co/Pm9kF4H

Our region's numbers are going down after a peak already. This is a relief. We are still the HHS region with the lowest numbers.: https://ibb.co/3zcRKJL

PA, after quite a sizeable spike, is VERy quickly returning to numbers way below national average and more on par with the rest of the region.: https://ibb.co/VtVxDYX

We're doing something right. 💪

But remember, numbers are still in the moderate to HIGH range, so please keep working on source control.

According to CDC, there is NO state right now having anything less than "moderate" wastewater levels. Clearly this is defintely NOT a best-case scenario going into Fall.

Existing immune deficiency due to previous reinfections (and first time infections!) and already very high virus spread might make for quite a high-maintenance Fall and Winter this year.

__________
Kits, vaxes, etc.

Reminder that you can get 4 Federally funded tests kits by mail at the end of this month. Don't miss it!!

Covidtests.gov: https://aspr.hhs.gov/covid-19/test/Pages/default.aspx

There's also a tool from Vaccines.gov to find an mRNA KP.2 vaccination near you!!!

🔴Also reminder: if you have an uncomfortably strong reaction to mRNA vaccines, please do give Novavax a try. It's protein-based, and formulated much like a traditional tetanus shot, rather than mRNA.

https://us.novavaxcovidvaccine.com/find-a-vaccine

I am not in any way paid to promote Novavax. And I'm not the company President, but...I am in fact a client 😎

If you are unable to get Novavax, PLEASE.....get something.

🔴And gooooooo get a FLU SHOT too if you are able!

__________
Other Pathogens

:coronavirus: H5N1

There was a first case already of H5N1 infection in a person in Missouri, NOT linked, so far, to animal contact and not farm related.

https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/06/health/first-human-case-of-bird-flu-not-linked-to-animals/index.html

This is the current picture for H5N1. Found in 14 states.: https://ibb.co/pfrFxtT

This is ...pretty bad. This is getting progressively...kinda bad.

🔴Please DO NOT consume raw dairy products: raw eggs, undercooked/rare meat, unpasteurized dairy. Dippy eggs. Raw egg-based cookie dough. Just don't.

🔴Use extra caution with animals like rodents in your home, especially if you have to deal with them after they're trapped.

🔴Keep your cats indoors and dogs away from prey. H5N1 has a super-high kill rate especially in cats.

Stock up NOW on a few N95s (you will NOT want less than a genuine N95 for this thing), gloves, and MERV-13 filters for those CR boxes.

CDC can repeat "risk assessment low" all they want, we should NOT be screwing around with something than has an estimated baseline 20% kill rate, which is the reason I spend so much time on this subject in a SARS2 forum.

The current genetics of H5N1 is not scary, but giving this thing more chances to hit the lottery is the worst thing we could be doing now.

🔴Again: H5N1 cannot combine with the pathogen that causes COVID19, because one is a SARS and the other is an influenza. They are way too different from each other. But it CAN combine with influenza A and B....and we are entering that season soon.

We can do the best things in preparation NOW for a worst case scenario which means building up some basic PPE at home, avoiding exposure. Prepare =/= panic.

Please stay safe this coming Fall and keep that source control down!

☀️🍁☀️

#COVID19 #COVID #COVIDisNotOver #SARS2PA
#Pennsylvania #PA #KP3 #XEC #FLuQUE

#Wastewater #Norovirus #Noro

#H5N1 #HPAI #BirdFlu

#WearAMask #CleanTheAir #WashHands #mRNA #Novavax
#VaccinesSaveLives #StayHomeIfSick !

Good Afternoon and Holiday, SARS2PAians!

🔴1/2 Sept/2/2024

I hope you're having a GREAT late summer. ☀️

There's not much going on that is new right now in VOC land. Top variants are still KP.3, descendats of JN.1.

KP.3 is FAST. Super fast. It's like a heat-seeking missle, getting a lot of people that have never had COVID before, for the first time.

Including me 🙄 which is why I didn't post last week. I apologize yet again.

__________
My stuff (should you for some weird reason be curious)

I tested + almost a week and a half ago and am STILL testing positive. I am doing everything possible to not give this thing air. I'm wearing an N95 outside all the time now and only going out if it's necessary. I have 2 Corsi-Rosenthal boxes that go every moment I'm home to protect my pets. I'm feeling OK but not 100%...maybe 75%.

I am determined to keep testing every day as long as it's financially doable.

I'm monitoring my symptoms, both acute, long term, and especially cognitive (most scary and hardest to tell) for any further changes.

I think I have Novavax (I am not paid to write this, I wish I was 🙄) to thank for not being worse than this because it's been clinically proven to grant extra protection to upper respiratory passages, which is ground zero for where SARS2 enters the body...(at least against the older variants).: https://ibb.co/1fCjZvr

BA.5 Study Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10451060/

AGAIN...if you have an uncomfortably strong reaction to mRNA, please give Novavax a try as overall, it's been proven to cause fewer side effects AND be more cross-protective between current mutations.

But if you do not have access to Novavax...Please. Get something.

__________
XEC

As far as XEC (which is a recombinant of KP.3.3 and KS.1), it's still being monitored for spread as it's the only thing that can possibly even keep up with KP.3.x.y now.

The good thing is, it has a difference of only two spike changes from KP.3.1.1 (the top variant blazing around now) so vaccines will protect VERY well against it, too.: https://ibb.co/9yfCqFc

Both Novavax (JN.1 formula, the "trunk" of the current top variant tree) and mRNA (KP.2 formula, a "branch" of the tree that most closely resembles current variants) are very good matches to the top variants going around and they're all out for scheduling right now.: https://ibb.co/1RFn3HF

:canparrot: GO GET VAXED! (...and for flu, too!)

Also get those 4 Federally-funded test kits through the mail when they're available in late September!: https://aspr.hhs.gov/covid-19/test/Pages/default.aspx

__________
Wastewater

Wastewater numbers are still VERY HIGH according to CDC and WastewaterSCAN nationally.: https://ibb.co/Wx4jyKy

PA's wastewater numbers continue to rise:https://ibb.co/QPfQvmK

...while the rest of the HHS regions' numbers have seemingly hit peak. According to CDC we've been bumped up to the VERY HIGH slot.: https://ibb.co/QczqW3m

Harrisburg is again getting hit really hard with viral spread, being at the top in wasteewater right now out of HHS Region 3. Please stay safe and wear a quality well-fitting respirator in crowded areas or places with suboptimal ventilation!

Continued in next post.....

#COVID19 #COVID #COVIDisNotOver #SARS2PA
#Pennsylvania #PA #KP3 #XEC #FLuQUE

#Wastewater #Norovirus #Noro

#H5N1 #HPAI #BirdFlu

#WearAMask #CleanTheAir #WashHands
#VaccinesSaveLives #StayHomeIfSick !

Good Morning/Afternoon SARS2PAians!!

I hope you are enjoying this GORGEOUS Spring weather 💐💐💐

1/2 Update for May 3, 2024!

__________
: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. 🙏

But even better, go check out the links for yourself and follow people smarter than me for COVID stuff!

__________
VOCs

Nationally, 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

🔴PLEASE GET VACCINATED if available. Don't be a tuff guy. Go get it.

Upcoming fast variants are KP.3 and JN.1.32👀, 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.

__________
CDC

CDC has stopped requiring reporting COVID hospital admissions, hospital capacity or hospital occupancy data at the beginning of May. 🙄 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 CDC’s 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 🙄

__________
Other Pathogens

WastewaterSCAN 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

__________
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

#H5N1 #CleanFeedNOW

#WearAMask #CleanTheAir #WashHands #StayHomeIfSick !

Good Afternoon SARS2PAians!

I hope your spring is healthy and productive! 💐💐💐

__________
VOCs

Nationally, 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

__________
Wastewater

The 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.

__________
CDC

The 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

__________
NOWCAST

The 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.

__________
NonSARS2 Pathogens

More 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

__________
H5N1

H5N1 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:

🔴Demand clean feed for cattle and swine.

🔴Demand transparent testing, tracing of cattle illness.

🔴Demand high levels of sampling and sequencing of sick herds.

🔴AVOID 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!)

🔴Try 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

🔴Avoid undercooked or rare meats. Meats must be heated to 162 degrees for at least 15 seconds to destroy pathogens like tuberculosis.

🔴Switch 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!! 💐💐💐

#covid #Covid19 #SARS2PA #CDC #CovidIsNotOver #Wastewater #Pennsylvania #PA #JN1 #FluB #Influenza #Norovirus #HMPV #FLiRT #F456L #R346T #spike_r346t #spike_f456l

#H5N1 #CleanFeedNOW

#WearAMask #CleanTheAir #WashHands #StayHomeIfSick !

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! 💐💐💐

🔴Reminder: 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.

__________
VOCs

While 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.

🔴Right 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

__________
Wastewater

Nationally 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

__________
CDC

The 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

__________
Other Pathogens

We'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.

🔴Keep 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.

🔴WASH 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. 🤢

I hope you have a GREAT and safe Spring!! 💐💐💐

#covid #Covid19 #SARS2PA #CDC #CovidIsNotOver #Wastewater #Pennsylvania #PA #JN1 #FluA #FluB #Influenza #Norovirus #Rotavirus #HMPV #FLiRT #F456L #R346T #spike_r346t #spike_f456l

#WearAMask #CleanTheAir #WashHands #StayHomeIfSick !

Good Morning SARS2PAians!!

I apologize for not typing up a thing for you all on Friday, I got caught up in family stuff. I hope you had a GREAT and SAFE weekend!!
:canparrot:

__________
VOCs

Nationally, JN.1 still at a solid >40% of randomly sequenced samples.: https://ibb.co/s9rZzPq

KP.2 is the next variant to watch and has already had some FAST gains in the past few days.

in PA, both JN.1.16 and KP.2 have already been sequenced here. Control the spread of these potentiall troublesome two mutations by employing SOME form of source control!: https://ibb.co/rtKWn48

in NY/NJ, JN.1 and JN.1.4 at the top as usual but KP.2 already at 1.31% of random sequencing.: https://ibb.co/XDTdCJ8

__________
Lineage News

While other lineages with lab-estimated growth did not seem to contribute to the leaderboard as much as JN.1 continues to do that, its descendant KP.2 is showing extremely fast growth both in lab estimates (with a high confidence level, so this lab data will probably translate more readily into real-world trouble) AND in actual numbers of sequences found.: https://ibb.co/3kyD7Bc

It still has a bonkers high growth advantage rate considering genetics alone and has moved quickly up a couple ranks in actual practice, on the sequencing leaderboard already.

It'll definitely be one to watch.

__________
Wastewater

Nationally, COVID levels continue to decline in wastewater. This will only get better once these cold snaps are done! We're still at a point where we're very high compared to previous years, though.: https://ibb.co/DY8LNMB

Previous years comparison: https://ibb.co/pw8WLjH

Regionally, all regions are declining in found SARS2 material in wastewater. We are still at the highest concentration in the Northeast compared to everyone else, though.: https://ibb.co/8sj4BpS

In PA, Chester Co. is SMASHING IT and levels are absolutely tanking for now! But Bucks, Luzerne, and Lackawanna's levels are still a bit above naitonal averages. Use source control to improve this data point!: https://ibb.co/s65h3yG

__________
CDC

The New Hospital Admits map is showing significant increases in Juniata Co. curving down to Somerset Co and Bedford Co., and also over in Lawrence Co. The rest of the map is pretty good, with overwhelmingly reductions in hospital admits in most counties!: https://ibb.co/sKnLV5X

Staffed Inpatient Beds are showing significant increases in Juniata, Mifflin, Huntingdon and Elk Cos with the rest of our counties stable or slightly decreasing.: https://ibb.co/Yyj4MRr

Quite a lot of ICU bed use increases. From Greene at the southweasternmost corner, all the way diagonally up to Bradford and Susquehanna Cos, increasing levels all the way. Don't be this statistic, folks. Get those XBB/flu/etc. shots.: https://ibb.co/LYkXcKJ

Sadly there have been 1,064 COVID deaths in PA in the last three months and while this number has gone down a bit since last time I posted this, our state remains in the highest category of the 3 month data cycle.: https://ibb.co/8m5SDBY

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Non-SARS2 Pathogens

Well, if you want to stick around to read this, I'll post this part up last.

While SARS2/COVID continues to steadily decline, the one pathogen that's still at quite a staggeringly high rate is Norovirus, the "24-hour stomach bug".

Levels of this are still EXTREMELY high, and are slow to start going down, as they had around this time last year.: https://ibb.co/Kqny3QJ

PLEASE WASH HANDS with soap and water. Hand sanitizer is not enough. Norovirus is extremely resistant to alcohol and heat sterilization due to a tough "shell" surrounding the virions.

You MUST wah hands with warm water and soap for 20 seconds to actively contribute to controlling Norovirus.

Wash fruits and veg before you eat them, even if you don't eat the peel (example: clementines, oranges, and grapefruit.)

Don't serve or prepare food if you are sick!

This thing is just gross. 🤢 Make sure everything's clean before you sit down to eat!

Using source control will make numbers for ALL pathogens go downward so we have a healthy (and not gross) Spring! 💐💐💐

#covid #Covid19 #SARS2PA #CDC #CovidIsNotOver #Pennsylvania #PA #JN1 #Influenza #Norovirus #Noro

#KP2

#WearAMask #CleanTheAir #VaccinesSaveLives #WashHands #Wastewater #StayHomeIfSick #SourceControl #USESourceControl #COVIDSourceControl

Update for 3/8/2024!

Good Morning SARS2PAiains!!

I hope you're ready for that time change on Sunday! 🕐🕐🕐

This is a wonderfully short update. I mean, it doesn't look short, but it kinda is. 🤪

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

__________
Lineage News

There'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:

❗️JN.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.

❗KP.1.1 (which is JN.1.11.1.1.1): this has a potential nuts-level of growth rate going by genetics alone.

❗KP.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.

❗KP.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.

__________
NON SARS PATHOGENS

There is still a very high amount of total pathogens all around.: https://ibb.co/3sxWQ3C

Respiratory pathogens are still high according to WastewaterSCAN:

❗SARS2

❗RSV

❗Flu A

❗Flu B

❗Parainfluenza, which has been upgraded to HIGH since last update.

Gastro stuff is still very high too!:

❗Norovirus

❗Rotavirus

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. 🤢

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.

❗Hand 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! 💐💐💐

#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

#Norovirus can't be killed with #handsanitizer only #handwashing
Stomach #virus spreading across Northeast: #CDC
https://www.mytwintiers.com/health/stomach-virus-spreading-across-northeast-cdc/amp/

Update for 12/8-9/2023!

Good morning SARS2PAians!

I hope your early winter is going well! ❄️❄️❄️

There's no new CDC county info today.

__________
VOCs

Nationally, HV.1 still at over 25% of random sequencing. JN.1 right behind it at a distant 5% but we'll see how well it fares against a variant that is clocking in at a very similar speed.: https://ibb.co/fYDyhcW

XDD is a variant discovered a few weeks ago that is a recombo of EG.5.1.1 (which ="HK") and JN.1, and is clocked as faster or equally as fast as JN.1 in theory, and must be closely watched.

In PA, HV.1 at over 20%. FL.1.5.1 at over 10% of random sequencing. JN.1 is at 1.33%, still weirdly not climbing as fast. I see lots more people wearing masks as they are out and about so even a few people doing this will greatly help control things into January.: https://ibb.co/hWZXfg5

In NY/NJ, HV.1 at over 27% of random sequencing. JN.1 behind at 10% already 👀 👀 👀: https://ibb.co/HNhBRV8

__________
Wastewater

Nationally, wastewater SARS2 material increasing greatly through last time I posted it.: https://ibb.co/L6960t5

Regionally, SARS2 increasing or leveling in all regions, with the Midwest and northeast going almost vertical.: https://ibb.co/HH3NB2v

In PA, the few stations that are current are showing increases. Chester and Luzerne increasing exponentially! Bucks going vertical. MontCo doing soooooooo fantastic this whole time and now quickly catching up to national averages.: https://ibb.co/Z8GJtZ2

According to WastewaterSCAN, the Dauphin shed is also very steadily increasing concentration, too.: https://ibb.co/86F2K41

Please consider wearing quality respirators or tight-fitting surgical masks in these areas if you are out and about!

WastewaterSCAN shows SARS2, RSV and Norovirus (the "24 hr stomach flu") as all HIGH.: https://ibb.co/zXCqSGR

SARS2 HIGH in all regions.: https://ibb.co/LQN0JTB

All of these can contribute to ER cases and hospital stays. PLEASE use caution this winter as JN.1 plows through these leaderboards.

__________
CDC

The CDC NOWCAST has been updated for today, breaking out JN.1. You can see the bonkers estimated growth of this variant in chart form: https://ibb.co/LzBSY9S

and according to region in map form!: https://ibb.co/n8s7jj4

Guysssssssss please use some form of caution now before the rest of the major holidays. GET THOSE XBB VACCINATIONS. It's not bullet-proof but it's shown to help enough with JN.1 to get ASAP.

Wear those quality respirators. Keep careful track of who you hang out with through the winter to contribute to source-of-infection control. Test test test, repeatedly if needed as infective levels aren't always picked up by rapid tests.

Have a safe winter and if we all contribute to source control, we can have a GREAT post-holiday season!! ❄️❄️❄️

#covid #Covid19 #SARS2PA #CDC #CovidIsNotOver #Pennsylvania #PA #BA286 #JN1 #HV1 #WearAMask #CleanTheAir #VaccinesSaveLives #XDD #RSV #Norovirus #Wastewater