October 24, 2020

(J. Harris: from Fri to Sat state count only went up about 200. ICU bed count for our area is low but stable. I anticipate that by about Tues, the number of hospitalized Covid cases in Texas will be a good bit higher. I would love to be wrong. Unfortunately, locals who should know better are attracting and entertaining large groups — hopefully they won’t do any worse than the White House Superspreader fiasco. But, heck, we’re from East Texas and bullet proof, aren’t we?)

Marshall ISD latest district to announce end to virtual learning
(J. Harris: With Covid counts rising, this arguably is not a good time to open the schools, but the MISD has been diligent in their Covid prevention efforts and are doing what they feel they must. Read this article; it’s thorough.)

1. Wisconsin Cases: SARS-CoV-2 Sequencing Reveals Rapid Transmission from College Student Clusters Resulting in Morbidity and Deaths in Vulnerable Populations(MedRxiv) La Crosse County, Wisconsin experienced a substantial SARS-CoV-2 outbreak (2,002 cases in September 2020) that coincided with the return to in-person instruction at three local academic institutions. Genomic sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 cases in La Crosse during that period found rapid expansion of two viral substrains. Although the majority of cases were among college-age individuals, from a total of 111 genomes sequenced we identified rapid transmission of the virus into more vulnerable populations. Eight sampled genomes represented two independent transmission events into two skilled nursing facilities, resulting in two fatalities.

2. (More Wisconsin stories) After a college town’s coronavirus outbreak, deaths at nursing homes mount

Stop wiping down groceries and focus on bigger risks, say experts on coronavirus transmission
(J. Harris: Excellent  and readable article about virus tactile contacts. For instance, a good reason for good handwashing is to prevent bringing viruses into your house where they might linger for a long time.)

R FACTOR: HOW FAST WILL COVID SPREAD R Factor for Texas is >1 for the first time since late July. It is 1.05 and it’s an index of infectivity. Anything above 1 is bad. 

HERD IMMUNITY CONFUSION
Click here to read the article

SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence in patients receiving dialysis in the USA see attached

NURSING HOME CONSIDERATIONS FROM LANCET. IF 65+ SHOULD READ THE ATTACHED(J. Harris: Important  and encouraging read for our older readers which addresses need in medical care for older folks)
Click her to read the article

HOW A NATION AND ITS PEOPLES  CAN LIVE WITH COVID-19
Click here to read the article

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