CORONAVIRUS INFO PROVIDED BY DR. JIM HARRIS – 3/17/2022
FROM BECKERS, GOOD NEWS ABOUT BA.2
(J. Harris: Typical great Becker summary: short, readable, important.)
VARIANT INFORMATION WORLDWIDE FROM OUTBREAK: NEW REFERENCE (click)
Average daily BA.2 prevalence in United States
RECENT PERCENTAGE OF BA.2 CASES IN THE USA:
;
FROM NEJM
1.Resistance Mutations in SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant after Sotrovimab Use
(J. Harris: from a letter to the editor)
”…These data show the persistence of viable SARS-CoV-2 in patients after sotrovimab infusions and the rapid development of spike gene mutations associated with high-level sotrovimab resistance in vitro. These findings underscore the importance of stewardship of monoclonal antibodies, particularly because sotrovimab is one of the few monoclonal antibodies with retained activity against the B.1.1.529 (omicron) variant.1 Postmarketing genomic surveillance of patients who receive monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection is prudent in order to minimize the risk of both treatment failure and the transmission of potentially resistant SARS-CoV-2 variants in health care settings and the community, given that SARS-CoV-2 may be isolated up to 24 days after sotrovimab treatment…”
2. Effect of mRNA Vaccine Boosters against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Infection in Qatar (repeat?)
”…The messenger RNA (mRNA) boosters were highly effective against symptomatic delta infection, but they were less effective against symptomatic omicron infection. However, with both variants, mRNA boosters led to strong protection against Covid-19–related hospitalization and death. …”
FROM HOPKINS:
As Virus Data Mounts, the J.&J. Vaccine Holds Its Own (New York Times) Roughly 17 million Americans received the Johnson & Johnson Covid vaccine, only to be told later that it was the least protective of the options available in the United States. But new data suggest that the vaccine is now preventing infections, hospitalizations and deaths at least as well as the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines.
From REUTERS (They have free email subscription for Covid articles at least)
1. China’s COVID governance under pressure as Omicron spreads
China’s public health governance is expected to come under acute pressure in coming weeks as the biggest wave of COVID-19 cases since the 2020 Wuhan outbreak stretches medical resources, tests the country’s ability to contain infections and strains the economy.
2. WHO says global rise in COVID cases is ‘tip of the iceberg’
(Reuters) – Figures showing a global rise in COVID-19 cases could herald a much bigger problem as some countries also report a drop in testing rates, the WHO said on Tuesday, warning nations to remain vigilant against the virus.
Biden’s Test to Treat Plan Pits Pharmacists Against Doctors
(J. Harris: It used to be said that “A patient who treats himself, has a fool for a doctor.”
I treasure my personal physician, an M.D as well as a Board Certified Internist with years of clinical experience with all medical conditions as well as Covid — a physician who knows me well and who I know and trust. But during a Pandemic, a “Doc in the Box” and big chain drug stores accompanied by a piece of a clinic ”beat the hell out of a snowball”— which is to say a bale of poor quality hay is better than nothing when you feed hungry cows in a blizzard. (Hopefully, the medical practicioners won’t be required to stock shelve or sweep floors during lulls.)
Joking aside, Americans are lucky to have easy access to well-trained and well-qualified emergency physicians aided by various types of helpers in walk-in clinics and hospital ERs all over the US — including out in rural areas and impoverished areas. Recently, in fact, E.R. Doctors greatly cared for one of my family members who had Covid. Hopefully, when things get back to “normal,” the various types of Health Care Professionals will go back to doing what they are trained to do. Fortunately, Marshall has a Christus Hospital as do several nearby cities. Christus is committed to our area and has plenty of clinics, ER’s, hospital beds, physicians, nurses, and all the various kinds of Health Care Workers. If you don’t have a personal physician in the area, now, during this lull, is a good time to call Christus and get established. In addition, Longview Regional hospital in Longview has a good clinic, too, but they do not admit patients locally.)
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