I really think the numbers are going to start trending up again. I have no data to back that up other than they're back to giving away boxes of food again if you'll come and get a Covid test.
TheStorm said:
Good thing that we are were wearing masks (for almost a year now) and the virus did what the virus was going to do anyway...
Steve Williams said:
I really think the numbers are going to start trending up again. I have no data to back that up other than they're back to giving away boxes of food again if you'll come and get a Covid test.
PackMom said:
Question for the medical guys:
In a conversation last night with an older gentleman, he told me that a friend of his, a retired physician who is fully vaccinated, goes every few weeks to donate plasma. Each time they test for antibodies, and each time they've said he tests negative for them, and they have no explanation for this. Any ideas?
The only reason the cases and deaths reported daily in NC are as high as they currently are is due to lagged data. For the past couple of weeks, NCDHHS has had days when they reported more deaths from the months prior to the current month. Those of us who have been watching this are surprised they are still pulling in deaths from over six months ago, some as far back as June.Steve Williams said:
I really think the numbers are going to start trending up again. I have no data to back that up other than they're back to giving away boxes of food again if you'll come and get a Covid test.
Yes. I have all of this information. One thing to point out is that our average percent positives for the last seven days is basically the same level as it was in September. This is why I believe we will see hospitalizations get down to those levels in the next couple of weeks.Steve Williams said:
Davie, just for arguments sake and I lean on you because I don't follow it that closely- however, is there anyway to compare roughly the number of tests being administered now back to say, last October?
Thanks. In a case like that, would someone probably want to try getting a different vaccine somewhere down the line when the supply is more plentiful? (I don't know him and am not giving him advice, just curious as to how someone might deal with such a situation.)Mormad said:PackMom said:
Question for the medical guys:
In a conversation last night with an older gentleman, he told me that a friend of his, a retired physician who is fully vaccinated, goes every few weeks to donate plasma. Each time they test for antibodies, and each time they've said he tests negative for them, and they have no explanation for this. Any ideas?
He either can't mount an immune response, got a bad vax that didn't work, or had false negative Ab tests i guess.
Steve Williams said:
Wow, that's interesting. I would've thought it was the opposite. I don't see a fraction of the people at my local testing site that I saw 3 months ago.
I was also listening to a Science Friday podcast update yesterday (from last Friday's show) and they mentioned that vaccinating someone who had already been infected would be beneficial, since the vaccine offers up a key target for the body to develop antibodies. They implied it would be a stronger reaction than in the case of someone who was infected, since it offers up a more consistent target.Mormad said:
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2777171?guestAccessKey=4ef53dc2-11ca-4f74-8ad0-491b1af5b290&utm_source=silverchair&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=article_alert-jama&utm_content=olf&utm_term=030121
As expected, Ab titers higher after single dose mRNA vax in the previously infected than in those without previous infection, suggesting single dose ok for the previously infected, or at least delay the second dose. Short, easy read
I think you are onto something with the people who have to be tested regularly. My son is tested a couple of times a week, as are all of the athletes at his university. Those who are in season right now are tested even more than twice a week. His school (Wake Forest) is also testing every student weekly, to stay on top of outbreaks. They had an issue this semester when the students returned at the end of January for the Spring semester. The cases got up into the hundreds (total of 901 so far this semester). Instead of panicking, the university stayed with their plan, isolated the sick and the ones in contact trace, and increased testing of the entire student body. They now have it back to a good level, where the percent positive from testing is now 0.5% and the total number of currently infected is less than 30 students/staff.Wayland said:Steve Williams said:
Wow, that's interesting. I would've thought it was the opposite. I don't see a fraction of the people at my local testing site that I saw 3 months ago.
I would expect a lot of the people getting tests are 'repeaters'. Getting tested frequently for their jobs (or sports). My niece and nephew have been tested about twice weekly for the last 5 months in order to continue to compete.
Regarding cases, if there is any validity to Hope-Simpson model comparisons, we should expect a slowdown in the decline of cases in March in NC before bottoming out in April. Any 'surge' we would be due here would probably closer align to what we saw in the summer (as far as timing).
Of course vaccines are a variable in all this, and whether they provide proper full immunity or just a reduction in severe symptoms. Either way, hopefully their contribution makes any seasonal surge negligible.
One thing I did notice the other day looking over hospitalization numbers, is that while we haven't fallen below the total number of hospitalizations from the summer of 2020. The ICU numbers ARE actually below where we peaked in the summer. I would think this would be a huge positive sign (at least for now) that at least the most serious of the serious of the cases are seeing a decline.
I hadn't even thought about universities this time around. So much was made of the fall semester, it honestly hadn't clicked with me that students are back on campus.Daviewolf83 said:I think you are onto something with the people who have to be tested regularly. My son is tested a couple of times a week, as are all of the athletes at his university. Those who are in season right now are tested even more than twice a week. His school (Wake Forest) is also testing every student weekly, to stay on top of outbreaks. They had an issue this semester when the students returned at the end of January for the Spring semester. The cases got up into the hundreds (total of 901 so far this semester). Instead of panicking, the university stayed with their plan, isolated the sick and the ones in contact trace, and increased testing of the entire student body. They now have it back to a good level, where the percent positive from testing is now 0.5% and the total number of currently infected is less than 30 students/staff.Wayland said:Steve Williams said:
Wow, that's interesting. I would've thought it was the opposite. I don't see a fraction of the people at my local testing site that I saw 3 months ago.
I would expect a lot of the people getting tests are 'repeaters'. Getting tested frequently for their jobs (or sports). My niece and nephew have been tested about twice weekly for the last 5 months in order to continue to compete.
Regarding cases, if there is any validity to Hope-Simpson model comparisons, we should expect a slowdown in the decline of cases in March in NC before bottoming out in April. Any 'surge' we would be due here would probably closer align to what we saw in the summer (as far as timing).
Of course vaccines are a variable in all this, and whether they provide proper full immunity or just a reduction in severe symptoms. Either way, hopefully their contribution makes any seasonal surge negligible.
One thing I did notice the other day looking over hospitalization numbers, is that while we haven't fallen below the total number of hospitalizations from the summer of 2020. The ICU numbers ARE actually below where we peaked in the summer. I would think this would be a huge positive sign (at least for now) that at least the most serious of the serious of the cases are seeing a decline.
Awesome - I am ready for a Pfizer or Moderna shot and to be sent on my way. My antibodies are still showing up in plasma donations but would love to get a boost.Mormad said:
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2777171?guestAccessKey=4ef53dc2-11ca-4f74-8ad0-491b1af5b290&utm_source=silverchair&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=article_alert-jama&utm_content=olf&utm_term=030121
As expected, Ab titers higher after single dose mRNA vax in the previously infected than in those without previous infection, suggesting single dose ok for the previously infected, or at least delay the second dose. Short, easy read
This seems like both good and bad news. The good news it will help to increase supply of the one-shot vaccine option. The bad news, based on reports I just read through, is it could take months for Merck to come online with supply capabilities. They are using two manufacturing facilities - one to manufacture the vaccine and another to fill the vaccine. According to the reports I read, it will take months to tool up the facility where they make the vaccine.statefan91 said:
This seems like a huge deal, no?
Daviewolf83 said:I was also listening to a Science Friday podcast update yesterday (from last Friday's show) and they mentioned that vaccinating someone who had already been infected would be beneficial, since the vaccine offers up a key target for the body to develop antibodies. They implied it would be a stronger reaction than in the case of someone who was infected, since it offers up a more consistent target.Mormad said:
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2777171?guestAccessKey=4ef53dc2-11ca-4f74-8ad0-491b1af5b290&utm_source=silverchair&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=article_alert-jama&utm_content=olf&utm_term=030121
As expected, Ab titers higher after single dose mRNA vax in the previously infected than in those without previous infection, suggesting single dose ok for the previously infected, or at least delay the second dose. Short, easy read
Does this sound correct? I would assume the bodies reaction to the actual virus and the reaction to a vaccine would be very close to the same, from an antibodies standpoint. So, I was surprised by this viewpoint.
Do recall how those admissions/unit/intubated compares to the peak for you guys?Mormad said:
We now have 75 admitted, 16 in the unit, and 12 intubated across our 5 hospitals
About 2/3 of the population 65+ in guilford/ alamance/rockingham counties are vaxed now
Civilized said:Do recall how those admissions/unit/intubated compares to the peak for you guys?Mormad said:
We now have 75 admitted, 16 in the unit, and 12 intubated across our 5 hospitals
About 2/3 of the population 65+ in guilford/ alamance/rockingham counties are vaxed now
ncsualum05 said:
Hasn't Florida been open with no mask mandate? Forgive me I don't know the ins and outs of Florida but I know that they have claimed to be more open than any other state.
King Leary said:
Media attacks will be relentless against Texas. This decision takes balls
Mormad said:King Leary said:
Media attacks will be relentless against Texas. This decision takes balls
Ballsy, but i like it!
(I'd personally go 100% open with masking, but that's just me)