I started to write my last update of the year and it became a little philosophical, and as a result long-winded. I tend to do that, if no one has noticed, so I deleted it and restarted and will make it as short and to the point as I can.
COVID. The stats from the last 2 weeks are both discouraging and encouraging at home and abroad.
- Hospitalizations are up 10% in the US. We are at the highest level since early 2022. This trend is universal all over the world. In some countries like Denmark and the Netherlands, hospitalization numbers are the highest since the pandemic started!
- US emergency room visits for Covid are up by 6% in the US.
- Although the death rate remains stable worldwide, it is still significant, accounting for 1300 deaths a week in the US. In Canada, the weekly average is now ~500/week. It remains the 3rd leading cause of death and rivals the worst flu seasons we have seen in decades.
- Wastewater viral measurements in some US states remain the highest we have seen since the start of the pandemic. It is hard to interpret these numbers other than to say that there is much more virus out there. Are infected people shedding more virus or are more people getting infected? It’s not clear but it is probably the latter.
- Despite over 70% reduction in risks of hospitalization and death they provide, vaccination booster rates remain pathetically low. 1% better in adults than 2 weeks ago, but still at only 18%.
- Amongst children, the numbers are even lower and the pediatric death rate is the highest it’s been since the start of the pandemic.
- It is NOT seasonal like the Flu or RSV. In New Zealand, where it is summer, their hospitalization rate today is also the highest since early 2022.
FLU and RSV.
- The RSV rates are a little lower than they were 2 weeks ago, but still significant.
- Flu is a little up but fortunately remains relatively low as compared to the last few years. By almost 1/3rd.
- That is not to say they are not causing significant disease so vaccination is still very important, for everyone including kids.
The WHO has come out with a vague statement stating that they were once again recommending masking and social distancing. Their comments are unfortunately not very clear, but the studies are. Masks DO work, assuming you are wearing a good mask and wearing it correctly. Cloth and even surgical masks are not enough. Only N95, or their equivalents, and worn properly (not under the nose) are effective against the Covid virus. This data is clear and it shocks me that even in hospitals, Emergency rooms and operating rooms, very few people are wearing them.
I urge everyone to consider getting vaccinated for COvid and the flu. It is fine to get them together. If over 65, also get the RSV vaccine. If over 50, get the shingles vaccination. I saw someone just this week whose face is paralyzed as a result of shingles. That sucks! Fortunately his hearing is not affected, which it often is when the face is involved. I am also seeing a lot of HPV related tongue and tonsil cancers so get your teens vaccinated against HPV!
Please also practice setting appropriate masking and distancing. Going to the grocery store at 7 am is probably safe without a mask, but at 4 pm, when it is crowded and hundreds of people have passed through all day long, I would certainly wear a mask.
Get together with people this New Years but not if you are ill, with anything, not just Covid. If you have a sore throat, are sneezing or coughing, for everyone else’s sake, stay home!
And test, don’t guess. Remember that false negatives are far more common than false positives, which are very rare. If you have symptoms with a negative test, repeat it the next day. But if you have symptoms, you still have SOMETHING so again, stay home, have vegetable soup and watch Dumb and Dumber, my favorite movie!
Be well and have a safe and prosperous New Year.
AC