Ok, I have to admit that the title was click bait!
There is an outbreak of respiratory issues, including significant pneumonia in China, especially in kids. MAny of these cases are from COvid, but there is no NEW variant of concern nor is there a NEW virus or outbreak to worry about.
What China is experiencing is a significant rise in respiratory infections, but it is from a combination of Covid, RSV, the Flu as well as a bacterial infection we do see here as well, Mycoplasma. Now, unlike here in the US where we really did not have any significant lockdown relatively speaking (more on that below), China’s “0” Covid policy led to draconian lockdowns, unfortunate avoidable deaths from such things like appendicitis because of those policies. They truly have what is now called “immune debt”. With all of these bugs not circulating the way they normally do during non-pandemic lockdowns, providing some degree of local immunity, their population is now overwhelmed with little to no protection. Add to that that their Covid vaccination policy was and remains surprisingly very loose and a significant proportion of their population remains unvaccinated. During the lockdowns, kids also failed to receive their routine vaccinations, making them more vulnerable.
Did that happen here? We yes we did have a reduction in the cases of Flu, RSV and other infections, but it was not because of any lockdown. What the US experienced as a lockdown was comparatively speaking pretty minimal. At the start of the pandemic, 40 states did impose some kind of restrictions, but they were mostly lifted within 2 months. In addition, “essential workers”, who were exempt from any restrictions in some states, accounted for as much as 82% of the entire workforce. The rampant spread of Covid and the number of deaths in the US, a rate higher than any other country in the world, is proof of that.
So what accounted for the drop in infections? It is not clear. But it is strongly felt to be actually related to all the Covid we saw. We do know that the chances of getting Covid is low within a few months of having the flu and vice versa. This probably has to do with a boosted immune system, while the body was trying to combat the first infection. The same phenomenon is thought to account for the reduced rates of dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s Dementia, in those who regularly got the flu vaccines. Increased immune activity clears more amyloid plaque from the brain. Increased immune activity protects us from other pathogens.
OVER RUN HOSPITALS? Or understaffed with fewer open beds? Our healthcare system is the most expensive in the world, easily doubling the nearest developed country. Reimbursement drives services and the fact remains that even the best run hospitals all lose money. The result is fewer beds, increased stress and a shrinking workforce from all the stress. Take nursing numbers for example. Before the pandemic, there was about a 10% early retirement rate amongst nurses, a result of an already taxed and over demanding system. The number doubled to 20% during the pandemic and remains at that rate. Physician provider attrition rate is also very high. The chances of you seeing a non MD/DO provider in any emergency room is very high. Now many of these providers may be great, there are some clinical situations that require a level of decision making that should be reserved for doctors. I experienced this exact situation over Thanksgiving. I was on call and got called to see a patient with a potentially lethal throat infection more than 18 hours after they were admitted. I should have been called immediately. Fortunately the patient did fine, but things could easily have gone the other way.
COVID. As far as this is concerned, numbers are once again on the rise in the US and CANADA, 2 countries who can provide at least accurate and reliable hospital numbers. In the US, Covid related hospital admissions went up from 15,000 a few weeks ago to 18,000 cases per week but ICU admissions remain stable. The Covid death rate is still about 1200/week. ER visits for respiratory issues represent ~ 2% of cases, but Covid accounts for 1.8%. Wastewater testing is elevated in every single area in the US except for the south, where it remains high, but stable. In Canada, hospitalizations are high and in fact are higher than where they were during the Delta wave in 2021. As is the case here, ICU admissions remain low however.
In Europe, Italy and the northern European countries are experiencing significant uptics in cases, hospitalization but deaths remain stable and low.
Worldwide, reporting is a shitshow. The WHO reports that only 44 of countries who are even bothering to report identified only 1 case of Covid between October and November. And only 18% reported a single death. Only 13% are providing any hospitalization data. So who knows what the heck is going on worldwide.
As much as people want to deny it, Covid is here and it’s not going anywhere.
We can make a dent in this disease and protect the most vulnerable, but it takes vaccination, testing and isolation if positive.
As far as vaccination is concerned, the numbers are pathetic.
- Only 15% of adults have received the most recent booster
- More significantly, only 17% of nursing home residents, the most vulnerable, are up to date with their vaccines.
- Even more pathetic is that only 2% of nursing home employees, those charged with caring for the most vulnerable, are up to date.
- 40% of surveyed adults report that they will never get another Covid vaccination.
We CAN control this disease, but it takes being responsible and doing what we know works.
- Get updated with all your vaccinations. Flu, RSV, Shingles, Pneumococcal and of course Covid.
- If you are sick, Covid or not, stay away.
- Test, Test, Test. You can get free tests from Covid.com/tests. As far as timing is concerned, if you are fully waxed or have had Covid in the last 6 months, you may have some protection and positive tests may not develop for up to 5 days after developing symptoms. So re-test if you are concerned.
Protecting our loved ones in the upcoming holiday season is crucial so please look out for yourselves and all those around you.
Have a great weekend.
Stay safe and Be Well.
AC