Wednesday, August 05, 2020

The Long, Weary COVID Road Ahead

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the WHO, /AFP
"We all hope to have a number of effective vaccines that can help prevent people from infection. However, there's no silver bullet at the moment -- and there might never be one."
"By wearing a mask, you're sending a powerful message to those around you that we're all in this together. Wear a mask when appropriate. Keep your physical distance from others and avoid crowded places. Observe coughing etiquette, clear your hands frequently and you'll be protecting yourself and others."
"The message to people and governments is clear: Do it all."
"Over the past week, we've seen several countries that appeared as though they were past  the worst now contending with fresh spikes in cases."
"There are concerns that we may not have a vaccine that may work, or its protection could be for just a few months, not more. But until we finish the clinical trials, we will not know."
Dr.Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general, World Health Organization
"[In some states with moderate case counts, experts are seeing] that same insidious increase in percent positive that we had seen and pointed out ... in states like Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, Minnesota and others."
"[States with high coronavirus case counts should reconsider imposing lockdown restrictions, as an imperative to reach a low baseline before the emergence of the fall flu season]."
Dr.Anthony Fauci, infectious disease expert, United States
"We're doing our very best. Sorry, Manila", President Rodrigo Duterte said  in response to the number of cases breaching 100,000 as he reintroduced a "modified enhanced community quarantine", for the capital and its outlying areas to restrict non-essential businesses while permitting people to leave their homes only for work or to buy food. On Sunday, the Philippines recorded 5,032 additional infections, representing the country's largest single-day increase for a total of 2,104 deaths.

In Iran, new data has emerged suggesting the number of deaths recorded by the government stood at 42,000 until July 20, as opposed to the total of 14,405 deaths released in a report by the health ministry. The same data showed 451,024 cases, close to doubling the 278,827 officially reported. BBC Persian had obtained the documents even while a resurgence was reported by the health minister. In rejecting the BBC report a health ministry spokesman claimed foreign media relied on anonymous sources and unscientific methodology for their own political purposes.

Dr. Tedros, speaking from the Geneva headquarters of the World Health Organization, issued his warning in response to the over 18 million cases of COVID-19 recorded world-wide, of which the United States, Brazil and India continued to report new infections in ongoing high numbers. Australia and Vietnam are also reporting a resurgence of cases, requiring a return to lockdown conditions. The death toll globally stands at a grim 688,080.

Leading Mr. Tedros to urge countries to continue testing, isolating and treating patients while tracing and quarantining their contacts. Melbourne, Australia closed all non-essential businesses in re-instituting lockdown measures in wake of a recorded 429 new cases and 13 deaths overnight on Monday. In the United States, Dr.Fauci emphasized how crucial it is that the outbreak be contained before the arrival of autumn when influenza numbers have the potential to spike alongside COVID-19.

He cautioned as well that though young children don't become seriously ill from COVID-19, they may still become infected and spread the virus in the community. As people begin to assemble indoors when cooler weather arrives with the fall, the risk of contagion steadily increases. Countries with high transmission rates, including Brazil and India, need to be prepared for the future, according to the WHO's head of emergencies. "The way out is long and requires a sustained commitment", reminded Dr.Mike Ryan.

And then, the interesting news that a WHO-led team comprised of Chinese and international experts is to be set up for the purpose of studying the SARS-CoV-2 virus's origins in the city of Wuhan.

Pixabay Corona 4959447 1280

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posted by Pieface @ Wednesday, August 05, 2020

Friday, May 08, 2020

Identifying Vulnerable COVID-19 Demographics

"There's a sense that if we were to collect socio-demographic data that includes things like race, ethnicity and income, we can get a better sense of what's actually happening."
"I think given the specific pandemic, we should be much more nimble and responsive and able to actually ensure that we're doing things effectively."
Paul Bailey, president, Black Health Alliance
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A woman waits for a streetcar in Toronto on April 16, 2020. Many Black community members who work in essential jobs do not have the luxury of staying home during the pandemic (photo by Nathan Denette/Canadian Press)

The Public Health Agency of Canada is considering the possibility of collecting more demographic data related to the disease, following months of calls from advocates for a clearer idea of who, within the general population is contracting COVID-19 and how those populations identified as vulnerable are being affected by the global pandemic.

In the United States, public health officials have discovered that the deadly virus was affecting black communities disproportionately. Researchers at several American universities recently released a study finding counties in the U.S. representing the highest proportions of black Americans have been responsible for over half of all COVID-19 cases, and 60 percent of deaths in the country. This, even though they make up 22 percent of counties. The study was led by the Foundation for AIDS Research and Emory University, awaiting peer review.

In Canada, advocates insist a similar situation is more than likely to be playing out on a smaller scale. Yet because government fails to collect data it is difficult to understand which segments of the population may be most at risk. This, aside from the demonstrable reality that Canadian long-term care establishments and seniors residents have been responsible, between them, for at the very least fifty percent of all COVID-19 relatable deaths.

In Chicago, black residents are 30 per cent of the population, but make up more than 70 per cent of COVID-19-related deaths. Canada doesn't track racial data, something many advocates would like to see change. (CBC/Radio-Canada)

Marking the reality that the elderly vulnerable and the health-impaired have been the largest demographic in global death rates, and that within Canada a larger-than-average by far vulnerability to COVID-related deaths. They are vulnerable on a number of counts; that they are frail, elderly and health-impaired, and assembled in close quarters where social distancing is difficult to obtain, while being cared for by inadequately-trained-and-remunerated aides.

A situation not that far off the mark for black Canadians who are more likely to have poor health outcomes in chronic diseases, more greatly impacted by socio-economic factors such as poor access to healthy food, housing and employment than the general population. Factors in the aggregate that place them at higher risk from COVID-19.

In Canada only basic data about people who test positive for the disease is currently gathered, including age and gender. "I think there's a number of gaps in that data", suggested Dr.Theresa Tam, Canada's premier public health officer who stated that efforts are underway to examine how to improve the situation. "Everyone is stretched in terms of working under extreme circumstances", elaborated her deputy, Dr.Howard Njoo, stating that the situation must be balanced against the workload.

Patient
Paramedics transfer a patient to the emergency unit at Verdun Hospital, Tuesday, April 14, 2020 in Montreal. (THE CANADIAN PRESS / Ryan Remiorz)

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posted by Pieface @ Friday, May 08, 2020

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