I heard on the radio news this morning that the UK variant B117 is 30% more deadly. Not to mention widespread vaccine shortages continue on over here.
It may indeed be more lethal. There isn’t any conclusive evidence. But, the preliminary evidence shows a significant increase in lethality.
As I’ve been saying for a few weeks, this explains the Europeans’ concerns about the variant. In Europe, even where numbers of new daily cases have been dropping hospitalizations and ICU usage haven’t declined. In some instances the latter has increased slightly while cases have been decreasing.
The good news in the U.S. is that case growth, hospitalizations, and ICU usage have been going down. My worry is that the B117 will be ascendant very soon and this could hamper efforts to fight the virus, especially given the bumpy pace of vaccinations.
Israel’s vaccination push has been breaktaking. There have been some positive results. About 10% fewer critically ill 60 plus patients. But, at the same time an increase of 28% critically ill in the 40-50 age range.
The numbers are confusing to say the least. Perhaps the increase in critically ill younger patients is due to B117 variant?
I heard on the radio news this morning that the UK variant B117 is 30% more deadly. Not to mention widespread vaccine shortages continue on over here.
It may indeed be more lethal. There isn’t any conclusive evidence. But, the preliminary evidence shows a significant increase in lethality.
As I’ve been saying for a few weeks, this explains the Europeans’ concerns about the variant. In Europe, even where numbers of new daily cases have been dropping hospitalizations and ICU usage haven’t declined. In some instances the latter has increased slightly while cases have been decreasing.
The good news in the U.S. is that case growth, hospitalizations, and ICU usage have been going down. My worry is that the B117 will be ascendant very soon and this could hamper efforts to fight the virus, especially given the bumpy pace of vaccinations.
Israel’s vaccination push has been breaktaking. There have been some positive results. About 10% fewer critically ill 60 plus patients. But, at the same time an increase of 28% critically ill in the 40-50 age range.
The numbers are confusing to say the least. Perhaps the increase in critically ill younger patients is due to B117 variant?
In any case, Israel is now shutting its border down entirely for 1 week. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-israel-teens-idUSKBN29T0A4?
I must say I’m not sure what such a travel ban will do as the B117 variant is already spreading in the community.
Joshua, was there any kind of “variant” during the 1918 pandemic?
Good question. And, I don’t know. More than likely, yes. But they couldn’t sequence the virus back then.
C-19 for 1-25 is ready.