CDC flu A wastewater data for WA. Flu A includes avian flu but is not exclusively avian flu.
GET YOUR FLU SHOT AND MASK UP. THIS IS NOT A DRILL.
#birdflu #avianflu #h5n1 #flua #flu #flushot #vaccinate #maskup
#FluA
Good Afternoon SARS2PAians!
It's going to get a bit chilly the next few days , butin spite of that I hope you're haivng a great Spring! 💐💐💐
🔴Reminder: If you've built a Corsi-Rosenthal box, you can get lots of seasonal allergy relief by running it! CR boxes have many, many practical uses besides just controlling air particles that carry pathogens.
There was nothing much new to post on Monday plus I had a bunch of family things to handle (and doing this, admittedly takes time) so I apologize again for not posting. But you know the saying "no news is good news" and that defintiely applies to these updates.
I'm going to try and update the link list ASAP.
I hope you still find all this useful and informative. I hope the medical community finds these accurate and reliable.
__________
VOCs
While we are experiencing a MOST welcome lull in COVID numbers right now, disease modelers are predicting a bump up in numbers at the end of this month.: https://ibb.co/YpnpfMF
This is due to a variant block that have specific mutations. Together they are nicknamed the FLiRT group and are named so because their most important mutations are located at S:F456L and S:R346T within the structure of the pathogen.
🔴Right now FLiRT mutes have an 8% advantage even over JN.1. That's fast.: https://ibb.co/NshJLK6
The most important VOCs out there right now are the variants that have the FLiRT designation, and I've highlighted these mutes on these screenshots in pink.
Remember that there is nowhere near the amount of national testing or sequencing that should be implemented, so it makes trying to predict growth activity more difficult.
Nationally, lots of FLiRT mutations out there. It is unknown whether they are fast enough to cause a wave altogether, but they're fast enough to compete with JN.1 to eventually take over quite a bit of the current leaderboard.: https://ibb.co/S7kCkpH
In PA, we have quite a few FLiRT mutation here but these mutes are in relatively low numbers, so far.: https://ibb.co/bdhJwKv
In NY/NJ, FLiRT mute JN.1.4 already in second place on the leaderboard at over 9% of random sequencing. The other FLiRT variants will undoubtedly catch up.: https://ibb.co/ZBgYP2G
Here you can see FLiRT's innate growth advantage compared to JN variants.: https://ibb.co/3swYQ4r
Here you can see JN.1's innate growth advantage compared to older variants.: https://ibb.co/DfH6j53
__________
Wastewater
Nationally we're still on the bottom of the lull. This might be the lowest point of the whole year as our numbers ongoing could match 2022/2023, where we had quite a bump up in the middle of the summer (because, reminder: COVID doesn't have a "season", it can bump those numbers up anytime it gets lucky with a new mutation!).: https://ibb.co/3mVzfx9
In PA, wastewater still low pretty much everywhere which is great. MontCo SMASHING it, going way below national levels!!: https://ibb.co/TbrQgk7
__________
CDC
The counties showing high increase in hospital admits has shifted around. Now the counties with the highest increases are along the NY border and down in the Southwest corner surrounding Greene Co. Adams and York also showing high end increases. Philly corner showing moderate increases.: https://ibb.co/cQRgbwM
The % inpatient beds map looks very good! stable or decreasing everywhere, except some increases in Columbia Co up going Northeast to Wayne Co.: https://ibb.co/Q8JMZvh
Staffed ICU beds in the vast majority of counties steady or going down...except Columbia, Luzerne and Wyoming in the eastern half of the State and Centre, Clearfield and Jefferson in Central PA.: https://ibb.co/5kXgcYR
__________
Other Pathogens
We're still high in non-SARS2 respiratory pathogens according the WastewaterSCAN. FluA, FluB, and Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) are still HIGH.
Gastro stuff is very high too, Norovirus and Roitavirus.
🔴Keep the air clean, be aware of social contacts and wear a quality respirator in crowds and in places where air filteration is suboptimal. Stay home of you are sick to beat the respiratory stuff.
🔴WASH HANDS with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds to beat Noro and Rota. Rinse off fruits and veg before you eat them. Be aware of food handling safety in the kitchen. Don't send kids to school with this.
Mostly because...Noro and Rota are not only extremely contagious, they're also just...gross. 🤢
I hope you have a GREAT and safe Spring!! 💐💐💐
#covid #Covid19 #SARS2PA #CDC #CovidIsNotOver #Wastewater #Pennsylvania #PA #JN1 #FluA #FluB #Influenza #Norovirus #Rotavirus #HMPV #FLiRT #F456L #R346T #spike_r346t #spike_f456l
Good Afternoon SARS2PAians!
I hope you had a clear and safe view of the eclipse on Tuesday!!! 🌗🌘🌑
I hope you also have a great and safe Spring now that warmer weather is finally here! 💐💐💐
__________
VOCs
Nothing much new to report on new variants (which is why I didn't post on Monday...absolutely nothing was updated at all...wastewater, CDC, variants, etc.).
JN.1 and JN.1.4 still at the top of the leaderboard.
The fastest two variants now in the US are JN.1.18 and KP.2 (which is a descendant of JN.1.11.1) and though the two are making gains every update, they don't seem to be near as fast as JN.1 was.: https://ibb.co/zFNhBF7
There are no new imminently concerning variants on the horizon right now.
__________
Wastewater
National level is still MEDIUM on WastewaterSCAN but we're now approaching where we were at this time last year. Still a ways to go to get to LOW levels but at least it isn't going up for now.: https://ibb.co/yR8ttZ1
Wastewater is showing SARS2 actually increasing in the UPark area.:https://ibb.co/K2MWY4G
PLEASE use quality respirators, be aware of social contacts, and KEEP THE AIR CLEAN!
__________
Other Pathogens
WastewaterSCAN has us at MEDIUM for SARS2 but there's still a LOOOOOT out there that is HIGH.: https://ibb.co/R6R5jDM
FluA, FluB, Human Metapneumovirus(HMPV) and gastro pathogens Norovirus and Rotavirus are still HIGH nationally.
In PA, the highest by far is Noro, but also FluA and FluB is very high.
Wear respirators to control SARS2 and WASH THOSE HANDSIES to control the gastro stuff! 👐
UPark has got some work to do with pathogen control. Levels are going up/lagging behind on handling SARS2, FluA, FluB, HMPV, Noro.: https://ibb.co/YcvPpJg
Please get a handle of this stuff, UPark.
__________
H5N1
A condensed version of the current state of H5N1:
H5N1 IS NOT NEW.
So far, the only human cases of contracting H5N1 are through direct contact with infected animals.
So far, scientists are still unsure of how H5N1 affects cattle. THIS IS in fact, NEW.
🔴Cattle cases have been found in 8 states.: https://ibb.co/YcvPpJg
The vast majority are in Texas. 40% of Panhandle cattle have been infected, and that area produces 82% of Texas' milk. This is LOTS of room for new mutations to develop.: https://ibb.co/yFr2Rm1
New Mexico
Idaho
North Carolina
Ohio
Michigan
Kansas
South Dakota.
These states are not in the paths of migratory birds so contaminated FEED is suspected. The feed is contaminated by practices that are LEGAL in the US but BANNED in Canada and Europe....mainly, feeding bird waste to cattle.
🔴 Feed for swine was DEREGULATED in 2018 and MUST be re-regulated to protect swine from H5N1. They are genetically similar to humans and can easily percolate a mutation that spreads to humans.: https://ibb.co/NxdSJm7
🔴 Feed for all farm animals must be regulated and animal waste must be kept out of farm animal food.
__________
Like COVID, H5N1 has the ability to gain new mutations from new hosts. THIS IS NOT A NEW CONCEPT.
Some things to watch for that are NOT CURRENT but are progressively bad:
--Cattle-to-cattle transmission proven.
--Contaminant-to-swine (pigs) develop.
--Swine-to-Human acquired.
--Human-to-human transmisison proven.
The first three have to somehow happen before the fourth happens. None of these things seem to be imminent but that progression will mirror pathogens like Spanish Flu.
I keep spending a lot of time on this because I cannot stress enough that H5N1 in humans has a 50% kill (case fatality) rate so far. A vaccine does exist for H5N1 for both humans and birds, but the human version is not stored in mass quantities for now.
Some things we can do together to lessen the chances of allowing H5N1 to mutate:
🔴 Lobby for CLEAN animal feed for swine, cattle, and fowl.
🔴 Buy dairy products from smaller, more humane farms. Grass-fed cattle and free-range chicken eggs are more expensive, but better than battery farming products where thousands of animals are squeezed together.
🔴 Buy ultra-pasteurized dairy products (most of our cream is ultra pasteurized anyway).
🔴 Insist that farm birds are vaccinated against H5N1.
🔴 I can't stress enough that farm feed must be HUMANE and REGULATED. This is not political, this is literally to stop a highly pathogenic disease from becoming capable of infecting humans.
Contaminated cattle feed is exactly how the prion infection called Mad Cow Disease begun.
Clean feed and happy farm animals make better, cleaner, and healthier products!
__________
There are always simple things we can all do to prevent the possibility of dangerous pathogen mutations!
Source control is the most important part to keeping life, learning, and financial loss to a minimum.
I hope you all continue to have a great Spring! 💐💐💐
#covid #Covid19 #SARS2PA #CDC #CovidIsNotOver #Pennsylvania #PA #JN1 #KP2 #FluA #FluB #Influenza #Norovirus #Rotavirus #H5N1 #HMPV
Good Afternoon SARS2PAians!!
I hope you're having an awesome Spring.💐💐💐 Hoping for clear weather for everyone in the path of the eclipse on Tuesday!! 🌗🌘🌑
1/2
__________
VOCs
Nationally, JN.1, JN.1.4, and JN.1.7 in the top three usual lead slots.: https://ibb.co/pJmbmTW
But JN.1.18 and KP.2 are moving up rather quickly.
In PA, a mixed bag of non-top-leaderboard variants, but sequencing/sampling is getting abysmally low which means predicions are lessening in reliability.: https://ibb.co/chKkY7W
We MUST make sure enough samples are in the hands of viral geneticists so they can make informed models of virus activity.
Wastewater
Nationally, wastewater SARS2 material continuing to lessen, creating a Spring lull.: https://ibb.co/1R24tHp
In PA, all sheds that report to BIOBOT either match national levels or are on the way there. Bucks a bit high, still has some source control to do and they are well on their way to matching the rest of the sheds.: https://ibb.co/PtjWcky
__________
CDC:
Wow. Lots of statewide increases in new hospital admits. Looks like either a steep decrease OR a steep increase with very few counties in-between.: https://ibb.co/pz6qsvv
Increases are in the Northwest corner by Erie, Southwest corner by Greene Co., int he center of the State from Franklin/Fulton all up through Centre and over to Jefferson. Pike all the way down through the old coal region to Lancaster experiencing increases across the board.
The Inpatient Bed map looks relatively calm, though, very steady. Hopefully this new wave of hospital admits will not contribute to this....but I dunno.: https://ibb.co/CpyPwHt
ICU use holding rather steafdy throughout PA but substantial increases around Mifflin, Juniata and Huntingdon Cos.: https://ibb.co/M5Jg52b
__________
Non-SARS2 stuff
RSV has been downgraded to LOW natinally on WastewaterSCAN.
COVID-19 is still MEDIUM.
Respiratory pathogens FluA, FluB, Human Metapneumovrus and Parainfluenza are still HIGH.
Gastro viruses Rotavirus and Norovirus remain HIGH too.
Of these, FluA, FluB and Noro seem to be highest in PA sheds.
Noro is still taking waaaaaaaay off in the Harrisburg area.: https://ibb.co/Qkp0nw8
Same with FluB, going almost vertical near Harrisburg.: https://ibb.co/85vYfkp
FluA levels are still not coming down near UPark.: https://ibb.co/T4ZBVkz
The source control methods for respiratory infections are all the same!
:ms_arrow_right: Clean the air.
:ms_arrow_right: Wear quality respirators in HIGH level areas and in places where veltilation is poor.
:ms_arrow_right: Be aware of social contacts.
The mitigations for Noro mostly depend on mindful handwashing WITH soap and water for 20 seconds. Don't depend on hand sanitizer or gloves to control Noro.
Gloves can be depended on a bit tooooooo much (though yes medically they are beneficial, I'm NOT saying ditch gloves) and do not take the place of handwashing. Noro is very resistant to alcohol.
I'll continue with H5N1 in the follow-up post.
#covid #Covid19 #SARS2PA #CDC #CovidIsNotOver #Pennsylvania #PA #JN1 #JN1_4 #KP2 #FluA #FluB #Influenza #Norovirus #Noro #Rotavirus #H5N1 #HMPV
Update for 4/1/2024!
Good April Morning SARS2PAians!
I hope your spring is healthy. 💐💐💐
__________
VOCs
JN.1 and JN.1.4 stil dominate the leaderboard, but scientists are especially watching a groiup of new mutations including JN.1.18, JN.1.13, KP.2, JN.1.16, and KQ.1.: https://ibb.co/6RvHcZR
Some of these are moving FAST despite the already-very-fast mutations on the landscape.
__________
Wastewater
We've reached a level of SARS2 material in wastewater low enough to match previous years (2020, 2021.): https://ibb.co/DMyG0k4
__________
CDC
Quite a lot of counties with new hospital admits, especially the Western half of the State. The Southwest corner by Greene Co and from Centre on over to Erie Co and Jefferson are HIGH on the newest chart.: https://ibb.co/m6KYR0Z
The Inpatient Beds chart looks good except for some increases in Lawrence and around Cameron Cos.: https://ibb.co/SPm1wJt
The ICU bed chart looks very good! Most counties are having decreases! However some increases up by Pike Co and significant increases in Franklin and Fulton Cos.:https://ibb.co/sKdK54P
__________
Research
Tuberculosis after recovering from COVID-19 is becoming more common.: https://ibb.co/ZxZ7kHY
Reactivation of underlying pathogens is NOT NEW. We know this factually from the chicken pox/shingles pathogen.
Also, measles is known to reset the ENTIRE immune system and bring protection from everything down to zero, potentially leaving reactivation of underlying pathogens, which is by levels of magnitude more complex than the physical disability it can cause and makes it imperative that you **VACCINATE YOUR KIDS**.: https://ibb.co/cbFXrRw
Again: NONE of this is brand new, and COVID19 along with other known pathogens, seems to potentially weaken the immune system enough to reactivate underlying pathogens.
__________
Non-SARS2 Pathogens
COVID and RSV thankfully have been downgraded on WastewaterSCAN to "Medium" and "low" respectively.: https://ibb.co/k2SpgLR
However, quite a number of pathogens are still ranking in the HIGH level: FluA, FluB, Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) and the gastro pathogens Norovirus and Rotavirus are still out there.
HMPV often presents with a rash and is related to RSV:
https://www.cdc.gov/ncird/human-metapneumovirus.html
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22443-human-metapneumovirus-hmpv
The prevention for all these respiratory diseses is the same!
Be conscious of crowds.
Wear a mask in places with low air filtration.
Keep the air clean!
Stay home if you are sick!
For norovirus and rotavirus, it's important to wash hands with soap and warm water for 20sec.
:ms_arrow_right: DO NOT depend on gloves and hand sanitizer to control Norovirus, the particles are very resistant to alcohol.
__________
H5N1
Nothing above here has scientists sitting up at attention right now except one thing: H5N1 bird flu.
H5N1 has jumped to dairy cattle (after infecting numerous other species such as seals, fox, deer, etc.), has been found in cattle in TX, KS, MI, NM, and now Idaho.: https://ibb.co/1JgGY2v
Before now, almost all transmission was bird-to-other-species. "Cow-to-cow transmission cannot be ruled out" and will be a disaster for the food supply if not controlled.: https://ibb.co/mDKVZ7R
There is resistance amongst dairy farmers in the US and in Europe to get their cattle tested.
The absolute worst case scenario is if it "makes the leap" to pigs. That means, if genetically it mutates (like COVID-19 is doing) to be able to:
---Infect pigs.
---Gain capability of pig-to-pig transmission.
The genetic "leap" from bird to mammals was very large, and will also be the "leap" from cattle to pig.....but the "leap" from pigs and ferrets to humans after that will be really, really small.
This would be the same route the Spanish Flu took 106 years ago: Birds -> pigs -> humans.
It is...really not a good time to consume unpasteurized, raw dairy products.
:ms_arrow_right: I'm spending a lot of words on this because so far, this thing has a ****50% kill rate******. That is, 1 out of every 2 people who contract H5N1 will die.
I don't know what else to say. We MUST push for thorough farm testing, biosecurity, and intense transmission research.
Stay safe, I hope you had a GREAT holiday, and don't forget to use some form of source control in your daily adventures! 💐
#covid #Covid19 #SARS2PA #CDC #CovidIsNotOver #Pennsylvania #PA #JN1 #JN1_4 #KP2 #FluA #FluB #Influenza #Norovirus #Noro #Rotavirus #H5N1 #HMPV
Update for 3/25/2024!
Good morning SARS2PAians!
Hope you're enjoying a healthy start to this chilly Spring 💐
Sorry I didn't mirror the Friday Reddit post here on Fedi but it IS there to view.: https://old.reddit.com/r/SARS2PA/comments/1bl0z7v/3222024vocs_wastewater/
There's no new wastewater metrics today.
__________
VOCs
So far, the variant leaderboard is holding steady. The KP.x.y clan has not made any significant leaps during the past few days.: https://ibb.co/NtcKCyG
__________
CDC
Lots of new hospital admits in the northern half of the State, from Pike Co on over to Jefferson and up to Potter.: https://ibb.co/Pjrqqwr
The staffed inpatient beds map looks really GOOD! There are NO COUNTIES with increases!! 😎: https://ibb.co/jMysDnG
Unfortunately, there are many counties with ICU increases, the southwest corner from Washington Co up to Blair, and also McKean, Potter and Cameron in the northwest.: https://ibb.co/kgpGVFw
__________
Research
Wastewater Research
Dr. Eric Topol wrote on Mastodon:
"First evidence indicating the JN.1 variant (and BA.2.86) are linked to higher fecal shedding than prior SARSCoV2 variants": https://ibb.co/jLXsMqY
https://thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(24)00155-5/fulltext
__________
Long COVID research
There has been some success in Malta to find the reason for Long Covid. Seems that since COVID attaches by means of ACE2 binding, the body reduces ACE2 in reaction to control the viral infection.
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/998736
When the body reduces ACE2 levels, it shuts itself closed like a door to make COVID entry less possible...but this also results in extreme fatigue when trying to move around, use muscles, exercise, etc.
This could be a basic explanation why in particular, atheletes are especailly keen on experiencing disabling reactions to COVID infection.
There are also antibodies in our own system that attack ACE2, and long aggravation of these antibodies can cause autoimmune disability similar to multiple sclerosis.
Twitter link: https://twitter.com/citrusdriad/status/1772040141789434035
:ms_arrow_right: Reminder: FluA, FluB, and the extremely contagious gastro pathogens Norovirus and Rotavirus are still considered HIGH according to WastewaterSCAN. PLEASE wash those hands with soap and warm water for 20sec, wash fruits and veg, and do not handle food if you are sick!!
I hope we continue to see the levels for all these pathogens fall to hisorically low levels. Some common sense source control will prevent life, learning, and irreplaceable financial loss!
Have a great week, PA ❤️️ :catjam:
#covid #Covid19 #SARS2PA #CDC #CovidIsNotOver #Pennsylvania #PA #JN1 #FluA #FluB #Influenza #Norovirus #Noro #Rotavirus #LongCOVID
#KP1One #KP11
#KP2
#KP2One #KP21
Good Afternoon SARS2PAians!!
I hope your stuff stayed in place with all that wind out there!
There's no new wastewater data today.
Lineage News
JN.1.x.y continues to dominate the national leaderboard.
There are a few variants to watch for future activity, including KQ.1, KP.2, KP.1.1 and KR.1, all grandchildren of JN.1.: https://ibb.co/j800SF3
JN.1.16 is also proving pretty darn fast. Pennsylvania already has had samples of JN.1.16 submitted.: https://ibb.co/qdDB3qF
Some of them have already gotten "above the fold" nationally. KP.2 and KP.1.1 are already in the top half of variants. JN.1.11.1 is still around at sizeable levels.: https://ibb.co/zSnSp9N
XDP is a recombination of JN.1.4 and FL.15 (descendant of XBB.1.9.1).
__________
CDC
In spite of lower infection numbers, there seems to have been a lot of emergency cases filtering through the medical system since last update.
New Hospital Admits substantially increased in Central PA from Lycoming Co. aaaaall the way over to Venango Co., and also from York on the southern border to Fulton Co.: https://ibb.co/FqJQtfS
Staffed inpatient beds steady through the State except for Lawrence and around McKean Cos.: https://ibb.co/ZGzv578
ICU bed use increased significantly in Lawrence, in Vanango aaaaaalll on up to the northern border and over to Tioga, and around Luzerne Co.: https://ibb.co/7N3Tzq5
CDC At-a-Glance has test positivity, hospital admits, ED visits and deaths trending stradily downward so far though.: https://ibb.co/x3MtrNP
__________
Non-SARS2 stuff
SARS2 has actually been downgraded on WastewaterSCAN to "medium" spread!: https://ibb.co/Cz4PQmk
NonSARS2 pathogens are still just demolishing us.
Most respiratory stuff is still high except COVID/SARS2. RSV, FluA, FluB, are all HIGH still. Parainfluenza is now HIGH.
The gastro stuff, Norovirus and Rotavirus, is still crazy HIGH. Noro is still rising in Chester Co.
:ms_arrow_right: Noro is very resistant to heat and hand sanitizer! You MUST wash hands with warm water and soap for 20 seconds to reduce your chances of spreading noro! :catjam:
That's all I have for this week, PA. Keep close watch of that air quality and wash hands so we can have an AWESOME and healthy Spring! 💐💐💐
#covid #Covid19 #SARS2PA #CDC #CovidIsNotOver #Pennsylvania #PA #JN1 #FluA #FluB #Influenza #Norovirus #Noro #Rotavirus
#JN1Sixteen #JN116
#KP1One #KP11
#KP2
#KP2One #KP21
#WearAMask #CleanTheAir #VaccinesSaveLives #WashHands #Wastewater #StayHomeIfSick #SourceControl #USESourceControl #COVIDSourceControl
Update for 3/8/2024!
Good Morning SARS2PAiains!!
I hope you're ready for that time change on Sunday! 🕐🕐🕐
This is a wonderfully short update. I mean, it doesn't look short, but it kinda is. 🤪
There's no new CDC stuff.
There are no new wastewater updates and we are continuing to approach lower levels of previous years as spring gets closer.: https://ibb.co/QfPr8NJ
__________
Lineage News
There's no new immediate variant news as JN.1 is still the only thing all over the place so far.
There are some new varaints being watched as JN.1 (and specifically JN.1.11) seems really capable of producing descendants that worry virologists:
❗️JN.1.16: Concerningly infectious even over very wide areas in China; Lots of this currently being uploaded from what I gather in USA too, already in 9 states.
❗KP.1.1 (which is JN.1.11.1.1.1): this has a potential nuts-level of growth rate going by genetics alone.
❗KP.2 (which is JN.1.11.1.2): seems closely related to JN.1.16 that I was, in my very very unprofessional opinion, concerned about last update.
❗KP.2.1: widespread already in East Asia.
KP.x.y has an extraordinary growth rate only considering mutations but we'll see how any of this checks out in actual biological results.
__________
NON SARS PATHOGENS
There is still a very high amount of total pathogens all around.: https://ibb.co/3sxWQ3C
Respiratory pathogens are still high according to WastewaterSCAN:
❗SARS2
❗RSV
❗Flu A
❗Flu B
❗Parainfluenza, which has been upgraded to HIGH since last update.
Gastro stuff is still very high too!:
❗Norovirus
❗Rotavirus
Noro is thankfully declining at UPark but still in the very high range.: https://ibb.co/CMSGsjg
If we keep using common sense ways to control it, it prevents DAYS of learning/financial loss and potential hospital visits for dehydration. And...it's just gross to deal with. 🤢
Fpr respiratory illnesses, wear a quality respirator, be aware of social contacts, mask/respirator up in crowds and in low ventilation areas (low ceilings, restrooms, elevators, etc.), keep the air clean, get those COVID and flu shots, and STAY HOME if you are sick!
For the gastro stuff, don't prepare food when sick. Don't depend on gloves for sanitizing either! Wash fruits and veg before you eat them.
Wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds.
❗Hand sanitizer and heat does not work well against Norovirus because the individual virions are very very tough to kill. You MUST wash hands with soap and water.
For all pathogens, cover coughs and sneezes in the elbow crease and not your hands.
We're almost there! :canparrot:
It's Goose flyover season! :cangoose:
We're gonna have a great Spring, and simple, common sense consideration and source control is how we get there! 💐💐💐
#covid #Covid19 #SARS2PA #CDC #CovidIsNotOver #Pennsylvania #PA #JN1 #FluA #FluB #Influenza #Norovirus #Noro #Rotavirus
#JN1Sixteen #JN116
#KP1One #KP11
#KP2
#KP2One #KP21
#WearAMask #CleanTheAir #VaccinesSaveLives #WashHands #Wastewater #StayHomeIfSick #SourceControl #USESourceControl #COVIDSourceControl
Update for 3/4/2024!
Good Morning SARS2PAians! ☀️
I'm sure everyone excited to be leaping forward next week!
So far, there are no new variants that have proven to catch up to JN.1 yet. Yes, potentially troublesome variants like JN.1.11.1 etc. is still being closely watched.
This is another short update as there's not much new SARS2 stuff out there. (Good.)
__________
Wastewater
National wastewater continues to decline in SARS2 material (with the exception of the Midwest)!: https://ibb.co/Mn0VzgD
We are approaching the lower levels of SARS2 transmission of previous years.: https://ibb.co/vzz8rwC
That's all. This is Very Good.
__________
CDC
The new hospital admits map has greatly improved. Most counties are showing stable or lowering levels, but levels are still HIGH in Lancaster, Lawrence, Tioga, Lackawanna, and Wayne Cos.: https://ibb.co/JsnYNFz
Staffed Inpatient Bed use is stable or lowering in all counties except Berks, Lackawanna, and Wayne Cos.: https://ibb.co/mbB5RQf
ICU beds are stable or lowering in all counties except around Wayne Co, Forest Co and west of there, and in Lancaster Co. Levels have increased significantly in Berks and Pike.: https://ibb.co/h8730Kr
Sadly we are still experiencing over 300 COVID deaths a month. There have been 1,118 COVID deaths in the past 3 months.: https://ibb.co/HChgb85
__________
Research
Home test kits are STILL on the whole holding up rather well against newest variants.: https://ibb.co/1fX3n3n
(Be sure to test more than once during your illness just for safety's sake tho.)
This graphic of an ideal home test kit with all major highly transmittable pathogens on it SHOULD be what we're working toward in home testing: https://ibb.co/hFqnwzP
and something like it is already available in Europe.: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/rapid-tests-covid-rsv-flu-are-available-europe-stopping-us-rcna64470
Vaccines PROTECT significantly against heart issues and Long COVID.: https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/new-large-study-indicates-vaccines-protective-against-long-covid
If you think vaccines cause the vast majority of heart issues, there's reeeeeeally bad news concerning what the actual pathogen will do to you. Please get those vaccinations!
Men and women on average experience Long COVID differently: https://ibb.co/1fX3n3n
...probably due to hormone regulation.: https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.02.29.24303568v1
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Non-SARS2 Pathogens
We're drowning in non-SARS2 pathogens.
On WastewaterSCAN, all the following respiratory pathogens are considered at HIGH levels: https://ibb.co/1rfZkTz
SARS2
RSV
Flu A
Flu B
Parainfluenza (HPIV) is considered at MEDIUM levels, up from LOW.
Also, gastro pathogens like Norovirus are increasing daily.: https://ibb.co/pxJGmTV
Rotavirus, which is currently hitting the Harrisburg area hard.: https://ibb.co/qDX7Xrj
For the respiratory pathogens, WEAR A QUALITY RESPIRATOR if you are around crowds. Be aware of social contacts. Keep the air clean.
For the gastro stuff, WASH HANDS, wash fruits and veg you eat, and do not prepare food when feeling unwell.
If we all do some smart, common-sense source control, we can have all these pathogens wrangled intime for 💐SPRING!💐
Have a great week, PA!
#covid #Covid19 #SARS2PA #CDC #CovidIsNotOver #Pennsylvania #PA #JN1 #FluA #FluB #Influenza #Norovirus #Noro #Rotavirus
#WearAMask #CleanTheAir #VaccinesSaveLives #Wastewater #StayHomeIfSick #SourceControl #USESourceControl #COVIDSourceControl
Update for 3/1/2024!
Good Morning SARS2PAians! ❄️
Welcome to March, after Leap Day 🐇🐏🐸!
There's no new CDC stuff today.
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VOCs
Nothing currently new with VOCs, JN.1 all over the place nationally: https://ibb.co/GncBGTR
and in PA of course.: https://ibb.co/yS1wq0c
Scientists are still watching JN.1.11, and even though it's sort of fizzled out itself, its children are now moving progressively faster as it develops.
Faster than its parent, JN.1.11.1 is moving along and is being found in most new sampling.
Along with it, JN.1.11.1.1, which is shortened to KP.1, has great potential to make a dent in its grandparent's leaderboard status.
I'm also seeing a LOT of JN.1.16 both here in Canada by the latest sequencing experts. I'm just going to make a mental note of JN.1.16 because it and also JN.1.11.1 are both moving sorta quickly through Canada and are also found in the NY/NJ area.: https://ibb.co/R3Tmstt
None of these are "major eathshaking variants" but to have something faster NOW will bump numbers back up for Spring and we DO NOT want that!
Nothing all that significant in PA yet. No JN.1.16, JN.1.11, JN.1.11.1, or KP.1.
__________
Wastewater
Nationally, SARS2 material found in wastewater is DROPPING again!: https://ibb.co/3RM4DDk
This is great. We are starting to approach the lower levels of previous years.: https://ibb.co/pbHnDDJ
Regionally, all regions are down except for the Midwest which is bumping upwards.: https://ibb.co/MhJmxX4
In PA, all 5 sheds that report to Biobot are droping significantly!!: https://ibb.co/tPhVHWJ
And so are the Harrisburg and UPark areas which report to WastewaterSCAN. This is great for still having winter weather. We're handling it. We're doing something right!: https://ibb.co/5cWQDHh
The State PA Wastewater Dashboard now has many sheds, especially in the East, in the blue, SARS concentration lessening.: https://ibb.co/Wx2Pf2J
__________
Non-SARS2 Wastewater
OK, now for the not-so-great wastewater news: we're getting smashed by non-SARS pathogens like FluA, FluB, and Norovirus (which is the "24-hr stomach bug").
Numbers of FluA and FluB are rising significantly in all sheds that report to WastewaterSCAN.
FluA: https://ibb.co/Xkn6xYL
FluB: https://ibb.co/84wfBH9
Especially in UPark with FluB, yikes. Please wear a quality respirator to control this. Not doing so means more learning loss!
UPark is getting hit hard with Norovirus, which is already at HIGH levels and is going vertical there.: https://ibb.co/svpJB1t
C'mon, UPark, get a hold of this so your Spring won't be a mess! 💐
:ms_arrow_right: WASH hands, WASH food you eat and don't prepare food if you are sick to prevent the spread of Noro. It's just gross. Don't spread it!
It's still going to take a bit of work but if we do, we'll be more prepared for a healthier Spring.
And that in both scenarios: if we have a relatively calm COVID Spring with no new crazyfast variant (less likely), and also we won't be fighting pathogens on many different fronts if we DO have a crazyfast variant (more likely).
Stay healthy and have a great March! ❄️💐❄️
#covid #Covid19 #SARS2PA #CDC #CovidIsNotOver #Pennsylvania #PA #JN1 #JN1Eleven #JN1Eleven1 #JN1Sixteen #JN116 #KP1 #FluA #FluB #Influenza #Norovirus #Noro
#WearAMask #CleanTheAir #VaccinesSaveLives #Wastewater #StayHomeIfSick #SourceControl #USESourceControl #COVIDSourceControl
🦠A nice addition is this age & #Flu type graph. You may have read (often without evidence provided) that #FluB affects a younger population than #FluA-here's support for that. By "affect" I mean causes more severe illness & hospitalisations. FluA overall some higher rates.
There are newborns to 2-year-olds who first saw #flu in 2022, and that season was dominated by #FluA.
However. Its noteworthy that #Queensland has had #Flu A-dominated years in 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016 as well.
“..risk for A(H5) virus transmission to the public appears to be low, close monitoring of these viruses & persons exposed is imperative. The virus continues to reassort with other NAm avian influenza viruses, increased A(H5) cases are occurring in mammals, & the risk profile could change at any moment. Influenza A(H5N1) viruses remain a potential pandemic threat, & limiting the incidence of human zoonotic infections & human-to-human transmission is critical.” #FluA
Usually it's #FluA are super common during #fluseason, but we've been getting a real decent amount of #FluB so far this year. I'm no longer doing sample collection on top on testing so I don't know if symptoms are similar. #medlab
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