news Covid19-Coronavirus updates and news

Current Covid19 death numbers as of 8:00 am EST are below, primarily from the source in the original post (https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus). If your country of interest is not listed below, simply go to the link above to do a search for relevant information.

Total: 2,562,727
United States: 529,214
Brazil: 257,562
South Africa: 50,271
United Kingdom: 123,296
Canada: 22,045
Mexico: 187,187
Poland: 44,360
Russia: 87,348
India: 157,385
Bolivia: 11,703
Japan : 7,933
Indonesia: 36,721
Italy: 98,288
Spain: 69,801
Belgium: 22,141
France: 87,220
Netherlands: 15,649
Chile: 20,684
Philippines: 12,389

Covaxin shows interim vaccine efficacy of 81% in Phase 3 trial: Bharat Biotech

Bharat Biotech Wednesday said its indigenously developed coronavirus vaccine Covaxin has demonstrated an interim vaccine efficacy of 81 per cent in Phase 3 clinical trial.

Covaxin was approved for restricted use in an emergency situation by the Drug Controller General of India on January 3. However, since Bharat Biotech had not finished recruiting and vaccinating enough participants for Phase 3 trials, the approval was without efficacy data.

India's vaccine have to be stored at 2~8°C

Coronavirus-like nanoparticles could serve as a positive control for COVID-19 tests

Rapid COVID-19 tests are on the rise to deliver results faster to more people, and scientists need an easy, foolproof way to know that these tests work correctly and the results can be trusted. Nanoparticles that pass detection as the novel coronavirus could be just the ticket.

Such coronavirus-like nanoparticles, developed by nanoengineers at the University of California San Diego, would serve as something called a positive control for COVID-19 tests. Positive controls are samples that always test positive. They are run and analyzed right alongside patient samples to verify that COVID-19 tests are working consistently and as intended.

The positive controls developed at UC San Diego offer several advantages over the ones currently used in COVID-19 testing: they do not need to be kept cold; they are easy to manufacture; they can be included in the entire testing process from start to finish, just like a patient sample; and because they are not actual virus samples from COVID-19 patients, they do not pose a risk of infection to the people running the tests.

This work builds on an earlier version of the positive controls that Steinmetz's lab developed for the RT-PCR test, which is the gold standard for COVID-19 testing. The positive controls in the new study can be used not only for the RT-PCR test, but also for a cheaper, simpler and faster test called the RT-LAMP test, which can be done on the spot and provide results in about an hour.

Having a hardy tool to ensure these tests are running accurately-;especially for low-tech diagnostic assays like the RT-LAMP-;is critical, Steinmetz said. It could help enable rapid, mass testing of COVID-19 in low-resource, underserved areas and other places that do not have access to sophisticated testing equipment, specialized reagents and trained professionals.

https://www.news-medical.net/news/2...as-a-positive-control-for-COVID-19-tests.aspx

Covid deaths high in countries with more overweight people, says report

Countries with high levels of overweight people, such as the UK and the US, have the highest death rates from Covid-19, a landmark report reveals, prompting calls for governments to urgently tackle obesity, as well as prioritising overweight people for vaccinations.

About 2.2 million of the 2.5 million deaths from Covid were in countries with high levels of overweight people, says the report from the World Obesity Federation. Countries such as the UK, US and Italy, where more than 50% of adults are overweight, have the biggest proportions of deaths linked to coronavirus.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2...tries-with-more-overweight-people-says-report

The article points out that Vietnam has the lowest Covid death rate in the world and has the second to lowest incidence of obesity.

Houston becomes first US city to find every major Covid variant

Houston has become the first US city to record cases of every major Covid-19 variant found in the country, amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Analysis from scientists at Houston Methodist in Texas found 28 types of Covid-19 variants in patients in the city, with the origins ranging from Brazil, the UK, California and New York City.

The scientists found 28 cases of the variants, after recently sequencing genomes from around 3,000 patients who had tested positive for Covid-19.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/houston-covid-variant-texas-b1810566.html

J Sokol said:

Analysis from scientists at Houston Methodist in Texas found 28 types of Covid-19 variants in patients in the city, with the origins ranging from Brazil, the UK, California and New York City.

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Sounds like the ideal time to open the state up. It is just a matter of time before cases and deaths start climbing again.

WATCH: Texas to open 100%, mask mandate removed

LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) - Governor Greg Abbott addressed small business and community leaders of the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce as part of a statewide announcement on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 in Lubbock. During the news conference the governor said “it is now time to open Texas 100 percent.”

“For nearly a half a year, most businesses have been open either 75% or 50%. And during that time, too many Texans have been sidelined from employment opportunities. Too many small business owners have struggled to pay their bills. This must end. It is now time to open Texas 100%.”

Effective Wednesday, March 10, all businesses of any type are allowed to fully reopen. “This must end,” he said before also ending the statewide mask mandate.

https://www.fox8live.com/2021/03/02/watch-gov-greg-abbott-withdraws-executive-order-texas-open/

Mister Funsky said:

Sounds like the ideal time to open the state up. It is just a matter of time before cases and deaths start climbing again.

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I just saw a CNN interview with Beto O'Rourke, who said that Texas is a "failed state". It couldn't protect its people from freezing during a winter storm and isn't bothering to protect them from Covid. It seems hard to comprehend, but then I'm not a Texan.

J Sokol said:

I just saw a CNN interview with Beto O'Rourke, who said that Texas is a "failed state". It couldn't protect its people from freezing during a winter storm and isn't bothering to protect them from Covid. It seems hard to comprehend, but then I'm not a Texan.

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I've got quite a few friends in Texas and was planning a road trip after I got my vaccine...planned to pick up some in-n-out burgers and visit the coast. I'm not going now...my friends are worried about what might happen with everything opening up.

Mister Funsky said:

I've got quite a few friends in Texas and was planning a road trip after I got my vaccine...planned to pick up some in-n-out burgers and visit the coast. I'm not going now...my friends are worried about what might happen with everything opening up.

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Too bad you had to cancel your trip, but certainly a wise decision.

Opening the businesses might not be such a bad idea now that more and more people are getting vaccinated, but I would rather if they waited another month or so to do it and even then I believe that people should continue wearing masks and abide by the physical distancing and all the other hygiene and safety protocols and guidelines until the virus is completely under control otherwise they might end up having to put restrictions on businesses again.

By the way I live in West Texas and I like the Governor, he is a good guy and I believe that he wants to do good for the people of Texas, but perhaps he should do this in stages and wait a little bit longer till more people are vaccinated.

I believe that the Governor(s) and the President should work together regardless of their political affiliations to get this Pandemic under control. And perhaps expand that cooperation Globally to all the other Countries so that they can get a handle on all these new mutations and variants that are spreading around the World.

And boy it did get really cold here couple of weeks ago when the polar front reached far down into Texas, it got as low as -2F where I live and that's pretty unusual for these parts. This week we are back to normal and tomorrow is going to be a high of 79F.

PS: I got my feelings hurt a little bit when the President said that "Neanderthal thinking" was behind lifting mask mandates, I mean as a Neanderthal I have always been for wearing masks.


IMO

Scientists Discover Why Blood Type May Matter for COVID Infection
A new study provides further evidence that people with certain blood types may be more likely to contract COVID-19.
Specifically, it found that the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is particularly attracted to the blood group A antigen found on respiratory cells.


The researchers focused on a protein on the surface of the SARS-CoV-2 virus called the receptor binding domain (RBD), which is the part of the virus that attaches to the host cells. That makes it an important target for scientists trying to learn how the virus infects people.

In this laboratory study, the team assessed how the SARS-CoV-2 RBD interacted with respiratory and red blood cells in A, B and O blood types.

The results showed that the SARS-CoV-2 RBD had a strong preference for binding to blood group A found on respiratory cells, but had no preference for blood group A red blood cells, or other blood groups found on respiratory or red cells.

The 'numbers' post is a little early today as I am headed out the door to play golf. It is about 30F right now, but it will be about 60F by noon. Going to try to play 36 holes (it may kill me, but golf is my 2nd choice for preferred cause of death!) and I hope everyone has an enjoyable day as well.

Current Covid19 death numbers as of 7:00 am EST are below, primarily from the source in the original post (https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus). If your country of interest is not listed below, simply go to the link above to do a search for relevant information.

Total: 2,573,699
United States: 531,652
Brazil: 259,402
South Africa: 50,366
United Kingdom: 123,783
Canada: 22,105
Mexico: 188,044
Poland: 44,649
Russia: 87,823
India: 157,471
Bolivia: 11,734
Japan : 7,984
Indonesia: 36,897
Italy: 98,635
Spain: 70,247
Belgium: 22,169
France: 87,542
Netherlands: 15,697
Chile: 20,704
Philippines: 12,404

Mister Funsky said:

I am headed out the door to play golf. It is about 30F right now, but it will be about 60F by noon. Going to try to play 36 holes (it may kill me, but golf is my 2nd choice for preferred cause of death!) and I hope everyone has an enjoyable day as well.

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Stay safe and enjoy the nice weather, any activity outdoors is probably better than being cooped up in a crowded place indoors.

IMO

Current Covid19 death numbers as of 8:00 am EST are below, primarily from the source in the original post (https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus). If your country of interest is not listed below, simply go to the link above to do a search for relevant information.

Total: 2,583,604
United States: 533,641
Brazil: 261,188
South Africa: 50,462
United Kingdom: 124,025
Canada: 22,151
Mexico: 188,866
Poland: 44,912
Russia: 88,285
India: 157,584
Bolivia: 11,761
Japan : 8,052
Indonesia: 37,026
Italy: 98,974
Spain: 70,501
Belgium: 22,196
France: 87,835
Netherlands: 15,730
Chile: 20,838
Philippines: 12,423

As the number of deaths keeps increasing gradually every day It is kind of disappointing that more than a year into the Pandemic people are still taking opposite sides over such basic issues as whether to wear masks or not.

It seems like there is always going to be disagreements as to what the right path to take is when people's minds are being influenced by their political, religious, racial, and economical interests and agendas.

Perhaps we all need to start developing a new way of thinking that is based on Logic and Compassion in order to be able to see more clearly as to what the right thing to do is.

I wonder what would an AI that has reached general awareness and is capable of totally independent thought and judgment going to say to do when it comes to dealing with the Pandemic and all the other issues and problems that are currently facing Humanity and our Home Planet.

One can only hope that we are not going to have left leaning and right leaning AI's in the future like we have with Humans.

IMO

A vaccination at your door? J&J quickly spurs new ways to distribute shots

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/jj-vaccine-door-new-shot-spurs-fresh-outreach-rcna358

"In just a few days, government agencies and health care providers have announced plans to experiment with different ways of administering doses.

A vaccine in the middle of the night. A vaccine brought to your front door. A vaccine waiting for you at your job.
The recently approved Covid-19 vaccine from Johnson & Johnson is opening up a menu of new ways to get shots into arms, giving state and local health departments, pharmacies and other vaccinators greater flexibility in how the shots can be delivered and in determining who gets them and when.

...The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is relatively low-maintenance. It can be kept in regular refrigerators, and it requires only a single dose. The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines require two shots, three to four weeks apart.

A single-shot regimen eliminates the need to remind people about a booster, a major logistical headache in a large-scale vaccine rollout."

Current Covid19 death numbers as of 8:00 am EST are below, primarily from the source in the original post (https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus). If your country of interest is not listed below, simply go to the link above to do a search for relevant information.

Total: 2,593,909
United States: 535,563
Brazil: 262,948
South Africa: 50,566
United Kingdom: 124,261
Canada: 22,192
Mexico: 189,578
Poland: 45,159
Russia: 88,726
India: 157,693
Bolivia: 11,789
Japan : 8,119
Indonesia: 37,154
Italy: 99,271
Spain: 71,138
Belgium: 22,215
France: 88,274
Netherlands: 15,762
Chile: 20,928
Philippines: 12,465

oldtimer said:

Stay safe and enjoy the nice weather, any activity outdoors is probably better than being cooped up in a crowded place indoors.

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Texas has definitely had unseasonal cold. Reported this back on Jan. 6, but I suppose peeps were preoccupied.

It's been mild in the north...went for a long spin today, district lockdown lifted, passed thru a couple Covid checkpoints.

Cannuck said:

It's been mild in the north...went for a long spin today, district lockdown lifted, passed thru a couple Covid checkpoints.

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Are there a few hundred people waiting in line behind you or are you the only one out there by yourself by the checkpoint.

Good to be outdoors where one can get some fresh air instead of having to stay cooped up in a crowded place indoors. IMO

Does snow kill the Covid virus?

oldtimer said:

Are there a few hundred people waiting in line behind you or are you the only one out there by yourself by the checkpoint.

Good to be outdoors where one can get some fresh air instead of having to stay cooped up in a crowded place indoors. IMO

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No lines, just a few travellers and Ice Road truckers

oldtimer said:

Does snow kill the Covid virus?

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I don't think snow has any effect, the cold could even make it worse if people stay inside. Also, the colder it gets, the drier the air, humidity has been known to dampen Covid.

So now we have Bike Week (wish I were there) in full swing mode in Daytona and spring breakers all over Florida. I believe the UK variant is most widely spread in Florida...thanks to those that will be further spreading it across American states (and eventually the world).

Current Covid19 death numbers as of 8:00 am EST are below, primarily from the source in the original post (https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus). If your country of interest is not listed below, simply go to the link above to do a search for relevant information.

Total: 2,601,523
United States: 537,119
Brazil: 264,446
South Africa: 50,647
United Kingdom: 124,419
Canada: 22,213
Mexico: 190,357
Poland: 45,285
Russia: 89,094
India: 157,791
Bolivia: 11,807
Japan : 8,178
Indonesia: 37,266
Italy: 99,578
Spain: 71,138
Belgium: 22,240
France: 88,444
Netherlands: 15,803
Chile: 21,008
Philippines: 12,516

Cannuck said:

went for a long spin today,

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Man, that looks like quite an impressive snow machine!

I am definitely a beach/tropical climate guy (lived in Detroit for a while as well as other northern states) and have had my fill of snow and cold, but the only thing better to me than riding a street bike is riding a snow machine.

Mister Funsky said:

Man, that looks like quite an impressive snow machine!

I am definitely a beach/tropical climate guy (lived in Detroit for a while as well as other northern states) and have had my fill of snow and cold, but the only thing better to me than riding a street bike is riding a snow machine.

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The new machines are wicked! I love all four seasons, though northern winters can drag on, it's best to take full advantage (very therapeudic). Not trying to sidetrack the discussion...but a breath of fresh air and adventure always helps.

Cannuck said:

...but a breath of fresh air and adventure always helps.

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That's great, but please keep your Polar air to yourself, don't send it down to Texas again.

oldtimer said:

That's great, but please keep your Polar air to yourself, don't send it down to Texas again.

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I didn't do it, LOL. Like the Global Pandemic, it's just Mother Nature's way of sayin'... "Wake up people!"