SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus (COVID-19)

I read somewhere that China is about to release updated count on confirmed number including asymptomatic cases that were unreported previously. If they do, it will be an instant jump on their total number.

 

Funny, it is invisible on my Chromebook browser, but it is visible and the link worked from my phone.

 

I think this is the article I saw. Not sure if the update is already out or not.
China releases new data on asymptomatic coronavirus cases—but doubts remain | Fortune

 

A small glimpse into antibody testing has begun here in the U.S. where free and voluntary testing to everyone in San Miguel County, Colorado is in progress. East End results are in (>4k tests done), West End testing still in progress.

As of 4/1/2020 public health officials announced <1% of COVID-19 blood tests completed up to last week were clear positives and 97% of these groups tested negative. The remaining 2% were considered “indeterminate,” with thought that many of these will likely convert to "positive". Participants will be asked to return for second testing in 14-16 days.

We won't be able to extrapolate too much from this study to the rest of the nation, including for reasons that it is unclear how representative this sampling is of the entire population. However, consider that if 1-3% of the U.S. population is or has already been infected, that would mean 3.4-10 million persons. Compare that to "only" ~240,000 proven by PCR at the moment.

For what it's worth, the first known +COVID PCR in San Miguel County was 3/19/2020. Like deaths, antibody positivity will lag PCR diagnosis for days to weeks.

San Miguel County, CO - Official Website
San Miguel County, CO - Official Website

• 986 tests were done on March 26th and 27th
  • 8 were positive
  • 23 were indeterminate (borderline)
  • 955 were negative

 

Just heard on the news that masks and other PPE are being exported to other countries while our own healthcare workers have to do without.
New laws and enforcement to be announced soon.
Special place in hell for the greedy profiteering distributors that put their wealth above others lives in their own communities.
EDIT

Feds distribute thousands of surgical masks, gloves seized by FBI &#8211; DNyuz
.

 

When compared to the US history of exporting war or WMDs to other countries, this might be a good start towards something new.

Or like the above, it could just be another perfect example of capitalism at its finest.

 

There was a big jump in known deaths in France as a classification issue comes to light. From Worldometer:

"NOTE:

France today reported 884 additional deaths that have occurred in nursing homes over the past days and weeks [source]. The French Government did not include these deaths in their official count, as their count only takes into consideration deaths of hospitalized patients. Following international standards of correct inclusion, our statistics will include these deaths, and will add them to the April 2, 2020 count following the attribution criteria of date of report."

 

Exported and imported. E.g. one U.S. government arm asking Thailand to send us some supplies, confusing the Thai officials on the other end who just got confirmation from a different U.S. government arm that we were sending them a big load of the very same items.

 

FDA Approves First Coronavirus Antibody Test in U.S.

This is useful both to get a better handle on how widespread this outbreak has really been, what fraction of patients really get sick or die, and also to determine who has already become immune and can go back to work.

No idea when this can be ramped up to useful numbers and availability.

 

Apparently the Defense Production Act allows inventories hoarded for the purpose of profiteering, to be confiscated and handed out free to where they are needed, as determined by the controlling authorities. The FBI made its first such seizure on March 30, and has already distributed some of that haul to New York and New Jersey.

 

See post #1349
.

 

Story in #1349 wasn't even about greedy profiteering "distributors", unless one guy in Brooklyn with a giant hoard of stuff gets to be a "distributor."

My understanding of the story was that his hoard wasn't being taken without compensation; HHS planning to pay him the "pre-COVID-19 fair market rate" for the stuff.

... though there is the whole other facing-charges part.

 

Here is one easy to understand article explaining the difference in RTPCR vs antibody test for COVID-19.
Here&#39;s How Coronavirus Tests Work--and Who Offers Them - Scientific American

The article did not mention it, but different technology used to amplify nucleic acid in the isothermic condition is used for a rapid detection kit developed by Abbott which is now already being used in some places.
Abbott rapid coronavirus test put to use in Detroit, Michigan

Here is another easy to read article on COVID-19. This one mentions about Abbott kit.
Coronavirus testing is ramping up. Here are the new tests and how they work. | Live Science

 

Great screening test with a fast result. It can help identify those who can work in the front line of COVID-19 triage and direct support. However, there needs to be a second quantitative test.

A quantitative antibody test measures the level of antibodies. That way over time we can get a clue as to the ability of individuals to resist a second infection. Regardless, I'm applauding the result.

Bob Wilson