covid-19 – Page 3 – Michmutters

Tag: covid-19

Categories
US

Biden’s COVID sequel: back on the balcony, dog for company

Biden's COVID sequel: back on the balcony, dog for company

WASHINGTON (AP) — It’s back to the White House balcony and the Treaty Room for President Joe Biden as he contends with a “rebound” case of COVID-19.

Trapped in the White House for the second time in as many weeks, the president knows the drill this time: He’s got an office in the residence and his dog Commander to keep him company while he governs by Zoom and FaceTime.

Biden’s latest bout with COVID-19 came with a new wrinkle: how to announce a major counterterrorism operation in Afghanistan from isolation.

Biden, dressed in a dark suit and red tie, walked to a lecture that had been wheeled onto the balcony of the Blue Room on Monday evening and informed the American people of the killing of Ayman al-Zawahri, the top al-Qaida leader, in a US strike in Afghanistan over the weekend.

The White House allowed just one print reporter to watch Biden deliver his speech, by looking through a window in the adjacent Red Room. A TV cameraman filmed the president and a still photographer took photos — a smaller footprint than the group of journalists that is usually at the president’s appearances.

Biden’s initial COVID-19 diagnosis left him with a lingering cough and runny nose, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. His rebound case from him — labeled such because he tested positive on Saturday just three days after being cleared from isolation with two negative tests last Tuesday and Wednesday — has left him antsy about returning to a normal schedule.

Biden’s rebound disrupted a trip home to Wilmington, Delaware, to meet with first lady Jill Biden, who has been there since Biden’s initial diagnosis. A trip Tuesday to Michigan to promote a $280 billion high-tech manufacturing bill he intends to sign was also scuttled.

Instead, Biden is stuck in COVID-19 isolation through at least Thursday, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, and perhaps longer under the White House’s stricter protocols, which require a negative test to return to work.

“He’s someone who likes to be out there with the American people,” said Jean-Pierre on Monday. “He’s looking forward to being out there again.”

White House physician Dr. Kevin O’Connor said in a Monday letter that the president “continues to feel well” this time around, even as he tests positive.

Shortly after Saturday’s announcement that he was returning to isolation, the president tweeted a picture of himself masked, tieless and signing a declaration that added individual assistance for flood survivors in Kentucky.

He followed up by tweeting a 12-second video of himself on a White House balcony with Commander.

“I’m feeling fine, everything is good,” said Biden, a pair of aviator sunglasses in his hand. “But Commander and I got a little work to do.”

Minutes later, he called Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough on FaceTime as he visited with people camping outside the US Capitol in a bid for health benefits for military veterans exposed to toxic substances from burn pits during their service.

Biden tweeted that he had planned to visit the group in person on Saturday before he tested positive again, but instead sent McDonough with a delivery of pizza. I have invited the advocates to the White House once he’s cleared by his doctors to receive visitors.

“It doesn’t stop him from doing his job and doing the work of the American people,” Jean-Pierre said of the president’s rebound infection.

During his course of isolation, Biden told reporters that his canine companion served as his alarm clock while the first lady was away.

“Matter of fact, my dog ​​had to wake me up this morning,” he said last Tuesday. “My wife’s not here. She usually takes him out in the morning while I’m upstairs working out. And so, I felt this nuzzle of my dog’s nose against my chest about five minutes to seven.”

Biden has been working from the ornate second-floor Treaty Room or stepping onto the adjacent Truman Balcony overlooking the South Grounds and the Washington Monument.

A limited number of essential staff are with him in the residence, including security and medical personnel and a small number of aides, who remain masked for their protection. Biden’s usual in-person meetings, including his daily national security briefing, have shifted to virtual formats.

Plans for enabling a president to work in isolation were first developed when then-President Donald Trump tested positive for COVID-19 in October 2020, which required him to be admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. As the highly infectious omicron variant spread and cases closed in around Biden, his administration refined plans for Biden to carry out his duties while isolating at the White House, according to two aides.

Biden, 79, was treated with the antiviral drug Paxlovid after he first tested positive on July 21. He tested negative for the virus last Tuesday and Wednesday, July 26 and 27, and was then cleared to leave isolation while wearing a mask indoors. His positive tests of him put him among the minority of those prescribed the drug to experience a rebound case of the virus.

The CDC says most rebound cases remain mild.

Jean-Pierre said 17 people initially identified as close contacts of Biden when he first tested positive, as well as six people deemed at risk from his rebound infection, have continued to test negative for COVID-19.

.

Categories
US

California governor declares monkeypox state of emergency

California governor declares monkeypox state of emergency

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California’s governor on Monday declared a state of emergency to speed efforts to combat the monkeypox outbreak, becoming the second state in three days to take the step.

Gov. Gavin Newsom said the declaration will help California coordinate a government-wide response, seek more vaccines and lead outreach and education efforts on where people can get treatment and vaccination.

“We’ll continue to work with the federal government to secure more vaccines, raise awareness about reducing risk, and stand with the LGBTQ community fighting stigmatization,” Newsom said in a statement announcing his declaration.

Nearly 800 cases of monkeypox have been reported in California, according to state public health officials.

The monkeypox virus spreads through prolonged and close skin-to-skin contact, which can include hugging, cuddling and kissing, as well as through the sharing of bedding, towels and clothing. People getting sick so far have mainly been men who have sex with men, though health officials note that the virus can infect anyone.

“Public health officials are clear: stigma is unacceptable and counterproductive in public health response,” Michelle Gibbons, executive director of the County Health Executives Association of California said in a statement. “The fact is that monkeypox is primarily spread by skin to skin contact and sharing objects like bedding or towels, without regard to sexual orientation or gender identity.”

The type of monkeypox virus identified in this outbreak is rarely fatal, and people usually recover within weeks. But the lesions and blisters caused by the virus are painful, and they can prevent swallowing or bowel movements if in the throat or anus.

The declaration in California came after a similar one in New York state on Saturday, and in San Francisco on Thursday. Newsom’s administration had said as recently as Friday that it was too soon for such a declaration.

After pressing for Newsom to make such a declaration, Democratic state Sen. Scott Wiener of San Francisco hailed the governor’s decision.

“The monkeypox outbreak is an emergency, and we need to use every tool we have to control it,” Wiener said.

rate
youtube video thumbnail

Newsom’s proclamation allows emergency medical personnel to administer monkeypox vaccines that are approved by the federal government.

That’s similar to a recent law that allows pharmacists to administer vaccines, Newsom’s administration said. It said the state’s response is building on the steps developed during the coronavirus pandemic to set up vaccination clinics and make sure there is outreach to vulnerable populations in cooperation with local and community-based organizations.

California has received more than 61,000 vaccine doses and has distributed more than 25,000 doses.

“We don’t have any time to waste,” Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said in a statement. She said the nation’s most-populous county must use all available resources to speed the distribution of vaccines and help those who have been infected.

Newsom’s office said Los Angeles County has received a separate allocation of vaccine.

As of last week, the state had expanded its testing capacity to process more than 1,000 tests a week. Critics have said the long wait for test results delayed treatment options.

In San Francisco, Peter Tran was among hundreds who lined up sometimes for hours to receive the monkeypox vaccine at the Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital on Monday after the clinic was forced to close last week because it did not receive enough doses.

“It’s horrible. Like this is a vaccine that’s been out for such a long time. And like, it’s not even a deadly disease. It’s harder to be transmitted than COVID. But the rollout of the vaccines throughout this nation is absolutely horrible,” Tran said.

“I think the science shows that protection is greatly improved with the vaccine. So that’s why I’m doing it. And I honestly just don’t want the injuries on my body. I heard the injuries are painful and leave scarring. So I think that’s another motivation to go out and get it.”

Before making their own emergency declaration last week, San Francisco city officials were criticized for not responding rapidly enough to the outbreak. They, in turn, faulted the federal government for failing to deliver enough vaccines. The city received about 4,000 doses on Friday, enabling it to restart vaccinations, and hopes to administer them by mid-week, said Dr. Lukejohn Day, chief medical officer at the Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital.

The city had 305 cases as of Monday, he said.

The World Health Organization has declared the monkeypox outbreak in more than 70 countries a global emergency.

___

Associated Press videographer Terry Chea contributed from San Francisco.

.

Categories
Australia

‘Put your masks on’: Independent MP Monique Ryan blasts LNP members in question time for not wearing masks

The Independent MP for Kooyong has blasted LNP members in question time for not wearing a mask. Picture: Supplied.

The Independent MP for Kooyong has blasted LNP members in Question Time for not wearing a mask.

Dr Monique Ryan told the members of the Coalition to “put your masks on” after she was interrupted during Parliament while discussing the burden of COVID-19 reinfection rates on the health care system.

“COVID-19 infections in this country are at a record high and increasing,” the former pediatric neurologist said while posing her question to Health Minister Mark Butler.

Stream more national news live & on demand with Flash. 25+ news channels in 1 place. New to Flash? Try 1 month free. Offer ends October 31, 2022

“There is an increasing risk of cumulative neurological and cardiovascular disease from infections from COVID-19.

“Can the Minister please explain how he proposes to manage the oncoming national significant burden of disability and chronic illness from repeated infection?”

During her question, Dr Ryan was jeered at by some MPs, before snapping back “put your masks on” as she pointed at the opposition benches.

The Member for Kooyong later took to Twitter later saying: “I don’t appreciate being interrupted while speaking on serious risks of repeated COVID infections.”

“I particularly don’t appreciate being interrupted by shouting LNP MPs who refuse to wear masks.

“We all have a duty to look after each other. Here & everywhere. Put your mask on!”

Mask-wearing is only a recommendation inside Parliament and most Coalition MPs exercise their free choice not to wear one, despite a few exceptions.

The former Melbourne Royal Children’s Hospital Neurology department Director was one of a slate of Climate 200-backed independents who toppled sitting Liberal MPs at the last election including the then-treasurer Josh Frydenberg who was seen as a future leader of the party.

Mr Frydenberg’s campaign spent an estimated more than $2 million to hold the seat which was once considered one of the jewels in the Liberal Party crown.

But Dr Ryan’s strong grass roots campaign targeting more ambitious action on climate change and greater integrity in politics, along with the personal unpopularity of then-prime minister Scott Morrison, delivered the independent a historic win.

.

Categories
Australia

Victoria is in the thick of a COVID-19 surge. Here’s where authorities say we’re headed

Victoria is in the thick of a COVID-19 surge. Here's where authorities say we're headed

Halfway through the year, and Victoria is in the grip of another COVID-19 wave.

It’s believed about half of people with the virus haven’t been officially recorded, leading to a worrying number of people in hospital during the state’s deadliest month on record.

But as the state inches out of winter, there are signs the worst could be behind us.

Here’s what authorities have had to say.

Only about half of cases are being reported to authorities

A group of pedestrians, all rugged up and several wearing masks, cross Flinders Street on a wet day.
The true number of COVID-positive people in the community could be about double the official number.(ABC News: Danielle Bonica)

Gone are the days when the number of people infected with COVID-19 each day dictated the level of public health measures in place across the state.

It is now estimated only about 45 per cent of people infected with the virus are officially reported to the Department of Health.

Authorities believe that it is due to a range of possible reasons — not everyone displays symptoms, not everyone with symptoms will test, the tests are not entirely sensitive, and not everyone who tests positive will report their test result.

“We don’t know what we don’t know,” Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said.

“If people haven’t notified with a positive RAT to the department, we don’t know that they are COVID cases.”

About 10 per cent of the cases we do know about at the moment are people being infected for a second or third time, a much higher proportion than in the January Omicron arises.

“Maybe that doesn’t sound like a lot, but an additional 10 per cent burden for those who’ve already had an infection is quite significant,” Professor Sutton said.

But we appear to be past the peak of new infections

While the official infection rate may not be an accurate reflection of the exact number of people in the community with the virus, the Chief Health Officer is now optimistic of turning a corner.

“We’re certainly seeing a peak in our case numbers,” Professor Sutton said.

The seven-day average of new infections was last week 11,703, which had fallen on Monday to 10,199.

“We look to be on the downslope there with about a 10 per cent reduction in case numbers compared to last week, so that’s good news,” Professor Sutton said.

Hospitalizations are plateauing but tough times lie ahead

The state saw a significant spike in hospitalizations as winter took hold.

Burnet Institute modeling suggests one explanation for the recent spike is the number of cases going undiagnosed or unreported to the health department.

Once an infection is reported to authorities, Victorians can have access to a range of treatments and therapies which can significantly reduce the risk of serious illness.

“There’s too big a proportion of those presenting to hospital, clearly with COVID, and either testing positive on arrival either at the emergency department during their admission in hospital or as they’re arriving, who haven’t taken oral therapies,” Professor Sutton said.

Experts have repeatedly stressed that access to the antivirals at the start of infection is essential to slowing the illness.

The most recent modeling by the Burnet Institute suggested the state was approaching a peak of hospitalizations in early August, of between 900 and 1,000 patients in hospital with the virus.

But as case numbers have begun to decrease, Professor Sutton said the number of people in hospital was “plateauing, if not past the peak.”

He cautioned “the pressures on the health system will be substantial for some weeks to come.”

“Mask-wearing, meeting outdoors, ventilation, getting your vaccine if you’re eligible — they still make a difference on this downslope,” he said.

“So please see this through the lens of our healthcare workers who continue to battle at the frontline.”

Deaths are still surging, particularly in older Victorians

While the number of people in hospital is lower than in the January Omicron peak, July was the month with the highest COVID-related death toll since the pandemic began in both Victoria and the country.

Of the 4,661 deaths recorded in the state since the pandemic began, 3,050 were reported in 2022.

“We still do have a significant number of deaths, that average has gone up in recent weeks,” Professor Sutton said.

.

Categories
US

Doctor: Biden tests positive for COVID for 2nd day in a row

Doctor: Biden tests positive for COVID for 2nd day in a row

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden tested positive for COVID-19 for the second straight dayin what appears to be a rare case of “rebound” following treatment with an anti-viral drug.

In a letter noting the positive testDr. Kevin O’Connor, the White House physician, said Sunday that the president “continues to feel well” and will keep on working from the executive residence while he isolates.

Biden tested positive on Saturday, requiring him to cancel travel and in-person events as he isolates for at least five days in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.

After initially testing positive on July 21, Biden, 79, was treated with the anti-viral drug Paxlovid. He tested negative for the virus this past Tuesday and Wednesday, clearing him to leave isolation while wearing a mask indoors.

Research suggests that a minority of those prescribed Paxlovid experience a rebound case of the virus. The fact that a rebound rather than a reinfection possibly occurred is a positive sign for Biden’s health once he’s clear of the disease.

“The fact that the president has cleared his illness and doesn’t have symptoms is a good sign and makes it less likely he will develop long COVID,” said Dr. Albert Ho, an infectious disease specialist at Yale University’s school of public health.

.

Categories
Australia

The latest COVID-19 case numbers from around the states and territories

The latest COVID-19 case numbers from around the states and territories

Here’s a quick wrap of each Australian jurisdiction’s latest COVID-19 statistics for Sunday, July 31.

You can get a more detailed, visual breakdown through the ABC’s Charting the Spread story here.

This list will be updated throughout the day, so if you do not see your state or territory, please check back later.

You can jump to the COVID-19 information you want to read by clicking below.

New South Wales

Five people in the state died with COVID-19 in the latest reporting period.

There are 2,265 people in hospital and 66 in intensive care.

10,993 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in the past 24 hours.

loading

Victory

The state reported 21 new deaths related to COVID-19 today.

There are 768 people hospitalized with COVID-19. There are 43 people in intensive care and seven patients on a ventilator.

Victoria has recorded 7,115 new cases of COVID-19.

loading

Tasmanian

There have been no COVID-19 related deaths in the state in the past 24 hours.

There are 150 people in hospital with COVID-19, and six patients requiring intensive care.

Tasmania recorded 649 new cases.

queensland

The state has recorded 4,655 new cases of COVID-19 in the past day.

There are 762 people in hospital with COVID-19 and 28 in intensive care.

Queensland does not report COVID-19 related deaths on weekends.

loading

ACT

There were 556 new cases of COVID-19 reported in 24 hours.

There are 163 people in hospital with COVID-19 and one person is in intensive care. No-one is requiring ventilation.

No new deaths have been reported.

loading

Northern Territory

There have been 236 new cases of COVID-19 reported in the Northern Territory in the past day.

There are 56 people in hospital with the virus and none in intensive care.

There have been no new deaths.

loading

Western Australia

Six people have died with COVID-19 in Western Australia in the latest reporting period.

There are 415 people in hospital with COVID-19 in the state, with 14 patients in intensive care.

Western Australia has recorded 3,252 new cases of the virus in the past 24 hours.

South Australia

Nine people have died with COVID-19 in the state in the past day.

There are 346 people in hospital with the virus and 11 in intensive care. No patients required ventilation.

The state recorded 2,364 new cases in the latest reporting period.

loading

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume.

Play Video. Duration: 6 minutes 33 seconds

Putting the latest COVID wave into perspective.

Loading form…

.