COVID* STANDFORD MASK STUDY---Elsevier journal to retract widely debunked masks study whose author claimed a Stanford affiliation p345

h/t treyfish

[link to www3.nhk.or.jp (secure)]

New virus points out possibility of Chinese health authorities 'aerosol' infection

February 19, 2020 23:32China's health authorities have issued new guidelines on the new coronavirus, which, in addition to droplet and dense contact infections, which have previously been identified as the main routes of transmission, have been exposed to prolonged, high concentrations in closed environments. He pointed out that exposure to "aerosols" could result in "aerosol" transmission.

China's health authority, the National Board of Health and Health, released new guidelines on how to diagnose and treat the new coronavirus on the 19th.

h/t treyfish

[link to www.chunichi.co.jp (secure)]

the Chinese government partially revised and announced the treatment policy for new types of pneumonia for the domestic market. Under certain conditions, it has been specified for the first time that infection can also be due to fine particulate "aerosols" floating in the air. Aerosol infection is considered to occur easily during medical procedures such as tracheal intubation, and further caution is required to prevent hospital-acquired infections



This explains why so many HCWs are getting infected, why so many on the cruise ship are getting sick, and why the "group" isolation the US is using for returnees won't work.


I'm curious to see the science behind this new recommendation. And I wonder how everyone will be able to switch from standard precautions to full blown SCB equipment. Oh, and everyone needs to be in a negative pressure room now, too.

h/t kiwibird

[link to mychinanews.com]

On the autopsies just conducted:


Zhong Nanshan Answer: The anatomy of the remains is very important. SARS 17 years ago also had the anatomy of the remains. We found that in addition to the lungs, other organs were damaged. What about the anatomy now? The results have not been fully achieved, but I have obtained some valuable information. I found that the performance of the lungs is a little different from SARS. It is not severe fibrosis. Some alveoli are present, the inflammation is severe, and there is a lot of mucus.

These are consistent with our clinical visits. In clinically many critically ill patients, the big problem is that there is not much sputum, but it is sticky, so it is very difficult to use the ventilator. He breathes his, and the ventilator breathes himself. Therefore, further anatomy and pathology will help our clinical treatment, such as whether we need to adjust the ventilation, because some patients do not have much sputum but are sticky, which will hinder ventilation, so pay special attention to let the airway open.

Japan

h/t treyfish

[link to www3.nhk.or.jp (secure)]

70 people were infected in Japan or by travelers from China, and 621 passengers and crew members of cruise ships were confirmed in Japan by 9:00 pm A total of 705 people, including 14 people who returned home on charter aircraft.

By prefecture, there
are four people in Hokkaido.
2525 people in Tokyo.
*Four people in Chiba Prefecture.
*Kanagawa Prefecture has 7 people.
*Eight people in Aichi Prefecture.
*One Mie prefecture.
*Two people from Okinawa.
*Two people in Kyoto.
*Osaka is one person.
*Nara prefecture is one person.
*12 people in Wakayama Prefecture.

There are three staff members of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare and quarantine officers

Japan

h/t treyfish

[link to www.chunichi.co.jp (secure)]

Local governments have announced on September 19 that a total of nine new cases of coronavirus infection have been confirmed in Hokkaido, Tokyo, and Kanagawa Prefecture. In some cases, the route of transmission is unknown



Edited to add: Often times the Japanese translator screws up the month for some reason. This is February 19th.

Last Edited by NawtyBits on 02/19/2020 11:47 AM

September?

People in Tokyo with unknown transmission route. This is probably not good for a city of ~10 million people.

The translator screws up month names for some reason. It's just something that happens.

Hong Kong

h/t shiloh

[link to www.shine.cn (secure)]

The number of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Hong Kong rose to 63 after another case was confirmed on Wednesday, and the death toll increased to two after one patient passed away on Wednesday morning, Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection (CHP) reported.

The newly confirmed case involves an 83-year-old female living in Hong Kong's Tuen Mun area. She had a fall on February 15 and was then hospitalized for hip fracture operation. After her daughter and son-in-law were diagnosed as Hong Kong's 60th and 57th COVID-19 cases, she was tested for novel coronavirus and confirmed positive on Wednesday, Chuang Shuk-kwan, head of the CHP's Communicable Disease Branch, said at a daily press briefing on Wednesday afternoon.

The patient had mild running nose on February 14, but did not develop fever during her hospitalization. The CHP's investigation showed that her husband had been to the Chinese mainland before the Lunar New Year. The husband has also been tested for novel coronavirus and the results are pending

Hong Kong

[link to www.info.gov.hk (secure)]

Public hospitals daily update on COVID-19 cases
***************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

As at noon today (February 19), public hospitals had reported to the Department of Health the admission of 31 patients (10 male and 21 female, aged 19 to 83) in the past 24 hours who met the reporting criteria of COVID-19. Appropriate tests have been arranged for the patients.

There are 100 patients under isolation currently. So far, five patients with COVID-19 infection have been discharged upon recovery.

The Hospital Authority will maintain close contact with the Centre for Health Protection to monitor the latest developments and to inform the public and healthcare workers on the latest information in a timely manner.


Ends/Wednesday, February 19, 2020
Issued at HKT 19:27

Hong Kong

[link to www.info.gov.hk (secure)]



The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced that as of 8pm today (February 19), the CHP is investigating three additional cases of COVID-19, taking to 65 the number of confirmed cases so far in Hong Kong.

The first case involves an 83-year-old woman (the 63rd case) who is the mother-in-law of the 54-year-old male patient of the 57th case confirmed on February 16 and the mother of the 46-year-old female patient of the 60th case confirmed on February 17. The patient has underlying illnesses who lives in Block 1, Seaview Garden in Tuen Mun. She developed runny nose since February 14. She suffered from fractures caused by fall on February 15 and was admitted to the Orthopaedic ward of Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH) for treatment. She underwent surgery on February 16. Healthcare staff of TMH later acknowledged that the patient's daughter and son-in-law were confirmed cases of COVID-19. She was subsequently transferred to isolation ward of the hospital yesterday and received testing for COVID-19.

Her respiratory sample was tested positive for novel coronavirus and is now in a stable condition. The patient had no travel history during the incubation period. Her husband who lived with her had cough since January 25 and had recovered. He is currently asymptomatic and has been admitted to TMH isolation ward for further examination.

The patient visited the Hoi Tin Garden Restaurant on its first floor located on 5 Sam Shing Street, Tuen Mun from 9am to 11am on February 14 for a meal. Those who also visited the first floor of Hoi Tin Garden Restaurant during the above period and develop symptoms later are urged to call the CHP hotline.

The second and third cases involve a couple who are a 68-year-old man (the 64th case) and a 70-year-old woman (the 65th case) with underlying illnesses. They live in Sui Moon House, Siu Sai Wan Estate. They developed cough since February 12 and consulted a private doctor for persistent cough on February 18, and sought medical attention at Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital and were admitted for treatment. Their respiratory samples were tested positive for novel coronavirus and are now in stable condition. They had no travel history during the incubation period. Their daughter who live together is asymptomatic and will be arranged for quarantine.

Relevant contract tracing by the CHP is ongoing.

A spokesman for the CHP said, "According to our preliminary epidemiological investigations, some of the confirmed cases are locally infected. The CHP strongly urged the public to maintain at all times strict personal and environmental hygiene which is key to personal protection against infection and prevention of the spread of the disease in the community."

The spokesman said, "On the personal level, members of the public should wear a surgical mask when having respiratory symptoms, taking public transport or staying in crowded places. They should also perform hand hygiene frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes. The public should go out less and reduce social activities, and maintain appropriate social distance with other people as far as possible."

[link to www.globaltimes.cn (secure)]

11:07 pm Feb 19

1,963.58 tons of disinfectants have been dropped into the drainage system and 26 sewage plants across Wuhan, treating wastewater and sludge round the clock to prevent pathogens entering the drainage system.

8:02 pm Feb 19

COVID19 Residents from Hubei asked to recite official notices if found walking on the roads. Residents who lack protection consciousness and don't listen to orders pose dangers to others and put grassroots workers in a dilemma


7:35 pm Feb 19

The epidemic has not reached an inflection point yet, Rick Brennan, director of Emergency Operations, WHO, said, commenting on provinces outside Central China's Hubei showing consecutive declines in new infection cases for 15 days.

6:26 pm Feb 19

79 new infection cases with COVID19 were confirmed on the DiamondPrincess cruise ship. So far, a total of 621 people on the cruise ship have been diagnosed with coronavirus: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan.

5:29 pm Feb 19

DiamondPrincess in Yokohama Port, Japan, releases 500 passengers who have no symptoms of COVID19 infection. Japanese government sent shuttle buses to carry these passengers to the nearest transportation point.

3:46 pm Feb 19

China has decided to revoke the press cards of three journalists of the Wall Street Journal WSJ in Beijing from Wed over an article with a "racist headline," which slandered China's efforts in fighting the coronavirus outbreak：Chinese FM


3:27 pm Feb 19

Chinese netizens call on South Korean people to be strong and watch out for outbreak as 15 more COVID19 infection cases were reported in the country, taking the total number to 46. S Korea is one of the countries that donated medical gear to aid China.

1:57 pm Feb 19

COVID19 can transmit through aerosol if the virus existed in an enclosed environment with a high concentration of aerosol for too long: China’s top health body

1:25 pm Feb 19

China's national health commission adds chloroquine phosphate and arbidol as proposed antiviral drugs to treat COVID19, including plasma therapy for patients in critical & severe conditions in its latest version of the treatment plan.

1:05 pm Feb 19

Chinese CDC's latest research detects that there were over 100 COVID19 infections + 15 deaths before December 31, 2019, based on a retrospective investigation of 44,672 confirmed patients.

11:40 am Feb 19

Enhanced preparedness for treating COVID19 patients: #Wuhan will turn 16 universities to quarantine sites to offer 15,000 rooms as a backup, as the city enters the decisive stage of fighting the epidemic

h/t crofsblog

[link to www.caixinglobal.com (secure)]

Will Warming Weather Kill Off Covid-19? Scientists Aren’t Sure

[snip]

Theoretically, the Covid-19 virus, a member of the coronavirus family which also includes SARS and MERS, is sensitive to temperature. All viruses are made up of a nucleic acid molecule inside a protein shell called a capsid. Some viruses, such as coronavirus, have an external membrane outside the shell. The envelope is relatively sensitive to heat.

The Covid-19 virus stays stable at 4 degrees Celsius (me: 39.2*F) and can survive for several years at 60 degrees Celsius below zero, according to guidelines published by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. In higher temperatures, the virus’s resistance power declines, but the temperature affects only the virus’s survival time, not its infectiousness, the guidelines say.

Similar results were found with the SARS coronavirus. The SARS virus also stays stable at 4 degrees Celsius, but will lose its activeness in three days at 37 degrees Celsius (me: 98.6*F) and can survive for only 15 minutes at 70 degrees Celsius below zero, according to research by Bao Zuoyi and Liu Yongjian at China’s Academy of Military Medical Sciences.

During the 2003 SARS outbreak, for every 1 degree Celsius of temperature rise in Hong Kong, where the virus killed almost 300 people, the number of confirmed cases declined by 3.6. The SARS outbreak lasted about eight months. Like Covid-19, the first SARS case was recorded late in the year. Then the number of confirmed cases peaked in April 2003, and no more patients were found in July. Scientists have never discovered a cure for SARS, and it’s widely believed it’s killed by warm weather.

[snip]

But some differences between the SARS coronavirus and Covid-19 add uncertainties to predicting the endurance of the new disease. Unlike SARS, where only people with fever are infectious, people with Covid-19 can be contagious without any symptoms, making it much harder to prevent the spread of the illness.

A recent study showed that Covid-19 is far more contagious than SARS.

[snip]

As temperatures rise, coronavirus either floating in the air or attached to surfaces can survive for a short time, but the infectiveness of the virus in a person’s body doesn’t diminish, said Ma Ke, a doctor at Wuhan Tongji Hospital.

Last week, when the news of the tourists in Hawaii came out, there was a press release by the Dept of Health that said there were no worries when they were not showing symptoms, and there was nothing to worry about for the first part of their trip.

I sent the following note to the Dept of Health:

Please inform Dr Sarah Park that her statements "“The individual had no symptoms while on Maui and was not contagious,” said Dr. Sarah Park, state epidemiologist. “There is no increased risk on Maui from possible exposure." are wildly inaccurate, and to check with the CDC to verify that asymptomatic carriers can still shed the virus and that people can be contagious during the incubation period. Thank you. Have a great day. And good luck!


I received a reply yesterday.

Aloha

Thank you so much for your information.

Best regards,


And I noticed that when they were talking about contact tracing a few days ago, they gave the flight information from Oahu to Maui, I would guess my note didn't have anything to do with the change in posture, but, I felt better after sending it.

So, the moral here is, don't be afraid to contact these people, they are public servants. And they are human. And, mostly, you can't hit the ball if you don't swing the bat.

Granddaughter went to the hospital yesterday. She has had a cough, aches and phlegm for a month now and is expecting. She became short of breath so went to emergency. They made no effort to separate her from other patients, didn't give her a mask and largely ignored her for 5 hours before telling her the chest x rays are fine. There were no apparent protocols in place for possible virus patients, doctors and nurses not even wearing masks and gloves. The hospital was overwhelmed but this is normal these days. She has an appointment today with her GP so I hope they figure out what's wrong with her, must say I'm worried because we still have daily flights arriving from China with no protocols. I don't think she has the virus, just a bad flu, but God help us if we do start getting cases.

h/t michael coston and Ian Mackay

Molecular and serological investigation of 2019-nCoV infected patients: implication of multiple shedding routes


[snip]

We found the presence of 2019-nCoV in anal swabs and blood as well, and more anal swab positives than oral swab positives in a later stage of infection, suggesting shedding and thereby transmitted through oral–fecal route. We also showed serology test can improve detection positive rate thus should be used in future epidemiology. Our report provides a cautionary warning that 2019-nCoV may be shed through multiple routes.

[snip]

We detected the virus in oral swabs, anal swabs and blood, thus infected patients can potentially shed this pathogen through respiratory, fecal–oral or body fluid routes.

[snip]

We show that the current strategy for the detection of viral RNA in oral swabs used for 2019-nCoV diagnosis is not perfect. The virus may be present in anal swabs or blood of patients when oral swabs detection negative.

[snip]

In summary, we provide a cautionary warning that 2019-nCoV may be transmitted through multiple routes. Both molecular and serological tests are needed to definitively confirm a virus carrier.

so, the Corona Virus is knocking them down
and it's the Secondary Diseases that are killing them.
(that's the sort of thing that Nature does, yep)

Another Monotreme blog. Short and sweet. Worth the 3 minutes to read it.

[link to monotreme1000.wordpress.com (secure)]

The CDC still hasn't updated it's wednesday numbers yet.

(It is wednesday, isn't it?)

Can you edit that original post with the translation comment? I almost missed that. But wondered the same thing.

h/t shiloh

[link to www.dailyrepublic.com (secure)]

Napa confirms COVID-19 case from Travis as Feb. 5 evacuees released

FAIRFIELD — Nearly 180 coronavirus evacuees who arrived at Travis Air Force Base on Feb. 5 were released Tuesday from their quarantine inside the Westwind Inn.

However, a single case of COVID-19 has been confirmed in Napa County, and is under isolation at Queen of the Valley Medical Center. A second patient with symptoms is under investigation at the hospital. Neither patient is a Napa County resident, and each came from Travis.

The two patients arrived Monday at the Queen of the Valley from Travis Air Force Base, according to a statement released Tuesday by Napa County. The patients were flown to Travis Air Force Base from Japan, where they were under quarantine from the Diamond Princess cruise ship.

The statement said that among the cruise ship passengers flown to Travis Air Force Base, seven were identified as needing testing or hospitalization. Five of the seven patients were sent to local hospitals in Solano County.

“Due to a limited number of isolation beds in Solano County, two patients were transferred to Queen of the Valley,” Napa County officials said in the statement.

The confirmed COVID-19 case tested positive but has not experienced any symptoms associated with the virus. The patient under investigation tested negative but is experiencing symptoms, Napa County reported.

“There is minimal risk for Napa County residents from the arrival of these two patients at the Queen of the Valley,” Dr. Karen Relucio, Napa County Public Health officer, said in the statement. “They are in isolation, and are receiving medical care and undergoing testing.”

Done.

[link to www.taiwannews.com.tw (secure)]

Wuhan coronavirus could cause male infertility: Chinese study

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — As scientists race to unravel the mysteries of the Wuhan coronavirus in an effort to stem its spread, a Chinese study has found the disease could lead to male infertility.

Fan Caibin, a urologist at Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Suzhou Hospital, on Feb. 12 posted the results of a scientific research project which found that the disease not only damages the lungs, but also the kidneys and testes, potentially leading to male infertility. The team summarized the clinical data of three previous studies, which included six patients, 41 patients, and 99 patients, respectively.

The study found that kidney dysfunction occurs in 3 to 10 percent of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infection. In addition, acute damage to the kidneys occurs in seven percent of patients.

[snip]

Their findings indicate that the virus may directly bind to ACE2 positive cells and inflict damage to patients' kidney and testicular tissue.

Researchers warned that, in some cases, the testicular damage caused by the virus may lead to male infertility and testicular tumors.

The post about oral swabs verses anal/blood and then the post about the release at the base. Makes one wonder who the flying hell is paying attention.

The CDC has literally said that they are no longer trying to stop COVID, they are only trying to slow it down to buy time to prepare.

It would be completely insane to not believe the virus is already circulating in the US. Hell, the CDC believes it, as they have started surveillance instead of just suspicion testing.

Caitlin Rivers
@cmyeaton
China announced new changes to the case definition. Clinically-diagnosed cases will no longer be considered confirmed in Hubei; diagnostic testing will needed for confirmation.

Caitlin Rivers
@cmyeaton
·
37m
Replying to
@cmyeaton
Also, the discharge criteria remain at 3 days afebrile, improvement in symptoms and imaging, and two negative PCR tests at least 1 day apart. Quite strict, which accounts for the low discharge numbers.

[link to twitter.com (secure)]



FYI:

Caitlin Rivers
@cmyeaton
Outbreak science + epidemiology + health security. Assistant professor at Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. ELBI alum.

FluTrackers.com
@FluTrackers
Iran reports first two cases of #coronavirus - secondary testing underway [link to flutrackers.com (secure)] @GertvanderHoek
#COVID19

[link to twitter.com (secure)]

Avian Flu Diary

[link to afludiary.blogspot.com (secure)]

South Korea Confirms 20 COVID-19 Cases Over Past 24 Hours

South Korea has been reporting sporadic imported and local cases of COVID-19 for well over a month, but now - like Japan - appears to be entering a new phase of increased community transmission.

The newshounds at FluTrackers over the past 24 hours have picked up official reports of no fewer than 20 new cases, most of which are linked to the Shincheon Daegu Church.

Wednesday CDC Numbers

[link to www.cdc.gov (secure)]


Confirmed 15 was 15
Negative 412 was 392
Pending 52 was 60
Totals 479 was 467


States with PUIs: 42 still

No telcon scheduled today.

Last Edited by NawtyBits on 02/19/2020 12:23 PM

I heard from my friend in china, i had her province wrong she is in zhizang (sp) she is not concerned and very happy to be back at work and able to get on facebook.
Here is some things she said
and the virus cannot survive for such a long time, if exposing in the air, virus cannot survive more than 12 hours.

and as the weather is getting warmer, virus will be killed soon

economic system is working well, my city is ok, start working all ready

as the whole China is supporting Wuhan


so actually no need worry about the goods from China, as we ship goods by sea

and as the weather is getting warmer, virus will be killed soon, it's normal for people to be afraid, but no need so nervous
as long as your family are safe, and you are safe


how is the weather in your side, still cold?
ME answering Yes still cold how is your weather?
Her this week is cold, but next week , it will be warm
Me.. We will see what happens with the virus in warm weather
Her.. Yes, hopefully it will be less active