2019 Novel Coronavirus Covid-19 Discussion

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#2661086 22-Feb-2021 12:40

Batman: Pfizer realises that their vaccine can be stored in normal medical freezers wth

https://www.republicworld.com/world-news/global-event-news/pfizer-says-covid-19-vaccine-can-be-stored-in-normal-freezers.html

It's not that they've just discovered that - it's that it's now an approved storage option. We know the vaccine is stable at normal refrigeration temperatures for up to 5 days - when the vaccine has been taken from the super cold storage it is then stored for up to 5 days before use.

This new storage option means it can now be distributed from the super cold freezers and and stored in regular vaccine freezers for up to 2 weeks before being stored in a refrigerator which will do a lot to improve supply chains.

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freitasm

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#2661107 22-Feb-2021 13:49

One new case in the community:

There are 6 new cases of COVID-19 in managed isolation, four of which are historical. There is one new community case, linked to the Auckland February cases, who is already in quarantine.

The new community case of COVID-19 is linked to the existing Auckland February cases and the individual has been in quarantine since Friday.

The latest case is a household contact of previous cases D, E, F and G.

This person (Case H) had previously been tested, returned a negative result and was isolating at home since Monday last week. The person was transferred to the Auckland quarantine facility on Friday 19 February as a precaution.

Due to the steps already taken in identifying, testing and tracing individuals linked to the February cases, as well as Case H isolating at home since Monday and then being in quarantine for the last two days, the public health risk is considered very low.

Due to Case H being in isolation while infectious there are no additional contacts to report.

Some casual plus contacts at the school are required to have a second PCR test – 4 teachers and 28 students where a record to the test result isn’t available or a more recent test is required. Close contacts are expected return to school on Wednesday 24 February or when advised by Auckland Regional Public Health Service.

Contact tracing has identified a total of 125 close contacts associated with all cases in this cluster, aside from the positive cases which have previously been reported. Three previously reported close contacts have been ruled out on further investigation and one infant is not required to be tested. Of the remainder, 122 of the close contacts have returned a negative test result. We are awaiting test results for two people - all of whom are from the medical clinic and relate to Case C, which is considered a low risk exposure event.

As at 8.00am this morning, a total of 31 close contacts and 1,416 casual plus contacts have been identified at Papatoetoe High School. The number of casual plus contacts has increased by three following further investigation.

Of the casual plus contacts (that is other students and staff at the school), 1,402 have returned negative results, there is one positive (Case E), and 13 results are still to come.

Once again we would like to thank the teachers, staff, students and their families for testing and isolating as required to keep their community safe.

All scenarios for possible infection sources of the Auckland February cases continue to be thoroughly investigated. The Auckland Airport precinct where Case B works remains the most likely source of the outbreak, but further testing has not identified any potential transmission routes.

ESR has been reviewing all B.1.1.7 variants identified over the last two months to see if there is any possible link to our new case.

The Four Points by Sheraton managed isolation facility in Auckland continues to be investigated. This is where there is a possible genomic similarity between a previous positive case (now recovered) and the current community cases - though we note it is not a direct match.

There were 265 returnees at the facility in late December. Thirty six of these are based overseas. At this stage just 11 out of 229 based in New Zealand have not been contacted. We will continue to follow up with these.

It is important to note that health officials consider this an unlikely source of the infection at this stage but are pursuing it as part of actively chasing down every line of enquiry.

The case in managed isolation reported yesterday is now on board a commercial vessel at sea.

The mariner tested negative on day 1 in managed isolation and then tested positive on day 3. The result of this second test came in after the crew member boarded the vessel. We are now awaiting genome testing results.

The case had no contact with port workers and given that all policies and procedures were followed the risk to the community is considered very low.

Mariners are allowed to leave Managed Isolation and board vessels, before a test result is known to limit disruption to international shipping.

Health authorities remain in contact with the vessel about appropriate quarantine arrangements for all crew on board.

NZ COVID Tracer now has 2,671,646 registered users, an increase of more than 110,000 users in the last fortnight.

Poster scans have reached 191,011,305 and users have created 7,704,970 manual diary entries. Scans in the last 24 hours 1,397,316.

It’s critical to keep track of where you’ve been and the COVID Tracer app is an easy way to do this. Please continue to scan QR codes wherever you go and turn on Bluetooth tracing in the app dashboard if you haven’t already done so.

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#2661207 22-Feb-2021 17:24

freitasm:

Scott3:

I get the feeling that this person just wanted to cause a stir, and were the one to reach out to the media.

Another QAnon believer that thought they could get 15 minutes of fame - and the media gave it.

Another QAnon believer that thought they could get 15 minutes of fame - and the media gave it.

Australian woman refusing a Covid swab in MIQ had already protested against lockdowns - NZ Herald

The question now is what is she going to do? Stay here or go back to Australia?

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#2661222 22-Feb-2021 17:53

Story from Italy, patient number one

https://i.stuff.co.nz/world/europe/300236432/covid19-the-young-doctor-who-ignored-the-rules-to-find-italys-patient-one

Daynger

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#2661267 22-Feb-2021 19:24

Sideface:

The Washington Post - 500,000 dead, a number almost too large to grasp

today

A year ago, covid-19 had killed just a handful of people in the United States.

Now, the pandemic’s official death toll equals the size of a major city ...

The 1918 flu pandemic killed about 675,000 people in the United States before the virus finally receded.

But its just a flu!

99.6% of people that get it survive!

</antivaxmoron>

Did anyone else see this on the news and mentally go "oh ffs".

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/bird-flu-russia-reports-first-case-of-transmission-of-h5n8-to-humans/D5JJNATR6WFXCL7H7JHHJC7KWE/

Jas777

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#2661354 22-Feb-2021 19:57

What happens at the end of this year if there is covid in the community in Auckland and certain areas have low vaccination rates.

Do they put Auckland back into level 3?

When do you open the borders? Because we went after elimination for something that isn't going to go away how can we open the borders if certain areas of Auckland are susceptible to covid and can have bad health consequences.

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#2661433 22-Feb-2021 20:39

Jas777:

What happens at the end of this year if there is covid in the community in Auckland and certain areas have low vaccination rates.

Do they put Auckland back into level 3?

When do you open the borders? Because we went after elimination for something that isn't going to go away how can we open the borders if certain areas of Auckland are susceptible to covid and can have bad health consequences.

Covid will reenter NZ once we open the borders, that is simply the reality. It's no different to in influenza coming back to the country when we had basically no cases last winter, and won't again this year either.

Those who choose not to be vaccinated put themselves at risk, along when then subsequently putting those who are unable to be vaccinated at risk and that's something a lot clearly don't understand because they're just selfish.

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#2661501 22-Feb-2021 21:17

Jas777:

What happens at the end of this year if there is covid in the community in Auckland and certain areas have low vaccination rates.

Do they put Auckland back into level 3?

When do you open the borders? Because we went after elimination for something that isn't going to go away how can we open the borders if certain areas of Auckland are susceptible to covid and can have bad health consequences.

It's still up in the air somewhat.

The initial concern with covid-19, and the reason that we did our first lockdown was that the experience overseas had shown that the disease could rapidly spread and overload our healthcare system. With the monitoring lag, it was important to react well before the situation got out of hand.

As the vaccination roll out progresses, the R0 value in our community will drop, and the virus will get progressively easier to manage (especially reducing the impact on the heath car system).

Hopefully this will mean that an outbreak in say october when say 30% of the population incl most elderly are vaccinated will be able to be manages with lower alert levels than we saw last year.

Eventually we will get to a point where we have an outbreak, and choose to just watch and test, rather than go up the alert levels, and at some point we will make the call to take down MIQ and open up to international arrivals.

As you say there will always be communities that have lesser immunity rates than others. Inevitably if this rate is below what is required for herd immunity, the virus will spread in these communities if they get exposed. Hopefully they are small enough that this does not do major harm. Also our current management strategies such as contact tracing can be used to try to attempt to reduce spread.

Remember that while nasty, covid-19 isn't ebola (90% death rate). With the helping hand of a relatively well vaccinated population, we can accept a bit of covid-19 in the community.

I think when a date to open up to international travel is set, a lot of people who were holding off getting the vaccine will decide that the risk to reward ratio has shifted substantially, and will line up for a shot.

Should note that main at risk community is likely to be children. The combination of there not yet being a vaccine for them, and the high level of social contact in schools, sports etc. could mean that covid-19 will run through the youth like wildfire. We might need to wait untill a vaccine is approved for school age children before we open up.

[edit] In a typical year, influenza kills about 500 people a year in NZ, and in a bad year it will lead to our hospitals being overloaded. We don't need to get vaccination to a level where covid-19 will do no harm in NZ, only to a high enough level that the harm is at a tolerable level.

The above might be hard for the public to get their head around. In an environment where every covid-19 death gets major news coverage, I'm not sure if the politician's or public will accept a influenza like death rate.

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#2661581 23-Feb-2021 08:30

Of course the border decision also takes into account what is happening elsewhere in terms of vaccination I guess. I saw a report this morning that the EU has reached 27 million vaccinations and the U.K. 18 million. Borders opening will presumably be restricted to countries that have good levels of vaccination themselves once we eventually get round to vaccinating ourselves.

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#2661589 23-Feb-2021 08:48

Geektastic: Of course the border decision also takes into account what is happening elsewhere in terms of vaccination I guess. I saw a report this morning that the EU has reached 27 million vaccinations and the U.K. 18 million. Borders opening will presumably be restricted to countries that have good levels of vaccination themselves once we eventually get round to vaccinating ourselves.

You also need to take account of effectiveness which is less than efficacy. That may mean that 20 to 25% of vaccinnees are not protected, and may shed. Plus kids arent eligible so far. Over time the R value will be very tough so it should die out but not on vaccination day or vaccinate and arrive at the airport day.

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#2661816 23-Feb-2021 13:24

Air New Zealand to trial global digital health passport:

Air New Zealand trials global digital travel pass

With constantly changing entry and departure testing and paperwork requirements, the airline wants to streamline the health verification process to help customers know what they need to take their next international trip safely.

The airline will trial the digital Travel Pass app developed by International Air Transport Association (IATA) on its Auckland-Sydney route in April.

Air New Zealand Chief Digital Officer Jennifer Sepull says the goal is to enable customers to seamlessly manage their digital travel documentation throughout their travel experience.

"Once borders reopen, travel is going to look very different, with customers' health data needing to be verified at check-in. It's essentially like having a digital health certificate that can be easily and securely shared with airlines. This will give customers peace of mind that they meet all travel requirements for the different countries around the world before they even get to the airport.

"Reassuring customers that travel is in fact safe is one of our priorities. By using the app, customers can have confidence that everyone onboard meets the same government health requirements they do.

"By having a place to store all your health credentials digitally in one place, it will not only speed up the check-in process but unlock the potential for contactless travel."

Customer privacy is at the heart of the design. There is no central database storing personal information - rather it is shared at the travellers' discretion, in a safe and secure way.

IATA's Senior Vice President Airport, Passenger, Cargo and Security, Nick Careen says Air New Zealand's trial of IATA Travel Pass is an important milestone towards restarting international travel.

"Air New Zealand is demonstrating its industry leadership being among the first airlines in the world to offer its passengers a digital travel pass.

"Air New Zealand's trial of IATA Travel Pass will help give governments the confidence to re-open borders and passengers the confidence to travel. The app has been developed with the highest levels of data privacy and security, so passengers always remain in control of their COVID-19 health information. And governments can be confident that passengers who are "Ok to Travel" are in full compliance of COVID-19 travel requirements."

The trial will run for three weeks once the app hits app/android store shelves in April and both aircrew and customers will be invited to join the trial. The airline is in conversation with government agencies about options for validation of testing and vaccination.

How it works

Customers will be able to create a digital health wallet linked to their e-passport. Once travellers have been tested and/or vaccinated, labs will securely send data to the individual's app. It then checks requirements for travel against the data and customers who meet those travel requirements will be given the green tick to travel.

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#2661836 23-Feb-2021 14:09

sbiddle:

Jas777:

What happens at the end of this year if there is covid in the community in Auckland and certain areas have low vaccination rates.

Do they put Auckland back into level 3?

When do you open the borders? Because we went after elimination for something that isn't going to go away how can we open the borders if certain areas of Auckland are susceptible to covid and can have bad health consequences.

Covid will reenter NZ once we open the borders, that is simply the reality. It's no different to in influenza coming back to the country when we had basically no cases last winter, and won't again this year either.

Those who choose not to be vaccinated put themselves at risk, along when then subsequently putting those who are unable to be vaccinated at risk and that's something a lot clearly don't understand because they're just selfish.

What I haven't heard discussed is how of the people are going to need to be vaccinated. Sounds like it will be at least annually and a constant cycle.

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#2661851 23-Feb-2021 15:11

Community case from someone isolating from the recent cluster

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-coronavirus-new-positive-community-case-is-casual-plus-contact-of-auckland-outbreak/MARB3V5CPC2QMLQWQ4AUUD2GIM/

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#2661852 23-Feb-2021 15:14

Faecal plume theory being studied at the Pullman

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-coronavirus-bowel-movements-could-have-led-to-pullman-hotel-outbreak/K42CXJNFGHNWT5HTZJX72LEQLA/

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#2661891 23-Feb-2021 16:51

Telegraph UK: Anthony Fauci exclusive interview: 'When I publicly disagreed with Trump he let terrible things happen'

...during almost all of 2020, Fauci watched in horror as President Trump actively undermined his own government’s battle against the Covid-19 pandemic by holding mass rallies, mocking mask wearers, promoting quack remedies and encouraging his supporters to breach lockdowns.

Fauci does not consider this characterisation of Trump’s conduct unfair. ‘No, no, no,’ he says. ‘Unfortunately it’s the truth.’

Donald Trump was initially sceptical of the threat from Covid-19, but Fauci and his fellow scientists did manage to persuade him to back state-by-state lockdowns, and approve social-distancing measures. He also restricted Chinese visitors to the country. By the spring, however, Fauci’s relations with the president had soured as Trump began listening to outsiders with no scientific knowledge and fretting about the damage to the economy and – by extension – his re-election hopes.

Fauci’s challenge was to correct the president’s dangerous falsehoods as diplomatically as possible, often while sharing the stage with him at televised White House briefings, but he says that ‘when it became clear that in order to maintain my integrity and to get the right message [across] I had to publicly disagree with him, he did things – or allowed things to happen – that were terrible.

‘Like he allowed Peter Navarro [Trump’s trade adviser] to write an editorial in USA Today saying that almost everything I’ve ever said was wrong. He allowed the communications department of the White House to send out a list to all of the media, all of the networks, all of the cables, all of the print press, about all of the mistakes I’ve made, which was absolute nonsense because there were no mistakes.’

Trump also began to denigrate Fauci in tweets and press conferences, setting him up as a target for the extreme Right’s hatred. ‘Which I became, to the point that to this day I have to have armed federal agents guarding me all the time,’ Fauci says. And he was not the only target. To his dismay, his wife and three adult daughters were also harassed and threatened.

Liberated under President Biden, Fauci can now speak frankly in a way he couldn’t last year. He tells me that in the final two months of his presidency Trump almost completely abandoned his duty to protect the nation from the pandemic. ‘We [the scientists] were trying, but we were acting almost alone, in the sense of without any direction.’
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