https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-02/bu-odo021121.php One dose of COVID-19 vaccine provokes strong immune response in those previously infected Strong response detected regardless of duration between infection and vaccination; multi-ethnic groups exhibit similar response BAR-ILAN UNIVERSITY Although clinical trial data are encouraging, real-world evidence with regard to the COVID-19 vaccine remains scarce. In particular, response to the vaccine among those previously infected with SARS-CoV-2 is still not completely understood. Researchers from Bar-Ilan University and Ziv Medical Center now report preliminary evidence that people previously infected with the virus responded very strongly to one dose of the Pfizer vaccine, regardless of when they were infected and whether or not they had detectable antibodies against COVID-19 prior to receiving the vaccine. Their study, published on February 11, 2021 in the journal Eurosurveillance, was conducted on a cohort of 514 staff members at Ziv Medical Center. Seventeen of them were infected with COVID-19 anytime between one and ten months before receiving the first dose of the vaccine. Antibody levels of the entire cohort were measured prior to vaccination and thereafter to determine response to the vaccine. The response among those previously infected was so effective that it opens the debate as to whether one dose of the vaccine may suffice. "This finding can help countries make informed decisions regarding vaccine policy - for instance, whether those previously infected should be vaccinated in priority and, if so, with how many doses," says Prof. Michael Edelstein, of the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine of Bar-Ilan University, who led the study. "It also offers reassurance that not having detectable antibodies after being infected does not necessarily mean that protection following infection is lost." The research also provided evidence that immune response was similar across multi-ethnic groups. Ziv Medical Center, where the study was conducted, is staffed by a workforce comprised of Jews, Arabs and Druze, among others. Members of each of these groups responded very similarly to the first dose of the vaccine, a welcome finding considering that the virus itself is known to affect some groups more than others. The strong response to one dose of the vaccine among those previously infected regardless of the duration between infection and vaccination is good news. However, the researchers emphasize that their findings should be confirmed in a larger cohort before reaching definitive conclusions. The researchers are continuing to follow healthcare workers after their second dose to better understand how long the vaccine will protect against COVID-19 in different groups of people.
One of the better tracking websites out there (updated often) for the vaccine rollout - https://www.npr.org/sections/health...d-19-vaccination-campaign-going-in-your-state NC is above the average in the US North Carolina | 12.6% (one dose) | 22.3% (fully vaccinated) | 3,630,467 (doses administered) | 4,596,440 (doses given) | 79% (doses used) United States | 12% | 22.2% | 113,037,627 | 147,590,615 | 77%
NC still doing above average on vaccine rollout. New cases have leveled slightly in recent days, current 7-day moving average in NC is 1483 (last time it was that low was start of October 2020, 172 days ago). It has not been below 1200 since early June 2020 for reference. January 7, 2021 it was peaked at 11,708.
NC at 1239 average new cases (7-day moving average). This is the same number of average cases we had back in early June 2020, almost 10 months ago. 20 average deaths per day, same as it was in July 2020. Vaccine rollout in NC still slightly above the US average. Some of the top states: Some of the worst:
Vaccine rollout in NC is starting to trend just below the national average. Below are the top states: North Carolina: US Cases are about flat for the past 30 days. NC is also almost flat for the last 30 days:
https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/07/worl..._medium=social&utm_term=link&utm_source=twCNN One in three Covid survivors suffers 'brain disease,' study finds By Zamira Rahim, CNN (CNN)A major study published Tuesday suggests as many as one in three people infected with Covid-19 are left with longer term mental health or neurological symptoms. Researchers found that 34% of coronavirus survivors received a diagnosis for a neurological or psychological condition within six months of infection, according to the research published in the journal Lancet Psychiatry. The most common diagnosis was anxiety, found in 17% of those treated for Covid-19, followed by mood disorders, found in 14% of patients, CNN's Ryan Prior writes. The results help light the way for how health care systems ought to continue helping Covid-19 survivors, the scientists said. "Our results indicate that brain diseases and psychiatric disorders are more common after Covid-19 than after flu or other respiratory infections, even when patients are matched for other risk factors," said Maxime Taquet, an academic clinical fellow in psychiatry at the University of Oxford, and a co-author of the new report . "We now need to see what happens beyond six months."
As the spring rolls on and the summer approaches, states are beginning to evaluate their capacity and mass gathering restrictions. In the state of North Carolina, the restrictions are reportedly going away in June. According to Tim Boyum of Spectrum News 1 in North Carolina, Governor Roy Cooper is lifting the restrictions on June 1st. Without capacity restrictions, stadiums for professional and collegiate sports can be filled. Boyum provided the full details from Governor Cooper. “BREAKING: NC Gov Roy Cooper announces the state anticipates eliminating all capacity and mass gathering restrictions by June 1…..He also says a new executive order will be released next week for month of May regarding restrictions….It will also lift mandatory social distancing requirements,” Boyum tweeted in a thread.
I do wonder how many people that got the vaccine in the first place will continue every year (or less) with booster shots. https://thehill.com/changing-americ...9558-pfizer-biontech-booster-likely-needed-as https://www.miamiherald.com/news/coronavirus/article250779019.html Fauci’s comments come as drugmakers Pfizer and Moderna have indicated a third dose of their vaccines — both of which currently require two doses to be fully effective — could be necessary. Research has shown both shots offer more than 90% protection against COVID-19 for at least six months. But it remains unclear how long that protection will last, and vaccine makers are working to determine whether additional doses will be needed as more contagious variants of the coronavirus spread across the United States.
Sorted by Cases per capita in the past 7 days. That is the density of new cases based on population. USA is #60. Down 10% over previous week.
I have been pretty good about getting the Flu shot each year, I imagine i will just add it to my annual updates.
