COVID-19 Update #5

Monterey County (7/7/20 - 7/19/20):

1,077 new cases (3,228 total / 18 total deaths)

Worldwide (7/7/20 - 7/19/20):

2.71 million new cases (14.04 million total / 597,583 total deaths)

U.S.A. (7/7/20 - 7/19/20):

810,000 new cases (3.70 million total / 139,659 total deaths)

California (7/7/20 - 7/19/20):

113,008 new cases (384,692 total / 7,685 total deaths)

7/8/20

The U.S. government has invested more than $1.6 billion for the development of the Novavax Vaccine, along with supplying other funds towards vaccine research.

There has recently been an U.S. COVID-19 resurgence, as many states are reporting an increase in test positivity. Main factors that are contributing to the rise in cases are insufficient testing capacity that does not meet the growing demand, along with undermining the severity of large scale community transmission

During the last two weeks, more than 20 states reported an increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations
At a recent White House event, President Donald Trump urged states to reopen schools for in-person instruction at both the K-12 and university level this upcoming fall. Although returning to school has many benefits, such as better quality of education and permitting families to return to work, it also poses many unknowns. Students and faculty will need to practice social distancing, partake in frequent hand washing and other modes of hygiene and sanitation, and stay 6 feet apart, all of which could be very difficult for crowded schools to upkeep
The U.S. government branch, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), released changes to the federal Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) that does not permit foreign exchange students with F-1 and M-1 visas to continue staying in the U.S. if they partake in remote learning / online courses. International students must either leave the U.S. and return to their homeland or stay if attending in-class courses. This new policy poses many challenges for boarding high schools, colleges, and universities, as international students accounted for over $41 billion in revenue for the U.S. economy just last school year alone
The U.S. is initiating “Operation Warp Speed”, an effort that seeks to quickly develop and distribute a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. Currently, there are 5 “core” vaccine candidates that are going through clinical trials. The U.S. government has invested more than $1.6 billion for the development of the Novavax Vaccine, along with supplying other funds towards vaccine research
The U.S. officially departs from the WHO due to a lack of transparency and opposing viewpoints. By leaving the WHO, the U.S. is financially obligated to pay its dues to the WHO, totaling $198 million. Organizations such as the American Health Association (AMA) disagree with the president’s withdrawal, as it separates the U.S. from attaining accessibility to the larger scientific and medical community

7/10/20

The U.S is currently dealing with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) shortages that include masks, gowns, and face shields.

Daily incidence within the U.S. has increased by more than 50% compared to mid-April. There has been an increase of 165% since June 9th (20,338 cases/day —> 53,795 cases/day). The rate of test positivity has increased dramatically over all, suggesting that the rate of transmission is occurring at a faster pace than the current testing capacity
Correctional facilities and prisons are becoming hot spots for COVID-19 due to crowded living quarters, a lack of ventilation, and low quality health care resources. In particular, San Quentin State Prison, located in California, reported that over 1/3 of the prison population (inmates and staff) contracted COVID-19 over the past 5 weeks. In total, 62 inmates were hospitalized and 6 died. Local and state governments are working together to find methods of reducing COVID-19 prevalence and prevent further prison outbreaks
Collegiate and professional sports teams have been affected by COVID-19, preventing the restart of games and competitions. University of North Carolina and Ohio State University, along with other colleges, have suspended workouts and practices due to positive test results for the virus among players and team personnel. The Ivy League Conference officially the discontinuation of all of their fall sports
A recent analysis conducted by the New York Times based on data from the COVID-19 Tracking Project suggests that the U.S. is meeting only 39% of the testing capacity required for the current rate of transmission. It also found that 22 states are conducting lower than 50% of the recommended amount of testing, with Arizona being the lowest at only 10% of the suggested testing amount
The WHO initiated a COVID-19 response review panel to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the COVID-19 pandemic. The main goal is to work collaboratively in identifying answers to key epidemiological metrics. The WHO is also prepared to release a team of research experts to work with Chinese officials to identify the origin of COVID-19 and its etiology, a process called referred to as a “WHO-led International Mission”
The U.S is currently dealing with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) shortages that include masks, gowns, and face shields. Unions comprised of doctors and nurses are raising awareness of the shortages of PPE in medical institutions such as hospitals and doctors’s offices, which have serious implications on the health of both patients and medical workers
Although new clinical trials and reports have shown airborne transmission as a possible COVID-19 mode of transmission, the WHO still proclaims that there is not enough sufficient evidence to suggest that aerosol droplets are a major mode of transmission, except during aerosol-generating medical practices such as intubation

7/13/20

California government issues update that mandates the closures of the following indoor operations: indoor dine-in restaurants, wineries, tasting rooms, family entertainment centers and movie theaters, zoos, museums, and card rooms.

California Department of Public Health issues state wide closures of bars, pubs, brewpubs, and breweries for both indoor and outdoor seating, unless the business provides outdoor sit-down dine-in meals. Concert, performance, and entertainment venues must still remain closed
All indoor operations ordered to close include:
- Indoor dine-in restaurants
- Wineries
- Tasting rooms
- Family entertainment centers and movie theaters
- Zoos
- Museums
- Card rooms
Counties represented on the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) County Monitoring List must comply with the following closures of indoor operations:
- Gyms and fitness centers
- Places of worship
- Protests
- Offices for non-critical sectors
- Personal care services (nail salons, massage parlors, tattoo parlors)
- Hair salons and barber shops
- Malls
The CDC has reported 40,787,857 tests, with a 9% COVID-19 positivity rate in the U.S. The national testing goal is to exceed 500,000 tests each day. Even though testing capacity has increased in the U.S., the current level of testing is not sufficient enough, as test result delays are peaking at 14 days, causing for higher rates of infectivity
Remdesivir, an emergency use authorization (EUA) drug issued for the treatment of COVID-19 , is experiencing shortages. Although the U.S. obtained 940,000 doses from donations and purchased an additional 500,000 doses, some hospitals have already reported that they have run out of their allocation
Amnesty International, a non-governmental organization, issued a report on the impact of COVID-19 on health care workers. According to the report, over 3,000 healthcare workers across 79 countries have died from COVID-19. It also highlights the poor working conditions, acts of racism, and violence experienced by health care workers across the world
The Proceedings of the National Academies of the Sciences released a study that indicates the bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine as a possible treatment measure for severe cases of COVID-19. Although widely used to treat tuberculosis, it may pose cross-protection for COVID-19, as additional trials and research need to be conducted

7/15/20

Further studies continue to show the improved benefit of Tocilizumab, with one study showing a 45% reduction in patient mortality in those with severe COVID-19 disease.

New Monterey County testing site located in Castroville
- Monterey County Free Library Castroville Branch - 11160 Speegle St.
- Testing is free and one does not have to be symptomatic to be tested
Recent study suggests that not all patients who have had COVID-19 develop a long lasting neutralizing COVID-19 antibody response. It seems that the severity of the disease is associated with the degree of antibody response longevity. Another study has also suggested that some patients fail to make antibodies all together post infection
Further studies continue to show the improved benefit of Tocilizumab, with one study showing a 45% reduction in patient mortality in those with severe COVID-19 disease

7/17/20

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced a revision to the Guidance for Schools and School-Based Programs, which includes an in-depth plan for restarting schools in a safe manner.

Governor Gavin Newsom released a plan to address the safe restart for schools. The 5 key sectors of this order include:
- 1) Safe In-Person School Based on Local Health Data
  - Epidemiological data (6 indicators) to be used to determine whether a school can open for in-person instruction. Any county that does not meet the state criteria for COVID-19 preparedness is placed on the county monitoring list (https://covid19.ca.gov/roadmap-counties/#track-data). Schools located within counties on the County Monitoring List cannot be open for in-person instruction until the entire county is removed from the County Monitoring List for 14 consecutive days
  - Any School must physically close and initiate distance learning when:
    - Multiple cohorts of students have cases of COVID-19
    - 5% of the students and staff test positive within a 14 day period
    - 25% or more of schools within a district have been physically closed due to COVID-19 within 14 days
  - After any confirmed case of a student who tests positive, other exposed students and staff will be quarantined for 14 days
- 2) Strong Mask Requirements for Anyone in the School
  - Anyone attending 3rd grade or above are mandated to wear masks or face coverings
- 3) Physical Distancing Requirements and Other Adaptations
  - All adults must stay 6 feet apart from each other and from students
  - Students should maintain social distancing of 6 feet whenever possible
  - Anyone entering the school premise must participate in a health screen, and if anyone exhibits a fever or other symptoms should be sent home at once
  - If anyone in a student or staff member’s household is sick, then they should stay home as well
- 4) Regular Testing and Dedicated Contact Tracing for Outbreaks at Schools
  - Every staff member in the school will be tested periodically and every positive case will be traced
- 5) Rigorous Distance Learning
  - School districts are required to provide the following to each student:
    - Devices and connectivity
    - Daily live interaction with teachers and other students
    - Equally rigorous class assignments to that of in-person instruction
    - Special support for English learners and special education students
To view the official order, use this link: (https://files.covid19.ca.gov/pdf/guidance-schools.pdf)
Latin America (Central America and South America) and the Caribbean combined surpass North America (U.S. and Canada) as number 1 in total number of COVID-19 deaths
Virginia becomes the first state to formally implement “emergency temporary standard”, which mandates companies to adhere by formal safety measures, including the use of protective gear, disinfection, social distancing. Failure to abide by these rules will result in up to $300,000 in fines

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