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Coronavirus (COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2) outbreak discussion

Will the "Corona Virus" turn into a worldwide epidemic or fizzle out?

  • Yes

    Votes: 37 49.3%

  • No

    Votes: 9 12.0%

  • Bigger than SARS, but not worldwide epidemic (Black Death/bubonic plague)

    Votes: 25 33.3%

  • Undecided

    Votes: 4 5.3%
  • Total voters
    75
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South Africa Hospitalization Rate Plunges in Omicron Wave - Bloomberg​


South Africa delivered some positive news on the omicron coronavirus variant on Friday, reporting a much lower rate of hospital admissions and signs that the wave of infections may be peaking.​
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Only 1.7% of identified Covid-19 cases were admitted to hospital in the second week of infections in the fourth wave, compared with 19% in the same week of the third delta-driven wave, South African Health Minister Joe Phaahla said at a press conference.​
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Health officials presented evidence that the strain may be milder, and that infections may already be peaking in the country’s most populous province, Gauteng.​
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Scientists have cautioned that other nations may have a different experience to South Africa as the country’s population is young compared with developed nations. Between 70% and 80% of citizens may also have had a prior Covid-19 infection, according to antibody surveys, meaning they could have some level of protection.​

“We have seen a decrease in a proportion of people who need to be on oxygen,” Jassat said at the press conference. “They are at very low levels.”​

 
DB008 said:
South Africa delivered some positive news on the omicron coronavirus variant on Friday, reporting a much lower rate of hospital admissions and signs that the wave of infections may be peaking.
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Could be early days depending on the data.

"There are many other unknowns. There are very little data on the severity of disease due to Omicron. There are some indications that hospitalisation rates are lower with Omicron than with other variants, and for those who are hospitalised, the length of hospital stay is shorter. Our South African colleagues have told us that many people who were reported as being hospitalised were actually admitted for other reasons and incidentally diagnosed with COVID."

www.smh.com.au

There are risks in bringing forward boosters; we need to play the long game

The decision to stay firm on a five-month interval for boosters is based on sound reasoning.
www.smh.com.au www.smh.com.au
 
Belli said:
Could be early days depending on the data.
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The data are so far consistent with findings I posted in the "vaccination" thread and as reported in more detail here.
That is, a prior covid infection and a subsequent vaccination confers the highest level of immunity, followed by double vaxxing.
WRT hospitalisations, London's experience may be the way we are heading given similar high rates of double vaxxed:
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rederob said:
WRT hospitalisations, London's experience may be the way we are heading given similar high rates of double vaxxed
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Not a chart to lift my heart. Obviously 3% of 6,000 as opposed to 3% of 1,000 results in a larger number of admissions with potential for ICU requirements and deaths. Coming up against capacity issues.

And there is the demographic/health profile of each country which can change the numbers yet again.

We live in thrilling times. :)
 
Belli said:
Yeah, let's hope it stays low.

Amazing this variant was identified only about a month ago but the spread has been so rapid.
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There's always a worry of any long term symptoms or it staying in your system. We won't know for a while yet.
At the moment it's looking like a bad cold.
However "Covid Mania" seems to be keeping a large group of people mentally captive.


Pluses are that it should crowd out other varients extremely fast.
 
moXJO said:
Pluses are that it should crowd out other varients extremely fast.
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That may be the case presently. However, there is an view which goes beyond that aspect.

theconversation.com

New COVID variants have changed the game, and vaccines will not be enough. We need global ‘maximum suppression’

COVID-19 variants of concern have changed the game. We need to recognise and act on this to avoid future waves of infections, yet more lockdowns and restrictions, and avoidable illness and death.
theconversation.com theconversation.com
 
One of the guys l work with, his daughter (in Victoria) just got Covid-19. She says it's like a mild cold. That's it. She is double vaxxed, under 40.
 
Belli said:
That may be the case presently. However, there is an view which goes beyond that aspect.

theconversation.com

New COVID variants have changed the game, and vaccines will not be enough. We need global ‘maximum suppression’

COVID-19 variants of concern have changed the game. We need to recognise and act on this to avoid future waves of infections, yet more lockdowns and restrictions, and avoidable illness and death.
theconversation.com theconversation.com
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This is what I would class as "Covid Mania".
Health authorities spruiking for some kind of 'medical apartheid'. Locking everything down is simply not going to be feasible.

Obviously reasonable steeps need to be taken ( as was stated in article) along with early warning systems and funding for studies. But the world locked down for two years and it failed. Vaccinations didn't slow the spread. In fact vaccine passports probably spread it faster.

While viruses can mutate to become worse, more often then not it's all about becoming more infection and less about killing the host.
Sars, mers and others were a lot more deadly. They mutated and became a yearly event.
Yes, covid is a possibility of becoming worse. However it is so far less deadly with the strains that have crowded out the last.

There's a large amount of fear mongering and misinformation going on in the media (and social media) that swings both ways. Even so called "medical authorities" seem to partake.

My major concern is the overall health of society as of now (and not just medical). Between mental, social cohesion, education and economic. I think the effects will shape the next few decades.
 
Belli said:
Very absorbing contorted thinking there.
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How so?

QLD (and NSW & VIC) have had 2 years to build new hospitals or specialised medical facilities and invest more in health for this Covid onslaught.

What have they done?

Not much.

QLD started building 2 quarantine camps (in Pinkenba and Toowoomba). Maybe purchased a few more ventilators. Thats it. Palaszczuk has been very lucky and omricon is coming right now. Instead of building quarantine camps, she should have invested more in public health.
 
Whatever the official stats are in NSW, reality is likely 5x-10x that.
Lucky if I saw 5% of people wearing masks. No sign in anywhere.
People crowding.
It's pretty much life back to normal.

So obviously omicron will be allowed to rip through. Let's see if it's the wrong or right thinking in a month.
 
I don't know which thread to put this in.

Covid-19 or the conspiracy thread....


Microchip Sweden 01.jpeg


Sweden-based Epicenter proudly presents an implanted chip that can "conveniently" hold your vaccination status "always accessible."








.​
 
Kind of good news:
1639866838559.png

Given that South Africa had a lead on other countries in terms of Omicron, death rated have so far remained low by comparison with previous variants.
The bad news is that if Australia goes like London in terms of infection rate, then it will look like this:
 
rederob said:
Kind of good news:
View attachment 134547
Given that South Africa had a lead on other countries in terms of Omicron, death rated have so far remained low by comparison with previous variants.
The bad news is that if Australia goes like London in terms of infection rate, then it will look like this:
Click to expand...

Are they admitted from omicron or a mix of delta/omicron?
 
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