1) The B117 variant is a killer. We cannot afford to have it in AB
If we have 1000 cases/day now, with an R=0.86 we could reduce it to 600/day in 2 weeks
➡️But w/ added transmissibility of B117 variant that has ~60% higher R, in 2 weeks, we’d have *3000* new cases/day instead
2) If B.1.1.7 is ~60% more transmissible, moderate shut-downs might not be sufficient for R<1.
Only strict 1st wave style Austria or NZ measures would be able to control B.1.1.7 spread.
3) The window of opportunity to get ahead of B117 is very narrow.
In South West London in just 2 weeks the amount of B117 grew from something quenchable, into an epidemic that is hard to controll even with very strict measures.
4)
In Alberta by the time we can clearly see that we have B.1.1.7 problem (i.e. detect B.1.1.7 community cases), it might be very hard to quickly and effectively solve it.
5) The window of opportunity to get ahead of B117 is very narrow.
8) BC already reported B.1.1.7 community cases. Once established, this variant will spread like a wildfire.
We need to mandate supervised quarantine for all interprovincial travellers immediately.
9) An excellent article about B.1.1.7 by @kakape 👇 @firefoxx66 : “... we are in another situation right now where a lot of Europe is kind of sitting and looking,”
Alberta and Canada, please act strong and fast to prevent a disaster.
With strict measures AB can stop community transmission by late February.
Then protect zero community transmission status w/ travel control and cases monitoring.
To eliminate COVID in AB:
Keep stringent measures in place (get to and keep R=0.6) till we get to zero daily new cases.
Don't reopen in-person classes before we get to zero (that is till ~late February)
Sustained R, starting from 1,600 daily new cases (dnc):
R=0.97 ➡️ halving time (ht)=3 months ➡️ 1,020 dnc in 2 months
R=0.8 ➡️ ht=12.4 days ➡️ 60 dnc in 2 months, zero in 4.5 months
R=0.6 ➡️ ht=5.4 days ➡️ ZERO dnc in *2 months*
Toll of subsequent months (after the first 2 months):
R=0.97 : a lot of cases & deaths, high risk of exponential surge & next lockdown
R=0.8 : some cases and deaths, high risk of exponential surge & next lockdown
R=0.6 : NOTHING
3/
YYC NE has an extremely high new case rate (100/100 K, growing exponentially). It has a super fast doubling time of new daily cases: 1.5 weeks (AB 2.5 weeks).
Everywhere in the world, frontline & essential workers are the primary victims of insufficient pandemic responses.
1/
Calgary NE:
Daily new cases grow exponentially
Doubling time is: 1.5 weeks
At this rate, in NE, there will be:
Dec 15, 520 daily new cases
Dec 26, 1025 daily new cases
Jan 01, 1480 daily new cases
We need a sharp U-turn *now*
2/
Every day of *not implementing* supported lockdown in AB costs lives 👇