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.

Ireland missed this window of opportunity 👇

6)
The new variant is extremely difficult to control. We cannot afford to have it in AB. We must nip it in the bud to avoid a disaster.

B117 outbreaks may already be burning in AB. They can still be extinguished, but the bigger they become, the harder it will be to put them out.
7)
Crush the virus or we will have a disaster.
B117 is a beast

✅mandate supervised quarantine for ALL incoming travellers (international & interprovincial)

✅implement the strongest measures possible (supported lockdown NZ style, schools closed, TTI)
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.

sciencemag.org/news/2021/01/v…
10)

And what worst will happen if we "overshoot"?

@firefoxx66 : "[If we overshoot] we get cases so low that we can get rid of a lot of restrictions.”

If we "overshoot", we will stop COVID community transmission by early March. And finally have our normalcy back.

#COVIDzero

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More from @GosiaGasperoPhD

30 Dec 20
Tweet from Summer, but very relevant now.

Over next days AB can choose to:

A) aim for elimination & stop community transmission within few weeks, or

B) keep struggling (bonus: new variant = more struggle)

1/

With strict measures AB can stop community transmission by late February.
Then protect zero community transmission status w/ travel control and cases monitoring.


2/
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)

3 a/
Read 13 tweets
20 Dec 20
The meaning of R

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*

1/
The meaning of R

Sustained R, starting from 1,600 daily new cases,

Toll of the first 2 months:

R=0.97 ➡️ 76,300 cases ➡️ 1,220 deaths
R=0.8 ➡️ 28,400 cases ➡️ 450 deaths
R=0.6 ➡️ 13,300 cases ➡️ 210 deaths

2/
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/
Read 7 tweets
6 Dec 20
YYC, Alberta
If we implement a *supported lockdown* this Monday, Dec 7, Calgary can have:

Dec 27, 225 daily new cases (not 1,350)
Feb 05, *0* daily new cases (not 4,600)

#COVIDzero
Tell it to MLAs today. Ask them to act.
Contact info:
assembly.ab.ca/members/member…

1/
Postponing a supported lockdown enables the virus to kill people.
1,000 cases corresponds to 16 deaths.

2/
If we get to #COVIDzero in Calgary by early February, then keep wiping with vaccine* and TTI, we have high chances to have Stampede 2021.

*AH anticipation: 10% AB vaccinated by end of March, 40% by September.
That's not enough to stop the spread before July by vaccine only.
Read 4 tweets
2 Dec 20
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 👇

3/
Read 5 tweets
30 Nov 20
Alberta: COVID Hospitalizations grow exponentially.
Doubling every 2.5 weeks

At this rate there will have:

On X-mas, 1,190 COVID patients in hospitals
On New Year, 1,560 COVID patients in hospitals

We don't know how to clone doctors and nurses

1/
2/
With current half-measures: cases, hospitalizations and deaths will keep growing

We are in a disaster, which grows every day

The only proven way to do a U-turn is a lockdown with a strong financial support for individuals, businesses and vulnerable ppl
Read 5 tweets
28 Nov 20
Alberta:

70 ICU beds set for COVID patients are FULL

ICU hospitalizations doubling time is 2–2.5 weeks

Overflow beds are not a solution bc:

1) Beds don’t cure ppl. HCWs cure ppl. We can’t clone HCWs

2) 23% of ICU COVID patients die, in spite of everything HCWs do

3)...

1/
...
3) At the current rate so many ICU COVID beds will be full soon (% of initial capacity):

Dec 25, 280-450 beds (400% - 640%)
Jan 01, 370-650 beds (530% - 930%)

We need a sharp U-turn ASAP

2/
With current half-measures, cases, hospitalizations and deaths will keep growing

We are in a disaster, which grows every day

The only proven way to do a U-turn is a lockdown with a strong financial support for individuals, businesses and vulnerable ppl

Read 4 tweets

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