Arcturus (XBB.1.16) is gaining momentum on the Big Island and even more so on Kauai, according to the wastewater testing through March 28th.
It's likely much more widespread by now.
According to wastewater testing, Kauai had the highest prevalence. We can see the curve turn up as prevalence starts to grow exponentially.
XBB.1.16 is an extremely contagious airborne virus that evades antibodies from prior infections & is more likely to weaken immune system.
XBB.1.16 is between 8% and 20% of cases depending on the area, but it is spreading faster as prevalence increases. In about 3 weeks, it will be at over 60% prevalence.
This is the most contagious and immune evasive/suppressive variant to date.
Prevalence of COVID is increasing in many areas around the U.S., the U.K., Australia, and likely all around the world.
Arcturus (XBB.1.16) Exponential Growth in the U.S.
Vancouver Near Level of 1st Omicron Surge
Hawaii Hospitalizations Increase as XBB.1.16 Spreads
Long COVID Study Finds 70% Infected with Omicron Have Felt Long Term Impact
Public health authorities suggest that swabbing the throat and nose enhances the tests’ accuracy:
Canada in the provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan
Israel & the UK National Health Service offer 1/
a rapid antigen test that requires both a throat and nose swab.
"viral loads increased in throat and saliva specimens before they did in nasal specimens, leading the authors to conclude that combining specimens may be the way to detect Omicron infections as early as possible"
2/
The FDA says swabbing the throat with tests authorized for use only with nasal swabs could cause harm.
One potential harm, according to the agency, would be decreased test sensitivity, although studies so far haven’t found that to be the case. 3/
XBB.1.16 is currently the most concerning variant, acquiring new mutations that may help it evade the strong T-cell response. It's between 8% and 20% prevalence. Behind it is XBB.2.3 and its sub-variants. (Less than 2% of cases now)
More mutations are occurring in the body of the virus, suggesting it's actively working to subvert the strong T-cell defense that's been doing a fairly good job at protecting the people with stronger immune systems. Region 6, with nearly 15%, has the highest % of XBB.1.16.
The latest variant's advantages are not from antibody evasion, which further supports the increased evasion of T-cell hypothesis. If that is the case, then we would likely see more asymptomatic and mild infections that lead to persistent infections and secondary infections.
✨️Clean Air in schools could extend life spans and the quality of life of people for years. Being infected with viruses as a child has ripple effects that aren't felt for decades. Like the construction worker or athlete who doesn't feel the back pain or knee for decades.
Like NFL players living the life of fame and fortune but all that damage catches up with them decades later.
According to 2017 study on brains of deceased gridiron football players, 99% of tested brains of NFL players, 88% of Canadian Football League (CFL) players, 2/
64% of semi-professional players, 91% of college football players, and 21% of high school football players had various stages of CTE. 3/
Can someone tell these people that removing universal mask use in healthcare will, with 100% certainty, lead to more outbreaks that will hurt patients' recovery, leave many with long-term disability and lead to many more unnecessary deaths?
Authors
Erica S. Shenoy, MD, PhD,
Hilary M. Babcock, MD, MPH,
Karen B. Brust, MD,
Michael S. Calderwood, MD, MPH,
Shira Doron, MD,
Anurag N. Malani, MD,
Sharon B. Wright, MD, MPH, and
Westyn Branch-Elliman, MD, MMSc
They left out all of the risks.
"Acknowledgment: The authors acknowledge Paul D. Biddinger, MD, and David A. Chambers, DPhil, for thoughtful review of the manuscript."
COVID is a highly contagious airborne disease that is very prevalent, persists in organs, including the brain, and weakens immune systems.
Association of COVID-19 with New-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease
Older adults with COVID-19 were at significantly increased risk for new diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease with the highest risk in people age ≥85 and in women.
"Human herpesvirus infections are widespread in populations worldwide, and by virtue of their capacity to establish latency, they have established a unique relationship with their human hosts in which infection is maintained for life."
COVID is evolving to persist like Herpes.
COVID was capable of infecting and replicating within the human brain. It is well known that SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with neurological sequelae.
"In some patients, SARS-CoV-2 can cause systemic infection and persist in the body for months."