Dear Reader:

Worldometer (July 23): Over 15.5 million cases and over 632 thousand deaths worldwide.

Over 4 million cases and over 146 thousand deaths in the US; almost 72 new cases and 1,205 new deaths yesterday, July 22.

Within the U.S yesterday, California reported over 12 thousand new cases (the highest number during the pandemic) and 156 new deaths (also the highest number during the pandemic)- California wave of infections and deaths (both) was at its highest yesterday, July 22.

Texas reported over 10.5 thousand new cases yesterday, and 202 new deaths (the highest number so during the pandemic),and Florida reported less than 10 thousand new cases and 140 new deaths yesterday.

Brazil reported over 65 new cases yesterday (the highest number during the pandemic), and 1,293 new deaths. India reported over 45.5 thousand new cases yesterday (the highest number during the pandemic), and 1,120 new deaths (a sharp increase from yesterday).

Here are parts of what I posted regarding the pandemic in previous threads I started and in this one:

Coronaviruses are a group of related viruses that cause respiratory tract infections in mammals and in birds. In humans, 7 coronaviruses have been identified, including the most recent, SARS-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), which is responsible for the current pandemic.

In humans, currently, coronaviruses cause the common cold (in combination with other viruses), as well as Covid-19.

SARS stands for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (contained, no longer ongoing), was caused by SARS-Coronavirus (SARS-CoV). The SARS outbreak of Nov 2002-July 2002 started in Southern China, spread to Hong Kong, producing most of the 8,098 cases and 774 deaths in these two countries, and spreading just a bit to 15 other countries before being declared contained by WHO on July 5, 2003.

MERS stands for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (not contained but has been considered a fairly low risk to the global population) was caused by MERS-Coronavirus (MERS-CoV). This outbreak started in 2012 in Saudi Arabia, spreading beyond the Middle East to South Korea, causing under 2 thousand cases.

The common cold affects the upper respiratory tract. It is the most frequent infectious disease in humans. The average adult gets 2-3 colds per year while the average child gets 6-8, and infections occur more commonly during the winter. People usually recover in 7-10 days, but some symptoms may last up to 3 weeks. Occasionally those with other health problems may develop pneumonia. There is no vaccine or cure for the common cold. The primary methods of prevention are the same as those for preventing Covid-19: handwashing, not touching the eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands, and staying away from sick people.

Influenza, commonly know as the flu, is caused by 4 types of influenza viruses, not by coronaviruses. Symptoms can be mild to severe. Complications may include viral pneumonia, secondary bacterial pneumonia and worsening of previous health  problems such as asthma and heart failure. It spreads through the air from coughs or sneezes, and by touching surfaces contaminated by the virus and then touching the eyes, nose or mouth. Yearly vaccinations are recommended by the WHO for those at high risk. A vaccine made for one year may not be useful in the following year because the flu viruses evolve rapidly. Influenza spreads around the world in yearly out, resulting in about 3-5 million severe cases and about 290 thousands to 650 thousands deaths globally ever year. About 20% of unvaccinated children and 10% of unvaccinated adults are infected each year. Death occurs mostly in high risk groups: the young, the old, and those with other health problems. In the 20th century, 3 influenza pandemics occurred: The Spanish Influenza of 1918 resulting in 17-100 million deaths, The Asian Influenza on 1957 resulting in about 2 million deaths, and The Hong Kong Influenza of 1968 resulting in about 1 million deaths. In the 21st century, The Swine Flu pandemic occurred in 2009, caused by a new influenza virus strain called H1N1.

Approximately 33% of people  with influenza are asymptomatic. It can be difficult to distinguish between common cold and influenza in the early stages. As the disease progresses, symptoms become more severe.

The current pandemic was declared a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern on Jan 11, 2020 by WHO, and a pandemic on March 11, 2020.

The Basic Reproduction Number of a virus is equal to how many new people get infected as a result of contact with one infected individual in a population that is not vaccinated or otherwise immune. The number is a result of the inherent infectiousness of the virus itself and how people behave. Quarantines, lockdowns, social distancing and wearing masks lower the Basic Reproduction Number of a virus.

In March 19, there were 250 thousand global cases (over 15.5 millions today, an increase of 62 times), and there were 10 thousand deaths at the time (over 632 thousand deaths today, an increase of 63 times). At the time, March 19, China was still the epicenter of the pandemic. Italy was #2. The USA at the time had 11,355 cases and 171 deaths (over 4 million cases and over 146 thousand deaths today).

anita