Alaskas rates of death and hospitalization among people with COVID-19 in 2020 fell far below national averages, statistics that reflect the states younger overall population and lower number of nursing homes.
The states death rate was less than one-third the national rate, or 34 per 100,000 residents compared to 104 nationally, according to a bulletin from the epidemiology section of the state Division of Public Health released Friday summarizing COVID-19 deaths from January through December.
But the overall death rate nearly quadrupled after mid-October, state epidemiologists found, and rates increased in all geographic areas, all age ranges, and all racial and ethnic categories.
The disparity between national and state rates for hospitalizations last year also was striking: Alaskas rate was less than half the national rate, at 140.6 per 100,000 residents compared to 343.4 nationally, according to a bulletin summarizing COVID-19 hospitalizations last year.
Preliminary state data shows that possibly up to 20% of the 245 Alaskans who died with the virus last year were not hospitalized, state epidemiologists say.
Theres a chance that information could change, especially for those who died in late December and whose hospital status still needs to be confirmed, according to Dr. Louisa Castrodale, an epidemiologist with the states infectious disease program. Its also possible some died at the hospital but they had been receiving care for something else, so COVID-19 was noted later as a contributing factor on their death certificate.
Those who did die at home may have been in hospice care and chosen not to go to the hospital, Castrodale said.
Some people in rural Alaska have also described loved ones dying at home because of medevac flights grounded by bad weather or reluctance to leave family behind to fly to larger communities with hospitals.
Generally, about two-thirds of the Alaskans who died with COVID-19 were men and death rates were highest in people over 80, the bulletin says. Of 200 people with known medical histories, only 10 people had no pre-existing conditions associated with increased risk for more severe infection, including two people in their 30s and one in their 50s.
Two-thirds of Alaska adults have one or more of these underlying conditions including include cancer, smoking, diabetes, obesity, chronic kidney disease and chronic heart disease.
Of the nearly 200 people who died after being hospitalized at some point during their illness, almost half were admitted to an intensive care unit, according to the bulletin. Most deaths occurred in November and December, when the states monthly counts of new confirmed cases also peaked.
Mortality rates were highest among Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islands people as well as American Indian and Alaska Native people, with notable increases in rural Alaska Native people late in the year, according to the bulletin.
Public health officials have said the high numbers of younger people contracting COVID-19 in Alaska could be a factor in the states relatively low numbers of hospitalizations and deaths compared to others. Alaska ranks second among all states in terms of lowest median age.
National data shows that the rate of people hospitalized with the illness per 100,000 population is lower for younger people.
Alaska also has fewer nursing home beds per capita than any other state.
The state bulletin on hospitalizations attributed the relatively low numbers to several factors including successful community mitigation, Alaskas younger population age distribution, and successful preservation of hospital capacity.
Dr. Joe McLaughlin, an epidemiologist with the state, said by email Friday that Alaskas hospitals were largely kept from being overwhelmed and noted that in other communities, when hospitals become overwhelmed, death rates rise considerably. He also said that Alaskas aggressive virus mitigation efforts early on in the pandemic helped delay a rise in case counts, which bought us time to glean from others experience on how best to care for COVID-19 patients in the hospital setting.
Regional rates are further influenced by factors including local adherence to mitigation measures like masks, testing rates, localized outbreaks, hospital referral patterns, health care availability and population density.
The hospital statistics referenced in the state bulletin only include patients where COVID-19 either contributed to or caused their hospitalization; people who tested positive while getting care for something else, like injuries from a car accident, werent included.
The COVID-19 testing schedule for sites operated by the Louisiana Army National Guard (LANG) for the week of February 1-6 is listed below. No LANG-operated sites will be open in Region 7 (Northwest Louisiana). Sites are closed during state holidays and inclement weather.
The more contagious U.K. variant of COVID-19 has been identified in Louisiana, and all Louisianans need to take precautions to protect themselves and their loved ones. Avoid gatherings of individuals not part of your households, work from home remotely when possible, wear a mask, practice social distancing and good hand hygiene, and stay home if sick. If you have been exposed or have symptoms of COVID-19, get tested. And, when it is your turn, consider getting the COVID-19 vaccine.
Pre-registration for COVID-19 testing is encouraged by going toHealth.QuestDiagnostics.com/STLOU. Testing is for ages 3 and older. There is no cost, and no identification is needed. Test results are available by calling1-866-MYQUEST (1-866-697-8378), but note that wait times can be lengthy. Test results are also available through the Quest online portal or app.
If you are unable to make it to a LANG testing location, no-cost testing is available by appointment atselect Walgreens locationsthrough a partnership between Walgreens and the Department of Health. These locations offer testing 7 days a week to people ages 3 and older. Appointments are required; make yours atwalgreens.com/covid19testing.
Region 1: New Orleans
Region 2: Baton Rouge
Region 3: Houma-Thibodaux
Region 4: Acadiana
Region 5: Southwest
Region 6: Cenla
Region 8: Northeast
Region 9: River Parishes
Symptoms of COVID-19 include:
Test site details
COVID Defense
COVID Defense, Louisianas exposure notification mobile application to slow the spread of COVID-19, is now available on theiPhone App Storeand theAndroid Google Play Store. The app notifies you if there is a risk you were exposed to someone who has tested positive for the virus. Use is completely free, voluntary, private and secure.
Save the number 877-766-2130 in your phone
Anyone who receives a call from 877-766-2130 is urged to answer, as the call is from a contact tracer who will keep an individual's information private. Personal information is used to quickly identify anyone a COVID-positive individual may have been in close contact with to help contain the spread of the coronavirus. Everyone called by a contact tracer is advised to monitor themselves for signs of illness for 14 days from when they first came in contact with the COVID-19 person.
If a resource need is identified through the contact tracing interview, the case is flagged for follow-up from a resource coordinator social worker who can connect individuals with resources including medication, masks, food assistance and even help locating alternative housing.
If someone calls from a number other than 877-766-2130, claims to be a contact tracer and asks for personal information, hang up immediately.If you have a positive lab result and have not yet heard from a contact tracer, you can call our team directly at 877-766-2130.
For information from the Louisiana Department of Health on COVID-19, clickhere.
The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) reports as of January 29, 2021, there have been 1,899,155 total confirmatory laboratory results received for COVID-19, with 119,467 total cases and 2,006 total deaths.
DHHR has confirmed the deaths of a 77-year old male from Taylor County, a 64-year old male from Tyler County, a 68-year old male from Wood County, a 78-year old female from Wood County, an 82-year old male from Kanawha County, an 89-year old female from Wood County, an 86-year old female from Harrison County, a 69-year old female from Mercer County, a 67-year old male from Cabell County, a 74-year old male from McDowell County, a 64-year old female from Wood County, an 84-year old female from Raleigh County, a 79-year old male from Kanawha County, a 67-year old male from Randolph County, a 71-year old male from Wood County, a 73-year old male from Logan County, a 71-year old male from Barbour County, a 76-year old male from Harrison County, a 57-year old female from Mercer County, a 67-year old male from Lincoln County, a 69-year old female from Monongalia County, a 49-year old male from Jefferson County, and a 78-year old female from Wayne County.
"It is difficult to report additional losses of West Virginians due to COVID-19, said Bill J. Crouch, DHHR Cabinet Secretary. Our hearts go out to their family and friends, and we will continue to work toward a day where no one dies from this virus.
CASES PER COUNTY: Barbour (1,098), Berkeley (8,813), Boone (1,414), Braxton (740), Brooke (1,902), Cabell (6,999), Calhoun (211), Clay (349), Doddridge (402), Fayette (2,353), Gilmer (567), Grant (986), Greenbrier (2,221), Hampshire (1,365), Hancock (2,466), Hardy (1,201), Harrison (4,407), Jackson (1,579), Jefferson (3,299), Kanawha (10,992), Lewis (838), Lincoln (1,124), Logan (2,398), Marion (3,290), Marshall (2,771), Mason (1,528), McDowell (1,232), Mercer (3,887), Mineral (2,466), Mingo (1,906), Monongalia (7,029), Monroe (879), Morgan (863), Nicholas (1,041), Ohio (3,361), Pendleton (557), Pleasants (766), Pocahontas (555), Preston (2,408), Putnam (3,802), Raleigh (4,107), Randolph (2,196), Ritchie (556), Roane (462), Summers (663), Taylor (1,004), Tucker (451), Tyler (566), Upshur (1,471), Wayne (2,331), Webster (247), Wetzel (991), Wirt (325), Wood (6,470), Wyoming (1,562).
Delays may be experienced with the reporting of information from the local health department to DHHR. As case surveillance continues at the local health department level, it may reveal that those tested in a certain county may not be a resident of that county, or even the state as an individual in question may have crossed the state border to be tested. Such is the case of Braxton and Jackson counties in this report.
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King County is launching two COVID-19 community vaccination sites on Monday, February 1 at the accesso ShoWare Center in Kent and at the General Services Administration (GSA) Complex in Auburn. These sites in south King County will reach those who are at highest risk from COVID-19 and face barriers to accessing vaccine through traditional healthcare systems.
Public Health has received enough vaccine doses from the state to begin operating the two sites at 500 doses per day, six days a week. These sites will position King County to be able to quickly scale up vaccination efforts and serve the broader community when more vaccine becomes available.
People age 75 and older have endured much higher rates of hospitalization and death from COVID-19 than any other group and face more challenges to getting vaccinated, such as transportation barriers and more limited internet access. In King County, 66% of the deaths from COVID-19 have been among those 75 and older, compared to those ages 65 to 74, who account for 19% of total deaths.
While the vaccine supply remains very limited, the Kent and Auburn sites will focus on vaccinating highest-risk south King County residents ages 75 and older, individuals who are unable to live independently and their caregivers. Appointment availability will expand to individuals age 65-74 as vaccine supply increases. Older adults in south King County are at particularly high risk, as rates of COVID-19 in many parts of south King County have been nearly twice as high compared to the county average.
This is all-hands-on-deck, coordinating County government with partners across the region to stand up community vaccination sites, said Executive Constantine. I share the frustration of not having enough vaccine from manufacturers, but we are determined to build the distribution infrastructure to quickly and fairly get shots to eligible people as soon as those doses are available, and to expand capacity ahead of the increasing supply.
With a limited supply of vaccine, we need to make the best use of every dose that comes to King County, said Patty Hayes, Director of Public Health Seattle & King County. The new high-volume vaccine sites will help us get life-saving vaccine to the highest risk King County residents. Were taking an equitable approach by starting in the part of our county thats been hardest hit by COVID-19. Im grateful to Executive Constantine and King County Council for the Countys investment and to our community partners for making this effort possible.
The sites at Kent and Auburn are by appointment only and will be open Monday through Saturday, 8:30 5:30 pm:
Beginning Saturday, January 30 at 8:00 am, residents can register for an appointment at Public Healths vaccine website, Getting Vaccinated in King County.
Currently, both vaccine supply and appointments are limited. Residents may experience delays, or it may take time before appointments are available due to anticipated high demand. This will get easier as the vaccine supply increases.
To help ensure access for those most at risk, currently registration is open to residents of south King County who are:
Assistance registering by phone: Call Washington states COVID-19 Assistance Hotline at 1-800-525-0127, then press # for help with registration by phone. For language interpretation state your preferred language when you are connected.
More information is available at Public Healths vaccination website.
The number of people who have received at least one dose of vaccine continues to rise. In King County, as of January 28, 174,000 people have received at least one dose. King County along with medical system partners has made great progress in vaccinating healthcare workers and staff and residents in long-term care facilities, including 100% of King County nursing home residents.
Public Health is also coordinating mobile vaccination teams with local fire departments to reach highest risk adults who cannot get to vaccination sites, including staff and residents of Adult Family Homes and vulnerable older adults living in low-income senior housing and permanent supportive housing.
Current supplies are not enough to meet the need. Doses coming into Washington are insufficient to reach eligible adults. King County has approximately 300,000 people who are newly eligible for vaccine under phase 1B1, which includes people over 65 years of age. But in the week starting January 25, King County only received 22,000 first doses. Thats enough for 1 in 12 who are eligible.
While supply continues to be uncertain, King County is working closely with businesses and community partnerships to be ready to stand up several vaccine access points across King County.
This is all-hands-on-deck, coordinating County government with partners across the region to stand up community vaccination sites. I share the frustration of not having enough vaccine from manufacturers, but we are determined to build the distribution infrastructure to quickly and fairly get shots to eligible people as soon as those doses are available, and to expand capacity ahead of the increasing supply.
As a family caregiver for my elderly frail mother, I know we are one of many in BIPOC and refugee and immigrant communities who take care of our elders at home, and have been bearing a disproportionate toll of the impact of COVID as we forego outside help and livelihoods in order to keep our loved ones safe. Thank you to King County and Public Health-Seattle & King County for prioritizing access for South King County residents, and for expanding on state guidance to include family caregivers of elders in home care.
Neighborhood House is eager to connect our 2,500 low-income, mostly immigrant and refugee seniors and people with disabilities living at home to access vaccine. Weve been helping them allay vaccine fears and will help arrange transportation to vaccine appointments. Until the vaccine is readily available, communities with the least access need to be prioritized. We are grateful to community providers, volunteers and King County for working so hard to keep our most vulnerable community members safe.
Older adults have expressed frustration, confusion and anxiety about how and where to obtain a vaccine, With the opening of vaccination sites in Auburn and Kent, older adults in south King County will now have greater access to vaccine appointments, as well as a location that is closer to home.
I want to thank the County for taking Kent up on its offer to use the accesso ShoWare Center to provide vaccines to our community. The sooner we can get supply and administer the vaccine, the sooner we can put COVID-19 in our rear-view mirror and move toward recovery. This has truly been a team effort between the County, City of Kent, public health officials and providers. I am thrilled to have Kent and South King County help lead the way back to a healthy and vibrant community.
We are grateful to King County, Public Health Seattle & King County and all of our partners for once again pulling in much needed resources to south King County where the need is the greatest. Auburn is a resilient and caring community; we are ready and will continue to do our part to accelerate vaccinations and improved health in King County.
We need to do everything we can to remove barriers that prevent South King County community members from getting a vaccine once they become eligible. Delays in federal distribution have slowed the process, but by establishing these high-volume sites, King County stands prepared to move quickly once those vaccines become available.
As our region has struggled with COVID-19 infections, South King County has been particularly hard hit. By increasing the access to vaccines in the South end, we will be able protect some of our most vulnerable residents and help fight this virus.
These vaccination sites will ensure that we have the infrastructure in place to quickly and efficiently push out doses as soon as theyre made available by the federal government and private industry.
The General Services Administration is proud to continue its partnership with our regional and local government agencies to vaccinate members of our communities. This combined effort is vital to containing the virus, saving lives, and is an example of federal, state, and local governments working together for the benefit of its citizens.
With a limited supply of vaccine, we need to make the best use of every dose that comes to King County. The new high-volume vaccine sites will help us get life-saving vaccine to the highest risk King County residents. Were taking an equitable approach by starting in the part of our county thats been hardest hit by COVID-19. Im grateful to Executive Constantine for the Countys investment and to our community partners for making this effort possible.
Public Health Information Officer
Scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviewed reports of adverse reactions to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in the United States shortly after the FDA authorized its use on December 11, 2020.
There were 21 confirmed cases of anaphylaxis among reports to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) between December 14 and 23, 2020.
Stay informed with live updates on the current COVID-19 outbreak and visit our coronavirus hub for more advice on prevention and treatment.
Over the same period, about 1,893,360 people in the U.S. received their first dose of this vaccine. This equates to 11.1 cases of anaphylaxis for every million doses.
Out of the 21 people who experienced anaphylaxis, four were hospitalized, with three needing intensive care. The treatment of the remaining 17 people took place in an emergency department.
At the time of reporting to VAERS, 20 of the patients had left the hospital or recovered. There were no reported deaths.
Of the 21 individuals, 17 (81%) had a documented history of allergies, and seven (33%) had experienced anaphylaxis in the past.
Over the same period, the researchers note, there were 83 cases of milder allergic reactions to the vaccine that did not meet the criteria for anaphylaxis.
Commonly described symptoms of these reactions included:
Tom Shimabukuro from the CDC and Narayan Nair from the FDA have published their findings in the journal JAMA.
In their report, they emphasize the benefits of vaccination against COVID-19:
Mortality from COVID-19 in populations at high risk is substantial, and treatment options are limited. Widespread vaccination against COVID-19 with highly effective vaccines represents an important tool in efforts to control the pandemic.
The Pfizer vaccine is an mRNA vaccine, which means that it contains genetic material that instructs the cells to make a harmless piece of the virus spike protein.
This fragment of protein cannot cause COVID-19, but it provokes an immune response that provides protection against the disease.
The CDC have issued general advice to healthcare professionals about mRNA COVID-19 vaccines and specific guidelines on the management of anaphylaxis after COVID-19 vaccination.
These recommendations include screening vaccine recipients to identify anyone with contraindications to its ingredients.
The CDC also advise a period of observation after administration. They recommend 15 minutes for most people but 30 minutes for anyone who has a history of anaphylaxis or has had a previous allergic reaction to any vaccine or injectable therapy.
In cases of suspected anaphylaxis, the CDC say, healthcare professionals should administer an immediate injection of epinephrine.
Epinephrine, also known as adrenaline, is a hormone that counters the effects of anaphylaxis. People who have experienced such a reaction in the past often carry an auto-injector that delivers a shot of the hormone in emergencies.
The authors of the new study conclude with this advice to healthcare professionals:
All patients should be instructed to seek immediate medical care if they develop signs or symptoms of an allergic reaction after their observation period ends and they have left the vaccination location.
In the United Kingdom, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) initially recommended that certain people individuals who have previously had a significant allergic reaction to a vaccine, medicine, or food and those who have received medical advice to carry an epinephrine auto-injector should not receive the Pfizer vaccine.
Following a thorough investigation of the potential of the vaccine to cause anaphylaxis, however, the MHRA withdrew this advice.
The agency still say that the vaccine is not suitable for individuals who have a history of allergic reactions to any of its ingredients or experience anaphylaxis after their first dose.
The agency also advise closely observing everyone who receives the vaccine for at least 15 minutes afterward.
For live updates on the latest developments regarding the novel coronavirus and COVID-19, click here.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law on Friday that extends eviction protections through the end of June.
Last year, Newsom signed a law that banned evictions for unpaid rent for tenants who paid at least 25% of their rent owed after Sept. 1. That law was set to expire on Monday. But the law Newsom signed on Thursday extends those protections through June 30.
Tenants who qualify for the protections will still owe their rent, they just cant be evicted for not paying all of it.
The law would use federal stimulus dollars to pay off 80% of some tenants unpaid rent, but only if landlords agree to forgive the remaining 20%. If landlords refuse the deal, the law would pay off 25% of tenants unpaid rent to make sure they qualify for eviction protections.
People who earn more than 80% of the area median income are not eligible for the money.
Some housing advocacy groups worry the law gives too much power to landlords. During a virtual bill signing ceremony on Friday, Newsom, Senate President Pro Tempore Toni Atkins and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon all pledged to pass a law offering more assistance later this year.
Were not done, Newsom said. None of us are naive that we have a lot more work to do.
Paul George said he was "super relieved" that he and Kawhi Leonard are healthy after having to enter the NBA's health and safety protocols.
George and Leonard were cleared from protocol and returned to help the visiting LA Clippers cruise past the Orlando Magic 116-90 on Friday.
"We were playing so well, it was unfortunate that we had to take a hiatus, but safety's first," George said. "We acknowledge that first and foremost."
Because of contact tracing, George and Leonard were in protocol for only four days. They entered quarantine on Monday as the team departed Los Angeles for Atlanta to start a six-game road swing. The two stars missed two games before rejoining the team in Orlando, Florida.
"It was a bummer because we were on a good roll, and me and PG go out," Leonard said, referring to the Clippers being on a seven-game winning streak when he and George entered protocol. "That's my mindset around it. Just want to play basketball and wanting to keep building on our chemistry and get better, but understand what the protocols are, and it was a chance for guys to step up and play a bigger role."
With their two best players back, the Clippers won their second straight game after losing in Atlanta on Tuesday. George scored 26 points in 28 minutes and became the first player in franchise history with at least 26 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals in under 30 minutes played.
Leonard scored 24 points in 29 minutes and said he spent the time away from the team maintaining his conditioning at home and staying in touch with coaches to go over the game plans even for the games he missed.
"Still trying to follow game plans with the Hawks and the last game, Miami," Leonard said of what he did during quarantine. "Just talking to the coaches, trying to see just what our coverages are, just keeping my mind in the game."
Coach Ty Lue said he had both players on a minutes restriction to be cautious with his stars coming out of quarantine. But George and Leonard both showed how fresh their legs were early, each throwing down a big dunk in the first half against Orlando.
"I think on a night when guys were a little tired, just having their presence was big for us," Lue said. "It was huge. Just making plays for everybody else, making the game easy. When teams double-team Kawhi or PG on the post-ups or pick-and-roll, it just makes it easier because our guys are getting open shots, so we need those guys tonight."
Seventy-three more people have tested positive for COVID-19 in the Northland and one more person has died from the illness.
The person was a St. Louis County resident in their early 70s. The county has now lost 253 people to COVID-19 and its complications.
New cases and seven-day averages in Northland counties:
As of Jan. 27, nearly 29,000 residents in the seven-county region, or 8.7% of the population, have received at least one shot and about 8,200 of those people have had both doses. The state of Minnesota updates its vaccine numbers every day with data from two days ago.
About 9,500 residents ages 65 and older in the region have received a COVID-19 vaccine. That's about 15% of that demographic.
On Friday, the region logged its highest number of new vaccinations in a single day. Another 3,800 shots were administered to Northeastern Minnesota residents. About 770 of those shots went to people receiving their second and final dose.
The number of intensive care patients with COVID-19 in the region continues to decline. At one point in time Thursday, three COVID-19 patients were occupying ICU beds in Northeastern Minnesota. At the same time, 20 people with COVID-19 were hospitalized outside the ICU.
This story was updated at 4:21 p.m. Jan. 29 with additional information from Wisconsin Department of Health Services and to correct the seven-day average for Lake County. It was originally posted at 12:15 p.m. Jan. 29.
Too long to wait: the impact of COVID-19 on elective surgery The Lancet
FARGO Starting Tuesday morning, Feb. 2, the city of Fargo will move to "Green Operations" for city facilities, acknowledging the "Low Risk" level designation for COVID-19 in Cass County.
The change, which is authorized by order of Mayor Tim Mahoney, is being done with the approval of Fargo Cass Public Health, according to a statement the city released on Friday.
Fargo has been working under Yellow Operations to correspond with Cass Countys previous "Moderate Risk" level since January 11.
Under Green Operations, facilities will adhere to NDSmart Restart guidance provided by the State of North Dakota and the North Dakota Department of Health for the "Low Risk" level.
Green Operations will remain in effect until further notice.
Changes resulting from the transition from Yellow Operations to Green Operations include:
Modifications to regular operations that will continue despite the transition from Yellow Operations to Green Operations include, but are not limited to:
