Confirmed coronavirus cases in the US don’t show the ‘total burden of the pandemic,’ study says – CNN

Confirmed coronavirus cases in the US don’t show the ‘total burden of the pandemic,’ study says – CNN

Governor Cuomo Announces 33rd Straight Day with COVID-19 Infection Rate Below 1 Percent – ny.gov

Governor Cuomo Announces 33rd Straight Day with COVID-19 Infection Rate Below 1 Percent – ny.gov

September 10, 2020

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the 33rd straight day that New York State's COVID-19 infection rate has been below 1 percent. Yesterday, 0.91 percent of tests reported to the state were positive. The number of new cases, percentage of tests that were positive and many other helpful data points are always available at forward.ny.gov.

"New York State's infection rate has been under 1 percent for 33 straight days, which is great news and a credit to New Yorkers and what they're doing," Governor Cuomo said. "And that is with more testing than any other state. If you want to see something interesting, look at how many tests different states are taking. If you don't do many tests, you won't find many cases and the number of cases will drop. But that is false comfort. When we say this is how many cases we have, that's accurate because we're testing more than anyone else."

The governor also announced the New York State Department of Financial Services has taken action to extend emergency regulations requiring New York health insurers to waive cost-sharing associated with emergency room visits, in-network telehealth visits, in-network outpatient provider office visits, in-network urgent care center visits, and in-network laboratory tests when the purpose of the visit or test is to diagnose COVID-19, and waiving cost-sharing for in-network telehealth services for any healthcare service covered under a policy, including mental health and substance use disorder treatment until November 9, 2020. The extension of these emergency regulations ensures that cost-sharing is not a barrier to COVID-19 testing and in-network telehealth services for New Yorkers. Governor Cuomo first announced the State's directive requiring New York insurers to waive cost-sharing for COVID-19 testing and telehealth services in March.

Yesterday, the State Liquor Authority and State Police Task Force visited 969 establishments in New York City and Long Island and observed 5 establishments that were not in compliance with state requirements. A county breakdown of yesterday's observed violations is below:

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

Of the 63,230 test results reported to New York State yesterday, 576, or 0.91 percent, were positive. Each region's percentage of positive test results reported over the last three days is as follows:

REGION

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

Capital Region

0.5%

1.3%

0.7%

CentralNew York

1.1%

0.6%

0.8%

Finger Lakes

0.7%

0.9%

0.6%

Long Island

1.0%

1.5%

1.8%

Mid-Hudson

1.2%

1.5%

1.3%

Mohawk Valley

1.1%

0.5%

0.5%

New York City

0.8%

0.9%

0.7%

North Country

0.3%

0.0%

0.8%

Southern Tier

0.4%

0.5%

0.3%

WesternNew York

1.9%

1.0%

1.5%

The Governor also confirmed 576 additional cases of novel coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 441,154 confirmed cases in New York State. Of the 441,154 total individuals who tested positive for the virus, the geographic breakdown is as follows:

County

Total Positive

New Positive

Albany

2,846

6

Allegany

92

0

Broome

1,378

4

Cattaraugus

234

1

Cayuga

185

1

Chautauqua

478

1

Chemung

214

3

Chenango

240

1

Clinton

152

0

Columbia

576

0

Cortland

103

0

Delaware

125

0


See the article here: Governor Cuomo Announces 33rd Straight Day with COVID-19 Infection Rate Below 1 Percent - ny.gov
Sept. 9 evening update: The latest on the coronavirus and Maine – Bangor Daily News

Sept. 9 evening update: The latest on the coronavirus and Maine – Bangor Daily News

September 10, 2020

Another 23 coronavirus cases have been reported in Maine, health officials said Wednesday.

Wednesdays report brings the cumulative total of coronavirus cases across the state to 4,734. Of those, 4,258 have been confirmed positive, while 476 were classified as probable cases, according to the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

New cases were reported in Androscoggin (2), Cumberland (1), Kennebec (1), Somerset (2) and York (14) counties, state data show. Information about where additional cases were reported wasnt immediately available.

No new deaths were reported Wednesday, leaving the statewide death toll at 134. Nearly all deaths have been in Mainers over age 60.

Heres the latest on the coronavirus and its impact in Maine:

State health investigators have identified three cases of COVID-19 in people associated with Hartt Transportation Systems, a Bangor-based trucking company. Charles Eichacker, BDN

A Bangor hotel will serve as shelter space for the citys homeless population for the rest of the year under an arrangement that will reserve half of the hotel for those suffering from COVID-19 and the other half for clients without the disease. Nick Sambides Jr., BDN

Maines budget commissioner is recommending $256 million in cost-savings measures as part of a plan to close a massive coronavirus-induced budget gap that will use federal funds and money from higher-than-expected liquor sales to prevent deeper cuts. Caitlin Andrews, BDN

Public health officials in Maine are continuing to monitor the spread of coronavirus in other states, and they are no closer to easing travel restrictions put in place because of the virus. The Associated Press

Amy Albert opened Replay Sports two years ago with a dream of a local shop where families could buy used gear for their kids at affordable prices. Now, the consignment store is about to close for good and in doing so, it joins a growing list of Maines small businesses that have collapsed under the weight of the coronavirus pandemic this year. Nina Mahaleris, The Penobscot Times

As of Wednesday evening, the coronavirus had sickened 6,354,869 people in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as caused 190,589 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University of Medicine.


Read the original here: Sept. 9 evening update: The latest on the coronavirus and Maine - Bangor Daily News
Woman who lost father to COVID-19 says Trump should resign after downplaying virus – The Arizona Republic

Woman who lost father to COVID-19 says Trump should resign after downplaying virus – The Arizona Republic

September 10, 2020

Kristin Urquizathe former Maryvale resident who drew national attention for a searing obituary of her fatherthat slammedpoliticians' handling of the COVID-19 pandemic called for President Donald Trump to resign Wednesday after reports he'd purposely downplayed the severity of the novelcoronavirus.

Trump knew weeks before the first confirmed U.S. coronavirus death that COVID-19 was highly contagious and more deadly than the flu, according to a new book by journalist Bob Woodward.Yet, when addressing the public, he claimed the virus was "under control" and would soon disappear.

"The president is on record lying," Urquiza, whose father died of COVID-19 in June,told The Arizona Republic. "Its undeniable, and its inexcusable."

More than 6 million people have been infected with COVID-19 in the U.S. to date, with those over 65 years old hit particularly hard. Nearly 190,000 Americans have died, and countless others face grueling, months-long recoveries.

"Were taught to follow our leaders especially during times of crisis. For people like my dad, he trusted Donald Trump, he trusted Gov. Doug Ducey," Urquizasaid.

"When they, in May, decided to lie to the public and say that it was safe to go out and to resume normal activities, my father followed their advice. For that, he paid with his life."

Mark Anthony Urquizastarted feeling ill June 11, as Arizona grappled with one of the worst coronavirus outbreaks in the world. The surge followedamid-May loosening of shutdown restrictions.

The Tolleson residenttested positive for COVID-19 the following day, and was hospitalized five days later.

He died on June 30, at age 65.

"Mark, like so many others, should not have died from COVID-19," Kristin Urquiza wrote in his obituary, which went viral andinspiredothers to write "#HonestObits."

"His death is due to the carelessness of the politicians who continue to jeopardize the health of brown bodies through a clear lack of leadership, refusal to acknowledge the severity of this crisis, and inability and unwillingness to give clear and decisive direction on how to minimize risk."

National media attention helped Urquiza raise more than $30,000, which she used to cover her father's funeral expenses and get a COVID-19 prevention organization off the ground."Marked by COVID" memorializes those lost to the disease online and in vigilsand pushes for mitigation measures.

Democratic leaders took notice of Urquiza's efforts, tapping her to speak about her father and the policy failures she believes contributed to his death during the first day of the Democratic National Convention.

"The coronavirus has made it clear that there are two Americas:the America that Donald Trump lives inand the America that my father died in," she said during her live appearance. "Donald Trumpmay not have caused the coronavirus, but his dishonestyand irresponsibleactions made it so much worse."

She echoed those comments Wednesday, saying it was "devastating to see that the president decided to not prioritize human lives."

"He should resign today, but I suspect he is too cowardly," she said.

The Urquiza family is furious with Arizona leadership for their handling of the pandemic as they bury Mark Anthony Urquiza, who died of COVID-19. Arizona Republic

Urquizaalsohad some words for the media, which she said must call Trump's tactics "what they are: lies."

And she lambasted the governors, members of Congress and other elected officials she deemed "complicit" in carrying out Trump's inadequate pandemic response.

"Our leaders can no longer feign ignorance regarding the severity of the pandemic and Trumps purposeful down-playing of the situation," she said in a public statement, urging themto "immediately and publicly denounce the Presidents tactics and implement data-driven public health measures."

During her interview with The Republic, Urquiza singled out Ducey, saying Arizona needs a leader who will prioritize his constituents versus attempting to stay onTrump's good side. Though the governor has sent condolences to her family, he did not accept Urquiza's invitation to attend her father's funeral.

Ducey has, however,changed his tune on pandemic-related restrictions after observing the state's June spike in cases, hospitalizations and deaths.

Late that month, he clamped downon bars and other businesses with the potential to be virus "super-spreaders." He also allowed local governments to implement mask mandates, now in place in the majority of the state.

Arizona has since been highlighted as a model for reversing a state's COVID-19 trajectory. But it's too late for the Arizonans and other Americans who've already died or been irreparably harmedby the disease, Urquiza said.

"The information released today proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that President Trump has the blood of hundreds of thousands of people on his hands," she said.

Republic reporters Emily Wilder and Yvonne Wingett Sanchez contributed to this report.

Reach the reporter at maria.polletta@arizonarepublic.comor 602-653-6807. Follow her on Twitter @mpolletta.

Support local journalism.Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

Read or Share this story: https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/arizona/2020/09/09/kristin-urquiza-donald-trump-coronavirus-response-bob-woodward-book/5765474002/


See more here: Woman who lost father to COVID-19 says Trump should resign after downplaying virus - The Arizona Republic
COVID-19 Daily Update 9-9-2020 – West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources

COVID-19 Daily Update 9-9-2020 – West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources

September 10, 2020

TheWest Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) reports as of 10:00 a.m., on September 9,2020, there have been 463,686 total confirmatorylaboratory results received for COVID-19, with 11,808 totalcases and 254 deaths.

DHHR has confirmed the deaths of a 59-yearold female from Harrison County, a 69-yearold female from Harrison County, a 62-year old female from Jackson County, andan 87-year old female from Monroe County. As families mourn the loss of theirloved ones, we remind all West Virginians to do their part to prevent the spreadof this virus, said Bill J. Crouch, DHHR Cabinet Secretary.

CASESPER COUNTY: Barbour(35), Berkeley (840), Boone (162), Braxton (9), Brooke (105), Cabell (601),Calhoun (20), Clay (30), Doddridge (13), Fayette (421), Gilmer (20), Grant(144), Greenbrier (108), Hampshire (93), Hancock (128), Hardy (75), Harrison(306), Jackson (219), Jefferson (396), Kanawha (1,753), Lewis (36), Lincoln(126), Logan (529), Marion (233), Marshall (136), Mason (122), McDowell (74),Mercer (350), Mineral (148), Mingo (289), Monongalia (1,504), Monroe (138),Morgan (41), Nicholas (58), Ohio (301), Pendleton (45), Pleasants (15),Pocahontas (55), Preston (142), Putnam (353), Raleigh (397), Randolph (228),Ritchie (6), Roane (37), Summers (22), Taylor (110), Tucker (13), Tyler (15),Upshur (50), Wayne (300), Webster (7), Wetzel (45), Wirt (8), Wood (324),Wyoming (73).

Pleasenote that delays may be experienced with the reporting of information from thelocal health department to DHHR. As case surveillance continues at the localhealth department level, it may reveal that those tested in a certain countymay not be a resident of that county, or even the state as an individual inquestion may have crossed the state border to be tested.Such is the case of Hancock,Hardy, and Mason counties in this report.

Pleasevisit the dashboard located at www.coronavirus.wv.gov for more information.


See the original post: COVID-19 Daily Update 9-9-2020 - West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources
Could the coronavirus merge with another virus to create a new threat? – New Scientist

Could the coronavirus merge with another virus to create a new threat? – New Scientist

September 10, 2020

By Graham Lawton

John Nacion/Sopa Images/Lightrocket Via Getty Images

DOCTORS may be fretting about concurrent outbreaks of flu and covid-19 (see What will happen to covid-19 cases in winter and how can we prepare?) but some virologists are worrying about another scenario: a Frankenvirus.

SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes covid-19, almost certainly originated from the hybridisation of two different coronaviruses. The details remain hazy, but the viruss genome sequence suggests that this mash-up occurred in a bat about a decade ago. The bat was simultaneously infected


Original post: Could the coronavirus merge with another virus to create a new threat? - New Scientist
Qiagen to launch rapid coronavirus test it says could be used in airports and stadiums – CNBC

Qiagen to launch rapid coronavirus test it says could be used in airports and stadiums – CNBC

September 10, 2020

An employee works in a protective suit in a laboratory of the biotech company Qiagen in Germany, September 8, 2020.

Fabian Strauch | picture alliance | Getty Images

German genetic testing companyQiagenannounced Tuesday that it plans to launch a new antigen test for the coronavirus that it says could eventually be deployed in airports and stadiums if it receives the appropriate authorizations.

The company said it plans to launch two versions of the antigen test in the U.S. later this year: one version that's meant to be processed in a clinical laboratory and another that's portable and can be processed at point of care. The company has not yet applied for emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration but said it plans to.

If the test, called theAccess Antigen Test, is granted FDA authorization for point-of-care use and if it's waived from the requirements under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments, Qiagen said, the test could be used in high-volume settings such as airports and stadiums to test people with symptoms. Rapidly testing symptomatic people could become increasingly important in the fall and winter as seasonal influenza, which causes many of the same early symptoms as seen in Covid-19, spreads in the Northern Hemisphere.

"The portable test offers a new combination of speed and scale that marks an important step towards decentralized mass testing that health authorities all over the world have been urgently seeking," the company said in a release.

The test, which wasdeveloped in collaboration withAustralian diagnostics company Ellume, can screen up to eight nasal-swab samples simultaneously, the company said. Administrators of the test use a small digital platform, called an eHub, which was launched in August with Qiagen's antibody test, to process the nasal swabs.

The platform can yield results in less than 15 minutes, the company said, and can process an average of about 30 swab samples every hour. Qiagen added that the test correctly diagnoses a positive coronavirus infection 90% of the time and correctly diagnoses a negative result 100% of the time. The company did not elaborate on the methods used to arrive at the accuracy conclusions.

The company has not yet disclosed a price point for the test, but Qiagen CEO Thierry Bernard called the tests "cost-effective." Qiagen also did not disclose details on how many tests it will be able to manufacture.

In a statement, Bernard added that the antigen tests are meant to supplement, not replace, the molecular, or PCR, tests, which are the most accurate tests on the market. PCR tests, however, are dependent on a strained supply chain of technical laboratory equipment, need to be processed by trained scientists and can take hours or days to yield results.

The company added that it will also apply for certification in Europe.

"The Access Antigen Test is fast, easy to use and cost-effective and will be a valuable tool to address the so far unmet high-volume testing needs for SARS-CoV-2 antigens in situations where time is of the essence," Bernard said in a statement. "It will deliver highly accurate results and will complement the gold-standard PCR tests used for detection of active COVID-19 infection. PCR tests offer a high level of diagnostic accuracy but are time-consuming and lab-bound."

CNBC's Meg Tirrell contributed to this report.


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Qiagen to launch rapid coronavirus test it says could be used in airports and stadiums - CNBC
Critically ill patients have robust immunity to new coronavirus – Medical News Today

Critically ill patients have robust immunity to new coronavirus – Medical News Today

September 10, 2020

A new study suggests immune responses to coronavirus in severely ill and critically ill patients are as strong or stronger than those of patients with milder illness. This adds to the evidence that the immune system itself is to blame for the most life-threatening form of the infection.

Immune cells known as T cells are responsible for recognizing pathogens, killing infected cells, and recruiting other branches of the immune system to combat infections.

However, according to the new study, T cell responses to the new coronavirus in critically ill patients appear to be just as robust as those with a less severe form of the illness.

The finding reinforces the conclusion that an inadequate immune response to SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, is not responsible for critical illness and death. Rather, an excessive immune response is to blame.

Stay informed with live updates on the current COVID-19 outbreak and visit our coronavirus hub for more advice on prevention and treatment.

The team of researchers, led by Marien Hospital Herne and Ruhr-Universitt Bochum in Herne, Germany, compared the T cell responses of 28 COVID-19 patients during the acute phase of the infection and after recovery in survivors.

Of these infections, 7 were categorized as moderate, 9 were severe, and 12 were critical.

The scientists measured the concentration of two T cell types in blood samples from each patient: helper T cells and killer or cytotoxic T cells.

They also analyzed the strength of these cells responses to three distinct parts of the virus: the three proteins that make up its spikes, its membrane, and the shell or nucleocapsid surrounding its nuclear material.

In addition, the team measured levels of cytokines immune signaling molecules that T cells produce to combat infection.

They found that in patients with critical illness, the scale of their immune responses was similar or even higher, compared with moderate or severe cases.

There were also no apparent associations between successful clearance of the virus or death and changes in T cell responses.

The total number of specific immune cells, as well as their functionality, was not better in patients who survived COVID-19 than in those who died from it, says Dr. Ulrik Stervbo, one of the authors.

The study features in the journal Cell Reports Medicine.

T cells migrate to a viral infection site, where they kill infected cells and select other parts of the immune system to neutralize the virus.

But these same T cells can also create a cytokine storm, which is responsible for a potentially fatal complication known as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Even though further studies will be necessary to understand the specific mechanism of COVID-19 development, our data suggest that excessive SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell response can cause [immune damage] leading to COVID-19-related lung failure, says lead author Prof. Nina Babel.

The new research adds to a growing body of evidence that excessive immune responses cause life-threatening COVID-19.

A major study published in June 2020 found that dexamethasone, a corticosteroid that suppresses the bodys immune response, saved the lives of around a third of all patients on ventilators over a 28-day period.

A more recent study, reported by Medical News Today, suggests that another kind of immune-suppressing drug, known as an interleukin-6 inhibitor, may help prevent severe COVID-19 infections from becoming life-threatening.

The authors of the new study acknowledge some limitations of their research.

They do not know exactly when patients in their research contracted the virus. Therefore, the slightly higher T cell response in critically ill patients may simply result from a longer period of infection.

In addition, they were unable to analyze the entire range of T cell subtypes and the cytokines they produce. So, it is possible that they missed protective or detrimental immune effects that impacted non-critical and critical patients differently.

For live updates on the latest developments regarding the novel coronavirus and COVID-19, click here.


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Critically ill patients have robust immunity to new coronavirus - Medical News Today
Coronavirus is threatening their people but it hasn’t held back these indigenous pageant queens – CNN

Coronavirus is threatening their people but it hasn’t held back these indigenous pageant queens – CNN

September 10, 2020

"She becomes everybody's mother, everybody's sister, everybody's aunt," the 26-year-old said about holding her title.

The pandemic has led Indigenous pageant queens or tribal ambassadors like Parrish to redefine their duties. While the majority have been unable to travel, these young women have sewn hundreds of face masks, launched online campaigns to increase census participation after it was hampered by the pandemic and secured school supplies for thousands of children.

When the pandemic first forced families to shelter in place, Parrish became a temporary spokeswoman for the reservation's emergency operations center. Months later, as thousands fell ill to the virus, she traveled from her home in Window Rock, Arizona, to join teams distributing food and supplies to families in need.

"I knew that I could use my talents, my education and my experience to the best of my ability to convey the importance of wearing a mask and of social distancing," said Parrish, who had been a spokeswoman for the Arizona state treasurer before winning her title.

These pageants are not about showcasing beauty. To win, contestants should embrace their heritage, language and traditional practices. In the case of Parrish, she had to butcher a sheep in an hour and cook a large meal as a way to symbolize that she can provide for her family.

During the competitions, some contestants sing in their tribes' language, showcase traditional dances or demonstrate ceremonies or practices unique to their tribes.

For contestants, the indigenous pageants are mainly an opportunity to develop their leadership skills and a chance to be the voice of their people outside their communities.

Census participation gets new attention

Kippenberger, the first member of the Seminole Tribe of Florida to win the pageant, scratched her plans of returning to school and agreed to extend her reign for another year.

"I was so heartbroken for the girls who were going to be competing this year," Kippenberger said. "But I felt like I needed to do that for my people."

Kippenberger has continued speaking about mental health in Native communities but now solely during virtual events. In recent weeks, she launched a social media campaign focusing on getting indigenous people to complete the census.

Many tribal lands and reservation residents rely on census takers to drop off materials on their front doors because their addresses are not listed, they don't have landlines or they have limited internet access. Those efforts were delayed in mid-March when the Census Bureau temporarily suspended its field operations to protect communities.

Pageant winners use social media to get message out

As the Census deadline approaches, pageant winners of all ages -- including male title holders -- representing tribes in Arizona, Colorado, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Oregon have joined Kippenberger by posting photos of themselves wearing their multicolor traditional regalia, crowns and sashes and holding "Be counted" or "Indian Country Counts" signs.

Indigenous people have been "so undercounted and so underrepresented" for decades and young leaders want to change it, Kippenberger said.

"When we receive that proper count, we can receive proper funding for our communities," Kippenberger added.

Before the pandemic, groups of about 20 women would gather and turn dozens of pounds of flour into traditional bread and pastries in the days leading to a ceremony. It's a tradition that would bring generations, and sometimes even an entire clan together, James said.

"I would get together with my clan sisters, my clan mothers, my clan grandmothers and you'll just share laughing and talking throughout the day," James told CNN.

Many tribal communities across the US have limited access to water and suffer from preexisting health conditions that put them at a higher risk of Covid-19 complications, and many lost their jobs early in the pandemic, James and Parrish said.

While James has continued focusing on her platform of mental health awareness and suicide prevention, she and a group of friends launched an initiative to provide school supplies to more than 1,000 children in the Hopi reservation.

"We wanted to show our students here that they have the support of community members. That they have people who care that they have the necessary supplies or the tools to have a good academic school year," James said.

Their efforts draw the attention from the National Guard, which donated hundreds of school supplies and from Hopi artists who donated more than 100 items, including paintings and jewelry, for a raffle to support their initiative.

"When the pandemic hit, I did felt really lost for a minute," James said. "But I think this has given us a really good opportunity to stop and reflect on what it is that we want to achieve with our titles."


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Coronavirus is threatening their people but it hasn't held back these indigenous pageant queens - CNN
Governor Cuomo Announces One Month with COVID-19 Infection Rate Below 1 Percent – ny.gov

Governor Cuomo Announces One Month with COVID-19 Infection Rate Below 1 Percent – ny.gov

September 8, 2020

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced for one month, or 31 days, that New York State's COVID-19 infection rate has remained below 1 percent. Yesterday, 0.88 percent of tests reported to the state were positive. The number of new cases, percentage of tests that were positive and many other helpful data points are always available atforward.ny.gov.

"Thanks to the hard work of New Yorkers, our state has now gone a full month with our COVID infection rate remaining below one percent,"Governor Cuomo said."Our numbers have continued to remain stable even as we reach new milestones in our phased, data-driven reopening. As we close out this Labor Day Weekend, I urge everyone to remain smart so we can continue to celebrate our progress in the weeks and months ahead. It took the work of all of us to get here, and to protect this progress we will need to all continue to wash our hands, wear our masks, remain socially distant and above all, stay New York tough."

Yesterday, the State Liquor Authority and State Police Task Force visited 1,064 establishments in New York City and Long Island and observed 7 establishments that were not in compliance with state requirements. A county breakdown of yesterday's observed violations is below:

Today's data issummarized brieflybelow:

Of the 58,865 test results reported to New York State yesterday, 520, or 0.88 percent, were positive. Each region's percentage of positive test results reported over the last three days is as follows:

REGION

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Capital Region

0.5%

0.9%

0.5%

CentralNew York

0.7%

0.8%

1.1%

Finger Lakes

0.6%

0.7%

0.7%

Long Island

1.5%

1.1%

1.0%

Mid-Hudson

1.1%

0.9%

1.2%

Mohawk Valley

0.7%

0.9%

1.1%

New York City

0.7%

0.7%

0.8%

North Country

0.2%

0.2%

0.3%

Southern Tier

0.2%

0.5%

0.4%

WesternNew York

1.2%

2.0%

1.9%

The Governor also confirmed 520 additional cases of novel coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 440,021 confirmed cases in New York State. Of the 440,021 total individuals who tested positive for the virus, the geographic breakdown is as follows:

County

Total Positive

New Positive

Albany

2,833

2

Allegany

92

0

Broome

1,365

8

Cattaraugus

230

1

Cayuga

183

0

Chautauqua

476

1

Chemung

210

2

Chenango

235

0

Clinton

152

0

Columbia

576

1

Cortland

103

0

Delaware

124

1

Dutchess

4,939

11


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Governor Cuomo Announces One Month with COVID-19 Infection Rate Below 1 Percent - ny.gov
What Young, Healthy People Have to Fear From COVID-19 – The Atlantic

What Young, Healthy People Have to Fear From COVID-19 – The Atlantic

September 8, 2020

But it does. It really does. Heres why.

Many young people navigating this pandemic are asking themselves a two-part health question: What are the odds that I get infected? And if I do get infected, is that really a big deal?

Much of my reporting has focused on the first question. To summarize that work in a sentence: People are at highest risk of infection in communities with a sizable outbreak, when they spend long amounts of time in closed, unventilated spaces where other people close by are talking or otherwise emitting virus-laden globs of spit, and everything is worse when people arent wearing masks. This advice is easy to give, because the best practices hold across the board, for everybody.

Whats the big deal? is a harder question, because the person-to-person outcomes of this disease are so maddeningly variable. The most universal answer must begin with the observation that death is not a synonym for risk.

Read: COVID-19 can last for several months

COVID-19 presents an array of health challenges that are serious, if not imminently fatal. The disease occasionally sends peoples immune system into a frenzy, wreaking havoc on their internal organs. Several studies of asymptomatic patients revealed that more than half of them had lung abnormalities. A March study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that 7 to 20 percent of sick patients showed heart damage associated with COVID-19.

As my colleague Ed Yong explained, many COVID-19 patients experience protracted illness. These long-haulers suffer from a diabolical grab bag of symptoms, including chronic fatigue, shortness of breath, unrelenting fevers, gastrointestinal problems, lost sense of smell, hallucinations, short-term-memory loss, bulging veins, bruising, gynecological problems, and an erratic heartbeat. And according to the neuroscientist David Putrino, chronic patients are typically young (the average age in his survey is 44), female, and formerly healthy.

We dont know how many long-haulers are out there. But by combining the conclusion of several well-regarded studies, we can arrive at a decent estimate.

For men in their 30s, like me, about 1.2 percent of COVID-19 infections result in hospitalization, according to a July study published in Science. Once the disease has progressed to this point, the risk of chronic illness soars. Research from Italy found that roughly nine in 10 hospitalized patients said they still had symptoms after two months. A British study reported a similar risk of long-term illness.

Now the math: When you multiply the hospitalization rate for 30-something men (about 1.2 percent) by the chronic-illness rate of hospitalized patients (almost 90 percent), you get about 1 percent. That means a guy my age has one-in-100 chance of developing a long-term illness after contracting COVID-19. For context, the estimated infection-fatality rate for a 60-something is 0.7 percent, according to the same study in Science.


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What Young, Healthy People Have to Fear From COVID-19 - The Atlantic