Californias hospitals are getting busier with more COVID-19 and flu patients, some of whom are suffering from both viruses at the same time.
The simultaneous sickness is another wrinkle in an already hectic respiratory virus season. Although hospitals are not nearly as crowded as during the emergency phase of the pandemic, they are becoming increasingly so with Los Angeles County recently entering the medium COVID-19 hospitalization category outlined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the first time this winter.
Some of these patients are testing positive for more than one virus influenza definitely likes to travel with COVID. [And] were seeing an outbreak of RSV, said Dr. Daisy Dodd, an infectious disease specialist with Kaiser Permanente Southern California.
The viral cocktail could also include coronavirus or flu with RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, simultaneously. Sometimes a common cold virus, like rhinovirus, is in the mix.
And its not just the very young and the very old who are getting hit with a double whammy of disease younger and middle-aged adults have also been afflicted. Dodd said shes seen some patients reporting fevers lasting more than a week.
Now it seems like everyone has this hacking cough that doesnt want to go away, she said. Its making them fairly sick and ... its not very gentle.
For many of the patients who need medical attention, theyre miserable. No doubt about it.
Its hard to say why doctors are seeing a number of viral co-infections this winter, experts say.
Is it that one lowers the immunity and allows them to catch the other one easily? Dont know the answer, Dodd said. But were seeing a lot of double whammies going around.
L.A. Countys entry into the medium COVID-19 hospitalization category has prompted local public health officials to order hospitals, nursing homes and any other inpatient facility to require healthcare employees mask up while in patient-care areas. Visitors to those facilities are also required to mask up in the same areas.
When a county enters the medium COVID-19 hospitalization level, those at high risk of getting very sick should wear a high-quality mask such as a KF94, KN95, or N95 mask when indoors in public, the CDC says.
The agency also says that those who live with, or have social contact with, someone at high risk should consider getting a rapid COVID test before meeting with them, and consider wearing a mask when meeting with them indoors.
A negative rapid COVID test result helps reduce, though does not entirely eliminate, the risk of passing along a coronavirus infection. There is a chance that a single rapid test may not detect an infection in its initial stages.
Multiple tests over a time period, such as over two or three days, can be helpful, especially when the people using the tests dont have COVID-19 symptoms, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
More infected people are being admitted into Californias hospitals. For the week that ended Dec. 23, 3,279 coronavirus-positive patients were newly admitted statewide, up 14% from the prior week and the highest weekly tally in 10 months.
New hospitalizations remain considerably lower than last winters peak, however. And a number of hospitals are not seeing signs of a COVID-19 surge in their intensive care units.
Our ICUs are busy, but theyre not overwhelmed with COVID, said Dr. Tevan Ovsepyan, medical director of the hospitalist program at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills.
Still, the sickness season continues apace. Californias level of flu-like activity which includes nonflu illnesses such as COVID-19 recently rose to very high, one of the worst levels as defined by the CDC, for the first time this winter.
Ovsepyan said that at his hospital, there was an uptick in coronavirus-positive patients about a week and a half ago that has tapered off as of Friday. But, he said, I dont know what the future will hold, because ... we have New Years ... and people are getting together. So Im sure well probably see a little uptick.
For the week that ended Dec. 23, California had a very high level of flu-like activity, which includes nonflu illnesses such as COVID-19, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
(U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Other areas in California that are in the CDCs medium COVID-19 hospitalization category include the four-county area around the state capital Sacramento, Placer, Yolo and El Dorado counties and several counties in the rural north: Butte, Tehama and Glenn.
The rate at which lab specimens are coming back positive for the coronavirus and flu is continuing to rise in L.A. County. For the week that ended Dec. 23, the most recent available, 23% of specimens tested at surveillance labs came back positive for flu, a jump from the prior rate of 18%. As for COVID-19, 12% of specimens are coming back positive for the coronavirus, an increase from the prior weeks 11%.
RSV, which can cause severe illness and death, especially among babies and older people, has plateaued at a high rate countywide, with 10% of specimens coming back positive over the most recent week. The positive test rate has stayed within 10% and 15% in recent weeks, a relatively high rate compared with the prior six years, but still below last years terrible RSV season, when the positive test rate exceeded 20%.
For the week that ended Dec. 4, L.A. County averaged five COVID-19 deaths a day, up from an average of two in mid-November, though still below last years numbers.
In terms of severe illness and deaths, hospitals are in a better place than the terrible first winter of the pandemic and the initial Omicron wave the year after.
Omicron was just horrible. It was a terrible time, because we were just overwhelmed with COVID-positive then, and people were sick, said Ovsepyan, who is also chair of the hospital medicine department at Facey Medical Group, which has outpatient clinics in the San Fernando, Santa Clarita and Simi valleys.
Ovsepyan urged people to be responsible and stay home if sick.
And if you must leave the house and go anywhere theres a crowd and have symptoms such as sniffles, wear a mask, Ovsepyan said.
With time, people have had this COVID fatigue, and the fatigue of masks. Thats all reasonable, Ovsepyan said. But its still a virus. It still causes illness. Itll be harmful for our frail patients, our elderly or people with co-morbid diagnosis ... those are the people who end up getting hospitalized.
People might initially shrug off a little sniffle or a tiny sore throat. But that can be the beginning of a full-fledged viral illness, and it would be fabulous if those who feel that start wearing a mask as soon as possible to protect others around them, Dodd said.
Probably 95%, if not more, of respiratory infections, you feel it in your throat to begin with, she said.
Its likely a combination of factors that has led COVID-19 to be less deadly than it used to be, including protection provided by vaccinations and lingering immunity from infection, as well as the development of anti-COVID drugs that can be taken after infection.
But health officials worry about the lackluster utilization of those drugs, as well as lagging uptake of the latest COVID vaccines. The CDC urges virtually everyone age 6 months and older to get a fresh COVID-19 vaccination this winter, as well as the seasonal flu shot.
RSV immunizations are also available for babies, those who are pregnant and people age 60 or older.
Officials urge more widespread use of antiviral drugs such as Paxlovid that can reduce symptom severity and the risk of hospitalization and death. Theyre best taken early on, but many people arent doing so, or their healthcare providers arent prescribing them.
There is an ample supply of COVID-19 therapeutic agents, but they have been underused, the California Department of Public Health said in a health advisory. Lack of familiarity with new medications ... and the misperception of drug scarcity have contributed to low treatment rates, including reports of eligible patients ultimately being denied treatment.
California still offers a free telehealth service through Sesame Care, where sick people can talk to a healthcare provider by phone or online and get a prescription, if eligible. (A copay might be needed to pick up the prescription.) That service is available to Californians age 12 and up, regardless of insurance status, until February, by calling (833) 686-5051 or visiting sesamecare.com/covidca.
L.A. County residents can do the same by contacting the countys Public Health Call Center at (833) 540-0473, which is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The county says free and low-cost treatment is available for eligible patients, including those who are uninsured or on Medi-Cal.
A program funded by the National Institutes of Health, featured at test2treat.org, gives adults who test positive for COVID-19 or flu free access to telehealth care and treatment. That program is expected to run through the early summer. Adults who arent positive can still enroll to get free tests shipped to them if they are uninsured or underinsured; on Medicare or Medi-Cal; or in the healthcare system of the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Indian Health Service.
The U.S. government is also allowing residents to order free at-home COVID tests through COVIDtests.org. People are able to order four free at-home tests per household. And if they didnt already place an order between Sept. 25 and Nov. 19, theyre eligible for two separate orders of four tests.
In a recent preprint* study posted to the medRxiv server, a team of researchers evaluated the impact of hybrid immunity (combining vaccination and recovery from infection) on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibody levels in Canadian adults.
Study: Hybrid immunity from SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination in Canadian adults: cohort study. Image Credit:Lightspring/ Shutterstock
*Important notice: medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
In late 2021 and early 2022, the Omicron BA.1/1.1 variant of SARS-CoV-2 spread globally. During this period, hybrid immunity significantly reduced coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) morbidity and mortality compared to previous years. Hybrid immunity offers partial protection against reinfection and a more robust defense against severe outcomes. However, most studies focus on hospitalized patients or those tested via polymerase chain reaction (PCR), not reflecting the general population. This gap hinders understanding the longevity and effectiveness of hybrid immunity.
Further research is needed to understand the long-term dynamics and effectiveness of hybrid immunity at a population level, especially considering varying infection and vaccination histories for transitioning from pandemic to endemic management of COVID-19.
The present study, conducted between May 2020 and December 2022, involved serial assessments of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in a cohort of mostly vaccinated Canadian adults recruited from a national online polling platform. Participants reported their viral testconfirmed infections and sent self-collected dried blood spots to a central laboratory for analysis. The study focused on estimating the cumulative incidence of SARS-CoV-2 before and during the Omicron BA.1/1.1 and BA.2/5 waves, along with changes in antibody levels and age-specific immunity levels.
Highly sensitive and specific antibody assays were used to detect spike and nucleocapsid protein antigens, the latter being indicative of infection. The study evaluated the decay of spike protein antibodies post-vaccination and post-infection, noting that recent vaccination mitigated the decline in spike levels from older infections. The research team also correlated spike antibody and cellular responses in a convenience sample.
By the end of 2022, approximately 35% of adults over 60 had their last vaccine dose more than six months prior, and about 25% had not been infected. The cumulative incidence of infection rose significantly by December 2022, suggesting a role for hybrid immunity in reducing COVID-19 severity and mortality.
In the study, people who previously had SARS-CoV-2 infection showed more spike protein than those who did not, regardless of the number of vaccination doses received. This pattern was consistent among various demographics, including age groups, sex, and ethnicities. Particularly notable was finding out that adults who had received at least three shots from the vaccine and were sick more than half a year earlier had spike levels that went down quickly and kept going lower for nine months after getting vaccinated. On the other hand, adults who got sick in less than six months saw a slower decrease in spike amounts.
Cumulative incidence in each stratum of infection and vaccination in the pre-omicron wave, during the omicron BA.1/1.1 wave, and during the BA.2 and BA.5 waves by age group.*Including uninfected and infected cases. The first column in each age group represents the antibody and viral test positivity for the entire period prior to omicron, whereas the second column represents the values during the omicron BA.1/1.1 wave and the third during the BA.2/5 waves. By the last time period studied, the numbers of participants aged 15-59 who were N-positive, viral testpositive, and positive to both were 675 (41%), 37 (2%), and 699 (43%). The comparable numbers for participants aged 60 or more were 763 (44%), 35 (2%), and 500 (29%).
The research also showed that new vaccines helped stop the drop in spike levels from older sicknesses. In some people, the level of spike antibodies was linked to how their cells reacted. By the end of 2022, about 35% of adults over the age of 60 had their last vaccine dosage more than six months ago, and approximately 25% had not been infected.
The cumulative incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the studied population increased dramatically from 13% before the emergence of the Omicron variant to 78% by December 2022, which equated to around 25 million infected adults. Despite this high incidence rate, the COVID-19 weekly death rate during the Omicron BA.2/5 waves was significantly lower than during the BA.1/1.1 wave, suggesting a protective effect of hybrid immunity.
Furthermore, the study found significant increases in infection rates among younger, i.e., 18-59 years, and older i.e., 60+ years adults, most of whom were vaccinated. By December 2022, the cumulative incidence rates in these age groups were approximately 86% and 75%, respectively. However, a significant proportion of older adults, who are most at risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19, either had not been vaccinated in over six months or remained uninfected.
The study highlights the protective nature of hybrid immunity against SARS-CoV-2 at a population level, with a focus on Canadian adults. By December 2022, nearly 80% of Canadian adults were infected, predominantly with Omicron variants, leading to significant morbidity and mortality but also contributing to hybrid immunity. Despite the high infection rate, death rates during Omicron BA.2 and BA.5 were significantly lower than during BA.1/1.1, suggesting hybrid immunity's role in reducing severe disease. Hospitalizations have decreased since summer 2022, especially in intensive care units. The study also found that recent vaccination helped maintain spike protein levels, indicating its importance in sustaining immunity. This research underscores the need for continuous high vaccination coverage, including booster doses for older adults, to maintain this hybrid immunity and manage COVID-19 effectively.
*Important notice: medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
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A surge in illness has become the norm after holiday seasons conclude, and experts say itll be no different this year.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, seven states reported very high respiratory illness activity just before Christmas. While New York was not among them, the activity level was considered high.
The holidays can disrupt regular reporting of COVID-19, the flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity. That will resume Friday. But state health leaders said Tuesday they believe the numbers leading up to the holiday were a good indicator of whats to come.
We would expect there to be perhaps a little dip, but then things will likely go back up again, said Bryon Backenson of the state Health Department's Bureau of Communicable Disease Control.
Health experts say with so many children off from school where transmission of illness is high an uptick is almost a guarantee.
You can potentially then have spread within the family group itself, Backenson said.
According to the CDC, emergency room visits related to COVID-19, the flu and RSV were up about 6% across New York state the week before Christmas.
Numbers like that, numbers that we see from CDC, the number hospitalizations remind us that COVID is still a very severe illness for some people, Backenson said.
The CDC reports there were about 30,000 new hospitalizations last week related to COVID-19, the most since a year ago, and more than 14,000 Americans were hospitalized for the flu.
Fortunately, this year the three illnesses appear to be peaking at different times, which wasnt the case last year.
We have RSV that is probably close to peaking at this particular point. Flu and COVID at this point are both going up in parallel, so we may get to a point where we have a substantial amount of cases of both of those, Backenson said.
Overall, vaccination rates are down across the country. As of November, the CDC reported there were more than 7 million fewer influenza vaccine doses administered to adults than the year before.
The flu vaccine this year is a quite good match to what it is were seeing circulating with regards to it. And its never too late to get vaccinated, Backenson said.
There are, of course, the classic ways to mitigate the risks of catching illnesses wash your hands, cough into your arm and if youre sick, stay home from school or work.
FILE - A flu vaccine. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)
Dr. Magda Gabriel, an immediate care physician at Northwestern Medicine, joins Lisa Dent to explain whyflu and COVID-19 infections are on the rise, and what you should do to if you are experiencing any symptoms.
Better knowledge means better health for you and your family. Turn toNorthwesternMedicine at nm.org/healthbeatnews for health tips, research and more.
Alabama is 1 of 7 states with highest flu numbers in the nation, according to CDC
by Karris Harmon
Alabama among seven states leading the nation in flu-like illness rates (CDC)
MOBILE, Ala. (WPMI)
Flu cases are up in Alabama.
"We have continued to see week over week increases for this season," says Dr. Wes Stubblefield with the Alabama Department of Public Health.
According to the CDC, states in the southeast region of the country are leading the nation in flu cases, including Alabama. Locally, Dr. Marsha Raulerson says she's seen a high volume of people coming into her practice with the flu. She says shes seen mostly Flu A.
"There's different strains of the flu, says Dr. Raulerson. So, if you develop some antibodies against Flu A, you don't against Flu B. So if you get Flu A, you still need to get a flu shot, because that will protect you against Flu B."
Dr. Stubblefield says historically, the flu peaks around January 1st.
"This is just expected for this time of year, it's something that circulates around this time in Alabama, says Dr. Stubblefield. "The last few seasons were a little off because of covid 19 and masking, but we're getting back more in traditional pattern at this point."
The CDC says the number of flu vaccines are down, with an 11% drop at pharmacies and a 17.9% drop at doctors offices.
"Some people may get less severe flu if they get it or not get it at all if they have the vaccine so, definitely can lead to higher case numbers with lower vaccinations rates," says Dr. Stubblefield.
Dr. Raulerson says the spike after the holiday season doesn't come as a surprise after many people were in close contact with one another.
"We are more out in crowds and going out," says Dr. Raulerson.
Dr. Stubblefield says don't underestimate the flu.
"It's still a very serious virus, says Dr. Stubblefield. Although for most healthy people it causes a miserable illness, but for certain individuals it can cause a very deadly illness."
He says the people with the highest risk for deadly influenza are the elderly and very young people, people who are pregnant, and people who have underlying health issues.
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Respiratory virus activity is surging across the United States. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 40,000 patients were admitted with some type of respiratory virus during the week before Christmas.Thats a combination of patients with COVID-19, flu and respiratory syncytial virus (also known as RSV). CDC data shows its COVID-19 is leading the way, but flu activity is also rapidly rising. Thats why health experts are urging people that vaccination and donning face masks in crowded settings can help slow the spread of these diseases. Here are some things you should know in order to help protect yourself, but also be aware financially of where to spend your money. N95 masks offer the highest level of protectionThe CDC says well-fitting disposable surgical masks and KN95 masks offer great protection, but the highest level of protection comes from well-fitting NIOSH-approved respirators (including N95 masks). Surgical and KN95 masks we found onlineKids KN95 mask (pack of 20) - $49LEMENT KN95 mask (pack of 50) - $20Hygenix disposable face masks - $12N95 masks we found online3M Aura N95 (pack of 20) - $15BNX N95 Mask (pack of 10) - $17Fangtian N95 mask (pack of 10) - $18Check if your mask order is FSA or HSA eligibleYour mask order could be eligible to be covered by your flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA). For example, this link to face masks we found on Amazon had a line under the add to cart option where it said FSA or HSA eligible. Another way you can see not only face masks, but other products that are FSA or HSA eligible is by visiting the FSA | HSA store on Amazon. You can click on this link to be redirected there.Check to see on the product description online to see if you see mention of a box of face masks being eligible for FSA or HSA, and if youre going to a store, check with your health insurance provider before purchasing if theyll reimburse you. The reason why you want to check is that face masks typically arent a returnable item. COVID-19 tests are still free You can get up to eight free at-home COVID-19 tests if you havent placed an order through COVIDTests.gov when the program reopened on Sept. 25, 2023. Click here to see if your household is still eligible to receive free at-home tests. Now if you have already taken advantage of that offer and youre buying COVID-19 test kits online, check to see if they are also FSA or HSA eligible, like face masks. We noticed on Amazon when doing a search for COVID-19 test kits that these kits were eligible. iHealth COVID-19 rapid test BinaxNOW COVID-19 rapid testFlowflex COVID-19 home test kitIndicaid COVID-19 rapid test kitVaccines are available for all three respiratory virusesCNN reported that despite a historic first with vaccines available to protect against COVID-19, the flu and RSV, vaccine uptake remains low this season. Just 19% of adults and 8% of children have gotten the latest COVID-19 vaccine, and 17% of adults 60 and older have gotten the new RSV vaccine, CDC data shows. Less than half of adults and children have gotten the flu vaccine this season.We have, as a population, underutilized both influenza and the updated COVID-19 vaccines, unfortunately, Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University told CNN. But its not too late to get vaccinated because these viruses are going to be around for a while yet.COVID-19 vaccines remain free to everyone six months and older, and most health insurance plans cover flu vaccination without a co-payment. The CDC says private health insurance plans are required to cover RSV vaccines for adults 60 years and older. Most children can get the vaccines free through family insurance plans or the Vaccines for Children program.
Respiratory virus activity is surging across the United States. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 40,000 patients were admitted with some type of respiratory virus during the week before Christmas.
Thats a combination of patients with COVID-19, flu and respiratory syncytial virus (also known as RSV). CDC data shows its COVID-19 is leading the way, but flu activity is also rapidly rising. Thats why health experts are urging people that vaccination and donning face masks in crowded settings can help slow the spread of these diseases.
Here are some things you should know in order to help protect yourself, but also be aware financially of where to spend your money.
N95 masks offer the highest level of protection
The CDC says well-fitting disposable surgical masks and KN95 masks offer great protection, but the highest level of protection comes from well-fitting NIOSH-approved respirators (including N95 masks).
Surgical and KN95 masks we found online
N95 masks we found online
Check if your mask order is FSA or HSA eligible
Your mask order could be eligible to be covered by your flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA).
For example, this link to face masks we found on Amazon had a line under the add to cart option where it said FSA or HSA eligible. Another way you can see not only face masks, but other products that are FSA or HSA eligible is by visiting the FSA | HSA store on Amazon.
You can click on this link to be redirected there.
Check to see on the product description online to see if you see mention of a box of face masks being eligible for FSA or HSA, and if youre going to a store, check with your health insurance provider before purchasing if theyll reimburse you. The reason why you want to check is that face masks typically arent a returnable item.
COVID-19 tests are still free
You can get up to eight free at-home COVID-19 tests if you havent placed an order through COVIDTests.gov when the program reopened on Sept. 25, 2023.
Click here to see if your household is still eligible to receive free at-home tests.
Now if you have already taken advantage of that offer and youre buying COVID-19 test kits online, check to see if they are also FSA or HSA eligible, like face masks.
We noticed on Amazon when doing a search for COVID-19 test kits that these kits were eligible.
Vaccines are available for all three respiratory viruses
CNN reported that despite a historic first with vaccines available to protect against COVID-19, the flu and RSV, vaccine uptake remains low this season.
Just 19% of adults and 8% of children have gotten the latest COVID-19 vaccine, and 17% of adults 60 and older have gotten the new RSV vaccine, CDC data shows. Less than half of adults and children have gotten the flu vaccine this season.
We have, as a population, underutilized both influenza and the updated COVID-19 vaccines, unfortunately, Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University told CNN. But its not too late to get vaccinated because these viruses are going to be around for a while yet.
COVID-19 vaccines remain free to everyone six months and older, and most health insurance plans cover flu vaccination without a co-payment. The CDC says private health insurance plans are required to cover RSV vaccines for adults 60 years and older. Most children can get the vaccines free through family insurance plans or the Vaccines for Children program.
Q: I've been hearing conflicting information about getting the flu shot and the COVID-19 vaccine simultaneously. Is it safe to receive both vaccines together, and what considerations should I keep in mind?
A: Your question is timely and important as we navigate the complexities of the flu season and the ongoing pandemic. The short answer is yes, it is generally safe and even recommended to get the flu shot and the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time.
Both vaccines work in different ways and have distinct components. Extensive research and real-world data indicate there are no significant interactions between the flu shot and the COVID-19 vaccine. You can confidently receive both vaccines during the same visit.
Getting both vaccines concurrently offers efficient protection against influenza and COVID-19. This is especially crucial as the symptoms of these illnesses can overlap, and co-infection is a concern. By receiving both vaccines, you enhance your body's ability to fight off these respiratory viruses.
Combining vaccines not only maximizes protection but also streamlines the immunization process. It's a practical approach to ensure you are safeguarded against multiple diseases in a timely manner.
Before you roll up your sleeves, there are a few things to consider. Always consult with your health care provider before making decisions about vaccinations. They can provide personalized advice based on your health history and any specific considerations. Like any vaccines, the flu shot and COVID-19 vaccine can have side effects. These are generally mild and temporary. Common side effects include soreness at the injection site, mild fever or fatigue.
Getting the flu shot and the COVID-19 vaccine together is a safe and effective strategy for protecting yourself and those around you. Remember, the goal is to keep you healthy and resilient in the face of these respiratory threats.
Dr. Jay Sizemore is an infectious disease specialist with The ID Group and a member of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society.
19:07 (IST), Jan 1
'We are people of action': Haryana CM laments over 2 years of Covid
Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar admitted that Covid has affected the developmental works and the public could have been served better if there was no Covid, adding that the BJP are people of action. "Whether it is an election year or not, it does not matter so much for us because we are people of action and do our work continuously. If we have troubles, they are due to Covid. Because our two years were wasted in that, less work was done. The public could not be served as much as they should have been," said Manohar Lal Khattar. "But the way Covid has been tackled under the leadership of PM Modi across the country is also a big achievement and we will continue to serve the public. In the upcoming election, the BJP will become the most influential party across the country," he added. (ANI)
The worlds greatest mystery started with the worlds smallest change. Probably in the autumn of 2019, almost certainly in China, a few unremarkable atoms on a hitherto unremarkable virus altered and a human became infected with a new coronavirus.
That human infected others. Those others infected more. Until, four years ago, an infectious disease website uploaded a message. Subject: PRO/AH/EDR> Undiagnosed pneumonia China (HU).
In the years since, no virus has been so closely watched. We now know how it spreads, how it kills, how the position of those fateful atoms allows it to infect us. What we dont know, still, is how that first infection happened.
Even as the pandemic recedes, the argument about its origins rages and has become one of
