Category: Treatment
Russia: “Moscow” #coronavirus variant – 1,705 new patients, 468 on ventilators, 71 deaths in one city in one day
Moscow has documented 6,805 new COVID-19 cases on June 15. A total of 1,705 people have been hospitalized over the past day. There are 468 people hooked up to ventilators currently, and 71 patients have died in the past 24 hours.
Denis Protsenko, the head of Moscow’s top coronavirus hospital, has revealed that his facility is being hit harder than ever before, with the number of patients on ventilators now beating the record for any other time during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“This is a new illness with new scenarios. We see that the incubation period has become shorter: before, it lasted seven to nine days, and now it is only four or five. The clinical picture has not changed much, but we see that there are patients that do not respond to standard treatment methods of complications caused by the coronavirus,” the chief physician said.
Protsenko said that Moscow has not reached peak COVID-19 figures so far. “I wish we were at the peak now. But miracles don’t exist,” he said.
Photo by Jean Colet on Unsplash
Russia: “Moscow” #coronavirus variant strain announced
According to him, this COVID-19 mutation began to spread within Russia. Perhaps the strain did not originate in Moscow itself, but once in a metropolis, it began to spread rapidly.
The immunologist also noted that there may be an increase in the number of deaths due to the fact that the usual treatment regimens do not work. Bolibok cited the words of the head physician of the hospital in Kommunarka Denis Protsenko, who had previously spoken about younger and more severe patients.
The Gamaleya Research Center noted that it is too early to make official statements on the “Moscow” strain of COVID-19. Dr. Anatoly Altstein confirmed the beginning of the third wave of coronavirus, but it may also be caused by imported strains. In any case, the new mutation of the virus is more infectious.
** No details have been released on the lineage of the variant yet. We are assuming the Russians have already ruled out the Delta variant as being responsible for the upsurge.
Pravda.ru report (in Russian)
** UPDATE 1 **
В столице сейчас наблюдается рост заболеваемости COVID-19, который выше, чем в среднем по России. По словам Болибока, новый штамм и стал причиной роста “ковидных” больных
“Самой главной причиной роста заражений коронавирусом, по всей вероятности, могло стать возникновение нашего собственного, московского, штамма”, — приводит URA.RU слова Болибока.
По его словам, эта мутация COVID-19 стала распространяться внутри России. Возможно, штамм возник не в самой Москве, но попав в мегаполис, стал быстро распространяться.
Также иммунолог отметил, что может наблюдаться повышение количества смертей из-за того, что привычные схемы лечения не срабатывают. Болибок привёл слова главврача больницы в Коммунарке Дениса Проценко, который ранее говорил о более молодых и более тяжёлых пациентах.
Russia: “Moscow” #coronavirus variant -1,705 patients, 468 on ventilators, 71 deaths in one day
Image by Khusen Rustamov from Pixabay
India: lions at Vandalur Zoo test positive for #coronavirus and canine distemper virus
Out of seven samples (four tiger and 3 lions) sent to ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute (ICAR-IVRI) in Izatnagar, Bareilly, in Uttar Pradesh, one lioness tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and distemper virus, another lioness for SARS-CoV-2, and a lion tested positive for distemper virus,” said IVRI Joint Director K P Singh said.
The New Indian Express had already reported that two lionesses — Kavitha and Bhuvana, aged 23 and 19 years respectively — are in critical condition.
India: Neela the lioness dies of #coronavirus infection at Vandalur zoo – UPDATED
Image by Fabio Grandis from Pixabay
UK: Hospice doctor – “Matt Hancock *has* lied during the pandemic – and I can prove it”
Today @matthancock will attempt to persuade the Commons that he's behaved impeccably throughout this pandemic – and that Cummings’ accusations of serial lying are, themselves, a lie.
But the fact is, @matthancock *has* lied during the pandemic – and I can prove it. (1/16)
— Rachel Clarke (@doctor_oxford) June 10, 2021
It is the single most disgusting example of dereliction of duty I have ever encountered in my 12 years as a doctor. A truly hideous gulf between political rhetoric ("we’ll protect you!") and actual reality (we’ll throw you to the wolves). (13/16)
— Rachel Clarke (@doctor_oxford) June 10, 2021
Well done @doctor_oxford. There are undoubtedly thousands more people in Britain in medicine and the care home sector who could tell a similar story but are too afraid to speak up.
Denmark: patient with #coronavirus infection for 333 days that is still ongoing
Here, we report a case of persistent SARS-CoV-2 infection in an immunocompromised patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), asymptomatically carrying infectious SARS-CoV-2 at day 197 post diagnosis. Viral sequencing showed accumulation of mutations over time and indicated major changes in the spike protein, temporally associated with convalescent plasma treatment… Virus eradication is thus far unsuccessful, as weekly performed RT-PCR tests remain positive for SARS-CoV-2, with the last sample acquired on day 333 just prior to submission of this report.
Study paper: Persistent SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Immunocompromised Host Displaying Treatment Induced Viral Evolution
India: zoo worker tests a white tiger for #coronavirus at Ranchi Zoo
All 21 felines in Jharkhand’s Ranchi Zoo – right from 1.3 years tiger cubs to 14-year-old Mallik- are undergoing Covid-19 test to rule out chances of infection in the wake of death of tiger Shiva down with fever for three days, an official said Saturday.
The decision for mandatory Covid test of felines was taken amid coronavirus scare though 10-year-old tiger Shiva, who died Thursday night tested negative in RAT but results of RT-PCR are awaited.
Shiva, suffering from high fever since Tuesday, had left eating and had barely touched the chicken soup it was offered during the sickness before it succumbed to death.
Preprint: Persistent #coronavirus infection and intra-host evolution in association with advanced HIV infection
“Here we present a case of prolonged infection of greater than 6 months with shedding of high titer SARS-CoV-2 in an individual with advanced HIV and antiretroviral treatment failure. …Through whole genome sequencing at multiple time-points, we demonstrate the early emergence of the E484K substitution associated with escape from neutralizing antibodies, followed by other escape mutations and the N501Y substitution found in most variants of concern.”
Preprint: Persistent SARS-CoV-2 infection and intra-host evolution in association with advanced HIV
infection
Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash
Bahrain & UAE: Pfizer vaccine used as booster shot after two doses of Sinopharm
UAE and Bahrain continue to inject Pfizer vaccine to boost immunity for those who have received two full doses of Sinopharm from China.
These two Gulf countries have vaccinated the majority of the population with Covid-19, mainly with a vaccine manufactured by China National Pharmaceutical Corporation (Sinopharm).
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has administered more than 13 million doses of the vaccine to a population of more than 9.7 million, while Bahrain has injected at least 1.7 million doses, or 54.1% of the population.
However, Bahrain is now fighting the biggest wave of infections since the beginning of the pandemic, while the UAE is recording almost twice as many nCoV infections as it did seven months ago.
This fact forced the two countries to decide to give Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine as a “booster dose” for those who have had two full doses of Sinopharm.
VNExpress.net report (in Vietnamese)
Bahrain: #coronavirus cases surge to new high despite 40% of population being fully vaccinated
Photo by Charles-Adrien Fournier on Unsplash
India: Neela the lioness dies of #coronavirus infection at Vandalur zoo – UPDATED
A 9-year-old lioness has died of suspected Coronavirus infection at the Arignar Anna Zoological Park in Vandalur, on the outskirts of the Indian city. Nine more lions have also tested positive.
According to a release from the zoo, five lions housed in Animal House 1 of the Safari Park area reported anorexia (loss of appetite) and occasional coughing. The in-house veterinary team took immediate action to investigate and treat the animals as per protocol.
One lioness, (Neela, Female, Age 9 years) housed in Animal House no 2 at the Safari area of the zoo died on June 3, at around 6.15 p.m. The said lioness had been asymptotic and showed some nasal discharge only the day before and had been symptomatically treated immediately.
India: second lion dies of #coronavirus at Vandalur Zoo near Chennai
** Update 5th June 2021
CDC: possible reverse zoonosis in Michigan mink farm #coronavirus outbreak
Photo by Sneha Cecil on Unsplash
USA: Two lionesses test positive for #coronavirus in Pittsburgh Zoo, Pennsylvania
Two female lions at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 in people. Both lions were displaying clinical signs of occasional coughing and diarrhea but were otherwise normal. However, positive cases at other zoos prompted the veterinary team to test all six animals out of an abundance of caution, even though four of the lions were reportedly healthy. The Pittsburgh Zoo has been closely following CDC guidelines and have been in close contact with experts who have been monitoring and testing for this disease.
Photo by Daley van de Sande on Unsplash
USA: Three Malayan tigers test positive for #coronavirus in Virginia
Stubbley and Osceola, the Virginia Zoo’s two Malayan tigers have tested positive for COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) upon preliminary testing. Confirmatory testing is currently underway. The Animal Care Team first observed mild respiratory symptoms including a dry cough and wheezing in the tigers last week which were consistent with previous cases of COVID-19 in big cats diagnosed with the virus at other zoological institutions. Because of this, both the tigers were tested out of an abundance of caution. Our third tiger, Christopher, has since developed mild respiratory symptoms and samples from him are being submitted for diagnostics.
Although, there is no indication at this time that humans are at risk of catching this disease from big cats all three tigers are currently off exhibit. The Zoo’s tiger exhibit is also significantly distanced from visitor pathways. The closest contact a visitor could have to the animal is more than 40 feet. The close viewing areas of the tigers, such as their pool or cave, are completely enclosed by glass and rock work. The Zoo is confident that there would be no opportunity to transmit the virus from the tigers to a visitor.
USA: Asian Small-Clawed Otters test positive for #coronavirus In Georgia
The Georgia Aquarium announced on April 18th 2021 that several of its Asian small-clawed otters had tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19. The animals’ caretakers were tipped off when the otters showed symptoms like sneezing, lethargy and coughing. The aquarium is not certain as to how the otters caught the virus, but the statement suggests that a staff member with an asymptomatic infection transmitted it to the otters.
“Our Asian small-clawed otters are under very close monitoring by veterinarians and animal care team members. They have displayed only mild symptoms and we expect them all to make a full recovery,” says Tonya Clauss, the aquarium’s vice president of animal and environmental health, in the statement. “We are providing supportive care as needed so they can eat, rest and recover.”
Georgiaaquarium.org press release
CDC: possible reverse zoonosis in Michigan mink farm #coronavirus outbreak
Finland: 80% vaccine breakthrough in hospital with B16172 Delta #coronavirus variant – PPE no longer effective
In Kanta-Häme hospital epidemic, about 80% of those infected with corona have received at least the first dose of vaccine. The [Delta] variant of the coronavirus has been revealed to be the cause of the hospital epidemic. “The [B.1.617.2 Delta variant] is very easily spread.” says Chief Physician of the Kanta-Häme Hospital District Sally Leskinen. According to Leskinen, it is worrying that the precautions that have stopped the spread of previous virus variants in hospitals have not been effective enough now. “The fact that the surgical mask has been used in all situations and that patients with symptoms of infection have extensive protective equipment is not enough now,” says Leskinen.
The coronavirus epidemic has spread from Hämeenlinna to Kanta-Häme Central Hospital to health center hospitals in Hämeenlinna, Riihimäki and Forssa. There are a total of 80 infected in the chains. Hämeenlinna Central Hospital has two infection chains with a total of more than 50 infections. In addition, Riihimäki Hospital has a chain of 30 infections.
“The virus is easily infected. In those wards where infections occurred before the first cases occurred and the chains of infection were curtailed, 40 percent of patients have become infected,” says Sally Leskinen. Now the spread has been stopped and no new surprising infections have been detected in hospitals. Family members of nursing staff have also become infected, which in turn has caused extensive exposure situations in schools.
The majority of nursing staff have already received two coronary vaccinations, but still in Kanta-Häme, 11 per cent of the staff of the hospital epidemic outpatient department have been infected. About half of the infected nursing staff have had symptoms, some of them more severe.
HS.fi report (in Finnish)
Helsinki Times report (In English)
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Finland: Healthcare worker PPE guidance upated following Delta variant outbreak in hospitals
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India: The condition of two #coronavirus positive lionesses at Etawah Lion Safari deteriorates
The condition of two lionesses at Etawah Lion Safari who had tested positive for Covid-19 is not getting any better, claimed officials adding that they haven’t eat their food for a few days as well. While giving information about the health of the two lionesses, KK Singh, director of Etawah Safari Park, said that both have stopped taking food, hence soup is being given to them in addition to glucose on the advice of doctors and experts called by Safari management.
Both the lioness have not been eating food for the last 10 days and are consuming only water and soup. Glucose is also being administered to them along with medicines at the animal hospital in Etawah Lion Safari.
UPDATE 21 May 2021:
Four more Etawah Safari employees have been found corona infected. All have been sent to isolation. At the same time, Corona infected lioness Jennifer and Gauri’s condition is stable. However, lionesses have not yet started taking food.
The corona examination of the employees was conducted two days before in Safari. All the negatives were found in the antigen test, but in the RTPCR report that came out on Friday, four employees were found infected. At the same time, both sick lionesses are also being monitored in Safari hospital.
See also: Rajasthan: ‘Lion’ Tripura becomes corona positive
See also: Thiruvananthapuram loses two big cats in one day
India: two lionesses at Etawah safari park test positive for #coronavirus
Image by Julian_Hamburg from Pixabay