Covid-19 News & Updates

[sateeb]

[pharvey]

Breaking News - Updates later from www.theguardian.com

Chinese Tourist in France Becomes Europe's First Coronavirus Fatality

French health minister confirms death of man from virus that has killed more than 1,500 people around world

"Europe has its first coronavirus fatality as a Chinese tourist in France has died from the disease, the country’s health minister confirmed.

The elderly Chinese national was among 11 confirmed coronavirus cases in France, with their death announced by the French health minister, Agnès Buzyn, on Saturday.

There been more than 66,000 cases of coronavirus worldwide, with the death toll passing 1,500."

[HHTel]

with the death toll passing 1,500

'flu deaths in the same period : 60,891

% of deaths in completed cases (recovered or dead) is now 15% and falling.

[pharvey]

with the death toll passing 1,500

'flu deaths in the same period : 60,891

% of deaths in completed cases (recovered or dead) is now 15% and falling.

There was one notable comment today on BBC News. The question raised was exactly the point you are and have been making.

Question: "Why when there are so many more deaths from the "Common/known Flu", are we so worried about the Coronavirus?

Answer: - "The "Common/Known Flu" is and has been global for hundreds of years - whilst no "cure" is available, we have had for many years a "certain" vaccine and treatment and also our own body's immune system against the virus. In the case of the Coronavirus neither is the same - this is the worrying factor. Our bodies have never experienced the virus, so have no natural protection. Neither do we have a vaccine or cure"

There's a reason for the "panic" and it's not just simply making news. Do we also compare deaths due to heart disease, liver failure et. al? If human contact, then HIV cases & AIDS?

I think reported "percentages", "rates" etc., etc. are highly dubious.

[HHTel]

None those ailments, heart disease etc are airborne. The vaccine for 'flu is far from perfect. It has to be modified twice a year due to mutations and only gives protection up to 60%.
If it was perfect then the disease would have been eradicated.
The immune system is pretty clever in adapting. Most people recover from WuFlu producing the antibodies necessary for protection for a limited time.
If our immune system had adapted to 'flu over hundreds of years then the death rate wouldn't be so high.
My argument stands in that you have more chance of catching 'flu and people in the same high risk groups will produce deaths.

[pharvey]

HHTel certainly not trying to argue, your posts have been both informative and interesting - just trying to put my point forward.

None those ailments, heart disease etc are airborne.

Well agreed - I was trying (unsuccessfully) to make a point. Lot's of (pointless) comparisons can be made.

The vaccine for 'flu is far from perfect. It has to be modified twice a year due to mutations and only gives protection up to 60%.

Not sure on your figures, but you are certainly correct that it it is far from perfect. We are nowhere near the same standard with regards to the Coronavirus.

My argument stands in that you have more chance of catching 'flu and people in the same high risk groups will produce deaths

Well yes, as it stands - there are millions of carriers of "Flu"! "Flu" has been around for hundreds of years, Coronavirus not so - this is the concern.

[HHTel]

HHTel wrote: ↑Sat Feb 15, 2020 9:28 pm
The vaccine for 'flu is far from perfect. It has to be modified twice a year due to mutations and only gives protection up to 60%.

Not sure on your figures, but you are certainly correct that it it is far from perfect. We are nowhere near the same standard with regards to the Coronavirus.

New versions of the vaccines are developed twice a year, as the influenza virus rapidly changes

According to the CDC, the flu vaccine reduces the odds of getting the flu by about 60%. But that number varies from year to year and among different groups of people.

'Flu shot this year may not be as effective as usual.

There's more bad news about the flu: The main strain of flu that's circulating right now doesn't exactly match what's in this year's flu shot, according to a new report.

However, the strain in the vaccine may still be close enough to offer some protection, officials said.

There are several different vaccines that offer protection against 3 'flu viruses or 4 viruses. Some of the vaccines are age related and not recommended for certain age groups.

The reason that the vaccine is rarely an exact match is the developers have to 'guess' in advance of how the virus will mutate in the near future.

Vaccines in general are a form of the virus that is actually dead or weakened. The idea is the shot will give your immune system a jolt to produce antibodies that will help to protect in the limited future.

It is possible, according to some reports, that WuFlu will develop into another version of seasonal 'flu adding to the known 'flu viruses from 4 to 5.

[HHTel]

Start of another day in the 'End of the World' saga. Figures updated at 08:50 Thai time today:

China has altered it's definition of cases and now include 'clinically diagnosed cases'

69,268 cases ( up 2,168)

Deaths: 1,669 (up 143)

9,539 recovered. (up 1,346)

Currently infected: 58,060 (up 679)
Mild cases 46,768 (81% of currently infected)
Serious or critical: 11,292 (19% of currently infected)

Recovered or died: 11,208 (up 1,489)
Recovered/discharged: 9,539 (85% of the total with outcome)
Died 1,669 (15% of cases with an outcome) Keep an eye on this percentage.

61,680 'flu deaths 2020

[HHTel]

Of the nine infections in the UK, all except one have recovered and been discharged.

Therefore to date, the UK only has one infected case.

All the evacuees from China have been released from quarantine with no cases found.

[Dannie Boy]

All of this information is readily available across various websites - not sure what is being achieved by reporting it here?

[HHTel]

Lots of people don't bother. For example, Pete and Nereus report many of the major traffic accidents. Saves the rest of us looking.

[Dannie Boy]

Lots of people don't bother. For example, Pete and Nereus report many of the major traffic accidents. Saves the rest of us looking.

That’s true, but the Corona virus issue is everywhere and it’s difficult to avoid even if you’re not looking for it, whereas Thai accidents are often hidden away where you might not look




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[HHTel]

Correct. WuFlu is reported on lots of sites. Many contradict each other. Some even contradict themselves. 'Facts' vary from one day to another. Numerous opinions abound and 'experts' give their own take on the situation. All very confusing but stimulates debate on forums such as this. That's what forums are about.
The obvious answer for you is not to read any reports/opinions published here.

[PeteC]

Note: Due to the volume of stories this epidemic is generating only links should be given going forward unless the story has something in it to make it Thailand specific. Post any personal comment you want to make along with the link.

I go back to the above dated January 21. Officially NEWS is meant to be about Thailand only, any place else in Current Affairs. However, we bent the rules with this one due to the seriousness of the issue.

At this point in time if it's not Thailand related, we need to go back to Title/Link/Personal comments, and let the readers go to the link to read the full story if they wish.

[HHTel]

Point taken.