You can bet the Super Bowl (all the get-togethers and people flooding bars) is going to cause a rise in cases.

You can bet the Super Bowl (all the get-togethers and people flooding bars) is going to cause a rise in cases.

Certainly. But hopefully not drastic. It's one night. Unlike the holidays which were multiple get-togethers over multiple days for many people.

Certainly. But hopefully not drastic. It's one night. Unlike the holidays which were multiple get-togethers over multiple days for many people.

It's one night that has an order of magnitude greater alcohol consumption, food sharing, high fives, and yelling/shouting.

It's one night that has an order of magnitude greater alcohol consumption, food sharing, high fives, and yelling/shouting.
True. That's why I said hopefully.

It's one night that has an order of magnitude greater alcohol consumption, food sharing, high fives, and yelling/shouting.

I realize it's a big deal overall, but there haven't been many interesting Super Bowl matchups in years. Somewhat looking forward to this one, kinda.

As for the decline in cases, hallelujah! I realize the high deaths are expected as they are lagging indicators.

My only concern is that our cases will be overtaken by the UK variant, which spreads much more efficiently, now that schools are opening. Hopefully we can get enough folks vaccinated before it takes over in March.

It's a race against time, and it doesn't seem like we're winning.

I realize it's a big deal overall, but there haven't been many interesting Super Bowl matchups in years. Somewhat looking forward to this one, kinda.

As for the decline in cases, hallelujah! I realize the high deaths are expected as they are lagging indicators.

My only concern is that our cases will be overtaken by the UK variant, which spreads much more efficiently, now that schools are opening. Hopefully we can get enough folks vaccinated before it takes over in March.

It's a race against time, and it doesn't seem like we're winning.

I'd disagree. I think we are doing pretty well in the US. 22% more vaccines coming in next week. As we get more 65+ vaccinated this will wain. Too many doomers out there. We can be positive that we are moving in the right direction. Just gotta keep holding the line.

We reached 500k Oklahomans with one dose. 40% of 65+ vaccinated.

Second part of phase two looks to begin soon as they announce was comorbities will qualify.

We reached 500k Oklahomans with one dose. 40% of 65+ vaccinated.

Second part of phase two looks to begin soon as they announce was comorbities will qualify.
Yay! That group will include my wife and I.

I should correct that. 400k doses in arms with 500k administered. Wording confusion my mistake.

https://twitter.com/davidfholt/status/1357400027837198336

Short update thread from Mayor Holt about how the city is doing with it's pandemic response.

Also, apparently his dad had a positive test result in January, spent some time in the OU ICU here in the city, and was on Tuesday released out to their care. Goes to show that nobody's family is untouchable by this thing.

You can bet the Super Bowl (all the get-togethers and people flooding bars) is going to cause a rise in cases.

I guess a lot of people, especially not so old ones, are confident that COVID-19 won't be a difficult illness to deal with, if they come down with it. Still, I don't think I want to be sick with it even for just a few days.

I guess a lot of people, especially not so old ones, are confident that COVID-19 won't be a difficult illness to deal with, if they come down with it. Still, I don't think I want to be sick with it even for just a few days.

I was talking with coworkers today about this. We are all young but aren’t doing anything for super bowl. We said parties for that won’t probably be much different than what people are already getting together with others on weekends already. People are out and about and hanging with people so I don’t see a super bowl spike in my opinion because of that

I should correct that. 400k doses in arms with 500k administered. Wording confusion my mistake.

We're going to see the second dose administration rate skyrocket this week and into next because this week represented one month since the first mass vaccination of the 65+ group.

I previously predicted we would hit 500k administered by the end of January, but that was when we were expecting the boost of doses from the reserve supply that never materialized because it didn't exist. We should hit 500k this week instead and the rate should increase as Moderna and (less so) Pfizer steadily increases their output.

I'm hoping the death rate from COVID plummets to near zero by the end of this month/beginning of March as the most vulnerable are increasingly immune from the severe effects of the disease.

In more good news, the portal continues to be used, indicating steady demand for the vaccine, and new methods for scheduling at new points of distribution sites are starting to roll out. We can end this pandemic by summer if we stick with it

... We can end this pandemic by summer if we stick with it

Maybe, notwithstanding the huge amount of people that aren't going to get vaccinated.

I'm all for being optimistic, but don't let that keep you from taking necessary precautions. Even people who have been vaccinated will likely need to keep wearing masks and social distancing well into summer.

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/a-worrying-coronavirus-mutation-is-discovered-in-washington-state-but-hasnt-spread/?amp=1

I'm all for being optimistic, but don't let that keep you from taking necessary precautions. Even people who have been vaccinated will likely need to keep wearing masks and social distancing well into summer.

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/a-worrying-coronavirus-mutation-is-discovered-in-washington-state-but-hasnt-spread/?amp=1

Absolutely. Until we have strong evidence the vaccines prevent transmission--and some promising evidence they do is starting to emerge--everyone needs to keep masking and distancing. We've been at this nearly a year now; there's no reason to give up the game just as we approach the goal line.

2,662 new cases today; 7-day rolling average 2,216.

29 additional reported deaths; 7-day rolling average 34.1.

Hospitalizations are 951 (-57).

ICU is 284 (-31).

From the small sample size of 1:

I got the 1st dose of Pfizer on 12/30.
Started having some symptoms on 01/08 (all pretty much neurological, I attributed it to recent medication changes)
I got tested on 01/09 after also having a fever, and got my positive test result on 01/10

Until the positive test result I was around my wife and kids with plenty of close contact, until I isolated after getting test results. Wife and two kids tested on 01/11 and 01/17 and were negative both times. Considering how easy it spreads through families, I feel like the shot helped prevent spread in our household.

I'm all for being optimistic, but don't let that keep you from taking necessary precautions. Even people who have been vaccinated will likely need to keep wearing masks and social distancing well into summer.

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/a-worrying-coronavirus-mutation-is-discovered-in-washington-state-but-hasnt-spread/?amp=1

it will be well passed the summer. I I am guessing until at least spring of 22 and beyond. Listen to the press secretary's comments read between the lines.

it will be well passed the summer. I I am guessing until at least spring of 22 and beyond. Listen to the press secretary's comments read between the lines.
By mid to late summer everyone that's going to accept being vaccinated will be. The two existing vaccines will be added to by J&J and at least one other increasing availability greatly. If the virus crises goes beyond that what will ever end it? If it's still a major problem then will it ever be done unless somehow it kills itself off.

it will be well passed the summer. I I am guessing until at least spring of 22 and beyond. Listen to the press secretary's comments read between the lines.

I do think mask wearing, social distancing, and ventilation (why does everyone forget about ventilation?!?) indoors should continue for the rest of this year, but that doesn't mean things won't get a lot better. I have not gone to any indoor spaces in the last 10 months for more than a few minutes. After I am vaccinated (which I anticipate happening in the next 2-3 months), my behavior will change dramatically. I will continue wearing a mask, but I'll start taking public transportation and going into places again. For example, after I'm vaccinated, I would gladly attend a Thunder game with a mask on.

My point here is that just because some mask wearing and reasonable measures will stay with us, things are about to get better. It's important for people to know that.

I do think mask wearing, social distancing, and ventilation (why does everyone forget about ventilation?!?) indoors should continue for the rest of this year, but that doesn't mean things won't get a lot better. I have not gone to any indoor spaces in the last 10 months for more than a few minutes. After I am vaccinated (which I anticipate happening in the next 2-3 months), my behavior will change dramatically. I will continue wearing a mask, but I'll start taking public transportation and going into places again. For example, after I'm vaccinated, I would gladly attend a Thunder game with a mask on.

My point here is that just because some mask wearing and reasonable measures will stay with us, things are about to get better. It's important for people to know that.
We used to LIVE to eat out and pretty much had a schedule of when our favorite servers, bartenders, co-patrons would be at our regular haunts on which nights. We haven't been inside a bar-grill/restaurant since March and won't go back until this crap is GONE!!! We have been anal about precautions. My wife hasn't left the house except for work. I do anything that requires shopping and with a N95 mask and going through sanitizer like crazy. And we've both had it twice! As I sit quietly at my desk typing this I have to think about breathing, I have a throbbing headache and my heart rate is in the high 90s. Pretty much normal since COVID round 2 in mid-November. I pray daily that the vaccines kill this crap dead. That's the only way our lives are going to go back to anything close to "normal".

By mid to late summer everyone that's going to accept being vaccinated will be. The two existing vaccines will be added to by J&J and at least one other increasing availability greatly. If the virus crises goes beyond that what will ever end it? If it's still a major problem then will it ever be done unless somehow it kills itself off.

I'm trying not to be doom and gloom but even after everyone is vaccinated, these mutations are still going to be a problem. The E484K mutation specifically has been re-infecting people who have previously had COVID and is thought to lower the effectiveness of existing vaccines to as low as 50%. When combined with the other mutations that are making COVID more easily transmissible like in the variants discovered in South Africa, Brazil, and now the U.K., it's predicted to cause another huge uptick in cases around the world over the next few months.

https://www.webmd.com/lung/news/20210202/escape-mutations-may-drive-new-covid-resurgence

I have my doubts that COVID is ever going to "go away" or "kill itself off" but if EVERYONE gets vaccinated and gets annual booster shots like we do with the flu, hospitalization might not be necessary and we will hopefully be able to go back to something closer to normal.

I'm trying not to be doom and gloom but even after everyone is vaccinated, these mutations are still going to be a problem. The E484K mutation specifically has been re-infecting people who have previously had COVID and is thought to lower the effectiveness of existing vaccines to as low as 50%. When combined with the other mutations that are making COVID more easily transmissible like in the variants discovered in South Africa, Brazil, and now the U.K., it's predicted to cause another huge uptick in cases around the world over the next few months.

https://www.webmd.com/lung/news/20210202/escape-mutations-may-drive-new-covid-resurgence

I have my doubts that COVID is ever going to "go away" or "kill itself off" but if EVERYONE gets vaccinated and gets annual booster shots like we do with the flu, hospitalization might not be necessary and we will hopefully be able to go back to something closer to normal.

I really think you're being overly pessimistic. We have basically been living amidst an uncontrolled fire for the last 6 months, but we're close to the burn being under some control. The vaccines have been mostly effective against most strains and still seem to be preventing the worst outcomes (i.e., hospitalization, death). Moreover, scientists are already working on boosters to respond to mutations. I completely agree that COVID will remain a part of our lives for the foreseeable future, but it's not going to be like it is now. Things are going to be much better for a lot of people.

More than that, when someone shares their dreams about getting some of the things they've lost back, maybe don't crap on it. I know you didn't mean harm, but people really need hope right now... and there's really good scientific evidence for being hopeful.

The mutations are also a symptom of the uncontrolled spread: if the virus replicates more frequently, it will mutate more frequently.

Once the rate of transmission decreases, the rate of mutations will decrease as well.

I checked Rt.live almost daily because along with Rt numbers they had clear, simple data and graphs. They recently ceased operation and referred users to Covidtracking.com. Now they've posted that they're closing down March 7. Its getting harder for a simple guy that just wants simple easy to get to graphs to find them. It's almost like these places have decided this thing is over .

2,053 new cases today; 7-day rolling average 2,170.

51 additional reported deaths; 7-day rolling average 36.7.

Hospitalizations continue to fall at 917 (-34). All-time high was 1,994 on 1/6/21.

ICU is 283 (-1). All-time high was 499 on 1/19/21.

2,053 new cases today; 7-day rolling average 2,170.

51 additional reported deaths; 7-day rolling average 36.7.

Hospitalizations continue to fall at 917 (-34). All-time high was 1,994 on 1/6/21.

ICU is 283 (-1). All-time high was 499 on 1/19/21.

Sorry if this has been asked and answered, but anyone know why I am seeing different levels of hospitalizations reported?

See this tweet (https://twitter.com/pmonies/status/1358141539432677376?s=20)from Paul Monies, for example: it says there are 1,015 people hospitalized, after a drop of 36. That's the only number that is different from Pete's post above. I saw another tweet someone from a different report and it had yet another number, but I can't remember who posted it.

Sorry if this has been asked and answered, but anyone know why I am seeing different levels of hospitalizations reported?

See this tweet (https://twitter.com/pmonies/status/1358141539432677376?s=20)from Paul Monies, for example: it says there are 1,015 people hospitalized, after a drop of 36. That's the only number that is different from Pete's post above. I saw another tweet someone from a different report and it had yet another number, but I can't remember who posted it.
Never heard of Paul Monies but he's probably posting total hospitalizations like before OSDH changed the format. Oklahoma Source is doing the same thing so their numbers are a bit higher than the daily report.

Never heard of Paul Monies but he's probably posting total hospitalizations like before OSDH changed the format. Oklahoma Source is doing the same thing so their numbers are a bit higher than the daily report.

He's a reporter with Oklahoma Watch and has been posting the stats for a while now. The site I primarily follow for tracking, COVID19 Projections, matches the numbers Pete posts (e.g., 917 current hospitalizations). I'm trying to figure out where the higher numbers Monies and a couple other reporters post come from.

He's a reporter with Oklahoma Watch and has been posting the stats for a while now. The site I primarily follow for tracking, COVID19 Projections, matches the numbers Pete posts (e.g., 917 current hospitalizations). I'm trying to figure out where the higher numbers Monies and a couple other reporters post come from.
A couple weeks ago the OSDH changed to only report hospitalizations in "surge plan" hospitals. But they still list the other hospitalizations that used to be included in the daily number. They just aren't on the simple posted daily report. Some people posting daily numbers are still adding in the numbers that OSDH doesn't officially release.

2,053 new cases today; 7-day rolling average 2,170.

51 additional reported deaths; 7-day rolling average 36.7.

Hospitalizations continue to fall at 917 (-34). All-time high was 1,994 on 1/6/21.

ICU is 283 (-1). All-time high was 499 on 1/19/21.

Nice to see these hospital and icu number both nearly in half in just 30 days. Let’s half it again in the next few weeks

2,174 new cases today; 7-day rolling average now 2,069.

52 additional reported deaths; 7-day rolling average now 38.0.

1,040 new cases today; 7-day rolling average 2,018.

4 additional reported deaths; 7-day rolling average 36.1.


Updated hospitalization numbers will be out this evening.

1,040 new cases today; 7-day rolling average 2,018.

4 additional reported deaths; 7-day rolling average 36.1.


Updated hospitalization numbers will be out this evening.

Best numbers across the board we have had in a while. Still can improve and hopefully this isn’t just a low case of Monday’s

1,070 new cases today; 7-day rolling average 1,986 the first time we've been under 2K since before Thanksgiving.

53 additional reported deaths; 7-day rolling average still near an all-time high at 38.3. This number should start to trend down soon.

Hospitalizations are 864 (-53).

ICU is 256 (-27).

Another good news day. Keep it going friends!

IMMY in Norman is doing some appointments for people under 65 with comorbities. Appointments might be gone by now but worth a shot if you fall in that category.

https://portal.immylabs.com/vaccine?fbclid=IwAR0ERQ0JAU__wYiYr0ySA9rr_oC0HByl0 0OFNYwlwGTivZ78zpBUfSPHac8

Another good news day. Keep it going friends!

IMMY in Norman is doing some appointments for people under 65 with comorbities. Appointments might be gone by now but worth a shot if you fall in that category.

https://portal.immylabs.com/vaccine?fbclid=IwAR0ERQ0JAU__wYiYr0ySA9rr_oC0HByl0 0OFNYwlwGTivZ78zpBUfSPHac8
I tried. They're full.

I tried. They're full.

I figured. As soon as that got tweeted I knew they filled up fast. I know my friend got one so that is good.

I figured. As soon as that got tweeted I knew they filled up fast. I know my friend got one so that is good.

How are they checking for those with comorbities or they just taking your word for it?
Asking to know if I need to tell those I know trying to get in this to bring documentation or anything

How are they checking for those with comorbities or they just taking your word for it?
Asking to know if I need to tell those I know trying to get in this to bring documentation or anythingOne of the local news channels had a piece about this. The official they had on said they are going to try the honor system and see how it goes. Then if it seems lots of people who don't qualify are skipping ahead then they might require seeing your prescription bottles or a statement from a Dr. or ?

How are they checking for those with comorbities or they just taking your word for it?
Asking to know if I need to tell those I know trying to get in this to bring documentation or anything

We don't know this was a one time thing as they had a lot of people cancel for weather issues so they needed the doses used.

How are they checking for those with comorbities or they just taking your word for it?
Asking to know if I need to tell those I know trying to get in this to bring documentation or anything

From what I've seen, it's the honor system. And, honestly, this is the only way. There's just not going to be resources available to verify claims. Hopefully people won't be jerks and try to jump in front of those with more pressing medical need.

We don't know this was a one time thing as they had a lot of people cancel for weather issues so they needed the doses used.

I figure over the next week and half this might happen a few times. Given the cold weather and the possibly moisture chances…I wouldn’t be shocked if this happens a few times

Question: on the Oklahoma health website they have a chart showing the active case by onset. The higher numbers are obviously the last two weeks as most recover within two weeks. But I noticed there are some active cases going back to June and July???? What clears some of these active cases are these probably in the hospital? Seems like that is a long time to have been considered an active case and not recovered or sadly passed away.
Just was shocked seeing that

We don't know this was a one time thing as they had a lot of people cancel for weather issues so they needed the doses used.
Today's POD opening was a weather thing. The news story I mentioned was about the OSDH opening up the next group in the next couple weeks.

Question: on the Oklahoma health website they have a chart showing the active case by onset. The higher numbers are obviously the last two weeks as most recover within two weeks. But I noticed there are some active cases going back to June and July???? What clears some of these active cases are these probably in the hospital? Seems like that is a long time to have been considered an active case and not recovered or sadly passed away.
Just was shocked seeing that
I'm sure I'e read that active cases are considered 14 days unless it's a hospitalized. So the patients we see on the news that are in the hospital for 90, 120, 180 or however many days aren't recovered until they're really recovered.

From what I've seen, it's the honor system. And, honestly, this is the only way. There's just not going to be resources available to verify claims. Hopefully people won't be jerks and try to jump in front of those with more pressing medical need.

It’s kind of like the universal welfare program issue: you have to realize that some people will always abuse it, but keep going as long as the overall benefit is greater if efforts to stop the abuse would result in fewer eligible people getting a dose.

I think it would be great if we could get these things out to the highest risk people first, but at the end of the day the % vaccinated vs. total population is the most important metric since every person who gets vaccinated is one less person potentially infecting others. So, there shouldn't be a lot of bureaucracy between people and vaccines. The only way we could efficiently deliver vaccines to verified highest risk groups first is if we had a national health care system with centralized medical records.

I think it would be great if we could get these things out to the highest risk people first, but at the end of the day the % vaccinated vs. total population is the most important metric since every person who gets vaccinated is one less person potentially infecting others. So, there shouldn't be a lot of bureaucracy between people and vaccines. The only way we could efficiently deliver vaccines to verified highest risk groups first is if we had a national health care system with centralized medical records.

Is there any evidence that you can't transmit the virus after vaccination?

Is there any evidence that you can't transmit the virus after vaccination?

Yes, there is evidence emerging from Israel and a few other places that indicate reduced or eliminated transmissibility once fully vaccinated. However, what we have now is not conclusive enough to change our current guidelines to wear a mask and social distance even if you or the people you're with have been vaccinated. So until we have conclusive evidence of it--and we should know one way or the other within the next couple months--it's best to act as if those who have been vaccinated can still transmit the virus.

There's a virus thread and a virus vaccine thread. I'm lost anymore because so many vaccine posts are on the virus thread. Either people need to post vaccine stuff on the vaccine thread or lets combine the two and just have one.

Is there any evidence that you can't transmit the virus after vaccination?

Some early studies have suggested people are 90% less likely to transmit after vaccination. So, the news is looking good.

https://twitter.com/pmonies/status/1359533265007357953


Up at an icy Capitol to see @GovStitt sign the first bill of the session. SB 1031 would restore the temporary exceptions to the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act to allow public bodies to meet virtually. #COVID19 #okleg #okgov

Credit where credit is due, the legislature and Gov Stitt have moved very fast on restoring the ability for public body virtual meetings. Does anyone remember how this worked last year, though? Was it also through legislation that simply expired already or was it connected to the state emergency declaration?

1,660 new cases today; 7-day rolling average 1,920.

30 additional reported deaths; 7-day rolling average 35.1

Hospitalizations are 856 (-8).

ICU is 270 (+14).

https://twitter.com/pmonies/status/1359533265007357953



Credit where credit is due, the legislature and Gov Stitt have moved very fast on restoring the ability for public body virtual meetings. Does anyone remember how this worked last year, though? Was it also through legislation that simply expired already or was it connected to the state emergency declaration?

Yes, it was also through legislation last year that amended the Oklahoma Open Meetings Act. There was an expiration date of November 15, 2020, or whenever the state of emergency was terminated, whichever occurred first.

1,677 new cases today; 7-day rolling average 1,762.

48 additional reported deaths; 7-day rolling average still a very high 38.1.

Hospitalizations are 807 (-49).

ICU is 240 (-30).

Is there any evidence that you can't transmit the virus after vaccination?

It's still up in the air, but the CDC does not recommend that you quarantine if you are fully vaccinated and have been exposed to COVID-19.


Although the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission from vaccinated persons to others is still uncertain, vaccination has been demonstrated to prevent symptomatic COVID-19; symptomatic and pre-symptomatic transmission is thought to have a greater role in transmission than purely asymptomatic transmission. Additionally, individual and societal benefits of avoiding unnecessary quarantine may outweigh the potential but unknown risk of transmission, and facilitate the direction of public health resources to persons at highest risk for transmitting SARS-CoV-2 to others. This recommendation to waive quarantine for people with vaccine-derived immunity aligns with quarantine recommendations for those with natural immunity, which eases implementation.

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/info-by-product/clinical-considerations.html

I think the general logic also holds that if the vaccine effectively prevents you from getting an infection, then you are unlikely to transmit that to another person. However, I realize our knowledge is evolving. All things considered, if herd immunity is 60-75% of the population vaccinated, then we should be focusing on that goal. It will never be perfect, but we are just trying to get this thing down to manageable levels like the seasonal flu.

Another data point I don't understand. Yesterday's EOR showed 81 available ICU beds. We currently have 240 ICU patients and the high was 499 a few weeks ago and there were a few available beds reported even then. These numbers don't add up. Same with hospital beds in general.

Another data point I don't understand. Yesterday's EOR showed 81 available ICU beds. We currently have 240 ICU patients and the high was 499 a few weeks ago and there were a few available beds reported even then. These numbers don't add up. Same with hospital beds in general.

Well hospitals and icu are used for other things besides Covid still. So there are people in icu without COVID taking up beds I assume. Or potentially some rooms that had been converted to be icu have been taken offline and not currently set up for icu. No need for surge rooms at this time.