Welcome to the newly refreshed Key Developments, now published twice weekly and with a broader focus beyond just COVID-19 news. While the content is still heavily centered around the pandemic, we're gradually expanding these updates to cover other significant stories as well.
Globally, there are over 22.2 million confirmed cases of COVID-19. Since last week, cases have surged by more than 1.8 million, an increase from the previous week. This acceleration shows no signs of slowing down. Worldwide, there have been over 782,000 fatalities linked to the virus. In the U.S., the number of cases exceeds 5.6 million, with over 174,000 deaths recorded so far. Tragically, about 1,000 people die each day from the disease in the U.S. The U.S., Brazil, and India continue to dominate global case increases. Mexico remains third in the world for total deaths, with over 57,000 recorded. The global death rate is once again on the rise:
On Friday, 9,985 coronavirus deaths were reported, marking the largest single-day increase since the start of the pandemic. This figure includes 3,658 older deaths that were retroactively added to Peru's official death count.
— BNO News (@BNOFeed) August 15, 2020
Rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts remain significantly elevated compared to pre-pandemic levels. A portion of this increase can be attributed to the pandemic and its associated stressors. Self-reported rates of anxiety and depression are two to three times higher than usual, although the exact extent varies across different populations. Among young Americans surveyed by the CDC, over a quarter admitted to contemplating suicide in the past month:
According to the CDC, 25.5% of Americans aged 18 to 24 seriously considered suicide in the past 30 days. Additionally, 16% of those aged 25 to 44 reported similar thoughts.
— Phil Kerpen (@kerpen) August 13, 2020
With Congress on recess, it seems unlikely that a comprehensive pandemic relief package will pass before September. Meanwhile, there’s still no federal contact-tracing program in place.
The CDC recently suggested that immunity following infection likely lasts at least three months. However, it’s unclear how long or how strong immunity might persist beyond that period:
New guidance from the CDC indicates that immunity after recovering from COVID-19 lasts approximately three months. This estimate is based on antibody studies conducted in recovered patients.
— Aaron Paul Kithcart (@APKithcartMDPhD) August 14, 2020
Saliva-based testing is on the horizon, providing a more convenient alternative to the current nasal swab method. Early reports suggest saliva tests yield similarly accurate results:
The new saliva-based test offers a far less invasive procedure compared to the nasal swabs used today, yet delivers equally sensitive results.
— STAT (@statnews) August 15, 2020
Amazon is relocating some of its Seattle-based employees as part of ongoing changes reshaping urban areas and housing trends due to the pandemic. Processing times for COVID-19 tests are excessively long, rendering the results largely ineffective for preventing further transmission. Tests taking longer than 2-3 days lose their utility, as individuals will likely interact with others and spread the virus widely. Reports indicate that 40% of tests are being delayed, while Quest Diagnostics is striving to shorten turnaround times to 1-2 days.
Supply chain disruptions caused by the pandemic have led to a shortage of pepperoni, which is unacceptable. Here’s the link to the original tweet: Link. In other pizza-related news, Pizza Hut is shutting down 300 locations.
California is experiencing extreme heat, resulting in rolling blackouts affecting millions of residents, including myself, dear readers. While these outages cause inconvenience for many, they pose serious risks for individuals dependent on oxygen therapy or requiring round-the-clock medical care at home. Pandemic survivors reliant on home oxygen systems face particular challenges. Portable oxygen units may become necessary, and affected patients and families should seek them immediately if they do not already possess them.
California teeters on the brink. Forecasted energy demand is expected to exceed available capacity. #natgas $UNG @enelyst_ @weathermodels_ pic.twitter.com/n8bJyhnIBd
— Mike Zaccardi, CFA, CMT (@mike_zaccardi)
As we navigate these unprecedented times, staying informed remains crucial. Keep checking back for updates on both the pandemic and other vital developments shaping our world.
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