AZ Pandemic in Numbers for the Week Ending March 6

 

Here are the Arizona pandemic numbers for the week ending March 6:

Unlike last week (when positive tests showed a very slight increase), this all the numbers are headed in the right direction. However, decreases in cases are notably smaller than in previous weeks, in the single digits or less, even though vaccinated percentages are increasing.  

This is especially worrisome given that Governor Ducey ate the marshmallow on Friday and lifted all capacity limits on businesses. He claimed on Twitter that our mitigation measures are "targeted and data driven," but you have to wonder if this data includes data from the last two weeks.  

New cases per 100K 7-day average is essentially flat.  In the graph below from the ASU Biodesign dashboard, there is continued evidence of a stall in Maricopa County, and perhaps the beginning of a new increase. Also something bad is happening in Yavapai County. Could it be one of those variants got loose up there? Or is this another ADHS reporting anomaly? In any case, I would not look at these numbers and conclude that now is a good time to take our foot off the brake.

Here is the vaccine accelerometer for this week:


Luckily, it appears that last week's deceleration was indeed due to bad weather, and we are accelerating again.  In the Twitter thread linked above, the governor said Arizona is "leading the nation" in vaccination.  That's not true, according to the latest rankings. We rank 14th in any shot, and 13th in both shots. But that makes us above average and that's something to be happy about.

Top Image by Shutterbug75 from Pixabay

Popular posts from this blog

Looks Like Immune Responses are Enduring After All

Image
 For some time, public health officials have fretted about whether immunity to COVID-19, acquired via infection or vaccination would stick.  Studies showed rapid declines in antibodies during recovery from infection and thereafter . It turns out that this concern was overblown. A study just released says bone marrow plasma cells are a persistent source of protective antibodies, and that "circulating resting memory B cells directed against the S protein were detected in the convalescent individuals."   Another study , yet to be reviewed, suggests that vaccines boost this effect. In fact, some are suggesting this situation this could actually mean  lifetime immunity .   Whether the same thing happens with vaccination is not clear. Most estimates suggest that vaccine immunity will last about a year . More pessimistic estimates putting the protection period at six months .  The possible shorter time frame, plus the appearance of the new variants, ha...
Read more

Another One Bites the Dust

Image
Hi all. Stepping out of retirement for a moment to say that the day has finally arrived. After four years of successfully avoiding COVID-19 infection I had a positive test yesterday. Symptoms are very mild—I've had worse colds. The provider at urgent care said almost all the cases they are seeing are the same. Mild symptoms may also be due to the fact that I had the original vaccine then the two boosters. All this time I thought I might be a NOVID —one of those people who never get the bug. But no, it must have been my assiduous mask wearing and avoidance of high-risk situations when things were bad. So here's double middle fingers to all the kooks who think masks don't work (I've not been wearing masks for months now). I don't know what variant I have but it's likely JN.1. It is said to be extraordinarily contagious and accounts for 60% of cases worldwide . It also tends to produce mild infections like the one I have.  This article claims that right now every...
Read more

Happy Inject Yourself with Bleach Day!

Image
  It's hard to believe, but it was two years ago today that our moron of a former president took to a news conference to share his awesome ideas about how to combat COVID-19 infections. He suggested we inject the victims with disinfectant, and put "powerful lights" inside their bodies (somehow) to cure them. Here is a  Sarah Cooper mime  of the performance in case you've forgotten how cringe-worthy it was. His poor pandemic expert Dr. Deborah Birx stood next to him, looking on in horror. She has since said that she didn't say anything at the time because her military background taught her to never make her commander look bad in public. Maybe that's a good reason not to have ex-military people in positions like hers. I say that because when a president says something ignorant there are plenty of gullible people who will take it seriously. Like the people who actually misted their body with, inhaled vapors of, gargled with, or drank cleaning products because o...
Read more