Three Things Thursday highlights three things I am paying attention to as an epidemiologist each week.
This week the news continues to be about COVID and most of it is good(ish) news. The amount of virus in the wastewater across the country is either plateauing or decreasing.
Additionally, the number of patients visiting the ED with COVID decreased (by nearly 20%) over the past week. The rate at which COVID hospitalizations are increasing is slowing. Last week, COVID hospitalizations increased by more than 9%; this week there was less than an 8% increase. Both of these are signs that the summer uptick in cases and hospitalizations is coming down.
Additionally, this week we learned that another round of free COVID tests will be made available and that COVID antivirals are effective against the currently circulating variants. We have also learned that the majority of American adults do intend to get their COVID booster this fall.
More on all three below…
Hoping this post helps to educate and empower you
to be healthy and create healthy communities.
Free COVID Tests
Yesterday President Biden announced that each household in the US will be able to get another set of rapid COVID tests. According to COVID.gov, everyone can place an order to receive four more free COVID-19 rapid tests delivered directly to their home.
Orders can be placed beginning Monday, September 25 through COVID.gov.
Additionally, the website has a link to report a positive COVID test. If you do test positive at home, please take a moment (while you are isolating) to report your positive test. This will provide important data to those of us who are trying to capture the amount of illness/virus in our communities.
COVID Antivirals Are Effective
Two studies published today (understand why this is coming at you so late on a Thursday night?!?!) found that COVID antivirals, Paxlovid and molnupiravir are effective at preventing deaths and hospitalizations caused by the Omicron variant.
The first study, published in JAMA Network Open, followed nearly 69,000 individuals and found that both Paxlovid and molnupiravir could be used to treat nonhospitalized patients at risk of developing severe COVID. According to the study authors —
"These findings suggest that the use of either nirmatrelvir (aka Paxlovid) or molnupiravir is associated with reductions in mortality and hospitalization in patients infected with Omicron, regardless of age, race and ethnicity, virus strain, vaccination status, previous infection status, or coexisting conditions. Both drugs can, therefore, be used to treat nonhospitalized patients who are at high risk of progressing to severe COVID-19.”
The second study completed by researchers in Hong Kong followed nearly 75,000 individuals and found similar results. Namely compared with molnupiravir use, Paxlovid recipients had lower risks of all-cause death and hospitalizations.
This is important news as we head into COVID-flu-RSV season. Not only do we have safe and effective vaccines, but we also have safe and effective treatments for when we do get sick. Please note — if you are under 50 years old and healthy, you will (most likely) not be eligible for treatment with Paxlovid.
Majority of Americans Do Plan to Get the COVID Booster
Two polls completed this week (one by Reuters and the other by Politico) both found that the majority of Americans are planning to get a COVID booster this fall (a substantial increase from the number of individuals who got a booster in Fall 2022).
The results from the Politico poll show that — political party is a huge determinant of whether or not one is going to get a booster this fall.
The Reuters poll also found a political divide. Additionally, this poll found that the majority of individuals who do NOT plan to get a booster shot still believe that the vaccine is dangerous.
The amount of misinformation and disinformation circulating is scary.1
At the risk of sounding repetitive — the COVID booster is safe & effective.
It is not perfect. Nor is the vaccine (or ANY MEDICATION) 100% risk-free.
We should all get vaccinated because the benefits of the vaccine FAR outweigh the risks of not getting vaccinated. Vaccinations are not a form of behavioral control. They are a recommended form of primary prevention; aimed at helping you, your loved ones, and communities to be healthy.
As I have written previously, you all might be surprised to know that I was a wreck at my daughter’s two-month check-up with the pediatrician (in 2008) where she received four vaccinations. Despite years of training in epidemiology and several years working in public health (advocating for vaccines), it was hard signing the consent forms and permitting them to jab her four times in your super skinny legs. I kept repeating to myself - I don’t want her to get polio; she could die from whooping cough; diphtheria is a terrible disease that will kill her - over and over throughout the appointment.
While it was hard listening to her cries during this set of vaccinations and all those that would follow, each of these shots provided her with protection against deadly diseases. This is primary public health prevention — where we prevent a disease from occurring before you are exposed to or have the potential of developing that disease. Vaccines are one the best and most efficient forms of primary prevention — right up there with safe drinking water, clean air, access to health care, and shelter.
We do not mindlessly get vaccinated. Nor are we expected to not weigh the risks and benefits. This is not a form of behavior control.
This is public health.
This is how we create healthy communities.
This is how we love those who need bubbles of immunity to surround them.
This is public health.
Questions? Need more info about free COVID tests or antivirals? Or want to know more about vaccine safety or my experience vaccinating my children?
And be sure to share this post with your friends and family. We are all public health.
You are all responsible for working to end the epidemic of misinformation that is plaguing our society (do you see the pun there?!? I can be funny). You have the responsibility to check your sources, ask questions, and never spread information you do not understand on social media or with your friends. Seek out the truth; share it with conviction.
“Majority of Americans plan on getting the booster”😂😂😂 talk about misinformation