WTF has happened in the US today?

[Bearbehind]

They’re showing 14,500 new cases today but it’s not on any news I can find

www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/

Yes shells, that was what I was saying.

It seems many countries are automatically counting as CV deaths for anyone who tested positive for it, even if it might not be that that killed them

Germany are apparently doing the opposite

That’s why it’s virtually impossible to compare countries

Two infected cases in NZ were the result of a NZer returning from Germany.

As many posters have said, the figures simply aren't reliable from country to country because of the different variables, e.g. large elderly population, healthcare system, and - really important - the level of testing.

@Lilimoon hydroxychloroquine. It's an anti-malaria drug which is suggestive of helping in Covid19 patients. Early days, obviously.

I wish I was German

I'm part German. But I'm not in Germany....

I don't think it's reliable, we have hardly done any testing.
test all those that haven't already been tested and then we'll know.
It's just guess work, but we'll soon find out.

Friend lived in New York for two decades is in shock friends are buying guns, anti gun folk, she said you cannot shoot a virus, but they are frightened and want extra peace of mind.

I have been watching CNN today and reports that New York in a dreadful state. They say huge numbers infected
but they haven't enough beds, ventilators or anything else.

There is no evidence for hydroxychloroquine, and there have been a spate of overdoses on it in countries where you can get it over the counter.

Testing now and lack of tests or control measures for the last two weeks.
As expected the real number was underestimated and it will become closer to reality with further testing.

I thought Hydroxychloroquine is an anti-rheumatoid Arthritis medication. Chloroquine is an anti-malarial. There is suggestive evidence in vitro (looking at cells in a dish) but Im not aware of any clinical trials in humans. These are two of several pre-existing drugs including an anti-ebola, an anti-influenza and an anti-HIV that are being tested. I think there's some heroic hoping about efficacy in humans. I understand there appears to be lots of people in Nigeria with chloroquine overdoses from seeking to protect from this virus.

They are releasing prisoners because of the virus, they are afraid of looting, NY is scared.

There's a useful thread here with stats and data

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/coronavirus/a3849129-Covid-19-Daily-numbers-graphs-analysis-thread?msgid=94932882#94932882

@justasking111 - they are releasing 40 low level offenders who are in a risk high category. And no-one in NYC is talking about looting just an fyi.

what the hell is the point of them italy juist recording all deaths as cv isnt that dangerous

please dont advertise medicines that apprently help theres no proof itrump keeps saying go and get these meds hes going to kill people

We are buying 6000 ventilators in NYC, and I think before this there were 5000 in the city.

Cuomo anticipates needing 30,000 so a long way to go but it could be worse.

Field hospitals being constructed this week, both at sites around the city and dotted about the state to distribute people.

Companies (that don't usually) are going to make masks and gowns under guidance.

Floating hospital ship the "Comfort" on way with 1000 more beds.

It's a totally shit situation but we are taking steps and there is no undercurrent of fear in NYC at the moment. Yes it will get chaotic and frightening but we are getting ready. All hands on deck.

Good luck to you all. It is a horrible time.

Uk are in 10th spot. Not a top ten anyone wants to be a part of. The USA are in 3rd spot with only China and Italy 10th spot for UK for total of confirmed cases, 7th for new deaths. Only Italy, Spain, Iran, USA and France ahead of us. That is really scary.

That site (which I follow too) is now reporting a more realistic 8100 new cases for the US today. Even that seems a bit high to me as it's quite hard to get tested here. Just be aware that the site has been hacked a couple of times before and weird numbers may not be accurate. A few days ago I went on the site to learn that there had been 550,000 new cases in Vatican City...they fixed it after about 20 minutes.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-51979654

I found the above interesting. It seems to be saying that a significant number of people dying may well have died anyway from other causes? It makes for sobering reading but I was less scared after reading it than before.

Yes but if you order it by active cases per 1m population we are 41st on the list which is also important although I suspect skewed by the lower numbers of tests being performed

It's also skewed by population. For example, Vatican City is ranked 6th - 1,248 cases per million with only 1 case.

www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/22/germany-low-coronavirus-mortality-rate-puzzles-experts

Hydroxychloroquine

I think they briefly ramped up testing in the US but in a lot of states in the last couple of days it has slowed down again.

Not enough PPE to keep the testers safe.

In my state we're only testing healthcare workers and people who are hospitalised. Everyone else is told to stay in quarantine and look after themselves unless their symptoms get bad enough to need medical care.