Coronavirus Alert: November 18, 2021 | Everyday Health

TheJohns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Centermaintains an ongoing count of theCOVID-19cases and deaths in the United States and worldwide. As of 3:36 p.m. on November 18, 2021, the tally is:

Total cases worldwide: 255,439,118 (up from 254,808,807 Wednesday)

Total deaths worldwide: 5,129,932 (up from 5,120,934 Wednesday)

Total cases in the United States: 47,485,434 (up from 47,366,867 Wednesday)

Total deaths in the United States: 768,274 (up from 766,692 Wednesday)

National News

Average weekly cases are up by more than 100,000 over last month.USA Todayanalysisof Johns Hopkins University data on Thursday shows that nationwide cases are above 600,000 per week compared with under 500,000 per week in late October. Infections are rising in 34 states, and unvaccinated people remain at highest risk for infection.

Jobless claims have edged down.美国国务院周四公布的数字of Laborshow that initial filings for unemployment benefits for the week ending November 13 dipped by just 1,000 over the previous week, putting initial jobless claims at 268,000 — the lowest since March 14, 2020, when it was 256,000.The Wall Street Journalsaidthat employer demand for workers is unusually strong, and job openings are near record highs, as many businesses can’t find enough workers to fill the roles.

Doctors are increasingly addressing misinformation with patients.Asurvey released this weekof 3,050 physicians across 26 countries from Sermo, a private social media network for physicians showed that while more physicians are hearing fewer concerns from patients about the side effects of the vaccine now (59 percent) compared with six months ago (72 percent), more physicians are reporting patients are coming to them with vaccine misinformation versus six months ago. In its June survey, 45 percent of said their patients shared misinformation versus 53 percent in its most recent poll. Common patient misconceptions are that the vaccine modified DNA, the vaccine causes infertility, the shot contains a microchip, and the vaccine itself will give you COVID-19.

State Update

Michigan has catapulted to No. 1 for highest case rate.On Tuesday, Michigan became the worst COVID-19 hot spot in the nation, as the case rate rose to 503.8 per 100,000 residents, according toDetroit Free Pressanalysisof data from the CDC. Hospitals statewide said they're feeling the pressure as the number of COVID-19 patients rose nearly 50 percent in the last month. John Karasinski, a spokesman for theMichigan Health and Hospital Association, told theFree Press, “The current growth in COVID-19 hospitalizations is very concerning.”

The flu outbreak at University of Michigan has climbed to over 500 cases.According to ABC News, public health authorities, including investigators from the CDC, are investigating aflu outbreakat the University of Michigan’s Ann Arbor campus in Washtenaw County, where more than 525 cases among students have been reported since October 6. About 3 out of 4 were not vaccinated for flu. Juan Luis Marquez, medical director at the Washtenaw County Health Department, said in astatement”,而我们经常开始看到一些流感活动now, the size of this outbreak is unusual.” Public health expertshave warnedthat thisflu seasonmight be more severe, following last season’s mild flu activity.

The Department of Defense has sent medical staff to overwhelmed Minnesota.Asreported by the Associated Press, Governor Tim Walz revealed Wednesday that the Department of Defense is sending medical teams to two major Minnesota hospitals to relieve doctors and nurses who are swamped by a growing wave of COVID-19 patients. The teams, each comprised of 22 professionals, will arrive next week at Hennepin County Medical Center and St. Cloud Hospital.

Children received the wrong vaccine dosage at a San Francisco clinic.TheSan Francisco Chroniclereportedthat 14 children received the wrong dosage of the COVID-19 vaccine at Sutter Health’s Antioch pediatric clinic on Saturday. They were given roughly 20 micrograms of vaccine rather than the recommended 10. Health authorities are closely monitoring the children and said that they may experience more arm soreness, fatigue, headache, or a fever in response to the dose given. Similar incidents where children have received a wrong dose have been reported in Texas, Virginia, and Maryland. So far, no significant ill effects have been observed.

Florida passed a bill fighting the federal vaccine mandates.The Republican-led state legislature in Florida on Wednesday passed a bill targeting President Joe Biden’s vaccination requirements for private employers,according to NBC News. The bill also bars schools from requiring students to be vaccinated or to wear masks.

Maine has reached an all-time high for COVID-19 hospitalizations.Spectrum News sharedCDC numbers showing Maine hit an all-time high in pandemic-related hospitalizations, after 248 were reported Friday and then 249 reported on Sunday.

Colorado hospitals may hit capacity by the end of the year.The Coloradoanreportedthat hospitals in the state may reach capacity by year’s end as COVID-19 hospitalization numbers continue to increase. In Colorado, the unvaccinated account for 8 out of 10 hospitalized COVID-19 patients and 9 out of 10 who are on ventilators as of Friday. The state recorded 1,476 COVID-19 hospitalizations Friday, marking a rapid rise in the past week. Governor Jared Polis once again is urging Coloradans to wear masks in indoor public places and — above all else — get immunized.

Around the World

Hungary requires boosters for healthcare workers and masks indoors.On Thursday, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's chief of staff, Gergely Gulyas, announced that the nation will make a booster shot against COVID-19 mandatory for all healthcare workers and will require protective mask-wearing in most closed places starting Saturday,according to Reuters. The country recorded 10,767 new COVID-19 infections on Thursday, its highest daily tally since the end of March, and 131 people died of the virus the previous day. The CDC this week raised its travel recommendation for Hungary (along with the Czech Republic and Iceland) to “Level Four: Very High.”

Vaccine and Research News

Mask-wearing is the single most effective public health measure for tackling the virus.Astudy published inBMJfound that mask-wearing is the single most effective public health measure in preventing spread of the virus. Wearing a mask reduced incidence of infection by 53 percent. The researchers noted that further research is needed to assess the effectiveness of public health measures after adequate vaccination coverage has been achieved. “It is likely that further control of theCOVID-19 pandemicdepends not only on high vaccination coverage and its effectiveness but also on ongoing adherence to effective and sustainable public health measures,” wrote the study authors. Results were based on analysis of 30 studies from around the world. “This systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that several personal protective and social measures, including hand-washing, mask-wearing, and physical distancing are associated with reductions in the incidence COVID-19,” concluded the investigators.