Update for 11/24/2023!

Good Morning SARS2PAians!

I hope you had a great day yesterday no matter what your thing is. 🍻 and you have a great and especially SAFE kickoff to this year's shopping season!

There is no new CDC stuff today.

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VOCs

Nationally, HV.1 still at a solid lead at over 24% of random sequencing.: https://ibb.co/p4SRhDk

In PA, JN.1 👀 👀 👀 has already reached 2.44% on the variant chart and has been over 3% as new samples roll in and are tested.: https://ibb.co/MCP7xwK

It was only at .73% a few days ago on Monday, the last time I did this variant thing.

This variant is turning out to be much faster than predicted by some experts. Hold on to your hats quality respirators, folks.

in NY/NJ, JN.1 👀 👀 👀 already at 4%.: https://ibb.co/YLmqz3Y

I'm no expert but...this thing is yikes so far.

Get those XBB.1.5 shots....they will help.

  BA.2.86 has been upgraded to VOI (Variant of Interest) by the WHO.: https://ibb.co/1bWQmhc

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Wastewater

Nationally, levels still rising but haven't been adjusted much upwards since Monday.: https://ibb.co/pv33gh5

Regionally, not huge changes yet since last time. Regions have been adjusted a bit. The Northeast has been adjusted significantly upward, though.: https://ibb.co/ZNSsxCp

It's a volatile time for viruses so keeping a closer watch on this data for the next month or two will be vital.

In PA, levels kinda volatile right now (along with a lot of holes in the data) with everything from waaaay above national levels and climbing (Bucks) to way below (MontCo.): https://ibb.co/8XZX3BC

Harrisburg reports on WastewaterSCAN and levels there are rising.: https://ibb.co/vL2S42J

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A very short update today, so again I'll wish you a very happy, safe and healthy kickoff to the early winter! 🍁🍁❄️

#covid #Covid19 #SARS2PA #CDC #CovidIsNotOver #Pennsylvania #PA #BA286 #JN1 #XCT #JD11 #WearAMask #CleanTheAir #VaccinesSaveLives

Update for 11/20/2023!

Good morning SARS2PAians!

There's no new wastewater for today.

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VOCs

Nationally, HV.1 still holding at over 20% of random sequencing. Concerning variants are still gaining ground and absolutely will through the Fall.: https://ibb.co/yNcHd9V

JD.1.1 at over 3%.
JN.1 almost at .75%.
BA.2.86.1 at around .55%.
XCT, an upcoming concerning recombinant, at .1%.

In PA, HV.1 by far in the lead at 35% of random testing but concerning variants are here (JD.1.1, JN.2) and will probably become more prominent.: https://ibb.co/TrkBKY0

In NY/NJ, numbers similar to national levels but JN.1 already at almost 1.5% and JN.3 over 3%.: https://ibb.co/xMVrnBc

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CDC

Lots of new hospital admits in the Philly/Eastern areas bordering Jersey, the old coal region around Schuylkill Co, on the southwest corner of the state, and along the northern border states.: https://ibb.co/XWVGwgh

Seems the I-80 counties have processed through the previous wave now and are showing a decrease.

Staffed inpatient beds holding very steady except for some increases in Lancaster, Elk, and Tioga Cos.: https://ibb.co/NnZKPzy

ICU beds holding steady except for the southwestern corner of the state and up by Warren Co.: https://ibb.co/Zd4djj5

Lots of increases in C19 ED visits nationally, especially in PA in the past week.: https://ibb.co/LCxYfzf

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Winter outlook

Now is STILL a great time to get a flu shot! The flu vaccine is a very good match this year.

Viral respiratory illness levels are still low in PA but VERY rapidly increasing in the South.: https://ibb.co/5jMY0n8

Hospitalization rates for flu and COVID are holding VERY steady...a few common sense prevention measures like wearing quality respirators will help keep these numbers low through the winter, especially with highly immune evasive BA.2.86.x.y gaining wings!: https://ibb.co/d49ZChN

Remember that vaccines take a full two weeks for optimum protection!

It's especially important to keep babies and toddlers safe as a great percentage of recent hospital visits have been in the 0 to 4 year old range. Babies are especially susceptible to severe RSV. With highly immune evasive BA.2.86.x.y on the way we need to keep these hospital numbers in control so everyone can get the care they need.: https://ibb.co/S7Zzc1N

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Test Kits

As of November 20, you can now get another 4 free test kits by the USPS if you have a mailing address.

https://special.usps.com/testkits

Be sure to check the updated expiration info on the site there as the tests might show as expired but are still in fact valid.

Have a safe upcoming holiday season!!! 🍁🍁🍁❄️

#covid #Covid19 #SARS2PA #CDC #CovidIsNotOver #Pennsylvania #PA #BA286 #JN1 #XCT #JD11 #WearAMask #CleanTheAir #RSV #Influenza #flu