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!!! ๐๐๐โ๏ธ
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