#Variant update for #Ontario, #Canada (up to Dec. 26, 2023)
The BA.2.86.* #Pirola clan of variants is now the majority of sequences at 56%. JN.1 "Pirola" has taken 1st place at 38% with HV.1 #Eris down to 18%. The next closest is JG.3.2 "Eris" at 7%. Graph tools by @mike_honey_ 🧵 1/
The one page easier to share version of this thread can be found at: https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1743652837102354561.html
Public Health Ontario got rid of their COVID data tool and replaced it with a respiratory virus tool making some of the previously reported data no longer available.
They are now using the "viral season" calendar instead of year and only producing hospitalization rates by age group for entire viral seasons. I finally got around to making these stats (along with death rate). 3/
This tool provides comprehensive epidemiological information of respiratory virus activity in Ontario, including COVID-19, influenza and other respiratory viruses. Explore case trends, laboratory testing, and outbreaks, as well as COVID-19 outcomes and vaccination.
There are a lot of people who are sick right now, and with multiple viruses circulating if you get a negative result on a rapid test (RAT) it might be tempting to think you only have a cold.
It is important to remember a recent study found that half of people's COVID-19 viral loads peaked on day 4 of symptoms so you may not test positive on a rapid test in the first few days ( https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/evolving-peak-sars-cov-2-loads-relative-symptom-onset-may-influence-home-test-timing ). 7/
COVID-19: FDA updates advice on rapid test (RAT) usage at home A couple of weeks ago the FDA released updated guidance on taking multiple rapid antigen tests (RAT) at home to reduce the risk of false negatives ( ). 🧵1/
If you do test positive for COVID-19 or suspect you might be infected, the Salisbury Hospital advises that mouth/oral care is very important as research has demonstrated the mouth is a reservoir for the virus and a site where it replicates.
Research also suggests the virus could pass from saliva into the blood vessels of the mouth and travel to the lungs or heart via the bloodstream. The COVID-19 mouth care guide available from Salisbury Hospital here ( https://www.salisbury.nhs.uk/coronavirus/covid-19-mouth-care/ ). 10/
Wow. Tricky & not a clean move. Before, both the reported Covid & Flu hospitalizations numbers didn’t include incidentals. Now Flu includes incidentals Covid doesn’t So they can’t be compared 🍎to🍏anymore The false narrative “flu worse than COVID, TBH” can be spread wildly 🥳/s
The visualization tool for variants was created by @mike_honey_ ( https://app.powerbi.com/view?r=eyJrIjoiNzE5YzczODItMDQzMS00M2EzLWFjNWYtMjg3OTY3NTNhZDM3IiwidCI6ImRjMWYwNGY1LWMxZTUtNDQyOS1hODEyLTU3OTNiZTQ1YmY5ZCIsImMiOjEwfQ%3D%3D ).
To learn how to see what variants are circulating in your area, please read this guide ( https://mstdn.science/@jeffgilchrist/110203494274348811 ). 13/
@jeffgilchrist Thank you for this!!
I've tried CPC mouthwash before, and after a couple of days I started to get fairly painful mouth irritation, so I stopped using it. I wonder if there's different "strengths" of it. Maybe I'll look into that and see about trying again...
Do you know where we can get similar information in the U.S.?
@carolinthegarden I'm not sure but would guess it spreads out and provides more chances throughout the day to clean out the mouth?
Here is the thread the Dr. from Salisbury wrote about this ( https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1579972594320945152.html ) and also a newer one from him about why this is important ( https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1725557784752619633.html ).
@jeffgilchrist
They're recreating the Nonoxynol-9 catastrophe all over again.
If they are correct that SARS-CoV-2 can enter the bloodstream via lesions in the mouth, leading to vascular COVID infection, then brushing the teeth (and maybe some mouthwash!) would be contraindicated in people who already have gum disease. Toothbrushing reduces lesions in the mouth due to gum disease only long-term, in the short term it exacerbates them.
This is a textbook example of why RCTs are necessary.
that's some scary shit. Passing the chart onto my FB page. Thanks for posting this. carry on
Jeff Gilchrist
neutron_chick
Lynne Jackier
Carol LK
Siderea, Sibylla Bostoniensis
Humble Fan of Atty. Woo