See How NC is Measuring Up A lot has certainly gone on since my last update, but today there was some sobering news and new requirements that I wanted to make you aware of. As we have reopened, there are some states that are seeing a rise in the number of positive COVID-19 cases.
It’s been awhile since my last update. It seems there is quite a bit of conflicting information circulating now. However, there is a need to keep you informed and there are some tidbits of advice that I’d like to offer in the ever-shifting landscape we are having to navigate.
I hope you are doing well during our continued social distancing. The good news is that North Carolina has done an excellent job of flattening the curve so that our hospital systems and healthcare infrastructure won’t be overwhelmed with treating COVID-19 patients. We’ve actually flattened the curve to the point where we probably won’t see a “peak” in cases.
It is time for another update. This past week has brought some new information, but there are still quite a few questions and unknowns. This update will have less of the science aspect and more of the public health aspect addressed as I want to give you a sense of what it looks like our new normal will be going forward.
I wanted to give you an update as we head into the holiday weekend. First, some data: There are now ~1,701,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the world. The total number of deceased people is ~102,800. In the U.S., our total confirmed positive cases have soared to 502,049. New York is still bearing the brunt of this outbreak with 172,358 cases and a death rate of 7,844. We know the death rate is higher as there are many who are dying…
I hope you are all hanging in there doing social isolation at home. For this weekend update, I want to emphasize one message: Stay home, stay home, for the love of all things good and merciful, STAY HOME, please. There have been a lot of changes this week and it’s been a bit of a whirlwind. I’ll try to clarify some points for you.
I feel like it’s time for another update. I’m sad to report that I’m a bit overwhelmed with the information that is coming out so I’m not sure where to start. Some data: There are currently over half a million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the world. (These are just the confirmed #s-some places like us have shortages of tests, equipment, etc.) 190/195 countries are now reporting cases.
I hope each of you made it through the week okay and are settling into the new routine of social isolation. I’m going to give you a couple of updates in this email based on some patient’s questions I’ve received and also attach a very helpful, thorough lists of activities to do to help with the isolation.
I wanted to provide you with another update so you would know what is going on. I’ve been on multiple doctor only information sites as well as following the CDC and WHO sites and some of the local news. As this situation is changing, some details may have changed when you are able to read these updates.
What we know so far about the Coronavirus: The novel Coronavirus started in China in late 2019 (the working theory is that it jumped from bats to humans at a wet market in Wuhan, China) and was given the name COVID-19 by the WHO shortly thereafter. The virus eventually spread regionally and in February 2020 we saw cases extend to every continent (except for Antarctica).