The latest on COVID-19
Widescale serology test started; hospitals describe strain; leaders test positive
The CDC is beginning a study of blood samples to estimate the rate of COVID-19 infections in major cities across the USA over time. It will be done by testing thousands of blood samples starting with stored samples from March. The initial cities are Boston; Los Angeles; Minneapolis; New York City; San Francisco; and, Seattle. Collaborators may expand the study to 19 additional cities.
Sustained surge: Hospitalizations due to COVID-19 increased 16% in Dallas in the past 24 hours. In Arizona, the number of total COVID-19 cases has doubled in two weeks, from 50,000 to over 100,000 as of this week. Miami’s public hospital asked for emergency staffing help as its COVID-19 surge keeps building.
The White House Tuesday took official steps to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization. CNN reports that President Trump submitted a letter to the United Nations that triggers a one-year withdrawal process starting July 6, 2020.
Brazil’s leader announced he has tested positive for COVID-19. He insists that he is “fine” and continues to criticize public health and other government officials who say Brazil should be doing more to thwart the rapid spread of Covid-19. Only the United States has had more COVID-19 cases or deaths than Brazil, where more than 65,000 people have died from the pandemic so far.
Atlanta’s Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced she had tested positive, adding that she has taken precautions consistently and is unaware of how she could have been infected. She said she has no symptoms.
California’s state legislature is on a brief hiatus for deep cleaning, after an Assembly member reported a positive COVID-19 test despite consistently wearing face coverings.
Disinfectant maker Lysol says the EPA has approved labeling on two products as effective against COVID-19. Many other products are thought to be effective but have not been cleared to put COVID-19 on their labels.
That’s it for today. Stay away from strangers!