One year ago, the CDC announced the first case of COVID-19 in the United States, a man in the Seattle-area who had recently returned from Wuhan, China.
A year ago, 21 January 2020, the CDC announced the first case of “travel-related” COVID-19 in the United States.
Fitting, perhaps, that today Dr. Anthony Fauci told the World Health Organization (WHO) executive board that the United States would remain a member nation, reversing the action of the prior administration.
South Korea also reported its first case on 21 January 2020. On 20 January 2021, South Korea reported a per capita case rate of 144.2/100,000 and death rate of 2.57. The US: 7,381.9 cases per 100,000 and 122.7 deaths.
On 20 January 2021, the 366th day of COVID-19 in the US (last year was a leap year), we had a seven-day average of 195,000 daily cases and 3,062 daily deaths (Covid Tracking Project plus current ID/NE/WA data, as they are reported a day late by CTP). The state with the most cases per capita: North Dakota. The most per capita deaths: New Jersey.
Johns Hopkins reported a total of 24,434,282 US cases and 406,001 US deaths on Wednesday 20 January 2021. Globally, the report was 96,787,259 cases and 2,055,593 deaths.
21 January 2020
I am getting my first Pfizer shot on Friday. This is the first time that having breast cancer has led to something positive. The vaccination rollout in Washington is flawed, however, because my 86-year-old career Air Force officer father-in-law has yet to hear from the VA. We cannot get him signed up in Snohomish County. The county has public drive-through centers, but little vaccine.s Hospitals and clinics have vaccines, but no (easy) way to push through high numbers.
A report from California illustrates the challenge with vaccine distribution. There are 6.2 million people age 65 and over in California, and officials want to vaccinate 70% of them (4.34 million) with two doses.
[T]he state is receiving about 400,000 doses a week, or 500,000 in a good week. At this rate, it could take until June to inject shots into the arms of seniors (emphasis added).
Hopefully, the pace will pick up. On 20 January 2021, the CDC reported it had shipped 35,990,150 doses to the states. On the 21st, 37,960,000 doses. This is far cry from repeated promises from the former administration. For example, from 08 December:
Brett Giroir, the assistant secretary for health administration, told “CBS This Morning” that the U.S. expects to be able to vaccinate about 20 million people this month, 20 million to 25 million in January and another 20 million to 25 million in February with the Pfizer vaccine and another vaccine from drugmaker Moderna, assuming both receive FDA emergency authorization (emphasis added).
CDC reported on 20 January 2021 that 2,394,961 people had received two doses; 15,053,257 had received either one or two doses. January is more than half-over.
Although the US purchased 200 million doses from Pfizer and 200 million from Moderna, these orders will not be fully delivered until mid-year.
With the increased transmission rates of recent virus variants, such as B.1.1.7 out of the UK, vaccination is a race against time…
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Known for gnawing at complex questions like a terrier with a bone. Digital evangelist, writer, teacher. Transplanted Southerner; teach newbies to ride motorcycles! @kegill, wiredpen.com