December 30, 2021
If you were fortunate enough to tune out from the Covid news over the holidays, then you will be shocked by the record high case counts piling up in Alabama. In the four weekdays since Christmas, the State reported 1,679 cases on Monday, 3,705 on Tuesday, 5,975 on Wednesday and a whopping 8,526 cases this morning - a five-fold increase in just 4 days. These numbers are surely understated given the shortcomings of our testing infrastructure and the growing use of at-home tests.
Hospitalizations in Alabama have also risen, but more gradually - 878 patients overall, a 54% rise in one week. Hospitals have not yet reached the critical stage but it’s enough that UAB’s emergency rooms are treating 1/3 more patients than they normally would see on a heavy day. “We are approaching the point of being overwhelmed,” said Dr. Bobby Lewis, UAB’s chief of clinical operations.
The Omicron wave arrived in Alabama later than elsewhere in the United States, which topped 488,000 nationwide cases yesterday. In New York City, one in three paramedics is out sick as well as one in five NYPD officers and staff. On Wednesday, the Big Apple reported nearly 30% more cases than its prior daily record …. which was set on December 24. Yet, despite the record case counts, there is also good news - - New York has only half as many hospitalizations as its prior peak in April 2020 and about 70% as many as last January.
So, what sense do we make of the Omicron variant, which is infecting record numbers of people but causes fewer severe cases percentage-wise? First, we must acknowledge that vaccination is the primary reason for the lower severity in Omicron cases. Multiple studies in South Africa and Europe confirm the critical role that two mRNA shots plus a booster play in reducing the incidence of hospitalization. Two more reports released Thursday found the same to be true with the J&J booster. In those studies, the J&J booster was 85% effective in preventing hospital admission from Omicron.
Second, we simply have to do whatever it takes to get more people vaccinated - both at home and abroad. Remember that the virus arose in China, the Delta variant in India and the Omicron variant in southern Africa. The Biden Administration must become more aggressive in making vaccines available to underserved populations overseas.
Whatever it takes. At home, regulatory approvals need to speed up. There was good news on that front today as the F.D.A. reportedly plans to make Pfizer boosters available to 12-15 year olds, beginning Monday. Regulators also plan to allow both adolescents and adults to seek the Pfizer booster shot 5 months after receiving a 2nd dose instead of the current 6 months. Both of these actions represent significant progress.
One of the last obstacles to overcome involves children. The CDC released two studies today which should bolster parents’ confidence in allowing their children to become vaccinated. In one study, researchers analyzed 8 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine that have been administered so far to children aged 5-11. By Dec. 19, roughly 6 weeks after vaccines were made available to this age group, there were just 11 verified reports of myocarditis. Of those, 7 had fully recovered and the other 4 were recovering at the time of the report.
The CDC also looked at more than 700 children under the age of 18 who were admitted to hospitals with Covid-19 last summer. It found that just 0.4% of those children (3 children) had been fully vaccinated. The study also reported that 2/3 of all the hospitalized children had at least one comorbidity, most often obesity.
Whatever it takes. If you are a Crimson Tide fan, as I am, consider this. There is a mask mandate for the University of Alabama football program. There is also a social distancing mandate. Nick Saban has convinced 100% of his players and staff to get vaccinated, and the team is 92% boosted. Coach Saban did this by making known the real-world ramifications of remaining unvaccinated - both to their health and that of their teammates. He has recorded public service announcements and he hasn’t backed down when asked about it by reporters. In a state where politicians love to grandstand, file lawsuits and do what they can to demonize life-saving health protocols, perhaps we should listen to the greatest football coach in the history of the game.
When the Crimson Tide takes the field in the Cotton Bowl tomorrow, rest assured that Coach Saban has done whatever it takes to produce a team that is motivated, healthy and safe. Roll Tide! The totals:
12/16 - 816
12/17 - 908
12/18 - 692
12/19 - 552
12/20 - 552
12/21 - 1,254
12/22 - 1,460
12/23 - 2,060
12/24 - 2,466
12/25 - 2,449
12/26 - 863
12/27 - 1,679
12/28 - 3,705
12/29 - 5,975
12/30 - 8.526