This is a case update.  I’ll also give an update on new Omicron variants and briefly discuss a new anti-Coronavirus drug, Paxlovid.

In the US, cases continue to increase modestly, and may have peaked.  This increase in cases are likely due to Omicron sub-variants BA.2 and BA.2.12.1 (more on these later). However, new deaths are still decreasing.  I will caution that a rise in new deaths often trails new cases by 2-5 weeks. For the first Omicron wave, deaths followed cases by 2 weeks, and we are currently 4 weeks in to the BA.2 wave.

In California and San Diego County, cases are up modestly.  Again, new deaths have not yet begun to rise.

New Omicron sub-variants, BA.2 and BA.2.12.1: BA.2 has been well known for a few weeks.  I’ve stated before that BA.2 is very similar to the first Omicron variants, and predicted that it will not have a large impact.  A new variant BA.2.12.1 likely falls into the same category.  These variants now dominate the current cases with 98% of new cases being due to one of these variants. 

These variants are more infectious than the first Omicron sub-variants, but it is still unknown if they are more or less pathogenic.  Viruses tend to become more infectious and less pathogenic over time.

Some Eastern states like New York were the first to see modest new waves due to BA.2.  New York has yet to see a significant increase in deaths.

All this to say, for now, the BA.2 and BA.2.12.1 wave still appears to be somewhat insignificant.

If you had COVID from mid-December to now, you probably had Omicron.  Because BA.2 and BA.2.12.1 are very similar to Omicron, you should not be concerned about reinfection until a significantly new variant arises.  Some people who had Delta have also been infected with Omicron.

Omicron sub-variants get a lot of press, much more than previous sub-variants.  I’ll let you guess why that is. For now, don’t be alarmed about a new Omicron sub-variant.  They will probably all fall into the “don’t stress about it” category.

The pandemic isn’t quite over. If you don’t have immunity, you may want to continue to take precautions by wearing an N95, KN95, or KF94 when indoors in public. Cloth masks or blue surgical masks will not protect you from Omicron variant SARS-2 viruses.

Paxlovid:  2 friends of mine got COVID just this week.  They were both prescribed Paxlovid, a new anti-SARS medication.  The drug is a protease inhibitor, which prevents viruses from maturing as they are formed inside a human cell.  Protease inhibitors do not prevent infection, but they can significantly reduce viral load and improve symptoms.  Both of my friends are doing well now, one feeling significantly better within just 24 hours.  2 people is a very small sample size so this should not be taken as an endorsement. I’m just pointing out that there is a new therapeutic available.

I will point out that Paxlovid is a Pfizer product.  For some, this will cause concern because Pfizer has lost significant trust due to the vaccine mandates and the attending creepiness.

Don’t fear, but be smart,
Erik

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Important Update on Paxlovid, from July 2nd, 2022:

This is a post about Tony Fauci’s time with COVID and the drug Paxlovid, which I have discussed in the past.

On June 15th, a story came out about Tony Fauci having contracted COVID, despite having been fully vaccinated and boosted. I didn’t cover this before since I’d already discussed the fact that the vaccines don’t prevent infection by Omicron variants.

However, something else very interesting happened. Dr. Fauci took Paxlovid, which I’ve discussed briefly before, and became COVID negative. But after his 5 day course, he became positive again with worse symptoms. This means that a standard 5 day course of Paxlovid will not necessarily reduce your viral load to zero, and patients may experience “Paxlovid rebound”. Fauci even claims that this kind of rebound with Paxlovid is starting to be seen as “typical” as more patients use it.

The CDC actually issued a warning about Paxlovid Rebound in May, but it was not widely reported.

With so many rebound cases, it’s likely that 5 days is not adequate to eliminate all viruses from the system, allowing rebound. However, Paxlovid does have side-effects, so don’t take it for more than 5 days without consulting your doctor! Hospitals are now only prescribing Paxlovid to high risk patients.

Whenever taking anti-viral or anti-bacterial medications, always take the full course of treatment. If any virus or bacteria survive treatment, they may give rise to a more resistant strain. Don’t just stop your treatment when you feel better. I take anti-biotics as a last report, but when I do, I take the full course. I even made a doctor give me the full 10 day course when she just wanted to give me a half course!

Just to repeat the point on the vaccines, I still hear ads on the radio encouraging vaccination. At this point, the vaccines are really not doing anything against the current COVID variants. There is really no benefit to getting a vaccine or a booster. If you haven’t had COVID yet, I would simply recommend preventative measures. Wear an N95, KN95, or KF94 mask when indoors in public. Cloth and surgical masks will not prevent infection.

Don’t fear, but be smart!
Erik

Kim Iversen’s more in-depth discussion of Dr. Fauci’s rebound.