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Daily Virus Death Toll Rises in Some States Daily Virus Death Toll Rises in Some States
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The daily number of deaths from the coronavirus has risen recently in some of the nation’s most populous states, leaving behind grieving families and signaling a possible end to months of declining death totals nationally.The daily number of deaths from the coronavirus has risen recently in some of the nation’s most populous states, leaving behind grieving families and signaling a possible end to months of declining death totals nationally.
In Texas, officials announced 119 deaths on Wednesday, surpassing a daily record for deaths in the pandemic that the state had set only a day earlier. In Arizona, more than 200 deaths have been announced already this week, and the daily virus death toll in the state reached higher than ever. Mississippi, Florida and Tennessee also set single-day death records this week.In Texas, officials announced 119 deaths on Wednesday, surpassing a daily record for deaths in the pandemic that the state had set only a day earlier. In Arizona, more than 200 deaths have been announced already this week, and the daily virus death toll in the state reached higher than ever. Mississippi, Florida and Tennessee also set single-day death records this week.
Among those who died of the virus in recent days was a 30-year-old man from Nashville who played the organ in church; a 39-year-old mother from St. Augustine, Fla., who told her six children goodbye on a hospital speaker phone; and a 91-year-old grandmother from Dallas, who played a mean game of dominoes.Among those who died of the virus in recent days was a 30-year-old man from Nashville who played the organ in church; a 39-year-old mother from St. Augustine, Fla., who told her six children goodbye on a hospital speaker phone; and a 91-year-old grandmother from Dallas, who played a mean game of dominoes.
The seven-day death average in the United States reached 608 on Thursday, up from 471 earlier in July, but still a fraction of the more than 2,200 deaths the country averaged each day in mid-April, when the situation in the Northeast was at its worst.The seven-day death average in the United States reached 608 on Thursday, up from 471 earlier in July, but still a fraction of the more than 2,200 deaths the country averaged each day in mid-April, when the situation in the Northeast was at its worst.
Some health experts cautioned that it was too early to predict a continuing trend from only a few days of data. But on Friday, Dr. Deborah L. Birx, the White House’s coronavirus response coordinator, struck a different tone than President Trump has in recent days, saying that she expects to soon see an increase in deaths.Some health experts cautioned that it was too early to predict a continuing trend from only a few days of data. But on Friday, Dr. Deborah L. Birx, the White House’s coronavirus response coordinator, struck a different tone than President Trump has in recent days, saying that she expects to soon see an increase in deaths.
“In the United States, we have increased number of cases over the last particularly three weeks,” Dr. Birx said during a virtual panel on the virus organized by the International AIDS Society. “We have not seen this result in increased mortality, but that is expected as the disease continues to spread in some of our large metro areas where comorbidities exist.”“In the United States, we have increased number of cases over the last particularly three weeks,” Dr. Birx said during a virtual panel on the virus organized by the International AIDS Society. “We have not seen this result in increased mortality, but that is expected as the disease continues to spread in some of our large metro areas where comorbidities exist.”
The rising pace of deaths in the Sunbelt followed weeks of mounting cases in the region and suggested an end to the country’s nearly three-month period of declines in daily counts of virus deaths — a pattern that had been seen as one of the rare bright spots in the nation’s virus outlook.The rising pace of deaths in the Sunbelt followed weeks of mounting cases in the region and suggested an end to the country’s nearly three-month period of declines in daily counts of virus deaths — a pattern that had been seen as one of the rare bright spots in the nation’s virus outlook.
That steadily downward trend in daily deaths began in April after states instituted stay-at-home orders and it continued through June after states reopened their economies. The decline had continued over the past month even as cases of the virus skyrocketed in the South and West.That steadily downward trend in daily deaths began in April after states instituted stay-at-home orders and it continued through June after states reopened their economies. The decline had continued over the past month even as cases of the virus skyrocketed in the South and West.
Deaths occur weeks after infections, so any rise in deaths would be expected to come later than a rise in cases. But public health experts said the diverging trends — newly rising cases but still declining daily deaths — had occurred largely because the new surge of virus cases also involved many younger and healthier people, who were less likely to become seriously ill or die. Still, many experts predicted that the declining death tolls were unlikely to last because the young would spread it to older people and those more vulnerable.Deaths occur weeks after infections, so any rise in deaths would be expected to come later than a rise in cases. But public health experts said the diverging trends — newly rising cases but still declining daily deaths — had occurred largely because the new surge of virus cases also involved many younger and healthier people, who were less likely to become seriously ill or die. Still, many experts predicted that the declining death tolls were unlikely to last because the young would spread it to older people and those more vulnerable.
“We’ve always said the deaths are going to be coming soon enough and now they are,” Dr. Peter Jay Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, said.“We’ve always said the deaths are going to be coming soon enough and now they are,” Dr. Peter Jay Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, said.
Dr. David Lakey, a former commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services and a member of a coronavirus task force created by the Texas Medical Association, said it was too early to tell if this week’s rise in the daily death toll in Texas will continue.Dr. David Lakey, a former commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services and a member of a coronavirus task force created by the Texas Medical Association, said it was too early to tell if this week’s rise in the daily death toll in Texas will continue.
He said that reporting delays by officials over the July Fourth weekend might have contributed to an appearance of elevated numbers of deaths in Texas this week. But he also noted that hospitals in the state were filling quickly, a sign that there were a growing number of seriously ill patients.He said that reporting delays by officials over the July Fourth weekend might have contributed to an appearance of elevated numbers of deaths in Texas this week. But he also noted that hospitals in the state were filling quickly, a sign that there were a growing number of seriously ill patients.
But other Texas officials predicted that this week’s higher death toll would prove to be the start of a far larger trend. Dallas County, home to about 2.6 million residents, saw a rise in recent weeks in the number of young people infected and hospitalized. The coronavirus has already become the third leading cause of death in Dallas, after cancer and heart disease. So far, about 436 people have died in the county since the pandemic began, according to data collected by The New York Times.But other Texas officials predicted that this week’s higher death toll would prove to be the start of a far larger trend. Dallas County, home to about 2.6 million residents, saw a rise in recent weeks in the number of young people infected and hospitalized. The coronavirus has already become the third leading cause of death in Dallas, after cancer and heart disease. So far, about 436 people have died in the county since the pandemic began, according to data collected by The New York Times.
“We have the highest number of Covid-19 hospitalizations to date, with a 24 percent increase since July 1,” said Judge Clay Jenkins, Dallas County’s chief executive, who is responsible for issuing health and safety orders to combat the outbreak. “Deaths are the most lagging indicator of the virus so we won’t see any correlation with our current high case counts and record hospitalizations and then deaths for several more weeks.”“We have the highest number of Covid-19 hospitalizations to date, with a 24 percent increase since July 1,” said Judge Clay Jenkins, Dallas County’s chief executive, who is responsible for issuing health and safety orders to combat the outbreak. “Deaths are the most lagging indicator of the virus so we won’t see any correlation with our current high case counts and record hospitalizations and then deaths for several more weeks.”
Some officials have attributed the drop in deaths over the last few months to improvements in treatment for the virus. Doctors have more tools today than they did in the spring, including the use of remdesivir, an anti-viral drug that has been shown to shorten hospital stays though not reduce fatalities.Some officials have attributed the drop in deaths over the last few months to improvements in treatment for the virus. Doctors have more tools today than they did in the spring, including the use of remdesivir, an anti-viral drug that has been shown to shorten hospital stays though not reduce fatalities.
In New Orleans, a city that was hit hard by the virus in the spring, public health officials said that they had seen a steep decline in the daily death toll, which they attributed to increased public awareness, improved medical techniques, and younger patients.But doctors said they were seeing signs that young people were starting to infect their parents and grandparents.In New Orleans, a city that was hit hard by the virus in the spring, public health officials said that they had seen a steep decline in the daily death toll, which they attributed to increased public awareness, improved medical techniques, and younger patients.But doctors said they were seeing signs that young people were starting to infect their parents and grandparents.
“There’s a cavalier sense out there that it is not a problem because these are young people and their outcomes are better, on average,” said Dr. Joseph Kanter, the lead public health official for the Louisiana Department of Health in New Orleans. “These young people have families,” he said. “They have older people that are living in their houses.”“There’s a cavalier sense out there that it is not a problem because these are young people and their outcomes are better, on average,” said Dr. Joseph Kanter, the lead public health official for the Louisiana Department of Health in New Orleans. “These young people have families,” he said. “They have older people that are living in their houses.”
Hospitalizations in New Orleans fell from more than 1,000 in April to 69 on June 20. But they have begun to creep back up, to 125 this week. Most were older, Dr. Kanter said. He said he feared that the city would see a corresponding uptick in deaths in the coming weeks.Hospitalizations in New Orleans fell from more than 1,000 in April to 69 on June 20. But they have begun to creep back up, to 125 this week. Most were older, Dr. Kanter said. He said he feared that the city would see a corresponding uptick in deaths in the coming weeks.
Louisiana has seen a major uptick in cases of the virus, but it has not seen a rise in the daily death toll, health officials say.Louisiana has seen a major uptick in cases of the virus, but it has not seen a rise in the daily death toll, health officials say.
“We’re waiting,” said Sean Ellis, public information officer of the Louisiana Department of Public Health.“We’re waiting,” said Sean Ellis, public information officer of the Louisiana Department of Public Health.
Nashville has seen a deluge of new cases, but daily deaths have only risen slightly.Nashville has seen a deluge of new cases, but daily deaths have only risen slightly.
Dr. Alex Jahangir, the chair of a coronavirus task force for the Nashville area, said that local experts saw a rise in cases tied to bars and parties — and young people — in recent weeks.Dr. Alex Jahangir, the chair of a coronavirus task force for the Nashville area, said that local experts saw a rise in cases tied to bars and parties — and young people — in recent weeks.
Out of more than 13,000 people known to have had the virus in Davidson County, which includes Nashville, at least 138 have died. About 100 of those victims were over age 65.Out of more than 13,000 people known to have had the virus in Davidson County, which includes Nashville, at least 138 have died. About 100 of those victims were over age 65.
If new infections continue to be concentrated among the young, Dr. Jahangir said he does not expect the daily death toll to go up by much. If young people spread the virus to older family members, he said, then the death toll could climb significantly.If new infections continue to be concentrated among the young, Dr. Jahangir said he does not expect the daily death toll to go up by much. If young people spread the virus to older family members, he said, then the death toll could climb significantly.
Updated July 15, 2020Updated July 15, 2020
The coronavirus can stay aloft for hours in tiny droplets in stagnant air, infecting people as they inhale, mounting scientific evidence suggests. This risk is highest in crowded indoor spaces with poor ventilation, and may help explain super-spreading events reported in meatpacking plants, churches and restaurants. It’s unclear how often the virus is spread via these tiny droplets, or aerosols, compared with larger droplets that are expelled when a sick person coughs or sneezes, or transmitted through contact with contaminated surfaces, said Linsey Marr, an aerosol expert at Virginia Tech. Aerosols are released even when a person without symptoms exhales, talks or sings, according to Dr. Marr and more than 200 other experts, who have outlined the evidence in an open letter to the World Health Organization.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles.
A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.
The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.
The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
The statistics mean little, though, to those who have lost relatives to the virus, including some younger people seen as less vulnerable.The statistics mean little, though, to those who have lost relatives to the virus, including some younger people seen as less vulnerable.
Darius Settles, 30, died suddenly last weekend from the virus, one of two people under the age of 44 to die in the Nashville area since the pandemic began, officials said.Darius Settles, 30, died suddenly last weekend from the virus, one of two people under the age of 44 to die in the Nashville area since the pandemic began, officials said.
“It was just really, really shocking,” Deja Settles, his younger sister, said. “I never thought that this was going to hit this close to home.”“It was just really, really shocking,” Deja Settles, his younger sister, said. “I never thought that this was going to hit this close to home.”
Mr. Settles, an organ player at church, who loved going to his 6-year-old son’s baseball games, had no known health conditions and took pains to socially distance himself, family members said. As the pandemic intensified, he helped his father, a pastor, livestream church services for thousands of viewers.Mr. Settles, an organ player at church, who loved going to his 6-year-old son’s baseball games, had no known health conditions and took pains to socially distance himself, family members said. As the pandemic intensified, he helped his father, a pastor, livestream church services for thousands of viewers.
“He wanted to make sure that my ministry was going forward and reaching people,” his father, David Settles said. “If you knew my son, you knew he was life.”“He wanted to make sure that my ministry was going forward and reaching people,” his father, David Settles said. “If you knew my son, you knew he was life.”
Mr. Settles tested positive for Covid-19 last week, his family members said. He visited an emergency room twice for shortness of breath. Twice, he returned home without being admitted.Mr. Settles tested positive for Covid-19 last week, his family members said. He visited an emergency room twice for shortness of breath. Twice, he returned home without being admitted.
A statement from TriStar Southern Hills Medical Center, where Darius Settles had gone for treatment, confirmed that he received care there on June 30 and July 3, the day before his death.A statement from TriStar Southern Hills Medical Center, where Darius Settles had gone for treatment, confirmed that he received care there on June 30 and July 3, the day before his death.
“TriStar Southern Hills is deeply saddened by the passing of Mr. Settles, our condolences go out to his family,” read a statement provided to WSMV News4 Nashville. “Our caregivers spoke at length with Mr. Settles about the risk and benefits of admission versus outpatient management, but he ultimately chose to go home.”“TriStar Southern Hills is deeply saddened by the passing of Mr. Settles, our condolences go out to his family,” read a statement provided to WSMV News4 Nashville. “Our caregivers spoke at length with Mr. Settles about the risk and benefits of admission versus outpatient management, but he ultimately chose to go home.”
Mr. Settles had lost his health insurance when he was laid off from a job in retail during the pandemic, his father said, and may have been reluctant to incur medical bills.Mr. Settles had lost his health insurance when he was laid off from a job in retail during the pandemic, his father said, and may have been reluctant to incur medical bills.
On Saturday, Mr. Settles died at home with his wife and father by his side.On Saturday, Mr. Settles died at home with his wife and father by his side.
Lucy Tompkins and Noah Weiland contributed reporting.Lucy Tompkins and Noah Weiland contributed reporting.