Covid19mathblog.com
Vaccine news on the Russian front – https://apnews.com/article/moscow-coronavirus-pandemic-coronavirus-vaccine-russia-7184b687125e4aa508df230ad130efd1
“Russia faced international criticism for approving a vaccine that hasn’t completed advanced trials among tens of thousands of people, and experts both at home and abroad warned against its wider use until the studies are completed.
Despite those warnings, authorities started offering it to certain high-risk groups, such as front-line medical workers, within weeks of approval. Alexander Gintsburg, head of the Gamaleya Institute that developed the vaccine, said last week over 150,000 Russians have gotten it.”
“Russia approved its vaccine after it was tested on only a few dozen people, touting it as “the first in the world” to receive a go-ahead. Developers named it “Sputnik V,” a reference to the Soviet Union’s 1957 launch of the world’s first satellite during the Cold War.
More than just national pride is at stake. Russia has recorded more than 2.7 million cases of COVID-19, and over 49,000 deaths, and it wants to avoid another damaging lockdown of its economy.”
“Unlike in the U.K., where the first shots are going to the elderly, Sputnik V is going to those aged 18 to 60 who don’t have chronic illnesses and aren’t pregnant or breastfeeding.
Putin himself hasn’t gotten a Russian-made shot yet. The 68-year-old Russian leader said the shots in Russia are currently being recommended to people of a certain age, adding that “vaccines have not yet reached people like me.” “But I will definitely do it, as soon as it becomes possible,” Putin told the annual news conference Thursday.
Its developers have said study data suggests the vaccine was 91% effective, a conclusion based on 78 infections among nearly 23,000 participants. That’s far fewer cases than Western drugmakers have accumulated during final testing before analyzing their candidates’ efficacy, and important demographic and other details from the study have not been released.
Some experts say such efficacy rates inspire optimism, but public trust may be an issue.”
Perhaps some good news from Covid – https://www.upi.com/Health_News/2020/12/16/COVID-19-pandemic-has-college-kids-drinking-less-survey-suggests/9231608136596/
“COVID-19 pandemic has college kids drinking less, survey suggests”
A big death day for the US 3.6K
CA leading in both death and confirmation
LA county leading in death and confirmation – positive is Cook IL has dropped down quite a bit.
Looks like Cook IL has turned the corner – unfortunately LA is exponential issue
US has passed the peak in the fall on 7 day moving average death…now 2569
