onePCP

Practice updates and advisories. Will try to post information beyond what is broadcast in mainstream media. Tweets are not-endorsements/opinions.

[onePCP @OnePrimaryCare]

Our practice is seeing a big uptick in COVID cases this week. It is wise to take enhanced precautions in light of this possible wave of COVID. Those at risk of moderate to severe COVID or at high risk for exposure should consider booster shots if > 4 mos since last booster

[Eric Topol @EricTopol]

New: @CDCgov today first data on Omicron booster protection "A third dose of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna shots was 90% effective at preventing hospitalization, and 82% in preventing a trip to the emergency room"
https://t.co/Xnsw3F6yFM by @bylenasun @JoelAchenbach

[onePCP @OnePrimaryCare]

FYI, the government waited until after Omicron peaked to distribute test kits and N95 masks. There are approximately 737 Million N95 masks that have been sitting in the national stockpile. Important to think critically about all gov health decisions. https://t.co/BhKUYtfKku

[onePCP @OnePrimaryCare]

Growing evidence that Covid case rates peaked ~ Jan 12th in Florida (and several other states). It will take ~ 3-4 additional weeks to descend the curve and achieve a low-case rate environment. We encourage our patients to continue escalated precautions until then.

[Emily Kopp @emilyakopp]

Computational biologist estimates 5-10% of Americans are COVID positive.

[onePCP @OnePrimaryCare]

Vaccines have saved countless lives. However, a healthy debate about safety/efficacy should be encouraged to ensure we hold scientists, politicians, media, and corporations to the highest standards possible.

[onePCP @OnePrimaryCare]

Conflict of interest between policy makers and corporations drive vaccine hesitancy. FDA commissioners are pretty much guaranteed high paying positions in the pharmaceutical industry upon retirement. This incentive can easily influence decision making.

[onePCP @OnePrimaryCare]

On a similar note, the CDC overestimated the cases of Omicron which led to reduced availability of monoclonal antibody treatment (most are ineffective for Omicron). Now we know there are still a fair number of serious Delta cases that would benefit from these antibodies.

[onePCP @OnePrimaryCare]

Just one of many actions taken that raises serious questions about how the pandemic is being managed and the motives of those in charge.

[Dr. Alison Galvani @Alison_Galvani]

Just a reminder that Abbott destroyed inventory of their #COVID tests this past summer when sales dwindled. The company thought the tests were worth less than the space to store them 😞

https://t.co/ZB2FepNAem

[onePCP @OnePrimaryCare]

Vaccines clearly do not prevent disease transmission / risk of infection from Omicron as they did with previous variants.

[onePCP @OnePrimaryCare]

Local hospital resources are increasingly strained as COVID admissions rise due to high case count. Cases appear less severe. Physician/nursing staffing shortages at levels not seen before. ~ 70% of hospitalized COVID patients are vaccinated.

[onePCP @OnePrimaryCare]

Correct, ~ 70%. Presumably represents high-risk patients with breakthrough infections. Local population is elderly but highly vaccinated so there is a greater pool of vaccinated people that are at risk for hospitalization. I believe ratios were reversed during the Delta wave

[onePCP @OnePrimaryCare]

This is clearly an economic decision and not based on science. Massive deficiency in healthy policy leadership continues. 7-10 days seems most appropriate, especially in light of how contagious Omicron is.

[CNN @CNN]

JUST IN: The CDC shortened the recommended times that people should isolate when they've tested positive for Covid-19 from 10 days to five days if they don't have symptoms -- and if they wear a mask around others for at least five more days. https://t.co/qmyXl13vBZ

[onePCP @OnePrimaryCare]

We are still in the midst of a severe Omicron outbreak. Approximately 10% of the practice has been infected in the last 2 weeks; all cases mild to moderate. No hospitalizations. Testing resources are becoming increasingly limited.

[onePCP @OnePrimaryCare]

Unclear when Pfizer anti-COVID pill Paxlovid will become available. It will be for patients diagnosed with COVID and should not be prescribed to have “on-standby” until supplies are sufficient.

[onePCP @OnePrimaryCare]

Expectation is that this wave peaks in 2-3 weeks. The faster the rise, the faster/sooner the fall in cases. This seems to be the pattern in South Africa, but remains too early to tell.

[onePCP @OnePrimaryCare]

Massive increase in cases nationwide, including Florida. Our practice has had ~ 10 COVID cases since the Omicron outbreak; all cases mild to date. Many more have been exposed. Not clear that vaccines are preventing transmission any longer.

[onePCP @OnePrimaryCare]

Monoclonal antibody therapy currently available is ineffective against Omicron and is being discontinued at many sites. One formulation from GlaxoSmithKline is effective against Omicron but is in extremely limited supplies nationwide.

[onePCP @OnePrimaryCare]

CDC reports 95% of all COVID cases in our region is caused by Omicron. Local hospital admissions are increasing but remain at manageable levels.

[STAT @statnews]

#Omicron is now the most common variant in the U.S.

See the case counts where you are with our #COVID19 tracker here: https://t.co/oNWpfu1Baw