U.K. coronavirus variant spreading rapidly through United States, study finds
Source: Washington Post/Medicaloid
February 7, 2021
The variant, known as B.1.1.7, is more contagious than earlier forms of the coronavirus and may also be more lethal, although that is far less certain. It carries a package of mutations, including many which change the structure of the spike protein on the surface of the virus and enhance its ability to bind to human receptor cells. People infected with the variant have higher viral loads, studies have shown, and they may shed more virus when coughing or sneezing.
The authors of the new study urge action to limit the spread of the variant.
“Our study shows that the U.S. is on a similar trajectory as other countries where B.1.1.7 rapidly became the dominant SARS-CoV-2 variant, requiring immediate and decisive action to minimize covid-19 morbidity and mortality,” the authors write.
Masks and social distancing will continue to limit its spread, and vaccines remain effective against it, disease experts point out.
Read more: https://medicaloid.com/u-k-coronavirus-variant-spreading-rapidly-through-united-states-study-finds/
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The numbers are daily new cases, 7 day moving average (which lag a little because it's the trailing 7 days)
It starts rising in early September to Nov 24: 175,550
dips to Dec 1 mini-bottom: 161,247
rises to Dec 9: 210,112
then rises very slowly to Dec 19: 216,706
then falls to a mini-bottom Dec 30: 183,243
then rises to all time peak January 9: 253,958
and falls ever since, latest Feb 6: 121,677.
Daily new cases tends to lag the precipitating event by 1-3 weeks, so they say.
(This in answering a question in another thread about why https://www.democraticunderground.com/100215066650 )
It's really hard to tell because different states keep adding and removing restrictions. For example Minnesota clamped down on bars and restaurants November 13 (first a curfew and no standing or sitting at counters or physical bars), then closed completely November 21, and then opened up for so-called outdoor dining December 19 and indoor dining on January 11. Restrictions on other businesses and activities also ebbed and flowed.
About all's I can say is the common explanation for the rise beginning early September was colder weather and people spending more time indoors. Certainly true of places like Minnesota.
I'm not going to try to adjust the above dates backwards 1 to 3 weeks and then try to find the Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years peaks, if any, in all of this.
The world overall is down 37% since January 11 https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=15068567
The U.S. is about 1/3 of the world's daily new cases
