# Coronavirus COVID-19 (2019-nCoV) Thread - 2021 Breaking News **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [January 1, 2021, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428 "2021-01-01T08:03:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 167
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2021, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/3410 "2021-12-23T02:19:18Z")
277,513,180 total cases 5,393,128 dead 248,601,766 recovered In the US: 52,506,200 total cases 832,939 dead 40,908,146 recovered Yesterday’s numbers for comparison: > [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > 275,815,751 total cases > 5,377,162 dead > 247,498,676 recovered > > In the US: > > 52,059,667 total cases > 828,836 dead > 40,719,047 recovered ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2021, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/3411 "2021-12-23T02:25:02Z")
4103 dead in one day? Did some state report on a backlog? ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2021, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/3412 "2021-12-23T02:40:38Z")
Must have been; under the numbers it does show the 20th was adjusted to **193,227 new cases** and **2,051 new deaths** The numbers I posted showed under 200 for that day, I think, so that could be half of what you noticed. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2021, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/3413 "2021-12-23T15:58:50Z")
Pfizer is no longer alone with this: > **[US adds Merck pill as 2nd easy-to-use drug against COVID-19](https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-science-business-health-medication-f3578e19f2840ce167f081ec9e236c3c)** > > WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. health regulators on Thursday authorized the second pill against COVID-19, providing another easy-to-use medication to battle the rising tide of omicron infections. The Food and Drug Administration announcement on Merck's... ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2021, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/3414 "2021-12-23T17:03:59Z")
Published today, here’s a remarkable estimate of how many people in England had COVID last week (from the UK Office For National Statistics, no less): > - In England, the percentage of people testing positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) increased in the week ending 16 December 2021; we estimate that 1,202,300 people in England had COVID-19 (95% credible interval: 1,146,800 to 1,263,000), **equating to around 1 in 45 people.** My bold. [Source](https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/conditionsanddiseases/bulletins/coronaviruscovid19infectionsurveypilot/23december2021). j ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2021, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/3415 "2021-12-23T18:04:23Z")
In the game _Plague Inc._, I’ve found that the best way to kill the planet is to have a malady with mild symptoms that is easily transmittable so that it can spread everywhere quickly, then mutate it so the symptoms become more debilitating and deadly. That way, the support infrastructure begins to break down, which slows the research. Eventually the research can’t possibly keep up with the problem simply because too many people are dead. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2021, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/3416 "2021-12-23T18:28:59Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > In the game _Plague Inc._ , I’ve found that the best way to kill the planet is to have a malady with mild symptoms that is easily transmittable so that it can spread everywhere quickly, then mutate it so the symptoms become more debilitating and deadly. Let me guess: a mutation in that game affects all the disease organisms at once, right? (Which, of course, is not the way real life organisms work, thankfully.) ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2021, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/3417 "2021-12-24T15:05:40Z")
Biden to Lift Travel Ban on Southern African Countries > **[Biden to Lift Travel Ban on Southern African Countries on Dec. 31](https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-to-lift-travel-ban-on-southern-african-countries-11640357127)** > > The president had put restrictions in place as the Omicron variant began spreading around the world, but it is now the dominant strain in the U.S. About time. That horse left the barn well before we closed the door ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2021, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/3418 "2021-12-24T19:55:48Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > That horse left the barn well before we closed the door That old adage about closing the barn door after the horse left needs to be deprecated. Horses don’t usually work that way. When they get loose, they generally don’t really go anywhere. They just hang around, and probably get into the oat barrel and gorge themselves. Cows, on the other hand, really wander. If your cows somehow get loose, they will be all over the neighborhood. ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2021, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/3419 "2021-12-24T20:01:58Z")
Holy crap. **On the 23rd** I posted the UK Office For National Statistics estimate of how many people in England had COVID last week: **1 in 45 people**. Here we are **on the 24th** : > - In England, the percentage of people testing positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) was 2.83%; we estimate that 1,544,600 people in England had COVID-19 (95% credible interval: 1,477,900 to 1,615,800), **equating to around 1 in 35 people**. My bold. [Source](https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/conditionsanddiseases/bulletins/coronaviruscovid19infectionsurveypilot/24december2021) j ---
**Author:** ![eschrodinger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschrodinger/32/122_2.png) [@eschrodinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschrodinger)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2021, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/3420 "2021-12-24T20:39:21Z")
Something I mentioned here or in the omicron thread: Even if it’s mild, the sheer number of people out sick will cause disruptions. > Thousands of Christmastime flights have been canceled around the world as airlines say the fast-spreading omicron variant of the coronavirus is preventing staffers from working. > **[With virus spreading fast, airlines around the world cancel flights](https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2021/12/23/airlines-cancel-flights-omicron-staff/)** > > More than 3,000 flights were canceled globally for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, according to the website FlightAware, while another 2,000 flights were scrapped on Thursday. Also, as mentioned early on regarding South Africa’s experience, kids are being hospitalized in higher numbers. > **[Omicron and children: Pediatric hospitals in parts of U.S. filling fast](https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2021/12/24/omicron-children-hospitalizations-us/)** > > About 800 kids have been admitted nearly every day this week, with those in Ohio, Texas, Pennsylvania and New York hit particularly hard by the juggernaut variant. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2021, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/3421 "2021-12-25T00:33:51Z")
Floriduh: > **[3rd Florida-based ship has outbreak, state cases hit record](https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-travel-lifestyle-miami-d7b4f32f9e52b3842f34aad110c5b6a3)** > > MIAMI (AP) — A COVID-19 outbreak took place on a South Florida-based cruise ship for the third time this week, as the number of coronavirus cases in Florida hit its highest level since the start of the pandemic. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2021, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/3422 "2021-12-25T00:34:29Z")
Here’s some news: > **[Many US churches canceling in-person Christmas services](https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-lifestyle-health-religion-new-york-87686e3d2039e9cde79fa85e5a1819d5)** > > NEW YORK (AP) — Amid the surge of coronavirus cases across the U.S., numerous churches have canceled in-person Christmas services, disappointing pastors and churchgoers who consider them an annual highlight. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2021, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/3423 "2021-12-25T02:45:46Z")
279,345,816 total cases 5,409,044 dead 249,652,717 recovered In the US: 52,986,307 total cases 837,671 dead 40,994,250 recovered Yesterday’s numbers for comparison: > [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > 277,513,180 total cases > 5,393,128 dead > 248,601,766 recovered > > In the US: > > 52,506,200 total cases > 832,939 dead > 40,908,146 recovered ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2021, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/3424 "2021-12-25T02:58:20Z")
[Emphasis min, in both quotes] > [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Based on these numbers, and 1,000 deaths per day, **I guessed 833,045 by 00:00 January 1st**. Seventeen days left in the year, so 17,000 more deaths expected (844,323) by New Year’s Day. I have a feeling we’ll meet my original guess. ☹ > [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > In the US: > > 52,986,307 total cases > 837,671 dead ☹ ---
**Author:** ![GreenWyvern](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/greenwyvern/32/2834_2.png) [@GreenWyvern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenWyvern)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2021, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/3425 "2021-12-25T07:43:51Z")
> **[Denmark sees initial signs that dire omicron surge can be avoided](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/12/24/denmark-coronavirus-omicron-variant/)** > > A week ago, the country was bracing for what looked like its worst stretch of the pandemic. But its hospitalization rate is at the very low end of what was predicted. > “It’s too early to relax, but it’s encouraging that we are not following the worst-case scenario,” said Tyra Grove Krause, the chief epidemiologist at Denmark’s State Serum Institute. > Over the past week, the country has fared better than it was expecting. After surging to record-breaking levels, the number of daily cases has stabilized. Officials recorded 12,500 cases on Thursday, compared with 11,000 late last week. > > More important, hospitalizations have come in — so far — on the very low end of what was projected. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2021, 10:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/3426 "2021-12-25T10:37:40Z")
Looking at the UK and Denmark it seems like we are about a week behind them. That being the case we’d expect a plateau in cases around now then a drop in the new year. Already we seem to have seen the end of exponential growth. Peak hospitalisations up by about 30-40% perhaps. That’s if it follows the same pattern of course. We have less people double jabbed but more boosted so that may turn out to be a wash. Very hard to run direct comparisons between countries but certainly it is looking like bottom-end scenarios are more likely than top. The real issue may turn out to be abscences from services because lots of people are testing positive, not that they are actually ill. The othe thing that I don’t know (and that may prove crucial to the infection curve) is whether omicron has more asymptomatic infections than other variants. I’ve seen no hard evidence on that but if it is milder overall and more like cold symptoms anyway I wouldn’t be surprised if there is a greater proportion than the 40% for other variants who never know they have it. ---
**Author:** ![Bootb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19b73/32.png) [@Bootb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bootb)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2021, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/3427 "2021-12-25T15:23:14Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > Floriduh: I have never understood why anybody would be willing to set foot on a cruise ship under present circumstances. They’re floating petri dishes in the best of times. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2021, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/3428 "2021-12-25T16:06:39Z")
> [@Bootb](#): > > I have never understood why anybody would be willing to set foot on a cruise ship under present circumstances. I wouldn’t want to, but I’m sure they slashed prices, and mid-year it looked as though the worst might be over. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2021, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/3429 "2021-12-25T17:17:42Z")
Surely this is the tragedy that will motivate the world: > **[3 members of K-pop sensation BTS diagnosed with COVID-19](https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-entertainment-health-united-states-south-korea-74de73697a972e59e4c1d09bdb6976f6)** > > SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Three members of the K-pop superstar group BTS have been infected with the coronavirus after returning from abroad, their management agency said. RM and Jin were diagnosed with COVID-19 on Saturday evening, the Big Hit... [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428.md?page=166) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428.md?page=168)