Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
New Covid Infections In US Back Down To Pre-Holiday Levels
The Washington Post: U.S. Seven-Day Average Of Daily New Cases Drops Below 90,000 — First Time Since Early November
The numbers of newly reported coronavirus infections in the United States continued their steep drop with only around 56,000 new cases reported on Monday, though that number is likely artificially low due to the U.S. holiday. However the seven-day average, considered a more reliable measure, has dipped below 90,000 a day for the first time since early November. Scientists have been split about the reasons for the drop, citing increased vaccinations, decreased testing and the seasonal patterns of these kinds of viruses which see a decline in transmission rates as the winter goes on. (Schemm, Cunningham and Dupree, 2/16)
Fox News: Amid Coronavirus Variants, US Isn't 'Out Of Woods' Yet, Warns Expert: 'There Are More Surprises To Come'
Despite the recent dip in national virus cases, Andy Slavitt, the White House COVID-19 response team’s senior adviser, said Monday that the B.1.1.7 variant will likely fuel the next wave of case growth as the country pushes on with vaccinations. "Unfortunately we can’t predict the future and we know that this virus has been nothing but full of surprises for us since its come and I think there are more surprises to come," Slavitt told MSNBC. "But I don’t think we are anywhere close [to] out of the woods. I don't expect that we are going to be seeing just smooth sailing from here," he added, in part. (Rivas, 2/15)
The Washington Post: Why Are Coronavirus Cases Dropping In The U.S.? Experts Point To Four Reasons.
The rate of newly recorded infections is plummeting from coast to coast and the worst surge yet is finally relenting. But scientists are split on why, exactly, it is happening. Some point to the quickening pace of coronavirus vaccine administration, some say it’s because of the natural seasonal ebb of respiratory viruses and others chalk it up to social distancing measures. And every explanation is appended with two significant caveats: The country is still in a bad place, continuing to notch more than 90,000 new cases every day, and recent progress could still be imperiled, either by new fast-spreading virus variants or by relaxed social distancing measures. (Thebault, 2/14)
In other news about covid cases —
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: In Spite Of Months In COVID Lockdown, Ga. Senior Care Homes Report Highest Deaths, Cases In January
The Rosemont at Stone Mountain had 22 COVID-positive residents in October when inspectors discovered a lapse at the nursing home: It did not have a qualified infection prevention expert on staff. A month later, dozens more tested positive, state reports show. (Teegardin, 2/13)
AP: 3 Sailors Have COVID On US Ship That Saw Outbreak Last Year
Three sailors aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt have tested positive for COVID-19, the Navy said Monday, less than a year after a massive outbreak on the ship sidelined it in Guam for nearly two months. The Navy said the three sailors have not had any symptoms, and they and others who were exposed to them are currently isolated on the aircraft carrier, which is conducting operations in the Pacific. They tested positive Sunday. (Baldor, 2/16)
North Carolina Health News: Prisons Contribute To COVID Racial Disparities
One in five people who have been in North Carolina’s prisons since March have tested positive for COVID-19, matching the national average for prison infections. One in four prison staff members have tested positive, according to data from the N.C. Department of Public Safety, which oversees state prisons. (Wilkie, 2/15)
San Diego Union-Tribune: Safari Park Gorillas Recover From Coronavirus
Gorillas at San Diego Zoo Safari Park have recovered from a bout of the coronavirus and are ready for visitors, zoo officials announced Saturday. The eight-member troop had been out of view to visitors after contracting the SARS-CoV-2 virus in January. During that time, they received care from experts in both human and veterinary medicine. (Brennan, 2/13)
In misinformation news —
AP: The Superspreaders Behind Top COVID-19 Conspiracy Theories
As the coronavirus spread across the globe, so too did speculation about its origins. Perhaps the virus escaped from a lab. Maybe it was engineered as a bioweapon. Legitimate questions about the virus created perfect conditions for conspiracy theories. In the absence of knowledge, guesswork and propaganda flourished. ... The Associated Press collaborated with the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab on a nine-month investigation to identify the people and organizations behind some of the most viral misinformation about the origins of the coronavirus. (Klepper, Amiri and Dupuy, 2/15)
The Baltimore Sun: Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Rebukes Flutist Over Social Posts Pushing Conspiracy Theories On Vaccines, Election
The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra issued a public rebuke over the weekend to its principal flutist over her social media posts that push conspiracy theories about topics such as the coronavirus and election fraud. (Prudente, 2/16)
