Posted on 03/12/2020 4:03:48 PM PDT by Kazan
A top health official in Ohio estimated on Thursday that more than 100,000 people in the state have coronavirus, a shockingly high number that underscores the limited testing so far.
Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton said at a press conference alongside Gov. Mike DeWine (R) that given that the virus is spreading in the community in Ohio, she estimates at least 1 percent of the population in the state has the virus.
"We know now, just the fact of community spread, says that at least 1 percent, at the very least, 1 percent of our population is carrying this virus in Ohio today," Acton said. "We have 11.7 million people. So the math is over 100,000. So that just gives you a sense of how this virus spreads and is spreading quickly."
She added that the slow rollout of testing means the state does not have good verified numbers to know for sure.
"Our delay in being able to test has delayed our understanding of the spread of this," Acton said.
The Trump administration has come under intense criticism for the slow rollout of tests. Dr. Anthony Fauci, a top National Institutes of Health official, acknowledged earlier Thursday it is "a failing" that people cannot easily get tested for coronavirus in the United States.
Not everyone with the virus has symptoms, and about 80 percent of people with the virus do not end up needing hospitalization, experts say. However, the virus can be deadly especially for older people and those with underlying health conditions.
The possible numbers in Ohio are a stark illustration of how many cases could be in other states as well, but have not been revealed given the lack of widespread testing.
More than 1,300 people in the U.S. have currently tested positive for the illness, according to data from Johns Hopkins University, while about three dozen people in the country have died.
Vice President Pence, who is overseeing the administration's coronavirus response, said earlier Thursday that the U.S. can expect "thousands of more cases."
Ohio officials said they are taking major actions to try to slow the spread of the virus. They are closing schools in the state for three weeks and banning large gatherings of 100 or more people.
The state currently has just five confirmed positive cases, and 30 negative tests. Acton said Thursday that it appears that the number of cases of the virus doubles every six days.
As other experts have as well, she urged actions to slow the spread of the virus to avoid overwhelming the capacity of hospitals. Banning large gatherings and stopping school is part of that process.
"We're all sort of waking up to our new reality," she said, adding later that the state is "in a crisis situation."
Noting the concerns about hospital capacity if the number of cases spikes too quickly, Acton said "there are only so many ventilators," referring to machines that allow people to breathe when they cannot on their own.
Models indicate the number of cases could peak in late April to mid-May, she said.
If people are not seriously ill, she urged them to stay home so that only the sickest people who most need help are showing up at hospitals.
"This will be the thing this generation remembers," she added.
If true, according to the existing statistics that would mean 20,000 will need to be hospitalized, with 8000 of that number needing special ICU care units.
Also, who will ensure that the school kids get their 3 meals at the local closed schools.?
Does anyone here know anyone that has it? I didn’t think so.
Drones are amazing things!
The good thing as a TSSC drone pilot, I can launch, control and fly them to Zap any American from my Lazy Boy.
“Also, who will ensure that the school kids get their 3 meals at the local closed schools.?”
—
Mooch O, of course!
This is why I close my curtains!
Hey knock off the real math:
The state currently has just five confirmed positive cases, and 30 negative tests.
So are they saying they have only tested 35 people out of 11.5 million in the state but if they tested everyone they would have 100K cases?
Do you think Wuhan-19 is easier to catch than influenza?
I graduated from UC.
I got a little free toy one
And I put it away before I trashed my TV and everything else I own
Either that or the symptoms are so mild in most people that don't seek medical care or don't even know they have it.
NYT doesnt let a crisis go to waste:
12 March: NYT: Tom Hanks Got Sick in Australia, Where Coronavirus Testing Isnt Such a Hassle
In the United States, little if anything about the testing has been efficient or convenient. In Australia, it is free and widely available
By Damien Cave
SYDNEY, Australia Here, testing is free and widely available, thanks to early and coordinated planning for a pandemic...
Some countries, like the United States, are looking increasingly ill prepared...
On the other hand an Ozzie MD disagrees with the Slimes:
11 Mar: ABC Australia: Coronavirus guidelines confusing and frustrating for NSW doctors
By Liv Casben
Dr McMullen said information coming from the Federal Government and different state health authorities was confusing, frustrating and challenging...
Yesterday, the countrys chief medical officer Brendan Murphy addressed some of the confusion around testing.
At the moment we are not recommending people with acute, cold, flu-like symptoms, unless they are a returned traveller, or unless they are a contact of a confirmed case, be tested, he said...
[This is no news at all. They just pulled that number out of the air with zip to back it up.
Im worried about this virus, but making big numbers up is no help to anyone.]
Also, who will ensure that the school kids get their 3 meals at the local closed schools.?
Mooch O, of course!
Dang, I forgot about the Black Super Woman. She can feed thousands of kids in a minuteE
Not necessarily. The symptoms might be so mild that those with it aren't seeking medical care. Corona might not be any worse than the ordinary flu.
It was estimated 29 million had the flu this year. The number of deaths due to the flu was 20,000.
So much fake news, so little time.
We'll know in a few months if this is another summer of the shark event.
No question the press and government actions are at least as monumental as the after-effect of 9/11. Maybe we'll get a new government agency to clear us for disease before we can board public transportation. That would be a massive make work project, just look at all the jobs! And they could be federales, which to a government person is necessary in order to be professional.
So flu is already built into this system.
I am sure there is no chance the Left paid this “official” to frighten everyone since the state is very important in the upcoming election. I’m sure hurting our state’s economy and trying to make us start blaming PDJT isn’t part of their scheme. Sarcasm off.
I’m not falling for their BS.
This is why I close my curtains!
My drones have Xray vision! We can still see you and infect you!
Do you believe 100% of people who have/had Wuhan-19 have been documented?
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