U.S.                                                       California

                                   CASES               DEATHS                            CASES               DEATHS       

December 2020     19,111,443          341,149                          2,120,610              24,241

2021   Timeline

January                   26,185,362          441,319                         3,310,949              40,702

December              54,859,966          825,816                         5,515,250              76,520

2022 Timeline  

January                   74,333,528         884,265                          8,292,735              79,801

December            100,751,994      1,092,674                        11,829,499              98,637

2023 Timeline

January                104,196,861       1,132,935                        11,964,001               99,944

December           110,109,948       1,190,171                        12,543,800             106,183

2024 Timeline

January                110,653,481       1,193,026                       12,571,376             106,559

February               111,426,318       1,199,436                       12,677,885             107,643

March                  111 765 841        1,218,840                      12,709,918              112,443

April                      111,820,082       1,219,487                       12,711,918              112,443

U.S. POPULATION - is 345,638,535 of 10 August 2024, 4:07 p.m. PST based on Census U.S. and World Population Clock.

UPDATED WEEKLY – Worldometer, Last updated on 13 April 2024

• Total Cases         -   704,753,890
• Total Deaths      -       7,010,681
• Recovered*        -   675,619,811

      * updated information

    ** no updated information at this reporting

NOTE: As of April 13, 2024, the Coronavirus Tracker is no longer being updated due to the unfeasibility of providing statistically valid global totals, as the majority of countries have now stopped reporting. However, historical data remain accessible. Worldometer delivered the most accurate and timely global statistics to users and institutions around the world at a time when this was extremely challenging. We thank everyone who participated in this extraordinary collaborative effort.

• Employment increased by 114,000 in May
• Unemployment rose slightly to 4.3% in July nationally
• Unemployment in California rose to 5.3

AUGUST  BLOG

HEALTH UPDATES

Apologize for the lateness, kinda got busy! 

CDC Investigation Update on Harmful Reactions Linked to Counterfeit "Botox"

AT A GLANCE

• Seventeen people from 9 states reported harmful reactions after receiving botulinum toxin injections.
• The people reported receiving injections with counterfeit products, products from unverified sources, or from individuals who were not following jurisdictional requirements.
• This investigation is closed.  Being mindful about botulinum toxin injections can help protect you from botulism.  Ask your provider if they are licensed and trained to give these injections, and if the product is approved by FDA and obtained from a reliable source.  If in doubt, don't get the injection.

Latest update June 24, 2024

• CDC, several state and local health departments, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA, investigated reports of harmful reactions among people who received injections of counterfeit or mishandled botulinum toxin, commonly called "Botox".
• All reports came from females, from 25 to 67 years, a median age of 43 years.  
• Fifteen or 88% reported receiving botulinum toxin injections for cosmetic purposes.

People reported experiencing

• Blurry vision and double vision
• Drooping eyelids
• Difficulty swallowing
• Dry mouth
• Slurred speech
• Difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Generalized weakness

Counterfeit Botox has been found in several states. Here’s what consumers should know.  Published 4:33 PM EDT, Tue April 16, 2024.  CNN.   The US Food and Drug Administration is warning that dangerous counterfeit versions of Botox have been identified in multiple states, putting the safety of consumers at risk.  “These symptoms are similar to those seen when botulinum toxin spreads to other parts of the body,” according to the FDA announcement.

The agency announced that it is working closely with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, state health departments and manufacturers to investigate and identify these counterfeit products and remove them from the market.  The FDA warns health-care professionals purchasing and administering counterfeit products puts patients’ health at risk and providers should check products for signs of counterfeiting before using them.

The counterfeit Botox products may be identified by the lot number C3709C3 found on the outer carton and vial, the FDA said.  The outer carton also may display the active ingredient as “Botulinum Toxin Type A” instead of “OnabotulinumtoxinA.”  Also, the carton and vial may indicate 150-unit doses, not a unit made by the companies AbbVie or Allergan, the FDA said.  The outer carton may contain language that is not English.

What questions you should ask.  In the United States, providers purchase the products directly from the company manufacturers to ensure getting the real FDA-approved product.  There are five different types of FDA-approved neurotoxins used for cosmetic purposes, according to the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery:

• Botox under the company Allergan
• Dysport under the company Galderma
• Jeuveau under the company Evolus
• Daxxify under Revance Therapeutics
• Xeomin under Merz Aesthetics.

Counterfeit products are often quoted at much lower prices, a tip-off to ask more questions about where that product was purchased from, and patients have a right to know.  If getting Botox for your wrinkles, go to a board-certified dermatologist, for migraines go to a neurologist, for bladder issues go to a urologist.   

Botox contains the neurotoxic protein botulinum toxin.  When used in small doses, can treat various medical or cosmetic concerns, such as severe underarm sweating, chronic migraines, overactive bladder or temporarily smoothing facial wrinkles.  When in the body at high levels, the toxin botulinum can cause the rare but serious illness botulism, or symptoms similar. 

Signs and symptoms of botulism include:

• muscle weakness,
• vision changes,
• slurred speech,
• difficulty moving your eyes
• An emergency would be if you start to have difficulty breathing. 

VARIANT UPDATE

Covid cases are rising: When to rest and when to test, according to CDC and experts.  July 24, 2024, 1:51 PM PDT / Updated July 25, 2024, 6:54 AM PDT.  Covid rates are still rising across most of the country, fueled by the highly contagious new variants of the virus — KP.2 and KP.3 and LB.1.  As of July 18, the highest levels of Covid are in the Western states, although there are no areas of the U.S. where rates are noticeably dropping, according to CDC wastewater data.  Data shows 21 states have very high levels.   

Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, professor of medicine and infectious disease specialist at the University of California, San Francisco indicated, “You have a very, very transmissible variant, one of the most transmissible we’ve had.  We have population immunity, but it doesn’t mean that there isn’t a lot of chaos. 

People who test positive for Covid don’t need to isolate for five days, according to recent guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  With fewer people testing for Covid, experts say it’s more important than ever to pay attention to symptoms.   Katelyn Jetelina, epidemiologist, tracks illnesses on her website, Your Local Epidemiologist, recommends isolating until an at-home Covid test turns negative, ranging from three to 15 days.

Since March CDC guidance has matched advice for flu and other respiratory illnesses: Stay home when you’re sick, but you can return to work or school once you’re feeling better and you’ve been without fever for 24 hours.  Then for the next five days, take precautions such as wearing a mask in crowded indoor situations according to the CDC. 

Most Americans have had a version of the virus, had several vaccines or boosters or had Covid and are also vaccinated.  It’s hard to separate Covid symptoms from other respiratory illnesses without testing.  

When should I test for Covid? How often?  With high levels of prior exposure, some people could feel symptoms a day or two after exposure, not because the virus is growing more quickly but the immune system recognizes the virus and responds symptomatically,  Michael Mina, an epidemiologist and former professor of immunology and infectious diseases at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, said.

Many people aren't testing as tests aren't free anymore.  Mina advises taking an at-home test on the third day after symptoms begin.  If negative, test again the next day, limiting testing to two tests.

A new COVID variant is on the rise in the US. What are its most common symptoms?  July 3, 2024, 11:48 AM PDT / Updated Aug. 2, 2024, 12:39 PM PDT / Source: TODAY.   LB.1 is the latest COVID-19 sub-variant to make headlines. The highly contagious strain, which emerged shortly after the "FLiRT" variants, including KP.3 and KP.2, is causing an increasing proportion of infections.  As the U.S. sees an uptick in cases and emergency room visits, some are concerned about a summer wave.

LB.1 is the third-leading COVID-19 variant in the U.S. right now, trailing behind the more dominant KP.3 and KP.2 variants, according to the latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

As of June 22, KP.3 accounts for approximately 33% of cases in the U.S, followed by KP.2, at 21% of cases, followed by LB.1, driving 17.5% of cases.  According to some experts, this new mutated variant may be on track to surpass the FLiRT variants in the coming weeks.

• Here's what we know about summer COVID-19 trends and the new LB.1 variant so far.
  • Is there a summer surge?  - In recent weeks, cases have been on the rise in most U.S. states, especially in the West.  The CDC estimates as of June 25, COVID-19 cases are growing in 44 states, stable or uncertain in 5 states, and declining in one state, Hawaii.
  • “As of early July, we’re not seeing any major nationwide surge in cases, but cases are moving up in some places and steady in others,” Andrew Pekosz, Ph.D., virologist at Johns Hopkins University, tells TODAY.com.
  • Viral activity in wastewater is “low" nationally, whereas it was "high" or "very high" for most of the winter.  The CDC no longer tracks the total number of new COVID-19 cases in the U.S.
  • “As summer vacation travel peaks and people increasingly gather indoors in the air conditioning to escape heat waves, COVID-19 is expected to keep rising” according to Dr. William Schaffner, professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.  
• What is LB.1? - LB.1 is part of the omicron family, the newest transformed great grandchild!  The LB.1 sub-variant is an offshoot of JN.1, dominant most of the winter and spring months.
  • "LB.1 is closely related to the FLiRT variants, but it has a couple unique mutations in different parts of the spike protein," says Pekosz, key mutations that affect LB.1's ability to evade immunity.
  • Over 97% of people in the U.S. have natural or vaccine-induced antibodies against COVID-19, but this fades over time, per the CDC.
• Is LB.1 more transmissible? - A ‘characteristic’ of omicron subvariants is that they are very transmissible. "LB.1 highly contagious and spreading very readily," says Schaffner.  It may more likely escape immunity gained from infection or the vaccine, but it hasn't shown it's more dangerous than previous subvariants. 
  • The recent increase in cases appears driven by a combination of new variants, including LB.1 and the FLiRT strains.  Decreases in testing and genomic surveillance make it challenging to accurately track the virus.
• What are the symptoms of LB.1? - LB.1 does not seem to be causing any distinct or new symptoms and there is no indication that it produces more severe disease, the experts emphasize.
  • Symptoms of LB.1 are very similar to those caused by the FLiRT variants.  The newer strains appear to be producing generally milder infections, says Schaffner, but can still cause a spectrum of illness.  Emergency room visits due to COVID have increased but are still relatively low, and hospitalization rates remain at a steady level, per the CDC.
  • Antivirals such as Paxlovid are effective against LB.1 and other recent strains. 
• Do vaccines protect against LB.1? - The updated 2023–2024 COVID-19 booster targeting the XXB.1.5 strain is still available. The CDC recommends high-risk groups get an additional dose.  The updated 2024–2025 vaccine, to be released this fall, is expected to offer protection. 
  • "LB.1 is closely related to KP.2, which looks like the strain targeted in the vaccine for this coming fall season.  "Previous data show that even if the vaccine doesn't exactly match what's circulating, there is cross-reactivity that gives you some protection," says Camins.
  • The experts encourage everyone who is eligible to get an updated 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine this fall.
• COVID guidelines 2024 - If you develop COVID-19 symptoms or have an exposure, get tested, it’s an important tool to protect yourself and prevent the spread of the virus.  The CDC recommends: 
  • People who test positive stay home while sick and, avoid contact with others.
  • The CDC previously recommend isolating from others for five days after testing positive. But in March 2024, its isolation guidelines changed to say people can return to normal activities after they have been fever-free without medication and symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours.
  • If in a high-risk group, testing positive, we would recommend Paxlovid to prevent severe illness. 
• How to protect against LB.1 variant - As COVID-19 cases keep rising consider taking additional steps to protect yourself and others. The CDC recommends people:
• Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.
• Wear a mask in crowded, indoor spaces.
• Practice good hand hygiene.
• Cover coughs and sneezes.
• Improve ventilation.
• Practice social distancing.

What is COVID KP.3 variant? Symptoms, CDC data, what to know about the newest COVID strain.  USA TODAY.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicated, it is tracking a new COVID variant KP.3 as data shows its dominance across the United States. 

For the period May 26 through June 8, KP.3 accounts for 25% of COVID cases in the U.S. and is now the dominant variant, surpassing, the JN.1 variant, which spread globally last winter.  KP.2 is after KP.3 and makes up 22.5% of cases.  COVID related deaths and hospitalizations remain low since March 2020.

• What is the KP.3 variant - Like the JN.1, KP.1.1, KP.2 and "FLiRT" variants, KP.3 is a similar strain. The KP.3 variant is “a sub-lineage of JN.1 which comes from the Omicron variant. “KP.3 evolved from JN.1, the major viral lineage circulating December 2023.  It is very similar to JN.1 and only two changes in the spike protein compared to JN.1.
• What are symptoms of KP.3? - The CDC notes that symptoms may change with new variants and can vary by person, ranging from mild to severe illness.  Symptoms may appear two to 14 days after exposure.
• How can we protect ourselves if we are concerned about the KP.3 variant? - Everyone 6 months old and older should get the 2023–2024 COVID-19 vaccine, as it will help to protect against any serious illnesses from COVID.

During the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee, health experts from vaccine manufacturers Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax  told the panel they were prepared to make JN.1-targeted vaccines available in August pending FDA approval, ahead of expected winter upticks in COVID-19 cases.

The FDA and CDC are working together to make sure COVID-19 vaccines remain effective against current viruses. 

VACCINE UPDATE

As Covid cases rise, CDC recommends new version of vaccine.  June 27, 2024, 3:15 PM PDT / Updated June 27, 2024, 3:24 PM PDT / Source: The Associated Press By The Associated Press.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Dr. Mandy Cohen, “Our top recommendation for protecting yourself and loved ones from respiratory illness is to get vaccinated.”  

Officials acknowledged the need for vaccinations is not as dire as it was.  Most Americans have some degree of immunity from being infected, from past vaccinations or both.  Covid deaths and hospitalizations were at their lowest point since the pandemic first hit the United States in 2020.

But immunity wanes, new coronavirus variants keep emerging and there are still hundreds of Covid-associated deaths and thousands of hospitalizations reported.  Health officials have reported upticks in Covid-associated emergency room visits and hospitalizations, and a pronounced increase in positive test results in the southwestern U.S.

At the CDC meeting in Atlanta, infectious disease experts voted to recommend updated Covid vaccines for Americans age 6 months and older and to expect a yearly update to Covid vaccines, just as recommended each fall to protect against the latest flu strains.

Many Americans aren’t heeding the CDC’s advice.  Less than one-quarter of U.S. adults and 14% of children were up to date in their Covid shots.  Surveys show shrinking percentages of Americans think Covid is a major health threat to the U.S. population.

Latest news on Covid

• In CDC officials recent survey, it indicates 23% of respondents said they would definitely get an updated Covid shot this fall, but 33% said they definitely would not.
• The CDC’s Bridge Access Program, is expected to shut down in August because of
• The program paid for nearly 1.5 million doses for uninsured U.S. adults from September to last month.
• About 1.2 million U.S. Covid-associated deaths have been reported since early 2020, according to the CDC.  
• The toll was most intense in the winter of 2020-2021, when weekly deaths surpassed 20,000.  
• 1 out of every 100 Americans ages 75 and older were hospitalized with Covid in the last four years, according to CDC officials.

How to Protect Yourself?  Getting vaccinated is your best bet!

IT’S NOT OVER!

Stay safe.  Mask.  Social distance.  Frequent hand washing.  Avoid crowds

ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR PERSONAL HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL

• https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/covid-19-variant-kp3-remains-dominant-in-us-rises-to-369-of-cases-see-latest-cdc-data/ar-BB1pwJlH?ocid=BingNewsSerp
• https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/a-new-covid-variant-is-on-the-rise-in-the-us-what-are-its-most-common-symptoms/ar-BB1pmpJU
• https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2024/06/11/new-covid-variant-kp-3-symptoms-cdc-data/74058537007/
• https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/covid-isolation-guidelines-cdc-updated-positive-cases-rcna163292
• https://www.cdc.gov/botulism/outbreaks/harmful-reactions-botox-injections/details.html
• ttps://www.cnn.com/2024/04/16/health/counterfeit-botox-what-to-know/index.html