Three weeks after the United States confirmed five million cases of COVID-19, the country reached six million cases. On Sunday, there were 25 million cases globally. Experts expect these numbers to continue increasing. In an attempt to handle the crisis, a vaccine may be approved by the FDA prior to completing trials for Phase Three. Numerous drug manufacturers are now desperate to get thousands of volunteers enrolled.
New records were set in Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Indiana and Kentucky. Record death numbers have been reported in Idaho, Guam, Oklahoma and Hawaii. The death toll in the United States has exceeded 183,000 with more than 847,000 deaths globally.
COVID-19 Tweet Deleted by Twitter
A retweet from President Donald Trump has been deleted by Twitter. The untruthful post stated the current pandemic is not as deadly as claimed by reports from officials. The untruthful post is using recent CDC data stating the coronavirus was the only cause of death mentioned in six percent of all registered deaths. Diabetes or obesity was mentioned as conditions in 2.6 percent of the other deaths.
This is a conspiracy theory that this statement shows coronavirus is not nearly as deadly as claimed. This statement is false. The data from the CDC does not mean these individuals would have died if they did not have COVID-19.
United States COVID-19 Testing Expedited
Phase Three will begin in the United States for a coronavirus vaccine. AstraZeneca will launch Operation Warp Speed with a goal of 30,000 adult volunteers being enrolled. This announcement was made on Monday by the Director of the NIAID. Dr. Anthony Fauci stated effective and safe vaccines are critical for protection against the widespread COVID-19. He said NIH scientists were leading preclinical research teams showing positive results.
The rapid development of the vaccine has the support of the NIH scientists in addition to demonstrating potential in the early clinical trials. Researchers believe just one vaccine might be sufficient to fight coronavirus. The National Academies of Science researchers have learned the mutations of COVID-19 are not quick enough to make a yearly vaccine necessary as with flu shots. Researchers believe the few widespread mutations spread by chance, showing one vaccine for all viral strains currently circulating might be sufficient.
Victims of the Pandemic are Honored by Detroit
On Monday, Memorial Day was held in Detroit in honor of more than 1,500 residents of the city succumbing to COVID-19. Belle Isle Park was honored to receive the designation of Detroit Memorial Drive. Saddened caravans of cars drove slowly past over 900 photographs. As the Mayor, Mike Duggan made a statement. He lost his father in March due to a lengthy illness.
This enabled him to understand the importance of a procession for every family unable to provide their loved ones with a proper burial. He said since there was no visitation or funeral due to coronavirus concerns, the process of grieving is even more important. He understands because he has personally experienced this process. The city was able to mourn their loved ones together.
How Did the United States Reach Six Million COVID-19 Cases?
On Monday, the United States exceeded six million confirmed cases. This occurred just seven months after the CDC confirmed the first cases in the United States. Airport health screenings were then conducted by the CDC. Two people died on February 6th and 17th. Testing conducted in April confirmed both individuals had COVID-19. A traveling ban was announced by President Trump on March 11th for European travelers after an increase of cases in the United States in eight days from 100 to over 1,000. In just two weeks, the United States had 100,000 infections and reached one million in April.
Boston Flu Shots Might Be an Indication of the Response to the COVID-19 Vaccine
Hundreds of parents participated in a rally against making flu shots mandatory. This might be an indication as to how people will react to a vaccine to COVID-19. The Massachusetts State House was the meeting place for hundreds of supporters and parents on Sunday against a state mandate for mandatory flu shots for students by the end of the year. The order from the state was due to the number of cases involving a combination of the flu and COVID-19.
There is a possibility the health care system will be unable to handle an increase in case numbers. According to Dr. Larry Madoff, the symptoms of coronavirus and the flu are similar. He believes flu shots will preserve lives while enabling the health care system to handle COVID-19 cases. One parent at the rally stated parents have the right to control what goes into the bodies of their children. She believes the government does not have the right to make this decision.
More Than 1,000 Students in Alabama Test Positive for COVID-19
According to officials at the main campus of the University of Alabama, more than 1,000 students tested positive in the two weeks since classes began. According to the school’s website, positive results have been confirmed for nine staff and faculty members as well. The school has an area to isolate students testing positive, with 36 percent already in use. According to the Chancellor, coronavirus testing in the school is extremely robust.
The good news is the current isolation is below capacity, allowing an adjustment to the numbers as the period of isolation is completed by the students. The Chancellor stated all data is being monitored closely on a daily basis to allow operations to be adjusted as necessary.
