Covid Cases, Hospitalizations, Deaths All Moving in Wrong Direction Over Past 2 Months in United States

Every time we have seen an increase in testing, we have seen an increase in the number of cases. The increase in number of cases is not benign. Every time we see an increase in the number of cases we see an increase in hospitalizations and an increase in deaths. If we were just doing more testing, positivity would go down and these other metrics wouldn’t move in same direction.

Even if the percent of those hospitalized with Covid-19 is low, and the percent of those with Covid-19 who die is also, fortunately, low, remember that a small percent of a really big number is still a big number.

In addition, for the 350,000 who have died, those families do not feel that the percent of deaths has been low.

In order to keep the percent of those who die at a minimum, we must decrease the absolute numbers of those hospitalized and those with Covid-19 to ensure we can deliver supportive care and treatments to each person.

There are more potential treatments now but they require intensive collaboration and planning across the healthcare system (e.g. monoclonal antibody infusions) in ways we have never done before. Each patient has to be carefully considered for each treatment as they are new therapies and often being given under FDA emergency use authorization or as part of a detailed research protocol. This thoroughness and attention is not possible if surge exceeds staff/stuff/space. Medical team attention to each patient keeps the rate/percent of deaths low.

Vaccine rollout has been slow to start but may be picking up.

Vaccines are for an improved future state while the current scenario is that Covid-19 is ravaging the United States worst over the past two months while American attention to public health strategies has waned during that time.

Fortunately, the recent stimulation package (while direct dollars may be smaller than hoped for) will serve to avoid evictions (pay back rent), provide food security, protect the unemployed, musicians, artists and small businesses, including independent music venues. This type of assistance provides structural support for individuals and businesses to make decisions that helps us all (making the maskless parties in Ybor City and other party districts across the country even more infuriating).

In the meantime, we must continue wearing masks, washing hands, avoiding crowded, especially crowded indoor, spaces.