Coronavirus prep
Options
Replies
-
OK I have a possibly stupid question maybe the medical people here can answer.
I keep reading that Omicron infects the upper airway but doesn't infiltrate the lungs like the other variants do - so what are people being hospitalized for in this wave? I know the hospitalization rate is lower but there are still loads of people in the hospital and ICU here - but it doesn't say what they are presenting with. Does Omicron attack other organs or something?
I have read that Covid can push people's pre-existing chronic illnesses "over the edge" so to speak, so they might need hospital care, but does that account for all the hospital cases?2 -
OK I have a possibly stupid question maybe the medical people here can answer.
I keep reading that Omicron infects the upper airway but doesn't infiltrate the lungs like the other variants do - so what are people being hospitalized for in this wave? I know the hospitalization rate is lower but there are still loads of people in the hospital and ICU here - but it doesn't say what they are presenting with. Does Omicron attack other organs or something?
I have read that Covid can push people's pre-existing chronic illnesses "over the edge" so to speak, so they might need hospital care, but does that account for all the hospital cases?
For starters, Delta is still out there. Omicron is the most dominant strain at the moment, but Delta is still out there. Also, it does appear that omicron is less virulent, but also appears far more contagious and spreads much faster which means hospitalizations will likely remain high just given the sheer volume of cases.
Just as an example (these are not real numbers), if you have 10,000 cases of some other less contagious but more virulent variant and 10% of those require hospitalization, that's 1,000 hospitalizations out of 10,000 cases. Now a much more contagious variant comes about and you have 100,000 cases but it is much less virulent and only 1% of cases require hospitalization...that's still 1,000 people in the hospital. Just by sheer volume of cases, even if less of those cases require hospitalization, hospitalization will remain high because there are so many more contracting the virus.
I'm pretty sure my wife and I both have it now. She started displaying minor symptoms on Tuesday evening and I started displaying symptoms yesterday evening. Mine are more pronounced than hers and I feel like I have a bad head cold and with lots of head and nasal congestion and sneezing with some coughing...she pretty much has an annoying runny nose. She is scheduled to get tested tomorrow but I couldn't get a test until Sunday morning.12 -
cwolfman13 wrote: »OK I have a possibly stupid question maybe the medical people here can answer.
I keep reading that Omicron infects the upper airway but doesn't infiltrate the lungs like the other variants do - so what are people being hospitalized for in this wave? I know the hospitalization rate is lower but there are still loads of people in the hospital and ICU here - but it doesn't say what they are presenting with. Does Omicron attack other organs or something?
I have read that Covid can push people's pre-existing chronic illnesses "over the edge" so to speak, so they might need hospital care, but does that account for all the hospital cases?
For starters, Delta is still out there. Omicron is the most dominant strain at the moment, but Delta is still out there. Also, it does appear that omicron is less virulent, but also appears far more contagious and spreads much faster which means hospitalizations will likely remain high just given the sheer volume of cases.
Just as an example (these are not real numbers), if you have 10,000 cases of some other less contagious but more virulent variant and 10% of those require hospitalization, that's 1,000 hospitalizations out of 10,000 cases. Now a much more contagious variant comes about and you have 100,000 cases but it is much less virulent and only 1% of cases require hospitalization...that's still 1,000 people in the hospital. Just by sheer volume of cases, even if less of those cases require hospitalization, hospitalization will remain high because there are so many more contracting the virus.
I'm pretty sure my wife and I both have it now. She started displaying minor symptoms on Tuesday evening and I started displaying symptoms yesterday evening. Mine are more pronounced than hers and I feel like I have a bad head cold and with lots of head and nasal congestion and sneezing with some coughing...she pretty much has an annoying runny nose. She is scheduled to get tested tomorrow but I couldn't get a test until Sunday morning.
Yeah I get that a lower hospitalization rate of a larger number of infections still means more hospitalizations. My questions was what are they being hospitalized for? If Omicron doesn't infect the lungs, and most Covid hospitalizations were for lung involvement - basically I am asking what does a severe Omicron infection that requires hospitalization look like.
Hope you and your wife recover OK. My husband and daughter both had it over Christmas and recovered fine. (We are all vaxx'd).3 -
cwolfman13 wrote: »OK I have a possibly stupid question maybe the medical people here can answer.
I keep reading that Omicron infects the upper airway but doesn't infiltrate the lungs like the other variants do - so what are people being hospitalized for in this wave? I know the hospitalization rate is lower but there are still loads of people in the hospital and ICU here - but it doesn't say what they are presenting with. Does Omicron attack other organs or something?
I have read that Covid can push people's pre-existing chronic illnesses "over the edge" so to speak, so they might need hospital care, but does that account for all the hospital cases?
For starters, Delta is still out there. Omicron is the most dominant strain at the moment, but Delta is still out there. Also, it does appear that omicron is less virulent, but also appears far more contagious and spreads much faster which means hospitalizations will likely remain high just given the sheer volume of cases.
Just as an example (these are not real numbers), if you have 10,000 cases of some other less contagious but more virulent variant and 10% of those require hospitalization, that's 1,000 hospitalizations out of 10,000 cases. Now a much more contagious variant comes about and you have 100,000 cases but it is much less virulent and only 1% of cases require hospitalization...that's still 1,000 people in the hospital. Just by sheer volume of cases, even if less of those cases require hospitalization, hospitalization will remain high because there are so many more contracting the virus.
I'm pretty sure my wife and I both have it now. She started displaying minor symptoms on Tuesday evening and I started displaying symptoms yesterday evening. Mine are more pronounced than hers and I feel like I have a bad head cold and with lots of head and nasal congestion and sneezing with some coughing...she pretty much has an annoying runny nose. She is scheduled to get tested tomorrow but I couldn't get a test until Sunday morning.
Yeah I get that a lower hospitalization rate of a larger number of infections still means more hospitalizations. My questions was what are they being hospitalized for? If Omicron doesn't infect the lungs, and most Covid hospitalizations were for lung involvement - basically I am asking what does a severe Omicron infection that requires hospitalization look like.
Hope you and your wife recover OK. My husband and daughter both had it over Christmas and recovered fine. (We are all vaxx'd).
It can still infect the lungs, it's just not the most prominent symptom. It would still be worrisome for someone who has some kind of lung or other cardiovascular disease. One of my NY resolutions was to get off the little mini filtered cigars I smoke and it's going well along with dry January...but my lungs, while not hugely impacted by my current illness are far more impacted than my wife's. She has no cough at all and I have a slight, raspy dry cough.
Also, even your run of the mill head cold can devolve into worse. A few years ago I had what seemed to be your average head cold...it ultimately went into my lungs about a week later and I had bronchitis that turned into walking pneumonia.
Just with the sheer volume of cases with omicron you're still going to see lung issues, even if it's not the most prominent symptom...COVID is gonna COVID...
ETA: both my wife and I are vaxed and boosted and my kids are both 2x vaxed. I don't feel particularly great, but I've definitely been way worse. I feel good enough to get out with my wife later this afternoon for a nice walk, so not too terribly bad. I'm also working from home and not lying in bed...so I've definitely been worse.12 -
OK I have a possibly stupid question maybe the medical people here can answer.
I keep reading that Omicron infects the upper airway but doesn't infiltrate the lungs like the other variants do - so what are people being hospitalized for in this wave? I know the hospitalization rate is lower but there are still loads of people in the hospital and ICU here - but it doesn't say what they are presenting with. Does Omicron attack other organs or something?
I have read that Covid can push people's pre-existing chronic illnesses "over the edge" so to speak, so they might need hospital care, but does that account for all the hospital cases?
So, math. A study finding that Omicron is 60% less likely to infiltrate the lungs (not actual number but if I recall correctly it was in this ballpark) still leaves 40%. If there are twice as many cases, that’s pretty much the same number of cases infiltrating the lungs. But it’s not twice as many cases - it’s way more than that.
Not too many people are good at thinking through the implications of math. So, for example, if you hear that Omicron is only half as bad, and previously there were several million hospitalized, then you are still dealing with a whole heck of a lot of sick people.4 -
rheddmobile wrote: »OK I have a possibly stupid question maybe the medical people here can answer.
I keep reading that Omicron infects the upper airway but doesn't infiltrate the lungs like the other variants do - so what are people being hospitalized for in this wave? I know the hospitalization rate is lower but there are still loads of people in the hospital and ICU here - but it doesn't say what they are presenting with. Does Omicron attack other organs or something?
I have read that Covid can push people's pre-existing chronic illnesses "over the edge" so to speak, so they might need hospital care, but does that account for all the hospital cases?
So, math. A study finding that Omicron is 60% less likely to infiltrate the lungs (not actual number but if I recall correctly it was in this ballpark) still leaves 40%. If there are twice as many cases, that’s pretty much the same number of cases infiltrating the lungs. But it’s not twice as many cases - it’s way more than that.
Not too many people are good at thinking through the implications of math. So, for example, if you hear that Omicron is only half as bad, and previously there were several million hospitalized, then you are still dealing with a whole heck of a lot of sick people.
Yuppers...0 -
This email of their current stories from the Atlantic Daily amused me: "The coronavirus is spreading like never before. So what now? Then: Let’s talk about eating raw cookie dough."6
-
paperpudding wrote: »paperpudding wrote: »what do you mean you didnt report it?
Don't you have to report positive RATS tests and/or follow up with official PCR test?
Here in Ontario, public health testing is becoming overwhelmed and the latest guideline restricts eligibility for PCR tests. Contact tracing and testing is out the window at this point. So, no, a positive rapid antigen test will not be followed up with a PCR for the majority of people.
I haven't seen or heard of any requirement to report rapid test results, unless there is something to that effect in whatever literature accompanies the test itself (I've never seen one).
eta I have no idea where Sarah7591 resides, just reporting the current state of testing here
The instructions on the rapid test tell you to follow up with a PCR test, but there is nothing about reporting it. We did follow up with PCR tests - mostly because my rapid tests kept coming back negative even though I obviously had extensive exposures - I wanted to confirm with a more sensitive test. (Our PCR tests were on December 24 so we were using the guidelines at the time - I know they have changed since then.)
Of course my PCR test got lost and never was uploaded to the system. The pharmacist checked with the lab and told me verbally it was negative, but he also said it would be uploaded within 24 hours and it never was so who knows.
well, no, there is nothing about reporting it in patient instructions here in Aust either - patients don't have to report PCR tests, their medical service does so.
They are meant to follow up any positive RATS tests with PCR test though - which if positive then gets reported to Communicable Disease branch by your medical provider
Yes our PCR tests are reported by the provider as well. I was talking about the rapid tests you do at home. Unless you follow up with a PCR (which we can't even do now) they do not get reported anywhere.
will be interesting to see how this plays out in Australia now one does not have to follow up a positive RATS test with a PCR test.
PCR tests are reported by your medical provider
You are suppossed to let your medical provider know of positive RATS test so they can report it - whether everyone does so will be another matter.
I guess quite a lot will because they want to do the right thing and/or will want medical certificates for school, work etc - but I doubt everyone will.0 -
Isn't the Fitbit one overnight when you are "expected" to sometimes drop a little as a you sleep and slow down? Though I can see where 94 to 99 would be a good size spread.
Yes, the figure it generates is supposed to be the average of values during sleep.
I don't know enough about what O2 saturation actually means physiologically to say whether it's something that drops during sleep, like heart rate typically does.1 -
rheddmobile wrote: »OK I have a possibly stupid question maybe the medical people here can answer.
I keep reading that Omicron infects the upper airway but doesn't infiltrate the lungs like the other variants do - so what are people being hospitalized for in this wave? I know the hospitalization rate is lower but there are still loads of people in the hospital and ICU here - but it doesn't say what they are presenting with. Does Omicron attack other organs or something?
I have read that Covid can push people's pre-existing chronic illnesses "over the edge" so to speak, so they might need hospital care, but does that account for all the hospital cases?
So, math. A study finding that Omicron is 60% less likely to infiltrate the lungs (not actual number but if I recall correctly it was in this ballpark) still leaves 40%. If there are twice as many cases, that’s pretty much the same number of cases infiltrating the lungs. But it’s not twice as many cases - it’s way more than that.
Not too many people are good at thinking through the implications of math. So, for example, if you hear that Omicron is only half as bad, and previously there were several million hospitalized, then you are still dealing with a whole heck of a lot of sick people.
This is the information I was looking for - and it has nothing to do with me being unable to do the math or understanding the implications. The information I was reading was that Omicron *doesn't* infiltrate the lungs, which led me to wonder if something else was driving hospitalizations. This information that it is 60% less *likely* to infiltrate the lungs explains it - it is likely still lung complications that are driving hospitalizations.
6 -
There are also a lot of people who are hospitalized with covid but not because of covid. So, someone goes in the hospital because of a kidney infection, is tested and has Covid. Covid didn't put them in the hospital, but they are still listed as a covid patient in the hospital. On the news they said that that was often the case with children in the hospital, they tested postitive but were in the hospital for other reasons.4
-
rheddmobile wrote: »OK I have a possibly stupid question maybe the medical people here can answer.
I keep reading that Omicron infects the upper airway but doesn't infiltrate the lungs like the other variants do - so what are people being hospitalized for in this wave? I know the hospitalization rate is lower but there are still loads of people in the hospital and ICU here - but it doesn't say what they are presenting with. Does Omicron attack other organs or something?
I have read that Covid can push people's pre-existing chronic illnesses "over the edge" so to speak, so they might need hospital care, but does that account for all the hospital cases?
So, math. A study finding that Omicron is 60% less likely to infiltrate the lungs (not actual number but if I recall correctly it was in this ballpark) still leaves 40%. If there are twice as many cases, that’s pretty much the same number of cases infiltrating the lungs. But it’s not twice as many cases - it’s way more than that.
Not too many people are good at thinking through the implications of math. So, for example, if you hear that Omicron is only half as bad, and previously there were several million hospitalized, then you are still dealing with a whole heck of a lot of sick people.
This is the information I was looking for - and it has nothing to do with me being unable to do the math or understanding the implications. The information I was reading was that Omicron *doesn't* infiltrate the lungs, which led me to wonder if something else was driving hospitalizations. This information that it is 60% less *likely* to infiltrate the lungs explains it - it is likely still lung complications that are driving hospitalizations.
The math comment wasn’t really meant as a personal insult - this problem with thinking math through is just very common, even among doctors. For example doctors will commonly tell you that if you have a pain in your calf, and it’s a blood clot, it will hurt when you flex your foot. The percentage according to studies is that this happens only about one third of the time. But somehow even though it’s less than half the time, this translates in an ER doctor’s brain to, “No flex hurt, must not be a blood clot,” which is clearly an insane conclusion to draw looking at the math. Going from “Omicron is about half as likely to move into the lungs,” to “So how is anyone ending up in the hospital?” is the same kind of error.
A similar math error I see on anti-vax posts all the time, “So how come if your vaccine protects you, I have to be vaccinated? Why do you even care if I’m vaccinated if your vaccine works?” The answer being that the vaccine works MOST of the time, and most is not all, and if you do the math, what’s left over turns out to be a honking lot of people when expanded to an entire population. Somehow human beings in general don’t seem to be good at grasping the difference between statistical trends and individuals.9 -
spiriteagle99 wrote: »There are also a lot of people who are hospitalized with covid but not because of covid. So, someone goes in the hospital because of a kidney infection, is tested and has Covid. Covid didn't put them in the hospital, but they are still listed as a covid patient in the hospital. On the news they said that that was often the case with children in the hospital, they tested postitive but were in the hospital for other reasons.
Chiming in on this. A friend in a county hospital ER in Houston had a stretch last week where every single ER patient, whether coming in for appendicitis or stitches in a cut foot or gunshot wound or whatever, was testing positive for COVID.5 -
paperpudding wrote: »paperpudding wrote: »paperpudding wrote: »what do you mean you didnt report it?
Don't you have to report positive RATS tests and/or follow up with official PCR test?
Here in Ontario, public health testing is becoming overwhelmed and the latest guideline restricts eligibility for PCR tests. Contact tracing and testing is out the window at this point. So, no, a positive rapid antigen test will not be followed up with a PCR for the majority of people.
I haven't seen or heard of any requirement to report rapid test results, unless there is something to that effect in whatever literature accompanies the test itself (I've never seen one).
eta I have no idea where Sarah7591 resides, just reporting the current state of testing here
The instructions on the rapid test tell you to follow up with a PCR test, but there is nothing about reporting it. We did follow up with PCR tests - mostly because my rapid tests kept coming back negative even though I obviously had extensive exposures - I wanted to confirm with a more sensitive test. (Our PCR tests were on December 24 so we were using the guidelines at the time - I know they have changed since then.)
Of course my PCR test got lost and never was uploaded to the system. The pharmacist checked with the lab and told me verbally it was negative, but he also said it would be uploaded within 24 hours and it never was so who knows.
well, no, there is nothing about reporting it in patient instructions here in Aust either - patients don't have to report PCR tests, their medical service does so.
They are meant to follow up any positive RATS tests with PCR test though - which if positive then gets reported to Communicable Disease branch by your medical provider
Yes our PCR tests are reported by the provider as well. I was talking about the rapid tests you do at home. Unless you follow up with a PCR (which we can't even do now) they do not get reported anywhere.
will be interesting to see how this plays out in Australia now one does not have to follow up a positive RATS test with a PCR test.
PCR tests are reported by your medical provider
You are suppossed to let your medical provider know of positive RATS test so they can report it - whether everyone does so will be another matter.
I guess quite a lot will because they want to do the right thing and/or will want medical certificates for school, work etc - but I doubt everyone will.
In Tasmania and Victoria those who have a positive RAT have to register details to the relevant health department not the patient's medical provider, I assume the same in NSW (if not its coming soon). Numbers are quite high and local clinics would be overrun it people had to report their medical provider.
Tasmania has an online registration page as does Victoria. Not sure what's happening elsewhere.2 -
In Massachusetts ATM, on the morning news between snowstorm and my brewing coffee, they mentioned good news IMO.
News stated that starting next week, here in Massachusetts the state will change how COVID is reported. They will distinguish between being admitted DUE to Covid vs admitted WITH Covid. I think they are at least a year late as the blurring of that distinction certainly fuels confusion, as well as conspiracy talk.
I personally will be very interested in seeing the new more detailed data.7 -
spiriteagle99 wrote: »There are also a lot of people who are hospitalized with covid but not because of covid. So, someone goes in the hospital because of a kidney infection, is tested and has Covid. Covid didn't put them in the hospital, but they are still listed as a covid patient in the hospital. On the news they said that that was often the case with children in the hospital, they tested postitive but were in the hospital for other reasons.
That has bothered me as well. Some friend called my husband recently. The wife went to the hospital as she was in labor and needed to deliver her baby. Was tested upon admission, and came out positive for Covid. Husband shared that they told the wife she was being admitted for Covid. This is of course hearsay, but these stories could not exist (fake or real) if the reporting was better defined.
If you see my post above, I heard good news this morning that starting next week Massachusetts will be changing how Covid hospital admissions are defined.
Edit: @ahoy_m8 saw your post after my response to @spiriteagle99. This whole situation is so ripe for breeding distrust, which then justifies people deciding whether the "rules" make sense and whether they should be followed.2 -
tiptoethruthetulips wrote: »paperpudding wrote: »paperpudding wrote: »paperpudding wrote: »what do you mean you didnt report it?
Don't you have to report positive RATS tests and/or follow up with official PCR test?
Here in Ontario, public health testing is becoming overwhelmed and the latest guideline restricts eligibility for PCR tests. Contact tracing and testing is out the window at this point. So, no, a positive rapid antigen test will not be followed up with a PCR for the majority of people.
I haven't seen or heard of any requirement to report rapid test results, unless there is something to that effect in whatever literature accompanies the test itself (I've never seen one).
eta I have no idea where Sarah7591 resides, just reporting the current state of testing here
The instructions on the rapid test tell you to follow up with a PCR test, but there is nothing about reporting it. We did follow up with PCR tests - mostly because my rapid tests kept coming back negative even though I obviously had extensive exposures - I wanted to confirm with a more sensitive test. (Our PCR tests were on December 24 so we were using the guidelines at the time - I know they have changed since then.)
Of course my PCR test got lost and never was uploaded to the system. The pharmacist checked with the lab and told me verbally it was negative, but he also said it would be uploaded within 24 hours and it never was so who knows.
well, no, there is nothing about reporting it in patient instructions here in Aust either - patients don't have to report PCR tests, their medical service does so.
They are meant to follow up any positive RATS tests with PCR test though - which if positive then gets reported to Communicable Disease branch by your medical provider
Yes our PCR tests are reported by the provider as well. I was talking about the rapid tests you do at home. Unless you follow up with a PCR (which we can't even do now) they do not get reported anywhere.
will be interesting to see how this plays out in Australia now one does not have to follow up a positive RATS test with a PCR test.
PCR tests are reported by your medical provider
You are suppossed to let your medical provider know of positive RATS test so they can report it - whether everyone does so will be another matter.
I guess quite a lot will because they want to do the right thing and/or will want medical certificates for school, work etc - but I doubt everyone will.
In Tasmania and Victoria those who have a positive RAT have to register details to the relevant health department not the patient's medical provider, I assume the same in NSW (if not its coming soon). Numbers are quite high and local clinics would be overrun it people had to report their medical provider.
Tasmania has an online registration page as does Victoria. Not sure what's happening elsewhere.
Curious what the consequences are if one does not report positive test findings. Depending, could it be that not everyone reports their results?0 -
for anyone interested, here is a news article: https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/mass-to-change-the-way-it-reports-covid-19-hospitalizations/2606930/
was actually an interesting read. Much more detail on this topic than the two sentences mentioned on the AM news.0 -
tiptoethruthetulips wrote: »paperpudding wrote: »paperpudding wrote: »paperpudding wrote: »what do you mean you didnt report it?
Don't you have to report positive RATS tests and/or follow up with official PCR test?
Here in Ontario, public health testing is becoming overwhelmed and the latest guideline restricts eligibility for PCR tests. Contact tracing and testing is out the window at this point. So, no, a positive rapid antigen test will not be followed up with a PCR for the majority of people.
I haven't seen or heard of any requirement to report rapid test results, unless there is something to that effect in whatever literature accompanies the test itself (I've never seen one).
eta I have no idea where Sarah7591 resides, just reporting the current state of testing here
The instructions on the rapid test tell you to follow up with a PCR test, but there is nothing about reporting it. We did follow up with PCR tests - mostly because my rapid tests kept coming back negative even though I obviously had extensive exposures - I wanted to confirm with a more sensitive test. (Our PCR tests were on December 24 so we were using the guidelines at the time - I know they have changed since then.)
Of course my PCR test got lost and never was uploaded to the system. The pharmacist checked with the lab and told me verbally it was negative, but he also said it would be uploaded within 24 hours and it never was so who knows.
well, no, there is nothing about reporting it in patient instructions here in Aust either - patients don't have to report PCR tests, their medical service does so.
They are meant to follow up any positive RATS tests with PCR test though - which if positive then gets reported to Communicable Disease branch by your medical provider
Yes our PCR tests are reported by the provider as well. I was talking about the rapid tests you do at home. Unless you follow up with a PCR (which we can't even do now) they do not get reported anywhere.
will be interesting to see how this plays out in Australia now one does not have to follow up a positive RATS test with a PCR test.
PCR tests are reported by your medical provider
You are suppossed to let your medical provider know of positive RATS test so they can report it - whether everyone does so will be another matter.
I guess quite a lot will because they want to do the right thing and/or will want medical certificates for school, work etc - but I doubt everyone will.
In Tasmania and Victoria those who have a positive RAT have to register details to the relevant health department not the patient's medical provider, I assume the same in NSW (if not its coming soon). Numbers are quite high and local clinics would be overrun it people had to report their medical provider.
Tasmania has an online registration page as does Victoria. Not sure what's happening elsewhere.
I wish we had that in SA
But, no, the system here is your GP clinic does it once you notify them of your result.
Yes I expect to be over run doing covid notifications.1 -
News stated that starting next week, here in Massachusetts the state will change how COVID is reported. They will distinguish between being admitted DUE to Covid vs admitted WITH Covid. I think they are at least a year late as the blurring of that distinction certainly fuels confusion, as well as conspiracy talk.
Coincidentally I happened to notice a news article today that Ontario will be switching to the same type of reporting with regard to deaths.1 -
tiptoethruthetulips wrote: »paperpudding wrote: »paperpudding wrote: »paperpudding wrote: »what do you mean you didnt report it?
Don't you have to report positive RATS tests and/or follow up with official PCR test?
Here in Ontario, public health testing is becoming overwhelmed and the latest guideline restricts eligibility for PCR tests. Contact tracing and testing is out the window at this point. So, no, a positive rapid antigen test will not be followed up with a PCR for the majority of people.
I haven't seen or heard of any requirement to report rapid test results, unless there is something to that effect in whatever literature accompanies the test itself (I've never seen one).
eta I have no idea where Sarah7591 resides, just reporting the current state of testing here
The instructions on the rapid test tell you to follow up with a PCR test, but there is nothing about reporting it. We did follow up with PCR tests - mostly because my rapid tests kept coming back negative even though I obviously had extensive exposures - I wanted to confirm with a more sensitive test. (Our PCR tests were on December 24 so we were using the guidelines at the time - I know they have changed since then.)
Of course my PCR test got lost and never was uploaded to the system. The pharmacist checked with the lab and told me verbally it was negative, but he also said it would be uploaded within 24 hours and it never was so who knows.
well, no, there is nothing about reporting it in patient instructions here in Aust either - patients don't have to report PCR tests, their medical service does so.
They are meant to follow up any positive RATS tests with PCR test though - which if positive then gets reported to Communicable Disease branch by your medical provider
Yes our PCR tests are reported by the provider as well. I was talking about the rapid tests you do at home. Unless you follow up with a PCR (which we can't even do now) they do not get reported anywhere.
will be interesting to see how this plays out in Australia now one does not have to follow up a positive RATS test with a PCR test.
PCR tests are reported by your medical provider
You are suppossed to let your medical provider know of positive RATS test so they can report it - whether everyone does so will be another matter.
I guess quite a lot will because they want to do the right thing and/or will want medical certificates for school, work etc - but I doubt everyone will.
In Tasmania and Victoria those who have a positive RAT have to register details to the relevant health department not the patient's medical provider, I assume the same in NSW (if not its coming soon). Numbers are quite high and local clinics would be overrun it people had to report their medical provider.
Tasmania has an online registration page as does Victoria. Not sure what's happening elsewhere.
Curious what the consequences are if one does not report positive test findings. Depending, could it be that not everyone reports their results?
I don't believe there are any real consequences, but if someone wants to access the financial support available for not being able to work they need to have registered first plus it allows the health department to offer services, for instance in Tasmania there is the covid@home kit that has monitoring equipment, daily check in calls from the health department etc.
Hopefully people will do the right thing and stay home if they have a positive RAT, but I assume the majority will have cared enough to do the test in the first instance and so will stay home and isolate.2 -
and further to tiptoe's post.
Also from Australia - but I am in South Australia not Tasmania.
RATS tests here are not meant to be done by people with symptoms - they are meant to be done by asymptomatic people for travel clearance reasons, return to work reasons, screening high risk employees, that sort of thing.
So if people want a refund on their holiday/flights or sick leave from their employer or unemployment benifits whilst sick etc - they will probably also need a letter from their GP hence reporting to GP to get that.
1 -
I read that because it infects the bronchial tubes more than lower in the lungs that that’s why it is more infectious.0
-
I worked another shift last night and it was crazy. Really sick people were waiting outside the hospital because there were no beds. Our resources are stretched so thin. Please stop coming to the ER just for a Covid test and unvaccinated people need to get vaccinated. These unvaccinated people are taking up all of the beds.21
-
Heard a report (NPR news) today about a hospital where they test everyone on arrival, no matter what has brought them to the hospital/ER, no matter whether Covid-symptomatic or not. With the Omicron wave, 1 in 7 people coming into the hospital are testing positive. The test report comes back after they've been in the hospital for a while, if only in the ER.
Those presenting for other conditions, with no Covid symptoms, have by that time encountered various staff members who are not in full Covid-precautions mode. It's leading to an increase in cases among the staff, usually minor because staff are vaccinated. Even so, staff need to isolate for a minimum of 5 days, so even more staffing shortages are resulting.
There are a lot of moving parts to all of these systems, and new circumstances cause new complications/problems.
Another reason to stay away from the ER if you don't truly need to be there is the potential to contract Covid from fellow patients in the ER. Obviously, don't stay away if you have a serious medical problem. It's a balance of risks question.10 -
I asked my friend for the timeline of symptoms she had with omicron. She is young, healthy and boosted.
Saturday: sore throat
Sunday: miserable, sore throat and sleep. Tested positive
Monday: more sleep
Tuesday: annoying cold, snot, sneezing
Wednesday/Thursday: cold symptoms, but feeling better
Today: much better but not enough to dive back into diy projects
6 -
@tiptoethruthetulips @paperpudding Those are very clear incentives for individuals to report their positive tests. Sounds like a motivating system.
@AnnPT77 My daughter's boss's teen daughter was sick (turns out it was Lyme disease) and the mom took her to the ER. They both contracted COVID from their time at the ER. So yes, it is good advice to save going to the ER for when that level of medical care is truly needed.
In December when many in my family had that lousy cold, DD was sick enough that her PCP wanted to run some tests (COVID, Flu & Strep). That PCP's office is associated with a parking garage. Guess where the staff tests patients. Yup, in the parking garage, which is an option most doctors are not lucky enough to be able to offer.
5 -
Heard a report (NPR news) today about a hospital where they test everyone on arrival, no matter what has brought them to the hospital/ER, no matter whether Covid-symptomatic or not. With the Omicron wave, 1 in 7 people coming into the hospital are testing positive. The test report comes back after they've been in the hospital for a while, if only in the ER.
Those presenting for other conditions, with no Covid symptoms, have by that time encountered various staff members who are not in full Covid-precautions mode. It's leading to an increase in cases among the staff, usually minor because staff are vaccinated. Even so, staff need to isolate for a minimum of 5 days, so even more staffing shortages are resulting.
There are a lot of moving parts to all of these systems, and new circumstances cause new complications/problems.
Another reason to stay away from the ER if you don't truly need to be there is the potential to contract Covid from fellow patients in the ER. Obviously, don't stay away if you have a serious medical problem. It's a balance of risks question.
Very true! If one doesn’t have Covid then there is a high chance of catching it by coming in. Everyone who has had a potential exposure or respiratory symptoms even if not Covid are lumped together in our Covid tent, because we can’t put them with the general population.
We are short staffed again tomorrow. It sucks. And patients complain so much about the wait times not realizing we get no breaks, bend over backwards for them, and put our health on the line. This pandemic has really made me lose faith in humanity as a whole.28 -
Heard a report (NPR news) today about a hospital where they test everyone on arrival, no matter what has brought them to the hospital/ER, no matter whether Covid-symptomatic or not. With the Omicron wave, 1 in 7 people coming into the hospital are testing positive. The test report comes back after they've been in the hospital for a while, if only in the ER.
Those presenting for other conditions, with no Covid symptoms, have by that time encountered various staff members who are not in full Covid-precautions mode. It's leading to an increase in cases among the staff, usually minor because staff are vaccinated. Even so, staff need to isolate for a minimum of 5 days, so even more staffing shortages are resulting.
There are a lot of moving parts to all of these systems, and new circumstances cause new complications/problems.
Another reason to stay away from the ER if you don't truly need to be there is the potential to contract Covid from fellow patients in the ER. Obviously, don't stay away if you have a serious medical problem. It's a balance of risks question.
Very true! If one doesn’t have Covid then there is a high chance of catching it by coming in. Everyone who has had a potential exposure or respiratory symptoms even if not Covid are lumped together in our Covid tent, because we can’t put them with the general population.
We are short staffed again tomorrow. It sucks. And patients complain so much about the wait times not realizing we get no breaks, bend over backwards for them, and put our health on the line. This pandemic has really made me lose faith in humanity as a whole.
I'm so sorry. I can't even begin to imagine what this would be like. Thank you for doing what you do, under these extreme, extreme circumstances.9 -
Heard a report (NPR news) today about a hospital where they test everyone on arrival, no matter what has brought them to the hospital/ER, no matter whether Covid-symptomatic or not. With the Omicron wave, 1 in 7 people coming into the hospital are testing positive. The test report comes back after they've been in the hospital for a while, if only in the ER.
Those presenting for other conditions, with no Covid symptoms, have by that time encountered various staff members who are not in full Covid-precautions mode. It's leading to an increase in cases among the staff, usually minor because staff are vaccinated. Even so, staff need to isolate for a minimum of 5 days, so even more staffing shortages are resulting.
There are a lot of moving parts to all of these systems, and new circumstances cause new complications/problems.
Another reason to stay away from the ER if you don't truly need to be there is the potential to contract Covid from fellow patients in the ER. Obviously, don't stay away if you have a serious medical problem. It's a balance of risks question.
Very true! If one doesn’t have Covid then there is a high chance of catching it by coming in. Everyone who has had a potential exposure or respiratory symptoms even if not Covid are lumped together in our Covid tent, because we can’t put them with the general population.
We are short staffed again tomorrow. It sucks. And patients complain so much about the wait times not realizing we get no breaks, bend over backwards for them, and put our health on the line. This pandemic has really made me lose faith in humanity as a whole.
I'm so sorry. I can't even begin to imagine what this would be like. Thank you for doing what you do, under these extreme, extreme circumstances.
Thanks. I’m just overwhelmed at times. The unvaccinated are really putting everyone through the wringer at the hospital. It just makes no sense. They don’t think logically and it is frustrating. I am normally good at handling stress but have a baby at home now and I’m really trying not to bring anything home to him. Just venting.19
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 396.5K Introduce Yourself
- 44.2K Getting Started
- 260.8K Health and Weight Loss
- 176.3K Food and Nutrition
- 47.6K Recipes
- 232.8K Fitness and Exercise
- 449 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.6K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153.3K Motivation and Support
- 8.3K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.5K Chit-Chat
- 2.6K Fun and Games
- 4.5K MyFitnessPal Information
- 16 News and Announcements
- 18 MyFitnessPal Academy
- 1.4K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 3K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions