Well, I was wrong, there was enough newsworthy information in today’s COVID-19 news conference to warrant an afternoon post.
Dr. Bruce Randolph, Shelby County Health Officer, wanted to stress that any changes to the current health directive are unlikely to occur until approximately two weeks after Labor Day. This is because this week, we have the triple whammy of schools being back in session, people attending football games, and the long weekend. The health department wants to see what the results look like on the other side of those events before making any decisions. The virus has a 14-day incubation period, so it sounds like limited-service restaurants will remain closed until at least September 21.
Sam Hardiman of the CA asked, if all other factors continue to head in the right direction after Labor Day, but the positivity rate remains above 10%, will the health department consider allowing limited-service restaurants to reopen? (THANK YOU SAM!!!) Dr. Randolph said the parameters are listed in the health directive, and that all 5 parameters do not have to be met for the health department to consider making changes.
The health department’s David Sweat noted that an analysis of the surge in the month of July found that the 21-30 age group was far and away above any other as a driving force of the virus. They more actively acquired it and transmitted it. Sweat appealed to those in that age group to avoid gatherings where 6 feet of distance is not possible, to follow the mask ordinance, and to practice good hand washing protocol.
Sweat pointed out there are currently less than 2500 active COVID-19 cases in the county, whereas many days in July that number was over 6000. Both he and Dr. Randolph agreed that this weekend is an inflection point. Behavior this weekend and the results produced from it will affect whether we are allowed more freedom going forward.
Dr. Randolph wanted to point out that it will be quite a while before we can return to that way things were: people crowding bars, seated shoulder to shoulder at movie theaters, attending large gatherings.
Dr. Randolph pointed out that some American Conference schools are not allowing fans at football games at all, while Memphis fans have the privilege of attending the Tigers game Saturday night. He requested that fans who attend that game observe all safety measures so that they continue to have that privilege. Dr. Randolph reminded everyone that tailgating will not be permitted at the game.
Asked if higher attendance could be allowed at Tigers game if the data continues in the right direction following Labor Day, Dr. Randolph said that is unlikely to be under consideration. The 12-foot distancing rule feels proper at an event of this type.
Randolph also reminded the public that placing people in quarantine is the sole purview of the health department, not of schools or employers. There are entities that seem to think they can implement their own quarantine and contact tracing policies. That is incorrect.
Sweat noted that we do not have a candidate vaccine, one that has displayed efficacy in tests. However, we can go ahead and set the groundwork for distributing the vaccine once one is ready. Setting up the groundwork takes a while in terms of getting permits and identifying distribution locations. The influenza vaccine will be used as a proxy to help get set up.
Sweat said that when a vaccine is ready, essential workers in safety, law enforcement, and health care will be the likely targets of the first doses.
The vaccines under testing are multi-dose – you get the vaccine, wait a few weeks, then get a second vaccine. This differs from the flu vaccine where one dose is good to get you through the season.
Sweat also gave some statistics. Co-morbidities were present in a large number of COVID-19 deaths, with cardiac conditions (including high blood pressure) a factor in nearly 78% of cases, diabetes in 40%, and respiratory conditions in about a quarter. However, the deaths are still COVID-19 deaths.
Minority populations continue to be over-represented in deaths. 88.6% of deaths occurred in patients 55 and over.
Those were the important takeaways. Back tomorrow with more news.