COVID-19 Update: Monday, February 8th, 2021

Vaccine updates. Short and sweet today.

1. South Africa has put their vaccine distribution on halt after the AstraZeneca vaccine proved ineffective at preventing the SA variant. Given it is the predominant variant in the country, they are reconsidering the use of the vaccine.

2. 41 million Americans have been vaccinated to date.

3. While cases are declining, (which is great news) the case fatality rate is increasing for the first time since May. Every week the CFR has gone down until the last 2 weeks at which time it has increased slightly. You may recall the CFR is the % of fatalities from known cases.

4. All 32 NFL stadiums have committed to becoming mass vaccination sites. Mass vaccination at PODS (points of dispensing) is a long-existing public health practice.

5. There is some evidence that the use of convalescent plasma therapy may have contributed to viral mutations. This is something being studied further so stay tuned for more information on this.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Happy Monday. As we begin the week I am reminded that each of us is facing so much more than COVID. We are experts at hiding our struggles and putting on our smiles to say we are fine. As you encounter people this week remember that the people you encounter are also coping with their own challenges so be kind. It matters.