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Key Points
January 20, 2021
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In today’s Recommendations for Industry, we explore this week’s U.S. 50-State Risk Matrix some encouraging downward trends in case rates and transmission of the COVID-19 virus.
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It is now believed that the B117 COVID-19 variant likely has been circulating in California and Florida since mid-November. There are currently 122 confirmed cases in 20 states.
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In addition to TAG’s Vaccine Q&A, the New England Journal of Medicine has its own COVID-19 vaccine FAQ.
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Although travel restrictions were set to be lifted by outgoing U.S. President Trump for 26 countries in the Schengen zone and Brazil, starting January 26th, incoming President Joe Biden is expected to block this order, due to the increasing rise in COVID-19 variants and coronavirus spread.
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Due to manufacturing disruptions in Belgium, Pfizer has alerted Canada that the country would not be receiving any COVID-19 vaccines next week.
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Hospital beds in intensive care units across various counties around the U.S. are running out of beds. It is important to continue your preventive measures so that you may protect
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Kaiser Health reports that Black Americans are less likely to (and currently) not being vaccinated at the same rates as whites; due to lack of access and anti-vaccine sentiment.
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Moderna is currently investigating some “higher than usual number of possible allergic reactions” from a specific clinic in San Diego, CA. Early indications suggest that these reactions may be associated with a specific lot of vaccine.
Recommendations for Industry
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The TAG matrices are beginning to show some encouraging downward trends in case rates and transmission of the COVID-19 virus. Unfortunately, new variants continue to be detected with higher infectious rates from which we’ve seen significant transmission and devastation in other countries. While we’ve not yet seen evidence of it in the U.S., we do need to be prepared for a spike as the variants take hold here – which we would then expect to be driven down through vaccinations over the next six months.
So, the recommendations for industry continue to be: Maintain! Continue all protective behaviors and keep an eye out for your state’s vaccine availability.
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TAG Matrices. Based on TAG’s matrices since last week:
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Twenty-three (23) states are in the Highest-Risk Quadrant (Outbreak Index > 50) (see Table 1, Figure 1, Figure 2). This is down from 37 last week. States in the High and Highest-Risk Quadrants are Idaho, Pennsylvania, Iowa, Alabama, South Dakota, Mississippi, Kansas, Kentucky, Utah, Arkansas, Virginia, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Georgia, Texas, Nebraska, Wyoming, Ohio, Arizona, South Carolina, Oregon, Washington, and Maine.
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The Government Stringency Index remains at 48 this week.
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Thirteen (13) states’ (Arizona, Idaho, Colorado, Louisiana, Michigan, North Carolina, Hawaii, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, Maine, and Vermont) businesses are in mixed opening stages. Five (5) states’ (Oregon, California, New Mexico, and Illinois) businesses are mostly closed.
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Twenty-seven (27)) states have a TPR ≥10% and a case rate ≥ 25/100K people (Table 2). This is down from 32 states last week. This indicates that testing may not be adequate to fully characterize the true severity of the outbreak in the states. On the other hand, 17 states and Washington D.C. have a TPR < 10% and a case rate≥ 25/100K people indicates adequate testing that is likely finding most symptomatic cases of illnesses. This is up one from last week. The states with a TPR<10% and a case rate < 25/100K are North Dakota, Oregon, Hawaii, Washington, and Minnesota.
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In Case You Missed It...
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In Monday’s Recommendations for Industry, we discussed the potential of the new variants to upend the current stable period we see with COVID-19 cases. Read more.
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The COVID-19 death toll has risen over 2 million worldwide; this marks a new milestone in this pandemic.
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In the U.S., the B117 variant of COVID-19 is expected to become the dominant COVID-19 strain in the upcoming months (by March 2021). It is imperative that despite receiving the vaccine, everyone continues to practice preventive measures, including mask-wearing, hand washing, and social distancing.
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In last Friday’s Recommendations for Industry, we explored the latest on the COVID-19 vaccine and complexities and business decisions surrounding it. Read more.
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The CDC released some information on the types of symptoms to expect after receiving a vaccine.
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A best practice of keeping COVID-19 out of your home is to improve the ventilation (air flow) and bring in fresh air, especially if you are having visitors. This extra step, on top of staying 6 feet apart and wearing masks, can decrease your risk of getting/spreading COVID-19. Improving ventilation may include, opening windows, using air filters, and turning on fans – all actions that can clear the air and move the particles out of the space you’re in.
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You can also use a window exhaust fan or place a fan as close as possible to an open door or window, blowing outwards.
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If you want a portable air cleaner, consider using a high-efficiency particular air (HEPA) cleaner sized for the room(s) you are airing out.
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Read more tips from the CDC, including how to use ceiling fans, vent bathrooms, etc.
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Beware of black market COVID-19 vaccines. The FDA has also issued a warning to beware of fraudulent tests, vaccines, and treatments. Be wary of unofficial COVID-19 vaccines and unscrupulous individuals who may be selling or administering the vaccine. Currently, vaccines are being distributed and administered through health departments, hospitals, pharmacies, and other valid medical or pharmaceutical facilities. Do not take a vaccine that is offered outside of locations listed above. If you have questions about the appropriateness of a vaccination site, reach out to your local or state health department.
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We continue to populate the TAG Vaccine Q&A page.
Keep up to date with COVID-19:
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Please send us any questions, comments, and/or concerns! We are happy to talk with you.
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