Virus surging in 41 states; 16 set new records
A third of U.S. states are reporting higher coronavirus case counts than they’ve ever had before.
A USA TODAY analysis of Johns Hopkins data shows 16 states set records for new cases in a week. But nearly all states are surging: 41 states had worse weeks than they did a week earlier. And an analysis of COVID Tracking Project data shows that in 36 states, a higher rate of people were testing positive than in the week before.
On a per-person basis, cases are being led by North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana and Wisconsin. North Dakota doubled its case count since Sept. 6, and more people died there from coronavirus in the last month than in the rest of the pandemic.
The 16 states setting records for new cases in the latest week were Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Record numbers of deaths were reported in Kansas, North Dakota and South Dakota.
The U.S. has reported more than 7.8 million cases and 215,000 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins data. There have been more than 37.8 million confirmed cases around the world and 1 million deaths.
Antibody trial at Eli Lilly is paused
The New York Times reported Tuesday that “a government-sponsored clinical trial testing an antibody treatment made by the drug company Eli Lilly has been paused because of a ‘potential safety concern.’ ” The trial was designed to test the benefits of the therapy on hundreds of people hospitalized with COVID-19, the Times said. It did not say how many volunteers were sick, or any details about their illness.
“In large clinical trials, such pauses are not unusual, and illness in volunteers is not necessarily the result of the experimental drug or vaccine,” the Times said.
In a statement sent to USA TODAY, Lilly spokeswoman Molly McCully confirmed the pause of the trial: “Safety is of the utmost importance to Lilly. We are aware that, out of an abundance of caution, the ACTIV-3 independent data safety monitoring board (DSMB) has recommended a pause in enrollment. Lilly is supportive of the decision by the independent DSMB to cautiously ensure the safety of the patients participating in this study.”
How long does COVID-19 illness to last?
It depends. Most coronavirus patients have mild to moderate illness and recover quickly. Older, sicker patients tend to take longer to recover. That includes those who are obese, or have high blood pressure and other chronic diseases.
The World Health Organization says recovery typically takes two to six weeks. One U.S. study found that around 20% of non-hospitalized individuals ages 18 to 34 still had symptoms at least two weeks after becoming ill. The same was true for nearly half of people age 50 and older. Among those sick enough to be hospitalized, a study in Italy found 87% were experiencing symptoms two months after getting sick.
Dr. Khalilah Gates, a Chicago lung specialist, said many of her hospitalized patients still have coughing episodes, breathing difficulties and fatigue three to four months after infection. She said it’s hard to predict exactly when patients will return to feeling well.
Europe added 700,000 new cases last week
Last week saw the highest number of new cases reported across Europe as 700,000 people tested positive. The WHO said the total accounts for a 34% jump in cases in European nations. Deaths in Europe also spiked by 16%, the WHO said. Britain, France, Russia and Spain accounted for more than half of the new cases.