Local COVID-19 updates

[edschweppe]

As of 4PM today, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is reporting 18 newly reported confirmed COVID-19 deaths (for a total of 7,508 confirmed deaths), 140 newly reported confirmed cases (for a total of 101,474) and 6,361 new patients tested by molecular tests (for a total of 719,236), with a total of 903,422 molecular tests administered to date. The ratio of newly confirmed cases to individuals tested by molecular test is 2.2%. The state also reported no newly reported probable deaths (for a total of 157), 55 newly reported probable cases (for a total of 4,411), and 909 patients tested by antibody tests (for a total of 58,795). In total, the state reported 18 new deaths (for a total of 7,665) and 195 new cases (for a total of 105,885).

Newly reported deaths were down again today, which is always good news; it's even better news considering that for the last several Tuesdays, the death counts have gone up on a day-by-day basis. I'm less happy about more cases and a noticeably higher percentage of positive tests. Three of the four key metrics dropped again (seven-day weighted average positive test rate, three-day average of COVID-19 patients in hospital and three-day average of COVID-19 deaths); the fourth (number of hospitals using surge capacity) went up - from one to two.

One bit of good news came out of England today, as researchers in England have shown that a common and inexpensive steroid significantly reduced deaths from COVID-19 (at least in the ICU setting):

Researchers in England say they have the first evidence that a drug can improve COVID-19 survival: A cheap, widely available steroid called dexamethasone reduced deaths by up to one third in severely ill hospitalized patients.

Results were announced Tuesday and researchers said they would publish them soon. The study is a large, strict test that randomly assigned 2,104 patients to get the drug and compared them with 4,321 patients getting only usual care.

The drug was given either orally or through an IV. After 28 days, it had reduced deaths by 35% in patients who needed treatment with breathing machines and by 20% in those only needing supplemental oxygen. It did not appear to help less ill patients.

"This is an extremely welcome result," one study leader, Peter Horby of the University of Oxford, said in a statement. "The survival benefit is clear and large in those patients who are sick enough to require oxygen treatment, so dexamethasone should now become standard of care in these patients. Dexamethasone is inexpensive, on the shelf, and can be used immediately to save lives worldwide."

Even though the drug only helps in severe cases, "countless lives will be saved globally," said Nick Cammack of Wellcome, a British charity that supports science research.
"Dexamethasone must now be rolled out and accessed by thousands of critically ill patients around the world," said Cammack, who had no role in the study. "It is highly affordable, easy to make, can be scaled up quickly and only needs a small dosage."

It's nowhere near a cure, but that is the first thing I've heard of that actually works to reduce mortality, so it's definitely good news.

The town of Acton has not posted an update today; the most recent report, as of 8:30AM on June 13, reported 171 cumulative cases with 2 individuals in isolation, 148 persons recovered and 21 fatalities.

Comments

[jhetley]

Maine CDC reports 9 new cases and no new fatalities for the day. For the entire state.

[edschweppe]

Hopefully you folks continue to be fortunate in that regard.