General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsUS cases have been increasing by 33%/day for the last 3 weeks.
That means the case count is doubling every 2.5 days. The behavior is remarkably consistent since at least March 2, when there were only 105 cases. If that exponential behavior remains in place for just another two weeks, there will be on the order of 2.5 million cases in the USA.
The global All Case Fatality Ratio (including cases that are still active) has gone up to 4.4%, and the Case Fatality Ratio for resolved cases (those who have recovered or died) has risen to 13.9% from 5.6% two weeks ago.
That last number scares the living shit out of me. Unless something really major happens to change the epidemiology of this thing, the USA is looking at an unavoidable human catastrophe that will make the argument over stimulus packages look like playground name-calling.
dem4decades
(11,288 posts)The_jackalope
(1,660 posts)33% a day since March 1. Close to 30,000 deaths in the USA by April 6, in two weeks.
dem4decades
(11,288 posts)genxlib
(5,524 posts)It could already be that high in the real world.
The_jackalope
(1,660 posts)Undetected cases aren't severe enough for hospitalization, so are moot from an epidemiological POV.
genxlib
(5,524 posts)Undetected cases aren't severe enough YET for hospitalization, so are moot from an epidemiological POV.
If you are talking about old cases that never got serious enough for treatment, then fine. that was relevant when we had a chance to contain and control but we are past that now.
But the incubation period is anywhere from 5-14 days. So many of those unknown cases are headed to the hospital in the near future. It absolutely matters how many are out there. Looking at the current numbers don't really tell you what is coming.
The_jackalope
(1,660 posts)In terms of preparation of the medical system, yes it matters very much. But there is now more than 14 days of data out there, so the general projections are getting more solid. I'm more concerned that they are averaged over a large number of regions, so it may tend to over or underestimate the future conditions in any particular place.
genxlib
(5,524 posts)My point is that the unknowns related to lack of testing will continue to manifest themselves in new hospitalizations far beyond what the tested confirmations tells us. But yes, the hospitalizations are growing at a matching rate so you could model either one to get a picture of the future.
Definitely, the regional nature of this will definitely change the projections. Some places will get hit harder than the averages suggest.
Peace
The_jackalope
(1,660 posts)genxlib
(5,524 posts)genxlib
(5,524 posts)It attempts to break things down by state.
Still a lot of averaging to that but closer than the nationwide numbers.
https://covidactnow.org/
Javaman
(62,521 posts)my the universe help us.
central scrutinizer
(11,648 posts)Has overtaken let them eat cake as the most callous statement ever.
NRaleighLiberal
(60,014 posts)EarthFirst
(2,900 posts)Happy Hoosier
(7,295 posts)It mean 5 figure deaths..... best case.
The_jackalope
(1,660 posts)I'm a died-in-the-wool pessimist when it comes to humanity's psychological ability to take the necessary steps to slow down invisible catastrophes (yes, climate change, I'm looking at you) at the expense of their own comfort and enjoyment.
A lot will depend on when the disease becomes visible to average people through hospital shortages, the collapse of essential services and the deaths of acquaintances. How much devastation that will wreak remains to be seen. But it's coming, probably within two months, IMO.