Previous updates here and here. As expected, the leading indicators of Test Positivity and ER Visits continue their decline — suggesting we’ve already seen the peak of this particular resurgence in Covid cases, at least until the usual late fall/early winter surge emerges in a couple of more months. And while the weekly death toll (a lagging indicator) continues to rise, we probably reached the peak in the last week or two, though that won’t be fully evident for several more weeks.
All data from CDC Data Tracker
Still, now is the ideal time to get the latest booster (if you haven’t already been infected with the current highly contagious variant) so as to be in the best possible position to deal with the expected main seasonal event in December. Keep in mind that even the most recent vaccine booster won’t necessarily keep you from becoming infected, but it should definitely keep you from being hospitalized (or worse).
The real news today concerns a new study published in the scientific journal Cell (as reported on by yahoo!news) that supports the original theory concerning Covid’s origins as arising from the wildlife trade (i.e. “wet market”) of the Huanan Seafood Market in Wuhan, China, rather than a leak from a biolab there as many quasi-conspiracy theorists have suggested:
Based on over 800 surface samples collected in early 2020, the research found genetic material from raccoon dogs, bamboo rats, civets and other wildlife in areas heavily contaminated with the virus, suggesting these animals could have been infected and transmitted SARS-CoV-2 — the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 — to humans.
Speaking to AFP, co-author and evolutionary biologist Florence Debarre explained that while they cannot ascertain whether the animals at the market were infected or not, their research confirms that there were wild animals in the southwest corner of the market at the end of 2019, which is also an area where “a lot” of SARS-CoV-2 was detected. Additionally, both the virus’ “A” and “B” lineages that circulated early in the pandemic were detected in market samples. Despite ongoing debates about a lab leak — the other main origin theory — all available data point toward a spillover event that likely occurred at the market, Debarre said.
Further details from knewz:
Scripps Researchers came to the conclusion after testing a variety of samples from animals sold in the wet market in 2019. They discovered traces of the virus in some of the species tested.
Now, the researches have argued their work is the first instance of scientists being able to identify animal species potentially responsible for transmitting the virus to humans.
Kristian Andersen, the author of the study, said: “This adds another layer to the accumulating evidence that all points to the same scenario: that infected animals were introduced into the market in mid-to late November 2019, which sparked the pandemic.”
One species believed to be a carrier of the virus was the raccoon-dog, a fox-like animal commonly found in East Asia. The animal was sold live at the wet-market.
Other species found with traces of Covid included Malayan porcupines, hoary bamboo rats and masked palm civets.
Florence Débarre of the French National Center for Scientific Research said the list was not conclusive list, as many species were removed from the wet market prior to the arrival of Chinese health officials, who began collecting samples on January 1, 2020, after the market was closed.
Chinese CDC members swabbed floors, walls, stalls and other surfaces around the market. The team additionally collected samples from nearby drains and sewers.
Researchers further noted many of the early cases of Covid reported in Wuhan included workers at the wet market.
