Covid-19 on the decline: Miller Report for March 2, ’22

Editor’s note: Dr. William Miller, chief of staff at the Adventist Health Mendocino Coast Hospital, is writing weekly reports concerning the COVID-19 situation on the Mendocino Coast. We are pleased to be running his health column, with details on the medical fight against the pandemic. The views shared in this weekly column are those of the author, Dr. William Miller, and do not necessarily represent those of The Mendocino Voice or of Adventist Health.

While there are a few hot spots still in the world where death rates from COVID are climbing, the overall national picture is one for careful optimism. The indicators that matter most, hospitalization rates and death rates, are both on the decline in the US. There are several reasons for this. First, it has now been shown for certain that Omicron is in fact less virulent. The death rate from Omicron is only about one quarter that of Delta; 75% less lethal according to one large study recently published from the United Kingdom. This is independent of the effect from prior immunity, which was adjusted for in the study. Immunity, both from vaccination and prior infection, is also contributing to a significant decrease in the severity of illnesses. We now have out-patient anti-viral medications and monoclonal antibody treatments, both of which reduce progression to serious illness. However, they remain in short supply and the need to start them within the first few days of symptoms limits eligibility for many patients.