COVID-19 patients are now dying at a lower rate in Los Angeles County, according to LA Times. This trend is counter to earlier warnings a major increase was inevitable. However, doctors still warn the tragedy could happen because of the SARS-Cov-2 survival double bind. The killer could still be bed availability.
The SARS-Cov-2 Survival Double Bind Is Mortality Numbers
The lower mortality rate is partly due to average ages of infection falling. The knock-on is younger people becoming sick with less serious symptoms. However, they could still cause hospitals to overflow if their overall infection rate continues rising. But that is not all there is to the SARS-Cov-2 survival double bind.
More patients are surviving COVID-19 disease the SARS-Cov-2 virus causes. However, better treatment protocols also means they occupy hospital beds longer. This could create a log jam, unless authorities can correspondingly slow the admission rate. The key statistic is the case-fatality rate according to LA Times. However, this has a sting in the tail only we can control.
We Are as Much in Control of Our Destinies as Ever
Young people have a certain statistical probability of falling seriously ill with COVID-19. Treatment protocols have taken tremendous strides in the past six months. This is why the Los Angeles mortality rate has fallen to 2%, from 4% last May. Moreover, an increasing proportion of infections are younger, healthier people.
Moreover, the SARS-Cov-2 survival double bind we face remains the capacity of our health care system. There is still a risk of us dropping collective guard on account of recovery rates, and COVID fatigue overwhelming us.
Dr. Armand Dorian is physician and chief medical officer for Verdugo Hills Hospital at University South California. He says the key to survival is having sufficient resources to take time out with patients, and listen to their needs. Improved health care comes from having less-stressed professionals with time to do that. “That’s what turns people around. It’s not just medicine, really,” he says.
Related
Asymptomatics Carried Same Amount of Virus
Are Americans Reporting Ill Instead of COVID
Preview Image: U.S. Navy Personnel Treat COVID Patients
