‘Autoantibodies’ may be driving severe Covid cases, study shows | Science | The Guardian

Dramatic levels of “friendly fire” from the immune system may drive severe Covid-19 disease and leave patients with “long Covid” – when medical problems persist for a significant time after the virus has been beaten – scientists have said.

Researchers at Yale University found that Covid-19 patients had large numbers of misguided antibodies in their blood that targeted the organs, tissues and the immune system itself, rather than fighting off the invading virus.

The scientists compared immune responses in patients and uninfected people and discovered scores of aberrant antibodies in the former.These blocked antiviral defences, wiped out helpful immune cells, and attacked the body on multiple fronts, from the brain, blood vessels and liver to connective tissue and the gastrointestinal tract.

Further tests revealed that the more “autoantibodies” patients had in their blood, the worse their disease. The Covid-19 patients had more antibodies that had turned on them than people with lupus, an autoimmune disease caused by similar wayward antibodies.

Source: ‘Autoantibodies’ may be driving severe Covid cases, study shows | Science | The Guardian

COVID-19 slams San Joaquin Valley hospitals, as many resist restrictions – Los Angeles Times

Dr. Eyad Almasri of UC San Francisco in Fresno.

(Dr. Eyad Almasri)

“My own neighbor told me they thought COVID wasn’t real — a scam for hospitals to get money from the government,” he said. “I said, ‘What are you talking about? I’m there every day. I’ve seen people die.’”

In Fresno County, more than half of COVID-19 cases have been in the Hispanic community, and more people under the age of 75 have died than those older, according to data from the county. Cases in San Joaquin have also skewed young, with most of those who have contracted the virus between the ages of 20 and 60, the county says.

But now the ward is filled with people of every description.

Source: COVID-19 slams San Joaquin Valley hospitals, as many resist restrictions – Los Angeles Times

L.A. County Coronavirus Update: Public Health Report 370% Increase In Covid-19 Cases Since November – Deadline

Los Angeles County proceeds into its darkest moment of the coronavirus pandemic yet as Public Health officials report 11,476 new cases on Saturday. While the latest count of new Covid-19 cases may be smaller than that of Friday and Thursday, Los Angeles County is far from in the clear as transmission rates soar beyond November levels. Source: L.A. County Coronavirus Update: Public Health Report 370% Increase In Covid-19 Cases Since November – Deadline