• A pre-print article describes the discovery of 10 bat species in Northern Laos harboring 25 coronaviruses, three of which were close to SARS-CoV-2. the authors suggest these new viruses “…seem to have the same potential for infecting humans as early strains of SARS-CoV-2.” Source
• The Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute in Washington, DC reports that some of its lions and tigers have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, and are being treated with anti-inflammatories, anti-nausea medication and antibiotics. The source of their infection is unknown. Source
• The US CDC reports that 99.4 percent of coronavirus cases it has tracked are caused by the Delta variant. Source
• In the US, demand for monoclonal antibody treatment – which cost the government $2,100 per dose – is soaring among the unvaccinated. Weekly orders increased from 27,000 in July to 168,000 by late August, leading the Biden administration to take over distribution.
Monoclonal antibodies are given as an infusion, which takes about 90 minutes and require constant attention from nurses. “It’s clogging up resources, it’s hard to give, and a vaccine is $20 and could prevent almost all of that,” said Dr. Christian Ramers, an infectious disease specialist and the chief of population health at Family Health Centers of San Diego, a community-based provider. Pushing antibodies while playing down vaccines, he said, was “like investing in car insurance without investing in brakes.” Source