Blog Day 670 - Tuesday 08 February 2022 - Day 101 of Covid Nearly Normal

Did anybody realise that there is some sort of sporting event taking place in China at the moment.  It is known as the winter olympics (WO) , although I have probably breached copyright in using those words and will most likely be pursued by the all powerful International Olympic Committee and even worse the Chinese secret police.

As usual, if you believed the local hype, we have sent the strongest and best WO team ever, including, would you believe, a curling team.  Although not having won a gold medal at the WO for 12 years, and winning that one by accident, our team is brimming with confidence far outweighing their skill in these  sports.  Currently with one gold and one bronze medal Australia is coming eleventh in the medal count.  We are well ahead of those giants in winter sports such as the Cook Islands and the Philippines et al.  

Of course the Russians due to a history of institutionalised drug taking amongst their competitors are unable to compete in these games, as they were also unable to compete in the previous summer olympics.  Anyway the sneaky Russians with the contrivance of the International Olympic Committee (damn, another copyright breach) now enter a team called the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) team.  Don't tell anybody but I reckon it would be a reasonable assumption to make that the athletes competing as the ROC would be the same athletes competing under the Russian banner if allowed.

Remember the gold medal won by an Australian competitor 12 years ago, was won by the Australian bloke being the last man standing in the 1,000 metre speed skating competition.  Strangely enough the Australian competitor the same race in the current games somewhat unsuccessfully tried the same strategy.  Unfortunately as well as taking out two of his competitors he also took himself out of the race.

One good thing has come out of these games, I have been inspired to pick up my exercise regime, as it has lapsed a little in this post Christmas period.  So back to pounding the footpath again, although I find it difficult in the warmer temperatures, particularly wearing a mask. But when I find myself tiring and want to give up I think of the brave Australian curling team and I am reinvigorated and march on against all odds.

Vaccination rates as below;

Doses by Age Band First / Second

STATE	0+	0+	12+	12+
NSW	84.5%	79.4%	94.8%	93.2%
Victoria	84.6%	79.0%	94.1%	92.6%
Queensland	80.9%	75.1%	91.2%	88.7%
SA	84.3%	77.6%	93.2%	90.1%
ACT	92.4%	84.3%	>99%	>99%
Tasmania	90.1%	82.5%	98.8%	95.7%
NT	79.0%	71.5%	90.1%	86.4%
WA	84.2%	76.8%	95.5%	91.0%
Australia	84.9%	78.9%	95.1%	92.8%

The covid stats today reflect the catch up on the lower weekend figures.  In the last 24 hours Victoria reported 9,785 new infections, up from 8,275 infections in the previous 24 hours and 7,169 reported on Sunday (two days ago).  

Of the 9,785 new infections reported in Victoria in the last 24 hours, 7,216 were reported as a result of RATs and 2,569 from PCR testing. In the last 24 hours Victoria only received the results of 19,400 PCR tests.

Hospitalisation numbers continue to decline in Victoria with currently 575 patients in hospital with the virus, down from 652 two days ago. Victorian ICU patients are stable at 72 and ventilator numbers are up slightly from 28 to 30.

Victoria reported 20 (7) virus related deaths in the last 24 hours, NSW 18 (14) and Qld 12 (19).  Previous day death numbers in brackets.

        Corona Virus Daily Stats – 08 February 2021 – Day 101 of Covid Nearly Normal

Date	Aus Infected	Aus Increase	Aus 1st Dose Vacc	Vic Infected	Vic Increase	NSW Increase	*Aus Active Infection	NSW Active Infection	Vic Active Infection	Aus 2nd Dose Vacc
01/02					11,311	12,818
02/02	2,614,706	38,379	94.9%	877,553	14,553	11,807	293,675	129,942	73,886	92.4%
03/02					12,157	12,632
04/02	2,668,333	22,508	95.0%	900,950	11,240	10,698	253,603	102,847	65,968	92.6%
05/02					7,810	8,389
06/02	2,727,303	21,602	95.1%	915,929	7,169	7,893	227,841	89,861	60,917	92.7%
07/02					8,275	7,437
08/02	2,777,432	25,254	95.1%	933,989	9,785	9,690	205,543	76,465	58,449	92.8%
09/02

Corona Virus Daily Stats Hospitalisation Etc – 08 February 2022 – Day 101 of Covid Nearly Normal
Date	Aus New Infection	Aus Hospital	Aus ICU	Aus Ventilate	Vic New Infection	Vic Hospital	Vic ICU	Vic Ventilate	AUS Daily Deaths	Vic Daily Deaths
01/02										34
02/02	38,379	4,670	348	130	14,553	768	99	31	69	25
03/02									85	34
04/02	22,508	4,465	314	133	11,240	707	79	29	67	36
05/02					7,810				83	41
06/02	21,602	4,139	291	122	7,169	652	73	28	44	6
07/02									46	7
08/02	25,254	3,803	271	97	9,785	575	72	30	51	20
09/02