Modeling from James Cook University estimates that Australia will run out of ICU beds by the 7th to the 10th of April.
God-willing the measures that the government is putting in place may delay that.
Dr Lachlan Soper
Author Archives: Dr Lachlan Soper
COVID 19 the basics
Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that can cause mild illnesses from the common cold to those as fatal as MERS & SARS.
It is spread by respiratory droplets from close contact or direct contact with infected secretions (usually on things people touch).
Symptoms: fever, cough, body ache, fatigue, chest tightness, short of breath, headache.
Incubation period 1-14 days (usually 5-7 days)
80% of cases are mild, 15% severely unwell, 5% need ICU
There is a greater than 6% chance of death if: diabetes, lung disease, cardiovascular disease, >70yo
Death is from: sepsis, respiratory failure, heart failure, coagulopathy (failure of the clotting system in your blood), kidney failure…
Dr Lachlan Soper
Testing Criteria for COVID 19
This link outlines those who will be tested for Coronavirus 19
Medicos cannot test people outside of these criteria due to a lack of testing equipment. With the increase in cases, new medical data and arrival of testing equipment the testing criteria does change.
A suspect case must fulfill:
The epidemiological plus clinical criteria in category A; or category B; or C.
Read full article on: racgp.org.au
Dr Lachlan Soper
Australian Government testing criteria for COVID 19
This is the Australian Government triage protocol for people who are concerned about COVID-19.
All doctors, nurses and health hotlines will follow this protocol.
These criteria will likely change as more is learnt about the virus and testing availability changes.
Read full article on: racgp.org.au
Dr Lachlan Soper
Why we want to “flatten the curve”
This article explains mathematically that the essential purpose of flattening the curve is to enable the health system to be less overwhelmed with critically ill people, so that less people die.
Read full article on: motherjones.com
Dr Lachlan Soper
COVID 19 – worldwide spread data
For those interested in the spread, fatality rate and recovery rate from coronavirus 19. This world map from Johns Hopkins University and Medical is very helpful.
Note: the recovery data is the one most likely to be inaccurate, for many reasons, including lack of resources, many countries are not testing for recovery.
It appears that the worldwide confirmed cases of coronavirus 19 (those not formally diagnosed are much higher) increases by about 10% / day
Read full article on: coronavirus.jhu.edu
Dr Lachlan Soper
The Paradox of Choice
A thought provoking talk about the paradox of choice.
The multitude of choice we have leads to paralysis rather than freedom. People put off decisions.
The second consequence is that even if we overcome the paralysis to make a choice, we become less satisfied with the choice we’ve made.
The opportunity cost of missing out on the option you could have chosen detracts from the enjoyment of the choice you made even if it was an excellent decision.
“I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”
Apostle Paul
Read full article on: ted.com
Dr Lachlan Soper