June 18, 2021
Dear Members of the Baylor College of Medicine Community,
As we learn more and more about COVID-19, some things have become clear. New York City never had a chance. It was overwhelmed with virus before anyone had any idea. By the time the ban for travel from China took place, New York City was infected with European strains of the virus. More on what we have learned in this week’s video.
On the world stage, South America is being hit harder than any other continent, with nearly all of its countries having among the highest rates of new infections and deaths. The United States is expected to buy 500 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for distribution to 100 low- and middle-income countries, which is still only enough to fully vaccinate 3 percent of the world’s population. About 29 percent of the world’s population has been vaccinated. For us to be safe, everyone needs to be safe.
Also this week, I provide an update on the Delta variant and the status of cases in Japan, the site of the Olympics in July. In the U.S., 36 percent of the total population has been fully vaccinated and 48 percent of those 18 and older. The vaccination rate is much better for those 65 and older, with 72 percent fully vaccinated. The Houston area looks good, but still more than 200 new cases a day and 50 plus hospitalizations daily.
Lots of important science on SARS-CoV-2 this week. I review four studies in the video.
And last but not least, Lily celebrated her 2nd birthday this week and a fun time was had by all.
Have a great weekend. Be safe.
Paul Klotman, M.D.
President & CEO
Executive Dean
