2050-11-9 News Article
PNDV-1C VARIANT TAKING ITS TOLL
New variant is more virulent, more deadly
NEW BRIDGERTON - The Global Health Council has released a statement on the new PNDV-1d variant, as well as on quarantine protocols they believe will help stem the spread. The statement, however, is not resonating with many in the public or with some legislators.
The new variant was discovered in Prestone County, the worst hotspot for the virus, but a case has been identified in Fallowell County, more than 2,000 miles from Prestone. This is seen as evidence that the virus is not being contained and is likely to spread globally. With no vaccine or treatment available, this dramatically increases the danger to the general populace, prompting the GHC to release a statement regarding protocols during the outbreak.
Gunther Eckstein, lead researcher at EnterLabs and a highly respected virologist explains the danger. "If we are finding variants outside of the initial outbreak area, it tells us a few things. First, that the virus was not contained within Prestone County, and protocols there were not adequately followed. Second, at least one individual that has yet to be identified traveled to the Fallowell region. We do not have enough information as yet to determine if PNDV-1d has a different incubation time, and until we have that information, and get more information from the infected individual, we won't be able to judge how much of a spreader this variant is."
Mass graves being prepared in Prestone County
The concern, according to Eckstein, is that there has not been a "Patient 0" identified for the 1d variant. The first cases of the variant were discovered within hours of each other in Fallowell and Prestone counties. Which means someone likely traveled between the two. This should narrow the search down to very few individuals who were in both towns within a 24-hour period, but it is unknown how many other individuals may have been infected in the meantime. By this stage, the individual is likely showing symptoms.
Meanwhile, authorities in Prestone County have ordered mass graves to be prepared. Currently, more than 50% of Prestone County residents have tested positive for one of the first three variants, and another 10% are believed to be infected with the 1d variant. The death toll in Prestone County has now reached dire levels, with more than 7,000 dead from the virus. The World Defense Organization has sent troops to aid in processing the deceased, but the number of deaths is overwhelming even the more experienced troops.
New Protocols Meet Resistance
Despite the abundant evidence of the virus' deadly effects, many citizens are protesting and refusing to follow the recommendations of the Global Health Council. A snap poll taken since the recommendations were released shows that 53% of the citizenry are willing to follow the recommendations of the GHC, while 45% say they will actively reject them. 8% are undecided.The poll asked respondents who were opposed to the recommendations why they were in opposition. Many stated that they were opposed to individual elements of the mandate, such as businesses being completely non-contact. But a large number, 38%, said they believed the virus to be a hoax perpetrated by the pharmaceutical industry to increase their profits. While there is no evidence to support this theory, believers are firmly entrenched, citing posts on sites belonging to extreme groups like UnMask
Meanwhile, sources at the World Defense Organization report that there is increasing chatter among extremist groups about an "uprising", described as some type of organized attack. While these sources claim there is no concrete evidence, troops have been massing near county borders and convoys have been seen moving toward virus hotspots with military equipment not normally dispatched with humanitarian aid efforts.
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