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Category: Healthy Update

  • COVID-19 live updates: AHS responds to over 3,000 health measure complaints; U.S. will open to travellers immunized with approved vaccines; health-care sector bracing for staff shortages

    COVID-19 live updates: AHS responds to over 3,000 health measure complaints; U.S. will open to travellers immunized with approved vaccines; health-care sector bracing for staff shortages

    Watch this page throughout the day for updates on COVID-19 in Edmonton

    Author of the article:

    Postmedia News

    Publishing date:

    Oct 11, 2021  •  2 days ago  •  9 minute read  •  10 Comments

    A pedestrian, wearing a protective COVID-19 face mask, makes their way along 109 Street near 82 Avenue, in Edmonton Tuesday Aug. 31, 2021. Photo by David Bloom
    A pedestrian, wearing a protective COVID-19 face mask, makes their way along 109 Street near 82 Avenue, in Edmonton Tuesday Aug. 31, 2021. Photo by David Bloom Photo by David Bloom /Postmedia

    COVID-19 news happens rapidly, we have created this file to keep you up-to-date on all the latest stories and information on the outbreak in and around Edmonton.

    What’s happening now

    Share your COVID-19 stories

    As Alberta grapples with a fourth wave of COVID-19 at the start of another school year, we’re looking to hear your stories on this evolving situation.

    • Have you or a loved one had a surgery rescheduled or cancelled in recent weeks?
    • Are you someone who has decided to get vaccinated after previously being skeptical of the vaccines?
    • Have you changed your mind about sending your children back to school in person?
    • Have you enrolled your children in a private school due to COVID-19?
    • Are you a frontline health-care worker seeing new strains on the health system?
      Send us your stories via email at [email protected]

    1:33 p.m.

    Alberta Health Services responds to more than 3,000 COVID-19 health measure complaints

    Anna Junker

    The Alberta Health Services building in Calgary, Feb. 24, 2021.
    The Alberta Health Services building in Calgary, Feb. 24, 2021. Photo by Brendan Miller/Postmedia

    Alberta Health Services has received more than 3,000 COVID-19 related complaints or requests in recent weeks.

    The calls have come in between Sept. 16 and Oct. 5, said spokesman Kerry Williamson. They include requests from the public asking for AHS Environmental Public Health (EPH) to check if businesses, facilities, operators or events are complying with current COVID-19 public health measures, including masking, capacity and gathering limits, and compliance with the Restrictions Exemption Program.

    “If AHS is made aware of a complaint, Public Health Inspectors carry out an education or advisory role as an initial step when responding. AHS does not issue tickets or fines,” Williamson said.

    “The goal of AHS’ Safe Healthy Environments team is to protect the health and safety of the Albertans. AHS Public Health Inspectors always seek to work collaboratively with businesses and organizations to ensure compliance with CMOH orders and current public health measures.”

    Read more

    11:52 a.m.

    U.S will open to travellers immunized with vaccines approved by WHO, FDA and CDC

    The Canadian Press

    A U.S. and a Canadian flag flutter at the Canada-United States border crossing at the Thousand Islands Bridge, in Lansdowne, Ont., Sept. 28, 2020.
    A U.S. and a Canadian flag flutter at the Canada-United States border crossing at the Thousand Islands Bridge, in Lansdowne, Ont., Sept. 28, 2020. Photo by Lars Hagberg /Reuters

    The United States will accept international travellers immunized with COVID-19 vaccines approved by the World Health Organization and the Food and Drug Administration.

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the decision today in an email and said more guidance will be provided as requirements are finalized.

    White House officials said last month the U.S. would begin welcoming fully vaccinated international travellers in November, but they did not say which vaccines would be accepted.

    The news means Canadians immunized with the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine will be able to travel to the U.S. when new travel rules come into play next month.

    The AstraZeneca vaccine is approved by the World Health Organization, but not by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

    The CDC says it began informing airlines of its decision last week.

    Sunday

    Canada’s overworked health-care sector brace for staff shortages as vaccine mandates loom

    National Post

    An ICU team helping to intubate a patient suffering from COVID-19 at Humber River Hospital in Toronto.
    An ICU team helping to intubate a patient suffering from COVID-19 at Humber River Hospital in Toronto. Photo by Cole Burston / AFP

    Canada’s health and long-term care industries are bracing for staff shortages and layoffs, as deadlines for vaccine mandates loom across the country with unions pushing federal and provincial governments to soften hard-line stances.

    For hospitals and nursing homes, a shortage of workers would strain the already overburdened workforce dealing with nearly two years of the pandemic.

    The uncertainty sparked by vaccine mandates underscores the challenges on the road to recovery. Devon Greyson, assistant professor of public health at the University of British Columbia, said officials are steering into uncharted waters with mass vaccine mandates and it’s not clear how workers will respond.

    “A shortage of workers can mean people’s health and well being. It’s scary,” Greyson said.

    However, he added, “we’re in an ethical situation where it’s also scary not to ensure that all health workers are vaccinated. So it’s a bit of a catch-22.”

    To tackle staff scarcity, at least one province is offering signing bonuses to nurses. Provinces including Quebec and British Columbia have made it mandatory for healthcare workers and nursing staff to be vaccinated to continue working in their respective fields.

    Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also unveiled one of the strictest vaccine mandates in the world last week, saying unvaccinated federal employees will be sent on unpaid leave and making COVID-19 shots mandatory for air, train, and ship passengers.

    Layoffs have already started to hit, with one hospital in southern Ontario last week dumping 57 employees, representing 2.5 per cent of staff, after its vaccine mandate came into effect. A long-term care home in Toronto put 36 per cent of its staff on unpaid leave after they refused to get vaccinated, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp reported.

    Sign up for our COVID newsletter:

    https://edmontonjournal.com/newsletters/

    Letter of the day

    Covid-19 forces Captain Jason Kenney to walk the plank. (Cartoon by Malcolm Mayes)
    Covid-19 forces Captain Jason Kenney to walk the plank. (Cartoon by Malcolm Mayes) Malcolm Mayes

    It’s not surprising that Premier Kenney wants to take Alberta children back to the 19th century by making rote learning central to the curriculum. He is a rote thinker, apparently capable of only two ideas — low taxes and incentives for business — which are basically just one idea. He constantly parrots his one idea that everything else is secondary to business, and that more business is the solution to every problem. This blinkered thinking partially explains the current mess our province is in.

    With three grandchildren between the ages of four and nine, I am extremely concerned that children between five and nine are now increasingly contracting COVID, due to the government’s shortsighted decision to end contact tracing in schools and elsewhere. I am continually amazed at how my grandchildren have rolled with all the shocks and changes of the past year and a half, although who knows what the long-term effects on the mental and physical health of any of us will be. Children don’t need to memorize facts. They need to learn how to access facts in order to acquire knowledge and ideas, so they can become developed human beings and critical thinkers. I suggest that Premier Kenney take a break from politics, go back to school, and finish off that philosophy degree. He could come up with some new and useful ideas relevant to the 21st century.

    K.D. Grove, Edmonton

    Read more letters to the editor

    Letters Welcome

    We invite you to write letters to the editor. A maximum of 150 words is preferred. Letters must carry a first and last name, or two initials and a last name, and include an address and daytime telephone number. All letters are subject to editing. We don’t publish letters addressed to others or sent to other publications. Email: [email protected]

    Saturday

    Pregnant patients can bring COVID-19-positive person for support while giving birth at Alberta hospitals

    Lauren Boothby

    The Alberta government is urging pregnant women and those who are trying to become pregnant to get the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible.
    The Alberta government is urging pregnant women and those who are trying to become pregnant to get the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible. Postmedia Wire

    Maternity patients giving birth in Alberta hospitals can bring a person infected with COVID-19 with them for support, Alberta Health Services (AHS) said in a series of tweets Saturday afternoon.

    AHS confirmed an exemption to quarantine rules allows a COVID-19 positive person to join a pregnant patient in exceptional circumstances and if the hospital is made aware ahead of time. A chief medical officer of health order in effect since July 29 says this designated support person must stay two metres away from everyone except the patient and infant.

    “These exemptions, which have been in effect since July 2021, are granted under exceptional circumstances and only at the request of the patient giving birth. We know the importance of having support at this time. This is a critical part of our approach to patient centred care,” reads an AHS tweet.

    Despite this, the provincial health authority says there are protocols in place to make sure people are safe.

    “The patient & essential support person will remain under contact & droplet isolation. This includes the facility providing access to bathroom facilities & food,” AHS says.

    Read more

    Saturday

    Alcohol-related illnesses in Alberta surging during COVID-19 pandemic

    Blair McBride

    Alberta is seeing a surge in alcohol-related illnesses that can be attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic
    Alberta is seeing a surge in alcohol-related illnesses that can be attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic Photo by Nicole Bengiveno /NYT

    Alberta is seeing a surge in alcohol-related illnesses that can be attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, experts say.

    Mental and behavioural disorders resulting from alcohol use as well as alcohol-related depression and withdrawal are among the few non-COVID causes of hospital admission that have increased in the province since March 2020, says Calgary physician Dr. Eddy Lang.

    An article co-written by Lang that was published in the medical journal PLOS ONE in June revealed alcohol consumption rose from the fifth-highest cause of hospitalization in the province to the third during the first six months of the pandemic.

    Alcohol-related illnesses accounted for 3.46 per cent of hospital admissions between March and September 2020, up from 2.65 per cent in that timeframe the previous year.

    “Considering the number of hospitalizations we have in Alberta, that’s a significant increase,” Lang said, attributing the rising drinking rates to heightened feelings of pandemic anxiety.

    “There’s been lots of lost employment and family separation. We know that people are managing that with alcohol and cannabis. That’s going to manifest with people going overboard,” he said. “Alcohol is like gasoline on the fire of mental illness. If you’re already depressed you might think alcohol will make you feel better but in long run it makes things worse because it contributes to suicidal thoughts.”

    Increased rates of drinking in Alberta are also showing up in liver health.

    Hospitalizations for alcoholic hepatitis rose by 90.5 per cent in the first wave of the pandemic, according to a study soon to be published in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

    Read more

    Saturday

    Albertans leave messages at UCP MLA offices to say no thanks to the government

    Gil McGowan (front, President, Alberta Federation of Labour), Jeffrey Strom, Beth Strom and Karen Kuprys (right, Secretary Treasurer, Alberta Federation of Labour) invited concerned citizens to Alberta UCP MLA Kaycee Madu’s office in Edmonton on Saturday, October 9, 2021, to leave messages voicing their disapproval to the Alberta government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants also shared their messages on social media with the hashtag #NoThanksGivenUCP. (PHOTO BY LARRY WONG/POSTMEDIA)
    Gil McGowan (front, President, Alberta Federation of Labour), Jeffrey Strom, Beth Strom and Karen Kuprys (right, Secretary Treasurer, Alberta Federation of Labour) invited concerned citizens to Alberta UCP MLA Kaycee Madu’s office in Edmonton on Saturday, October 9, 2021, to leave messages voicing their disapproval to the Alberta government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants also shared their messages on social media with the hashtag #NoThanksGivenUCP. (PHOTO BY LARRY WONG/POSTMEDIA) Photo by Larry Wong /Postmedia

    Albertan have been leaving messages at UCP MLA offices to say no thank you to the government that has needlessly endangered peoples lives.

    In a Thursday news release, the Alberta Federation of Labour asked Albertans to leave messages at UCP MLAs offices saying no thank you for the government’s handling of COVID-19 outbreaks on Saturday. They could also leave comments on social media using #NoThanksGivenUCP

    The group says that Albertans are angry that hospitals are over capacity, health-care workers are being pushed to their breaking point, surgeries are being cancelled and many schools are facing outbreaks in the news release.

    “The UCP refuse to take needed actions to keep Albertans safe,” says the release.

    Saturday

    ‘I see you ICU:’ Albertans express gratitude for health-care workers at Thanksgiving

    The Canadian Press

    Teams in a crowded Calgary intensive care unit tend to a COVID-19 patient on a ventilator.
    Teams in a crowded Calgary intensive care unit tend to a COVID-19 patient on a ventilator. Photo by Supplied by Alberta Health Services

    Hundreds of Albertans are sending coffee, gift cards and Thanksgiving meals to those working in intensive care units overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients.

    J’Val Shuster says she and her staff at Devour Catering will be delivering turkey dinners to 200 nurses, doctors and health-care staff at four Calgary hospitals on Sunday and more meals are to be delivered in the days to come. People have been paying $15 a meal through the company’s “I See You ICU” drive.

    “We’ve had over 1,700 people purchase a total of 6,000meals for doctors, nurses and staff,” Shuster said.

    “Nurses (have said) even if they don’t get the meals, they’re very uplifted just by the fact that people are showing their support and wanting to do something.”

    Shuster said she began the idea last month as she struggled to keep her business afloat. Support has been so overwhelming, she said, she has had to temporarily stop taking meal orders.

    “We’re going to co-ordinate with all the departments at what frequency they want the remaining ordered meals. We can’t prepare 6,000 meals at once.”

    Betty Wade of Calgary purchased 50 dinners for health-care staff.

    “I’m absolutely thankful for them, particularly now in this fourth wave,” said the retiree.

    “They’ll have something at the doorstep when they leave their shift that makes them realize that they are appreciated more than they know by so many people. We are very, very thankful for every one of them doing their job saving lives as best they can in this situation.”

    She recalled that at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic many cheered and clapped for workers on the streets.

    “But there’s a difference now … it’s the intensity in the ICU and in the hospitals,” she said.

    Read more

    Comments

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  • Augusta Health Vaccine Clinic Update: October 12, 2021

    Augusta Health Vaccine Clinic Update: October 12, 2021

    In partnership with the Central Shenandoah Wellness District (CSHD), Augusta Health and fitness continues community vaccinations for COVID-19.

    Recent Vaccination Dose Depend at Augusta Overall health:

    • Full doses offered at Augusta Wellness Vaccination Clinics: 92,111
    • Local community member totally-vaccinated at AH Vaccination Clinics: 44,639
    • Boosters for the immunocompromised 6,717

    Latest Condition
    Our community continues to be in a precarious place. Whilst quite a few of our local community COVID indicators have lessened more than the past couple of months, they keep on being somewhat substantial when as opposed to the degrees needed to be a healthier community.

    For illustration, Augusta Health’s positivity charge last 7 days was 20.14{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}, which is an advancement from the 31{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} in September. It does not method, even so, the 5.7{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} we professional final June.

    Our present-day inpatient COVID-19 census is 41, with 4 deaths in excess of the earlier week. When this is again a minimize from September’s census, it once more does not approach the exceptionally small volumes around the summer months. A several times this summer the census was , and we were capable, for a while, to near the COVID device. That is no more time the circumstance. The share of our COVID-19 people who are vital care/ICU amount people remains at about 20{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} of hospitalized COVID clients. We continue on to function two ICUs and our ICUs each continue being in close proximity to potential.

    About the 24 several hours preceding 9 am on Tuesday, Oct 12, there were being 29 new beneficial COVID-19 scenarios identified as a result of Augusta Health and fitness screening web-sites.

    So, while we are considerably less entire than we have been in September, the current census and other volumes are nevertheless viewed as superior. We are also aware of the impression of the ‘golden days’ of summer—when men and women turned a little bit considerably less diligent with masking and social distancing—and the September surge that followed.

    Thanks to local community reaction, even though, vaccinations have greater. The elevated quantity of vaccinated men and women, and the renewed awareness of masking and social distancing, have begun to influence community unfold and quantities. This makes it possible for us to continue to system to step by step re-open expert services.

    It would be a oversight to interpret the lessen in indicators as a indicator that COVID has left the neighborhood. It stays, and is an opportunistic sickness that will surge all over again if provided the likelihood.

    Help to continue to slow the spread and decrease the projections: Be sure to vaccinate, don masks indoors even if vaccinated, clean palms routinely and remain socially distant from other people when doable. COVID vaccinations are the continue to the most effective and lasting way to stop COVID infections in our community, and the finest protection against really serious sickness and demise.

    Vaccination Eligibility
    Augusta Well being is vaccinating all people age 12 and more mature who lives, works or goes to school in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are approved for individuals age 18 and more than. Pfizer vaccine is approved for people today age 12 and more mature a parent or guardian must be present to consent to vaccination of those beneath the age of 18.

    There are now two teams of earlier vaccinated men and women who can acquire third-dose COVID-19 booster pictures.

    The initial team, accepted many months back is:

    • Folks who are moderately or severely immunocompromised (no evidence of a professional medical affliction is essential at this time) and who
    • Have presently obtained two doses of both the Pfizer vaccine or the Moderna vaccine and who
    • Acquired their 2nd dose of vaccine more than 28 days in the past.

    The second, not too long ago permitted group is:

    • These age 65 and in excess of, or
    • Individuals ages 18-64 with an fundamental healthcare affliction, or
    • These who live in congregate configurations such as prolonged-time period care services or shelters, or
    • Those who get the job done in large-chance occupations, who
    • Have currently been given two doses of PFIZER vaccine only, and who
    • Received their second dose far more than six months ago.

    Appointments are necessary for all booster shots and are readily available on vaccinate.augustahealth.com. Those who meet up with requirements for the 2nd group but gained Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine are not suitable for boosters at this time. We anticipate the Fda and CDC will evaluate additional rounds of vaccination for Moderna and Johnson & Johnson once again, and will be organized for that acceptance when it is supplied.

    The requirements for the two kinds of vaccine boosters can be confusing if you have inquiries about eligibility, make sure you phone Augusta Health’s Vaccination Call Centre at (540) 332-5122.

    Be sure to bring COVID Vaccination Document Card to the booster appointment.

    Vaccinations in Key Care Workplaces
    Vaccinations for COVID-19 continue on in all Augusta Healthcare Group primary treatment places of work. Clients who favor to acquire a vaccination from their personalized physician should really call their doctor’s workplace to be scheduled into the subsequent out there vaccination appointment block.

    Neighborhood-Based mostly Clinics
    This 7 days, Augusta Wellness is sending vaccination teams to local extended-phrase treatment facilities, schools and homeless shelters to assist with the vaccination of inhabitants and staff members at individuals web sites.

    Local community companies that would like to lover with Augusta Well being for a Vaccination Clinic can get hold of VaccinationTaskForce [at] augustahealth.com for additional facts on the demands.

    Substantial on-campus Vaccination Clinics
    Appointments are chosen for clinics. Walk-ins are welcome.

    Go to vaccinate.augustahealth.com to watch the links and timetable an appointment. Information and facts about new clinics, the links and the requirements for every single website link, are posted as available. On-campus clinics for the remainder of this 7 days are:

    • Tuesday, Oct 12: After university/following work clinic several hours for people are not able to occur during the day. The clinic will operate from 3:30 pm until finally 7 pm. Stroll-ins welcome until 6 pm.

    This is a twin Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson clinic. Anybody age 12 and more mature may well obtain Pfizer vaccine Johnson & Johnson is a one particular-dose vaccine offered to these age 18 and more mature and administered if out there. The url is open up on vaccinate.augustahealth.com

    • Wednesday, October 13: 3rd-DOSE BOOSTER CLINIC.

    The clinic will operate from 1:00 pm right until 6:00 pm. Make sure you validate conditions for 1 of the two authorised populations for boosters. Pfizer booster accessible for both populations Moderna booster only accredited for immunocompromised inhabitants. Remember to bring Vaccination Document Card or file of previous vaccination. The hyperlink is open on vaccinate.augustahealth.com.

    • Thursday, Oct 14: Immediately after faculty/just after do the job clinic hours for these are not able to arrive throughout the day. The clinic will run from 3:30 pm right until 7 pm. Wander-ins welcome until eventually 6 pm.

    This is a twin Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson clinic. Any individual age 12 and older could get Pfizer vaccine Johnson & Johnson is a just one-dose vaccine out there to people age 18 and older and administered if offered. The url is open on vaccinate.augustahealth.com

    • Friday, Oct 15: Third-DOSE BOOSTER CLINIC.

    The clinic will run from 10:00 am right until 3:00 pm. Remember to confirm criteria for one of the two accredited populations for boosters. Pfizer booster offered for both of those populations Moderna booster only permitted for immunocompromised population. Remember to deliver Vaccination File Card or record of prior vaccination. The website link is open up on vaccinate.augustahealth.com.

    Vaccination Contact Centre
    Not everyone has entry to the online. Other people just have concerns. For assistance, contact Augusta Health’s Vaccination Get in touch with Middle at (540) 332-5122. The Contact Center is staffed Monday by Friday from 8:00 am right until 4:30 pm to reply issues and assist to schedule vaccination appointments.

    Homebound clients are being vaccinated via a pilot plan with Central Shenandoah EMS. Make contact with the Vaccination Phone Centre for far more info.

    We appreciate our continued partnership with CSHD as we operate alongside one another to provide vaccines to all in the group who will need them.

  • MUSC Health biweekly COVID-19 report (October 11) | MUSC

    MUSC Health biweekly COVID-19 report (October 11) | MUSC

    CHARLESTON, S.C. (Oct. 11, 2021) – At MUSC Health, the security of sufferers, family members, care group associates, learners, college and personnel stays the range a person priority. The MUSC General public Affairs and Media Relations (PAMR) office issues regular COVID-19 updates on Monday and Thursday of each week. If a federal or state holiday break falls on a Monday, then a report will be issued the adhering to day. Remember to read through the report in its entirety details can alter swiftly. 

    The Path Ahead / Recovery

    COVID-19 VACCINATION UPDATE

    MUSC Well being has vaccine appointments for all eligible individuals age 12 and up. Eligible men and women can visit muschealth.org/get-vaccine to make an appointment though appointments are encouraged, walk-ins are welcome at all MUSC COVID-19 vaccine clinic places. See information and a video clip with instructions on how to plan a vaccination appointment. The neighborhood is inspired to monitor muschealth.org for COVID-19 vaccine availability standards, updates and FAQs. 

    For a lot more data connected to public, community vaccination web pages operated by MUSC Well being during the point out, be sure to visit vaxlocator.dhec.sc.gov/. Appointments are inspired, but walk-ins are welcome.

    Homebound folks who require in-home COVID-19 vaccination providers should really get hold of DHEC’s COVID-19 vaccine details line by contacting 1-866-365-8110. You should note that community associates should really not directly make contact with the vendors. All calls will have to be routed by means of the DHEC COVID-19 vaccine info line to obtain this method.  

    MUSC Health and fitness vaccination administration facts is available upon request. 

    MUSC Health COVID-19 Vaccination Expectation for all care crew users

    All MUSC Health leaders and care workforce customers are now expected to have the COVID-19 vaccine. Spiritual and healthcare exemptions could apply for some care workforce users. All new treatment group users should really obtain a single dose vaccine prior to starting off get the job done or the initial dose of a two-dose vaccine prior to beginning perform. The 2nd dose ought to be finished in just three months as a affliction of employment. As of July 1, additional than 99.9{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} of MUSC Overall health treatment team members have complied with this coverage. MUSC Wellness has set up this coverage for the security of our care group, our sufferers and patients’ families and website visitors.  

    FOR Current Information:

    COVID Update

    “Numbers are coming down, but do not get way too energized because it’s nonetheless rather significant,” scientist says. Are we in for an additional winter season surge?

    The MUSC COVID-19 Epidemiology Intelligence Project is a digital dashboard that supplies main indicators associated to the COVID-19 epidemic to help educated selections. Existing circumstance assessments for MUSC Wellbeing – Charleston (Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester counties), MUSC Health Florence, and MUSC Wellness Lancaster divisions are obtainable on this website. 

    Helpful World-wide-web Hyperlinks FOR THE Normal Public: 

    Basic information

    Normal info

    Info about screening solutions

    MUSC Digital Urgent Treatment

    COVID-19 vaccination

    MUSC COVID-19 cell diagnostic testing 

    MUSC Health and fitness provides COVID-19 screening in healthcare facility, clinic and other areas. Sufferers are inspired to talk with their providers as a result of MUSC MyChart ought to they need to have screening providers. Present-day turnaround time is somewhere around 24 hours for take a look at outcomes. A complete record of tests facts is out there at this web site: musc.co/screening.

    MUSC Health, in partnership with the condition legislature, is also rotating cell screening and assortment sites in rural and underserved regions through the point out, for each walk-up and drive-via sufferers, which are marketed domestically in partnership with municipalities, neighborhood organizations and companies. Prescreening is not required and there is no price tag to sufferers. Individuals will be contacted in just two days with the success of their take a look at, if not quicker. Individuals are requested to deliver photograph identification and an insurance plan card if they have a person. The CARES Act requires MUSC to monthly bill insurance policies providers if people do have coverage. Individuals could email [email protected] if they have thoughts concerning their final results. If they do not have an email deal with, they may possibly phone 843-985-8888.

    Websites may perhaps close early or function with decreased hrs if weather conditions conditions develop into unsafe for treatment workforce customers or if volume exceeds site security ability. 

    Details connected to Balanced Me — Wholesome SC absolutely free, statewide cellular testing web-sites for each individual week can be found here.

    COVID-19 linked stories for comply with-up

    Funding File

    The Health-related University of South Carolina sets extramural funding report with support of COVID-similar funds.

    Vaccinating Young children

    “It is genuinely remarkable, but it was a really preliminary stage. It was not an acceptance.” What skilled would like mothers and fathers to know about vaccine for young children.

    COVID in Little ones

    Any person who thinks COVID doesn’t actually have an affect on young ones demands to know what is been going on in faculties and hospitals, infectious ailment pediatrician says.

    ECMO in COVID

    A machine she’d by no means read of prior to, ECMO, served maintain a Conway woman’s 10-12 months-previous daughter alive as she battled COVID.

    Basic stats / COVID-19 constructive cases 

    Earlier described details details, these kinds of as the complete range of  COVID-19 group screening assessments accomplished by MUSC Wellness- Charleston and the selection of constructive instances established by using all those tests, the selection of  telehealth screenings, whole amount of specimens gathered at many cell internet sites, or the variety of COVID-19 beneficial MUSC treatment workforce associates are out there upon ask for. Data similar to vaccinations is at the top rated of this launch.

    • Full selection of COVID patients (MUSC Wellbeing – Charleston): 51
      • MUSC Overall health monitors these variety to determine that we have present and potential capability in conditions of health care companies, materials, ventilators and PPE. Documented figures are steady with the modeling and expectation that MUSC Well being will have suitable methods to regulate these sufferers. 
      • Of the 51 COVID-relevant inpatients now in the MUSC Wellbeing-Charleston location, 20 are in MUSC Well being COVID-19 intensive treatment, with 16 of the 51 whole inpatients presently receiving ventilator treatment for sickness progression.
      • Of the 51 inpatients at the MUSC Health and fitness – Charleston location, 5 pediatric clients are in the MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Medical center. A few pediatric people are in pediatric intensive care with 2 of all those clients acquiring ventilator care for ailment development.
      • Unvaccinated vs. vaccinated inpatient standing update: Approximately 79{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} of current inpatients ended up unvaccinated on admission. 

    For precise details about MUSC Wellness Florence or Marion Health-related Facilities, make sure you call Kim Geiger at [email protected]. 

    For information and facts about MUSC Health and fitness Chester or Lancaster Healthcare Centers, you should call Ashley Shannon at [email protected]. 

    For facts about MUSC Wellbeing Columbia Professional medical Facilities Downtown or Northeast and MUSC Overall health Fairfield Unexpected emergency and Imaging, make sure you make contact with Amber Fields at [email protected]. 

    For info about MUSC Overall health Kershaw Medical Center, be sure to contact Karlin Ferguson at [email protected]. 

    ###

    About MUSC 

    Launched in 1824 in Charleston, MUSC is residence to the oldest medical college in the South as well as the state’s only built-in academic well being sciences middle, with a special demand to serve the condition via education and learning, investigation and affected individual care. Every single year, MUSC educates and trains additional than 3,000 learners and approximately 800 residents in 6 schools: Dental Medicine, Graduate Scientific studies, Health Professions, Drugs, Nursing and Pharmacy. MUSC introduced in much more than $271 million in biomedical exploration funds in fiscal year 2020, continuing to lead the condition in acquiring Countrywide Institutes of Health funding, with a lot more than $129.9 million. For information and facts on academic packages, go to musc.edu.

    As the clinical health and fitness process of the Medical University of South Carolina, MUSC Overall health is committed to offering the optimum high-quality and harmless client treatment though training generations of compassionate, competent wellness care suppliers to provide the people of South Carolina and further than. Close to 25,000 care crew members provide treatment for patients at 14 hospitals with about 2,500 beds and 5 supplemental medical center places in progress, more than 300 telehealth websites and virtually 750 treatment locations positioned in the Lowcountry, Midlands, Pee Dee and Upstate areas of South Carolina. In 2021, for the seventh consecutive year, U.S. Information & Environment Report named MUSC Overall health the No. 1 healthcare facility in South Carolina. To understand extra about clinical individual providers, go to muschealth.org.

    MUSC and its affiliate marketers have collective yearly budgets of $4.4 billion. The additional than 25,000 MUSC crew associates include things like entire world-class school, doctors, specialty suppliers and experts who deliver groundbreaking instruction, investigation, technology and individual treatment.

  • Missing Phoenix girls found ‘happy, healthy, and playing,’ police say | Arizona News

    Missing Phoenix girls found ‘happy, healthy, and playing,’ police say | Arizona News






    missing children graphic ppd

    PHOENIX (3Tv/CBS 5) — Two youthful sisters who were being at the heart of law enforcement look for have been found secure, Phoenix law enforcement say. Amina and Amanirena Sterling had been missing considering that Saturday evening. Sgt. Ann Justus reported shortly following 12:30 p.m. Sunday that they had been found and were being not damage. 

    Regulation enforcement descended on the location of 17th and Missouri avenue early Sunday early morning and expended hrs on the lookout for the small women. In accordance to Justus, any person in the place approached the officers for the duration of the look for and said they imagined they noticed the Amina and Amanirena at a nearby YMCA with an grownup. “Officers responded to that place and they situated both of those women delighted, healthful, and enjoying,” Justus reported. The lady who was with the sisters said she identified them Saturday evening. “She is vaguely acquainted with these young children and this apartment advanced,” Justus defined The girl, whom Justus described as “really cooperative,” tried out to choose the women property but was not able. Justus declined to elaborate on the purpose for that.

    The superior Samaritan took the little girls to her condominium to slumber and then out to enjoy Sunday morning. “She was not aware that anyone had claimed them missing or that we had been out below actively looking for them,” Justus stated.  “She isn’t going to view the news, she stated, and she will not have social media.”

    Justus explained that she observed Amina and Amanirena herself. “They are in fantastic form,” she explained. Paramedics took a search at the girls as a precaution but identified practically nothing if problem.

    “I feel this is the best doable resolution we could have experienced in a circumstance like this,” Justus said. “It is a relief for me to stand up right here and explain to you that they are safe and sound.”

    The look for for the sisters

    The Phoenix Law enforcement Section tweeted about the lookup for the women just immediately after 7 a.m., expressing Amina and Amanirena’s mother very last noticed them  ended up previous noticed in the location of 17th and Missouri avenues at about 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

    Justus mentioned the girls’ mom known as the law enforcement at about 2 a.m. She claimed officers had been “actively exploring” for the sisters because then. In accordance to police, the girls’ mom was the past human being to see them at the family’s Phoenix condominium. Perfectly in advance of the sunshine was up on Sunday, Arizona’s Loved ones crews noticed a police helicopter overhead in the neighborhood, and officers ended up likely door-to-doorway, showing inhabitants photos on their telephones and inquiring thoughts.

    Leoshie Sterling, the girls’ aunt, told Arizona’s Household that the sisters’ dad and mom are not jointly. She said the ladies live with their father (her brother), but their mother was looking at them Saturday though he was out of town. She also reported a neighbor thought they saw them taking part in by their mom’s car at about 10 p.m. Saturday. “Seemingly their mother was asleep,” she claimed. “When she woke up, she observed they have been lacking.” Leoshie stated she got the contact about her nieces at about 2 a.m.

    Justus explained numerous businesses were being associated in the research for Amina and Amanirena,  which includes officers other other cities, deputies from MCSO, and the FBI, all of which are element of the Arizona Little one Abduction Response Crew or Arizona CART. “We experienced each useful resource available to us out here,” she claimed.

    What is actually following?

    “Now that we have discovered them, we can get a breath and we are transitioning to identify if the elements of little one neglect in this circumstance,” Justus explained. The Office of Baby Security is seeking at the condition and will establish the most secure spot for Amina and Amanirena.

    Investigators still have numerous queries about what took place amongst Saturday evening and Sunday morning. There is a considerable gap of time involving when the girls’ mother said she observed them Saturday evening and when she referred to as the police to report them missing. “Our detectives are asking all those queries and we are likely to get all those responses.”

    Copyright 2021 KPHO/KTVK (KPHO Broadcasting Company). All rights reserved.

  • WHO update guideline on monoclonal antibody use

    WHO update guideline on monoclonal antibody use

    people in a hospital waiting room wearing masksShare on Pinterest
    The new WHO guideline on using monoclonal antibodies for severe COVID-19 appears in the BMJ. Newsday LLC/Getty Images
    • The World Health Organization (WHO) recently updated a living guideline on COVID-19 drugs. In it, they conditionally recommend the use of monoclonal antibodies to treat patients with non-severe disease at highest risk for hospitalization and patients with severe or critical illness who have not mounted an antibody response.
    • The guideline is based on a meta-analysis of several studies and trials. In one of these trials, monoclonal antibody treatment with casirivimab and imdevimab reduced hospitalization risk by 71{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}.
    • In another trial, treatment with monoclonal antibodies decreased the risk of death in patients with severe or critical COVID-19 who did not generate SARS-CoV-2 antibodies by 15{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}.
    • Areas that need further research include accurate clinical guides to predict hospitalization risk in patients with non-severe COVID-19, determining optimal dosage and administration routes in non-severe and severe or critical COVID-19, and establishing safety and efficacy in children and during pregnancy.

    The WHO recently updated a living guideline that provides recommendations for new COVID-19 drug treatments to include monoclonal antibodies (casirivimab and imdevimab).

    Casirivimab and imdevimab are two laboratory-made proteins, similar to human antibodies, that target the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, blocking its attachment and entry into the human cell.

    The recommendations were published based on a systematic review of meta-analyses and large and international clinical trials. A meta-analysis in patients with non-severe disease showed monoclonal antibody treatment with casirivimab and imdevimab reduced hospitalization risk by 71{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}.

    Stay informed with live updates on the current COVID-19 outbreak and visit our coronavirus hub for more advice on prevention and treatment.

    In the RECOVERY trial quoted by the WHO, treatment with monoclonal antibodies decreased the risk of death in seronegative patients with severe or critical COVID-19 by 15{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}. Seronegative describes people whose blood serum tests revealed no antibodies for SARS-CoV-2.

    In an interview with Medical News Today (MNT), Dr. William Schaffner, professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, TN, explained: “Once people are infected, […] these antibodies can be given […] by intravenous infusion, and they will latch onto the virus, preventing it, thereby, from infecting more of our cells. If the virus cannot do that, it cannot evolve into creating more serious disease; in other words, the good guys cut the bad guys off at the pass.”

    The WHO conditionally recommends treatment with casirivimab and imdevimab for those with non-severe COVID-19 at the highest risk for hospitalization. Their guideline appears in the BMJ.

    In an MNT interview, according to the WHO, “This is the first drug that [the] WHO is recommending as a treatment for non-severe patients to reduce the risk of disease progression for those with the highest risks.”

    People at increased risk for hospitalization include those who have not had the vaccination, people who are immunocompromised, older adults, people from racial and ethnic minority groups, people with disabilities, and people with other specific medical conditions.

    A meta-analysis using data from 4,722 patients with non-severe COVID-19 in 4 randomized controlled trials showed that treatment with casirivimab and imdevimab reduced hospitalization risk by 71{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}, resulting in 29 fewer hospitalizations per 1,000 patients. Monoclonal antibody treatment also reduced the duration of hospitalization by approximately 4 days.

    The WHO also conditionally recommends using casirivimab and imdevimab to treat people with critical and severe COVID-19 who are seronegative.

    The presence of acute respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis, or other conditions requiring mechanical ventilation or medications to increase extremely low blood pressure (vasopressors) meets the WHO definition for critical COVID-19 disease severity.

    Additionally, the WHO defines severe COVID-19 as the presence of one of the following:

    • when the amount of oxygen in the blood, or oxygen saturation, is less than 90{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}
    • symptoms of severe respiratory distress
      • inability to complete entire sentences
      • use of accessory muscle use
      • in children
        • grunting
        • chest wall indrawing, very extreme inward movement of lower chest on inspiration
        • central cyanosis, bluish discoloration of the skin, mucous membranes, lips, tongue, and nail beds

    Results of a subgroup analysis of 2,823 patients in the RECOVERY trial demonstrated that treatment with casirivimab and imdevimab decreased the risk of death in seronegative patients with severe or critical COVID-19 by 15{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}, resulting in 39 fewer deaths per 1000.

    In this group, monoclonal antibody treatment reduced the need for mechanical ventilation by 13{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}.

    Dr. Schaeffer explained that even though monoclonal antibody treatment is effective, there are many advantages to preemptive vaccination versus monoclonal antibody treatment.

    “First of all, the vaccines are safe and effective, and they’re […] much cheaper. For example, vaccines cost U.S. taxpayers […] about $25, but monoclonal antibody treatment will cost over $2,000.”

    He added, “Also, you don’t always get diagnosed early enough in order to take advantage of monoclonal therapy, and [it] is not given to everyone — you have to fit into a specific high-risk category in order to receive it. Lastly, […] monoclonal antibody is in relatively short supply — it’s now being rationed […] in the United States — and it may not even be available for everyone who needs it.”

    The WHO Guideline Development Group panel acknowledges that obstacles to accessing the monoclonal antibody treatment may be particularly burdensome in some low-to-middle-income countries. The cost of the drug, special equipment needed for intravenous administration, rapid serological tests required for severely and critically ill patients, and special monitoring for allergic reactions, may pose challenges.

    According to the WHO, “Some opportunities for further research into casirivimab and imdevimab include making sure there will be accurate clinical prediction guides to establish [the] individual patient risk of hospitalization in patients presenting with non-severe COVID-19 […] to best identify patients that would most benefit from this intervention, [determining best] dosage and administration routes in non-severe and severe/critical COVID-19 patients, and [establishing ]safety and efficacy in children and pregnant women.”

    “Future research also includes the production of higher certainty and more relevant evidence to inform policy and practice, along with the emerging evidence in the rapidly changing landscape of trials for COVID-19.”

    For live updates on the latest developments regarding the novel coronavirus and COVID-19, click here.

  • Austin remains in Stage 4 of COVID guidance but that could change next week

    Austin remains in Stage 4 of COVID guidance but that could change next week

    As COVID-19 hospitalizations and new instances proceed to decrease, Austin Community Wellbeing is eyeing a transfer to Phase 3 of its COVID-19 guidance, but is not making the transfer just still.

    Austin-Travis County Well being Authority Dr. Desmar Walkes stated Friday it is possible the space will move to Phase 3 early next week if current developments carry on. But the health and fitness department is also reassessing its steering to choose flu time into account.

    “We are reevaluating our possibility-based direction and taking into account the scenario as it is now and what we’re anticipating will take place as we appear to the effects of unvaccinated people who may well acquire COVID-19 or those who are unvaccinated who might build the flu,” Walkes mentioned all through a news convention. “There will be far more to appear as we finalize these guidance documents.”

    The Austin space is in a much improved place than it was a thirty day period in the past, when ICUs were operating earlier mentioned ability and hundreds — often far more than 1,000 — new scenarios were currently being reported each and every day. Chief Epidemiologist Janet Pichette said APH will report 162 new instances and three new fatalities Friday, and the tests positivity price carries on to decline.

    “Those are all very good signals that we are returning again to a improved place than we were a month in the past,” she reported.

    But now that flu period has started, health and fitness officials across the nation are hoping to prevent a “twindemic” of influenza and COVID-19, which didn’t manifest last yr, very likely due to social distancing and masking actions that were being in place. Some industry experts panic previous year’s gentle flu year could signify this year’s will be a large amount worse mainly because fewer men and women built immunity.

    More flu scenarios put together with the delta variant could overwhelm health and fitness treatment workers, who are by now burnt out and shorter staffed.

    Austin Public Overall health has been encouraging folks to get vaccinated for equally COVID-19 and flu. The vaccines can be supplied at the similar time.

    Pichette reported the vaccines are conveniently readily available in the local community, by pharmacies, doctor’s workplaces and Austin General public Wellness. Techniques employed to sluggish the spread of COVID-19 also work in protecting against the flu, like masking, social distancing and washing fingers normally. All of these initiatives aided the Austin area have a moderate flu period last year.

    “I’m involved that we will be hit tricky with flu if we are not organized,” Pichette claimed. “We need to retain remaining a healthy neighborhood.”

    The wellbeing officers are urging men and women to continue to keep up safety measures, notably when attending massive gatherings, like the Austin City Boundaries Audio Festival, and as they get ready for getaway gatherings in the coming months.

    Walkes mentioned four conditions have been documented so far from those who have attended ACL. The second weekend of the pageant kicks off Friday. Event organizers are demanding attendees to exam negative for COVID-19 or display evidence of vaccination.

    Pichette claims, even now, it is apparent cases were current inside of the group, so persons really should keep vigilant. She said if you have indications of COVID-19, like runny nose, fever or a sore throat, you ought to continue to be household to not location other folks at hazard.

    “It’s just not worthy of it,” she explained.

    Although hospitals are faring improved than they had been a thirty day period back, Walkes warns there are continue to a lot of persons in ICUs and on ventilators who will go on to need to have care for quite some time. She claimed this is due to the fact the delta variant is triggering much more serious sickness than previous variations of the virus. Area hospitals acquired further staff members to enable manage the current surge in COVID sufferers, most of whom were being unvaccinated, but Walkes stated these contracted staffers will be leaving in the coming months.

    “So, it is likely to be even far more crucial for our group to defend by itself and get vaccinated,” Walkes explained.

    So considerably, 71.45{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} of persons suitable for the COVID-19 vaccine in Travis County are fully vaccinated from the virus, in accordance to state details. Williamson County has also crossed the 70{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} mark. In Hays County, 63.4{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} of suitable individuals are entirely vaccinated.

    Approval of a vaccine for persons underneath age 12 could be coming soon. This week, Pfizer asked for the Meals and Drug Administration authorize its COVID-19 vaccine for young children ages 5 to 11.

    When the vaccine is permitted for that age team, Austin Community Health and fitness says it’ll be all set to distribute the vaccine at its clinics around the community and at colleges.

    “We know it can take a exclusive type of nurse to administer a shot to our little tots,” interim APH Director Adrienne Stirrup mentioned. “We’re staffed up, and … we are ready to go.”

    Got a suggestion? Electronic mail Marisa Charpentier at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @marisacharp.

    If you found the reporting over precious, please look at generating a donation to help it. Your present pays for all the things you uncover on KUT.org. Many thanks for donating now.