The Atlantic
America’s Most Reliable Pandemic Data Are Now at Risk
The Biden administration has to make a choice: Should it undo a vital system that Trump’s health department created?
Katie Martin / The Atlantic
When a hospital is in trouble, the signs are unmistakable. The number of COVID-19 admissions rises quickly. The number of patients who remain hospitalized grows steadily and the bar to be admitted gets higher. The percentage of patients in intensive-care units increases. Supplies run low. As an ICU nears capacity, sick people get less care than they would have. More people suffer, and more people die. Right now, in Alabama, Arizona, and California Los Angeles, especially this is exactly what’s happening. We know this because of the data system that’s now in place.
The CDC has not provided an official definition of what it means for a COVID-19 patient to recover, in the sense of returning to a pre-COVID-19 state of health, but it does provide some guidance on when COVID-19 patients no longer need to be isolated. In its guidance for “discontinuation of Transmission-Based Precautions” for persons with COVID-19, the CDC recommends using a “symptom-based strategy,” which calls for releasing people with mild cases of COVID-19 from isolation 10 days after their illness began, if and only if their symptoms have improved without the need of medication. Those who are asymptomatic or immunocompromised should still be tested to see if they have any remaining virus in their system, but they should consult with local health experts instead of relying only on negative test results.
ATLANTA (AP) Georgia s plan to expand access to a coronavirus vaccine to people over 65 got off to a rocky start Monday, with the websites of at least two public health districts crashing and other districts reporting overwhelming demand for appointments.
The state was already struggling with its vaccine rollout before the latest woes.
District 2 Public Health, which encompasses Hall and 12 other North Georgia counties, asked for patience in a Monday afternoon statement to the community. Due to the huge response for the COVID-19 Vaccine, all District 2 Public Health Departments phone lines, call center, and website is overwhelmed and not [able] to handle the demand, the statement said. We ask that everyone be patient. We understand that everyone is anxious, but everyone who wants the vaccine will be given the opportunity to get vaccinated. Currently, there is a limited supply of vaccine available at a small number of providers. But, as more vaccine is shipped to additional
Messenger Post Media
Canandaigua Daily Messenger
The Public Health Departments of Ontario, Seneca, and Yates counties announce free COVID-19 testing for the public beginning next week.
Each county has organized asymptomatic testing opportunities throughout the region. In addition, the counties have partnered with Finger Lakes Community Health (FLCH) to add additional asymptomatic testing opportunities in more locations.
Victor-Farmington Ambulance will add a site in Ontario County.
Testing availability for asymptomatic people has been challenging for these communities, said Mary Beer, public health director of Ontario County, with many who seek testing having to make lengthy trips to Monroe County.
Deb Minor, public health director of Yates County, and county officials said they are so thankful FLCH has expanded its hours to support the effort.
Melissa Dallenbach RN
In this unprecedented time of working from and staying home, here are some tips to maintain your physical and mental health:
1. Create routines, both personal and work-related. Wake up and get ready at the same time, as if you are going to work or class. Make time for yourself before jumping into school or work demands, even if it is just a quick cup of coffee, while you plan the day. Even though it is tempting, get out of your pajamas. Showering and getting ready for the day, can help you feel focused and energized.
2. Designate a regular, quiet workspace and keep it organized. Keep regular working hours if you are able to, set a time for when you work. Keeping family time separated from work as much as possible, can decrease stress, and create balance. When you can, put limits on demands from family and even pets. Create lists of what you plan to get done, highlight the top three, if you complete your priority tasks, you’ll have a sense of accomplishment.