WP Perspectives – Dec. 20, 2021

Posted on by krislandrum
Diversity hands

Focus on Facts

  • Two free testing events are scheduled at the Martinsville Armory next to the Henry-Martinsville Health Department on Commonwealth Blvd. on Monday, Dec. 20 and Wednesday, Dec. 29 from 1-4 p.m. Registration is not required and there is no age restriction. Masks are required. Anyone who has symptoms or who was exposed to a positive case should get tested before gathering with friends and family.

 

  • We have heard some conflicting and inaccurate information in the community regarding isolation and quarantine protocols. Please share this information provided by VDH, which follows CDC guidelines, for clarification: Home Isolation Quarantine Guide.This clarity is particularly important now with the virulence of Delta and the pervasive spread of Omicron. Tell everyone: spread cheer, not COVID!

 

  • VDH strongly advises Virginia K-12 schools to maintain mask requirements for all individuals aged two and older when indoors, consistent with guidance of the CDC, which currently recommends universal masking in K-12 schools, and of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The Order of the State Health Commissioner requiring all individuals aged two and older to wear masks when indoors at public and private K-12 schools still remains in full force and effect.

 

News You Can Use

Health Misinformation Checklist

Use this checklist every time you come across health-related content you are not sure about.

  • Did you check with the CDC or local public health department to see whether there is any information about the claim being made?
  • Did you ask a credible health care professional such as your doctor or nurse if they have any additional information?
  • Did you type the claim into a search engine to see if it has been verified by a credible source?
  • Did you look at the “About Us” page on the website to see if you can trust the source?
  • If you’re not sure, don’t share!

--Office of the U.S. Surgeon General

COVID-cabulary

Long COVID

COVID-19 symptoms can sometimes persist for months. The virus can damage the lungs, heart and brain, which increases the risk of long-term health problems.

Most people who have coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) recover completely within a few weeks. But some people — even those who had mild versions of the disease — continue to experience symptoms after their initial recovery. Learn more from the Mayo Clinic about how devastating Long COVID can be and why everyone should get vaccinated.

Just for Fun

What does “corona” in the name coronavirus mean?

Answer correctly to win a 2022 Wellness Wall Calendar from West Piedmont Health District and STEP, Inc.! Email your answer to: kris.landrum@vdh.virginia.gov

The answer to last week’s question which asked which of the listed diseases were defined as pandemics: All of these and more! Learn more about epidemics and pandemics throughout history at LiveScience.

The Epi-Center

Epidemiology is the science at center of public health.

Widespread Flu Activity in Virginia

Influenza (flu) and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. COVID-19 is caused by infection with a coronavirus first identified in 2019, and flu is caused by infection with influenza viruses.

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can infect humans or animals.  Most people become infected with coronaviruses that cause the common cold at some point during their lives. These infections often occur in the fall or winter. By far, the greatest impact from coronavirus infections has been caused by SARS-CoV-2. Since its discovery in late 2019, the virus spread worldwide and caused a global pandemic. In the United States, there have been many millions of cases. The virus is highly contagious and causes mild to severe respiratory symptoms.

COVID-19 seems to spread more easily than flu.

This chart (on the right), from the VDH Influence Surveillance webpage, demonstrates flu activity this year, compared to last.

For the week ending December 4, the geographic spread of influenza (flu) in Virginia jumped from “sporadic” to “widespread” based on reported laboratory results, influenza-like illness (ILI), and outbreaks, and has remained there for the second straight week.  Because flu and COVID-19 clinical presentations are similar, both COVID-19 and flu testing are needed to distinguish these infections.  Please encourage all patients 6 months or older to get vaccinated now against flu to lower their risk of infection, hospitalization, and death.  This is particularly important with the upcoming winter holidays.  The COVID-19 and the flu vaccine can be administered at the same time.

flu activity chart

COVID- 19 Data

Franklin County
Henry County
Martinsville
Patrick County

Cases

6,959
7,369
2,307
2,419

Hospitalizations

287
478
187
138

Deaths

118
192
94
62

% Fully Vaxed & Boosted/3rd Dose

48.6  &  17.4
49  &  16
58.7  &  17
40.8  &  14.5

cumulative total as of 12/17/21     

Jerelle CarterMeet Our CHWs

Jerelle Carter is one of the West Piedmont Health District’s new community health workers. He said he wanted the job in part because he wants to see the community get back to normal and the fastest way to do that is to get people vaccinated.

Carter grew up in nearby Pittsylvania County but has lived in the Martinsville area for several years, and said health and wellness is his passion. He earned a master’s degree in the field and spent nearly a decade working with the Coalition for Health and Wellness. He and others opened Crossfit 276, where he continues to educate people about their health.

He recalls attending a health fair while working for the coalition and encountering a man who had dangerously high blood pressure. He and his colleagues told the man he needed to go to the hospital immediately, but the man refused.

The next week, Carter said, he saw the man’s obituary in the newspaper. He had died of a heart attack. “That’s one of the reasons, when COVID came around, I decided to get involved this way,” Carter said, adding that he doesn’t want to see more people needlessly die because they didn’t heed medical advice.

Carter, who has a wife and 6 children, said, “I don’t want my kids to miss any more school, any more sports, things like that.”

Carter is part of a West Piedmont Health District-wide network of new CHWs charged with improving vaccination rates among people of all ages. He can be reached: jerelle@unitedwayofhcm.org