Health and Medicine

A joint COVID-19 remembrance today at the Berglund Center, two years after the first COVID case was detected in the local health districts – that was in Botetourt County. Inside the Berglund Special Events Center more than 900 chairs were set up – symbolizing the 930 or more that have died locally from COVID-19 since March 2020. Representatives from health care, first responders, emergency management, school systems and local governments were all saluted for doing their part to battle the COVID pandemic. Today’s even included a moment for those that lost their fight with COVID-19.  Russell Beggarly is a nurse and unit director for a Carilion ICU:

 

The Miles 4 Tab Virtual Walk and Run created to honor Tabitha Thompson – a Carilion Clinic neo-natal Intensive Care Unit nurse killed last month while riding her bike – donated a check to the Carilion Clinic Foundation today in her honor. Carilion President and CEO Nancy Agee accepted that $25,500 Miles 4 Tab check today on the greenway near the hospital. Blaine Lewis is co-owner of Fleet Feet Roanoke, where Tabitha bought gear for her running, biking and triathlon pursuits, and made many friends:

Effective Tuesday, March 8, all Carilion Clinic hospitals will transition to green level restrictions for inpatient visitation. When transitioning from yellow- to green-level visitation, the primary change is permitting two visitors per day for adults during their stay. Previously, they were only allowed one in most cases.

Green visitation allows inpatient visitors with the following guidelines:

  • Adult patients are allowed two visitors. If deemed appropriate by the care team, children may visit if accompanied by an adult, and children do not count as visitors.
  • Pediatric patients are allowed two visitors over 18 (must be family members).
  • Emergency Department patients are allowed two visitors.
  • Labor and Delivery patients are allowed two visitors.
  • End of life patients are allowed up to four immediate family members.
  • Same-day surgery patients are allowed one visitor while being prepped. Once the patient is in their room, two visitors are allowed.

There are no visitors permitted for COVID-19 patients, and shared spaces (bays, waiting areas, etc.) remain visitor-free zones. “A patient’s support system plays a crucial role in their experience, so we are excited to welcome back additional visitors in a limited capacity,” said Patrice M. Weiss, MD, chief medical officer and executive vice president for Carilion. “While green-level visitation is less restrictive, it’s important to note that we remain vigilant against COVID-19. Protections like masking and screening requirements remain in place to keep our patients, visitors and staff safe.”

The health systems serving the Roanoke, Lynchburg and Southside region collectively report that COVID-related hospitalizations are down almost 75% since their late January peak — and ICU patient numbers have fallen more than 80%. Carilion, Center, LewisGale, Sovah Health and Salem VA facilities put the total hospitalization number at 143, and that compares to 538 on January 26. 20 of those patients are under intensive care, down from 110 five weeks ago.

MARCH 4 NEWS RELEASE: 

Here are the updated numbers for the Near Southwest Region (which includes Carilion, Centra, LewisGale, Sovah Health, and Salem VA facilities) as of today:

Hospitalized COVID-19 patients: 143

ICU patients: 20

JANUARY 26 NEWS RELEASE:

Here are the updated numbers for the Near Southwest Region (which includes Carilion, Centra, LewisGale, Sovah Health, and Salem VA facilities) as of today:

Hospitalized COVID-19 patients: 538

ICU patients: 116

G Marrano photo

The gift of sound for a recent Virginia Western Community College graduate, who lost her hearing aids several years ago. Markot Thach received new hearing aids today, courtesy of the Miracle-Ear Foundation. She misplaced her previous set of hearing aids and insurance would not cover another pair, so she’s been without for the last few years – lesson learned she says. An audiologist and the local Lions Club referred Markot to the Miracle-Ear Foundation, which has donated hearings aids to more than 18,000 people nationwide since 1990. At the top of her list – listening to music.

 

Every year Delta Dental conducts a survey on the average cash gift the “Tooth Fairy” leaves for children who have lost a tooth. Like everything else its gone up – to a record $5.36 per tooth, the highest in the survey’s 24 year history says Senior Manager of Corporate Communications for Delta Dental Virginia, Jeremy Butterfield. Monday is “National Tooth Fairy Day.” Butterfield says the event – held twice a year – is also a good reminder to visit the dentist on a regular basis for checkups.

Virginia Children’s Theatre and Tudor House in studio. Clark Palmer photo

For many years now Virginia Children’s Theatre has paused every season from the lighter fare it stages to present a play that tackles a serious subject impacting today’s youth.  With suicide the third leading cause of death for youth between 10 and 24 years of age, this year it is teen suicide. Brett Roden, producing artistic director for VCT and Kathleen Thorell, the executive director for Tudor House, founded after the death of Louis Tudor with a mission of Suicide Prevention, education and support, joined us live in studio this morning.