Health and Medicine
from Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts: Tuesday night’s testing event at the Salem Civic Center provided evidence of the unprecedented demand for testing. Over 200 people were tested at the event and unfortunately, demand exceeded our supply.
Given this demand, the Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts (RCAHD) will have a limited supply of free COVID-19 Rapid Antigen at-home test kits for first-come, first-served distribution on Thursday, December 30, 2021 beginning at 11a.m. at the Salem Civic Center. Due to increased demand, test kits are expected to be out of stock very quickly.
The approximately 300 test kits are intended to be used for individuals who are seeking testing because they either have symptoms or know they were exposed to a positive case within the previous five days. Individuals will be asked to self-attest that they meet these criteria for testing.
Individuals must be present to receive a test kit. Only one test kit will be distributed per person who meets the criteria while supplies last. Users will need a smartphone in order to receive results.
As COVID continues to spread in our communities, it is critical that we reserve our hospital emergency rooms, urgent care centers and rescue squads for medical emergencies only. Using these resources unnecessarily can prevent people who are ill or injured from getting the medical care they need. Please contact your health provider or visit the Virginia Department of Health’s website to find a public testing site near you.
For questions about COVID-19 testing or a list of testing locations, visit the VDH website or call 877-VAX-IN-VA (877-829-4682), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Anyone still needing a COVID-19 vaccine is encouraged to visit www.vaccinate.virginia.gov or call 1-877-VAX-IN-VA (877-829-4682, TTY users call 7-1-1). English- and Spanish-speaking operators are available. Translation services also are available in more than 100 languages.
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Officials are not advising against holiday gatherings like in recent years because of COVID-19, but the Virginia department of health is issuing guidance for those gatherings to prevent spreading the COVID-19. WFIR’s Caroline Moore with the story:
Is “Marijuana psychosis” real? A Virginia cannabis advocacy group weighs in, as WFIR’s Ian Price reports:
United Way of Roanoke Valley has been sending Community Health Workers out into the field in the large region it serves, assessing health care needs. President & CEO Abby Hamilton says they are finding out that good health is about more than just going to the doctor for many people. Hamilton was live in studio on WFIR this morning; hear the complete conversation below; watch it on Facebook.
Carilion photo
A virtual platform that was put into service when the COVID pandemic struck last year remains in place – 24 hour live streaming from cribs in the newborn baby unit to parents and caregivers elsewhere. More on the Carilion NICU AngelEye Camera System from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:
Many people who live in rural areas — like much of southwest Virginia — may face elevated mental health challenges created by the COVID pandemic. One effort to address those challenges, and substance abuse disorders that can result, is set for next month. It’s a mental health first aid training course: two days on line and free, and co-sponsored by Recover Virginia, where officials say even before COVID arrived, rural residents were already hit hard by mental health issues and related substance abuse. WFIR’s Evan Jones has more:
The on-line program is set for January 7th and 8th. Click here for more information.
Updated COVID numbers for the Near Southwest Region, which includes Carilion, Centra, LewisGale, Sovah Health, and the Salem VA Medical Center as of today – there are 204 hospitalized COVID-19 patients and 62 ICU patients. Last week there were 176 hospitalized for COVID-19 in the Near Southwest region, and 161 two weeks ago – when 47 were in the ICU.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _Health officials say the omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus has been identified in a Virginia resident, the first case to be reported in the state. In a news release on Thursday, the Virginia Department of Health said the variant was identified in a sample from an adult resident of northwest Virginia who had no history of international travel, but did have a history of domestic travel during the exposure period. The news release didn’t disclose the person’s condition or any additional details. The health department says the omicron variant may spread more easily than other variants, including delta.