Health and Medicine
Dr. Fred Quarles- courtesy photo
COVID vaccine hesitancy certainly isn’t a new subject at this point and its means we are still in the middle of a pandemic. The African-American community has been hit harder than some other demographics by the lack of vaccinations. WFIR’s Gene Marrano has more on this, “In Depth.”
G Marrano photos
A 30 million dollar makeover of the former JC Penny department store has transformed 150,000 square feet into a hub for pediatric services. Beginning next week Carilion Children’s – Tanglewood Center will start seeing young patients. The story from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:
Carilion Children’s interior. Gene Marrano photo
Carilion Children’s – Tanglewood Center – in the the former JC Penney location – is about to debut. Carilion has invested around 30 million dollars in the two-story, 150,000 square foot makeover that will consolidate its pediatric outpatient services. (All practices will be open by October 4). Much more on this story tomorrow morning on WFIR – including a video tour. Dr. Donald Kees is the interim chair of the Carilion Pediatrics Department:
Dr. Cynthia Morrow/VDH-VT photo
The Director of the Alleghany and Roanoke City Health Districts held a press briefing today, stressing the importance of keeping up with quarantine guidelines for students. Dr. Cynthia Morrow urges parents to stay diligent when keeping their children at home after they come in contact with someone who tests positive for the coronavirus. Morrow also said that school superintendents want to keep schools open and they must keep pushing community mitigation strategies, like mask guidance and contact tracing.
Of the approximately 37,000 students enrolled at Virginia Tech this semester, 134 were not in compliance with the COVID-19 vaccination requirement, meaning that they did not submit documentation or receive an exemption. A VT spokesman said today these students have been disenrolled, also noting that the university does not know whether any of those students were not planning to return for reasons unrelated to the COVID-19 vaccine requirement.
Dr. Cynthia Morrow/VDH-VT photo
During her weekly update this morning Dr Cynthia Morrow with the Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts said the local Virginia Department of Health is gearing up to distribute the third “booster shot” if and when the FDA approves it for the general population. As testing rates have risen again Morrow said the local health districts have not seen any significant problems when it comes to wait times or supplies. Morrow also responded to media reports that some parents across the country are sending their children to school – knowing they have tested positive for COVID-19:
Suicide Prevention Month starts tomorrow. The Pandemic has caused more mental health issues for many; suicide was already the second leading cause of death among 10 to 24 year olds. There are mental health “first aid” training sessions, a “Lunch and Learn” and virtual panel discussions in September. The Suicide Prevention Council has teamed up with Blue Ridge Behavorial Healthcare for Suicide Prevention Month. Sheila Lythgoe with the Suicide Prevention Council of Roanoke Valley says the September designation is about awareness.
Contact Blue Ridge Behavorial Healthcare and/or enroll in the Talk Saves Lives program below:
https://brbh.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAlduytqD0vHdzZqq-ERyMLXSnBsHJ_Ary5
Virginia legalized growing and possessing certain amounts of marijuana but it’s still a federally prohibited substance. That’s left landlords in somewhat of a predicament. WFIR’s Ian Price has more:
The Virginia Department of Health is reporting this morning 766,435 coronavirus cases and 11,842 virus-related deaths. That includes 3,487 new confirmed and probable cases and 32 new confirmed and probably deaths in Virginia. A breakdown of local numbers can be found below:
Bedford County = 67 new cases, 2 new hospitalizations, 1 new death
Botetourt County = 10 new cases, 2 new hospitalizations
Franklin County = 34 new cases
Roanoke City = 44 new cases, 1 new death
Roanoke County = 30 new cases, 2 new hospitalizations
