Health and Medicine
As the President made the rounds yesterday pushing for the “traditional” infrastructure bill and the much larger “American Family Plan,” Virginia’s junior Democratic U.S. Senator introduced another bill that could be folded into the latter. More from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:
Between July 20 and Sept. 8, the Virginia Department of Health will offer residents the opportunity to receive the COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine free at selected Roanoke Public Library branches. Walk-ins are welcome, or you can reserve your dose by making an appointment at (540) 613-6597 or go to www.vdh.virginia.gov/roanoke/covid-vaccine. Dates, times, and locations are as follows:
- Tuesday, July 20, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Main Library
- Friday, July 23, 2-4 p.m., Williamson Road Branch Library
- Wednesday, July 28, 3-5 p.m., Belmont Branch Library
- Friday, Aug. 13, 2-4pm Williamson Road Branch Library
- Tuesday, Aug. 17, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Main Library
- Wednesday, Aug. 18, 3-5 p.m., Belmont Branch Library
- Friday, Sept. 3, 2-4 p.m., Williamson Road Branch Library
- Tuesday, Sept. 7, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Main Library
- Wednesday, Sept. 8, 3-5 p.m., Belmont Branch Library
Questions about these events should be directed to VDH at (540) 613-6597.
A vaccine deadline is drawing near for Virginia Tech students planning to be on campus this fall – and so far, most of them have yet to meet it. The university s requiring all students to be fully vaccinated – and submit verification – by August 6th, but as of late last week, just over one-third had done so. It comes as the deadline for a timely first Moderna vaccine dose has already passed, and the one for Pfizer is this Thursday. WFIR’s Evan Jones has more:
“Pregnancy and Beyond – a Motherhood Summit” is what Huddle Up Moms is calling its latest empowerment and education session for young mothers – and some not so young – that takes place this Saturday in Roanoke. The details from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:
See link to sign up for July 17 summit below:
The Virginia Department of Health is now reporting COVID-19 numbers through an additional metric — vaccination status. The VDH says the numbers so far show that more than 99 % of all cases, hospitalizations and deaths in the state involve Virginians who were not fully vaccinated.
NEWS RELEASE: (RICHMOND, VA) — The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) COVID-19 in Virginia dashboards now include information on the number of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths by vaccination status. They also include data to track COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. Vaccine breakthrough means someone who is fully vaccinated develops COVID-19.
“Over 99% of COVID-19 cases in Virginia have occurred in people who were not fully vaccinated. I applaud those who have chosen to protect themselves and the community by getting vaccinated, and we appreciate the work of all who are helping to vaccinate Virginians,” said State Health Commissioner M. Norman Oliver, M.D., M.A. “I continue to encourage everyone who is able to get vaccinated to do so.”
Vaccination is the most important strategy to stop the COVID-19 pandemic. Every time an immune person is exposed, the chain of transmission is broken, slowing the spread from person to person. Getting vaccinated is a much safer way to develop immunity than getting sick from COVID-19.
All COVID-19 vaccines currently available in the United States are effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death. To receive the most protection, people should receive all recommended doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccine breakthroughs are rare and COVID-19 vaccination is highly effective in preventing illness, even acute illness.
Carilion Clinic is participating in a nationwide study aimed at helping people diagnosed with major depression – and who have been difficult to successfully treat for it. It involves Vagus Nerve Stimulation in which a device the size of a flash drive is surgically implanted in a chest wall and then transmits impulses to a nerve in your neck. Federal regulators approved this device to treat such major depression cases some time ago, but with limited data to this point, Medicare and many private insurers do not provide routine coverage. This study may help make that possible, as WFIR’s Evan Jones reports:
Click here for more information from Carilion Clinic.
ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. (July 2, 2021) Roanoke County has been selected as one of US News & World Report’s Healthiest Communities for 2021. The Healthiest Communities list is an interactive destination for consumers and policymakers, developed by U.S. News & World Report in collaboration with the Aetna Foundation, an independent charitable and philanthropic affiliate of CVS Health.
Backed by in-depth research and accompanied by news and analysis, the site features comprehensive rankings drawn from an examination of nearly 3,000 counties and county equivalents on 84 metrics across 10 categories.
Roanoke County ranks #196 out of the top 500 Urban, High Performing communities across the nation with an overall score of 71 across the study’s criteria. By comparison, Roanoke County ranked 18 points higher than the average communities in Virginia, and 11 points higher than national averages.
Highlights of Roanoke County’s rankings include better than average scores in overall population health, equity, education, economy, and housing. Learn more about Roanoke County’s rankings at https://www.usnews.com/news/healthiest-communities/virginia/roanoke-county.
The Virginia Department of Health reminds residents enjoying time with family and friends this July 4th weekend to be aware of the signs of heat-related illness, particularly in those more vulnerable to extreme temperatures. During the most recent heat wave through July 1st, a total of 206 visits were made to emergency departments or urgent care centers in Virginia as a result of heat-related illnesses. The VDH says signs of severe heat-related illness include high body temperature, a fast pulse, dizziness, nausea, confusion, headache, passing out, and hot, red, dry or damp skin.
Here are additional steps you can take to protect yourself against heat-related illnesses:
- On extremely hot days, stay indoors in an air-conditioned area or find a cooling center in your area if your home is not cool. Spending at least two hours per day in air conditioning significantly reduces the risk of heat-related illnesses. When temperatures reach the upper 90s or above, a fan may not prevent heat-related illness.
- Drink plenty of fluids (2-4 glasses of cool fluids) each hour. To replace salt and minerals lost from sweating, drink fruit juice or a sports beverage during exercise or when you have to work outside. However, talk to your doctor first if you are on a fluid-restricted diet or medications, or on a low-salt diet.
- If you must be outdoors, wear lighter weight and light-colored clothing and wide-brimmed hats to reflect the sun’s rays. Apply sunscreen to exposed skin to avoid sunburn. Sunburn limits your body’s ability to keep itself cool and causes loss of body fluids. Use sunscreen with a SPF of 15 or greater, and apply it at least 20 minutes before going outside.
- Extreme heat can be stressful on your body. Limit physical activity until your body adjusts to the heat.
- Never leave children or pets in cars. Temperatures inside a car can reach higher than 150 degrees quickly, resulting in heat stroke and death.
- Use the “buddy system” if you are working outside. If you suffer a heat-related illness, you could become confused or could lose consciousness. Therefore, make sure someone else knows of your plans.
- Be sure to check on the elderly and neighbors without air conditioning.