Health and Medicine

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Pharmacies in Va can now give vaccines to more groups of Virginians

Published March 17, 2021 | By Web Staff

NEWS RELEASE: (RICHMOND, VA) – The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) announced today that Federal Retail Pharmacy partners will expand within Phase 1b to offer vaccines to individuals who are 16-64 with high-risk medical conditions, as well as frontline essential workers, including:

  • Police, Fire, and Hazmat
  • Corrections and homeless shelters
  • Food and Agriculture (including veterinarians)
  • Manufacturing
  • Grocery stores (including farmers’ market food vendors)
  • Public transit (including rideshare drivers)
  • Mail carriers (USPS and private)
  • Officials needed to maintain continuity of government (including judges and public facing judicial workers)
  • Clergy/faith leaders
  • Janitorial/cleaning

The expansion follows the state’s recent announcement that some Virginia communities could move from Phase 1b to Phase 1c, based upon a variety of factors, including vaccine demand decreases despite strong efforts to engage eligible populations, particularly among those who have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.

There are more than 300 pharmacies currently receiving vaccines within this federal program, which has the ability to expand to over 1,000 pharmacies across Virginia. Pharmacy expansion is based on equitable and fair access, demand, and supply.

Individuals who are interested in getting vaccinated at a local pharmacy may visit  VaccineFinder.org to find eligible pharmacy locations, hours, phone numbers and scheduling links where available.  While many pharmacies have continued to work directly with the health departments to vaccinate vulnerable populations, some pharmacies have online scheduling for vaccine appointments.

VDH urges everyone who lives or works in Virginia to pre-register at vaccinate.virginia.gov or call 877-VAX-IN-VA (TTY users dial 7-1-1).   Additional languages are available.

Northam announces size limits on commencements and graduations

Published March 17, 2021 | By Web Staff

MGN

Governor Northam has released preliminary guidance to schools and colleges that impact spring commencement and graduation ceremonies. It would limit indoor events to 500 people or 30% of venue capacity. Outdoor ceremonies would also be limited to 30% capacity, but up to 5,000 people. Northam expects to make this an official part of his next executive order.

NEWS RELEASE: RICHMOND—Governor Ralph Northam today released preliminary guidance for how K-12 schools, as well as colleges and universities, may safely hold in-person graduation and commencement events this spring. These tentative plans have been reviewed with education officials and are expected to be included in an April 1 update to Third Amended Executive Order Seventy-Two.

Graduation events held outdoors will be capped at 5,000 people or 30 percent of the venue capacity, whichever is less. Graduation events held indoors may have up to 500 people, or 30 percent of the venue capacity, whichever is less. Attendees must wear masks and follow other guidelines and safety protocols to ensure proper distancing. Preliminary guidance for safely holding graduation and commencement events can be found here.
“I appreciate the work that our schools, students, and teachers have put in to get back into the classroom safely, and the efforts of public health officials and education leaders in developing guidelines for safe graduations and commencements this spring,” said Governor Northam. “We are releasing this guidance early to allow schools to begin planning for this year’s events. While graduation and commencement ceremonies will still be different than they were in the past, this is a tremendous step forward for all of our schools, our graduates, and their families.”
Virginia has currently administered more than 2.7 million total COVID vaccine doses, and 1.8 million Virginians—21.3 percent of the population—have received at least one dose, while more than one million are fully vaccinated. The statewide positivity rate is 5.4 percent. About 50,000 shots are being administered to Virginians each day, and the Commonwealth is on pace to have vaccine available to everyone who wants to get vaccinated by the beginning of May. The acceleration of the vaccine program and the decrease in new COVID-19 cases make it safer to ease restrictions on activities like in-person graduations.
Virginia’s schools are also meeting Governor Northam’s goal to expand opportunities for regular in-person instruction. In early February, Governor Northam directed Virginia’s 132 school divisions to submit plans by mid-March for returning students to their classrooms. At that time, 25 school divisions, representing more than a third of Virginia’s students, had no plans for in-person learning. All school divisions have now submitted plans to meet that goal, and a vast majority of divisions are now offering full time classroom instruction or hybrid schedules that allow students to learn in person at least part of the week. All divisions continue to provide fully remote instructional options for students who choose to learn from home.
Over the past two weeks, Governor Northam and state officials have visited schools at every grade level in 26 school divisions throughout the Commonwealth, highlighting innovative approaches to safe classroom instruction.
“We have met hundreds of students eager to learn and excited to be back in school with their peers and educators,” said Secretary of Education Atif Qarni. “We know that students learn best in their classrooms and will continue to work with divisions to ensure children across our Commonwealth have access to in-person learning options.”
Virginia prioritized vaccinating teachers and school staff early on, and more than two-thirds have received at least one dose of the vaccine.
“Given the rapid progress we are making with vaccinating teachers and staff, and what we now know about how schools can operate safely with proper mitigation measures, I believe in-person instruction will be the norm in every Virginia school division this fall,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction James Lane. “In fact, many of our school divisions—with guidance from the state—are already looking beyond the immediate issues related to returning students to their classrooms and are developing plans to make up the ground that has been lost over the past year.”
The American Rescue Plan Act, which was signed into law last week by President Biden, includes $122 billion to support K-12 school recovery efforts nationwide. Ninety percent of the funding will go directly to local school districts based on the formula for distributing federal Title I funds. Ten percent of the funding under the act will support state-level initiatives to help schools recover from the pandemic. According to estimates, Virginia will receive approximately $2.1 billion, with $1.9 billion going directly to school divisions, and approximately $200 million reserved to support state-level K-12 recovery initiatives.

J&J vaccines to soon arrive in big numbers; Carilion doc approves

Published March 17, 2021 | By Evan Jones

The Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine is currently arriving in relatively small numbers, but state health officials expect it to become a major player in less than two weeks – with close to 100,000 doses a week to start arriving late this month. With a single dose being all that’s needed, it can fully vaccinate far more people more quickly than Moderna and Pfizer. Doctor Paul Skolnik is Chair of Medicine at Carilion Clinic, and he says all three vaccines are similar in efficacy, safety and side effects, and you should get the first one you can. WFIR’s Evan Jones has more:

 

Salem VA Health Care System now offers COVID-19 vaccine to all veterans

Published March 17, 2021 | By Evan Jones

All veterans across southwest Virginia are now able to schedule COVID-19 vaccination appointments with the Salem VA Health Care System. The vaccines will be administered at both the main center in Salem and at five outpatient clinics across its wide service region. Veterans of all ages are eligible.

NEWS RELEASE: SALEM, VIRGINIA — The Salem VA Health Care System has opened scheduling of COVID-19 vaccines to Veterans of all ages effective immediately. The two-shot series Moderna vaccination will be given at the Salem VA Medical Center, and the single-dose Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccination will be available at Community Based Outpatient Clinics in Tazewell, Lynchburg, Danville, Wytheville, and Staunton.

“The Salem VA Health Care System is excited to be able to open vaccination appointments for all of our enrolled Veteran population,” said Dr. Jeffrey Thompson, Chief of Pharmacy at the Salem VA Medical Center. “Individuals are encouraged to reach out to their primary care teams or call our vaccination hotline between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday to schedule their appointments.”

Thompson also said that Veterans who received the first of a two-dose vaccination at a community hospital must get their second dose at the same location; he also encourages Veterans who have been fully vaccinated at community hospitals to bring their vaccination card with them to their next VA appointment so their medical records can be updated.

To schedule a COVID-19 vaccination appointment, Veterans should call 540-982-2463 and choose Option 2.

Region’s COVID hospitalization numbers drop for 8th straight week

Published March 17, 2021 | By Evan Jones

Health systems based in Roanoke, Lynchburg and Southside collectively report an eighth consecutive week of fewer patients hospitalized for treatment of COVID-19. The trend holds true as well for those patients under intensive care and on ventilators. The hospital numbers are down more than two-thirds from their mid-January peak.

MARCH 17 NEWS RELEASE: Here are updated numbers for the Near Southwest Region (which includes Carilion, Centra, LewisGale, Sovah, and Salem VA facilities) as of today:

Hospitalized COVID-19 patients: 137

ICU patients: 25

Ventilator patients: 15

Hospitalized PUIs (patients under investigation awaiting results): 7

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JANUARY 13 NEWS RELEASE: Here are updated numbers for the Near Southwest Region (which includes Carilion, Centra, LewisGale, Sovah, and Salem VA facilities) as of today:

Hospitalized COVID-19 patients: 450

ICU patients: 96

Ventilator patients: 55

Hospitalized PUIs (patients under investigation awaiting results): 30

VDH releases latest coronavirus data from Roanoke Valley

Published March 17, 2021 | By Web Staff

The VDH is reporting 1 new Covid-19 death and 3 new related hospitalizations in the Roanoke Valley in the latest 24-hour reporting period. Health officials also report 35 new coronavirus cases among Roanoke City, Roanoke County, Salem and Botetourt County.  12 new cases, 2 new hospitalizations, and 1 new death in Roanoke City, 9 new cases and 1 new hospitalization in Roanoke County, 6 new cases in Salem, and 8 new cases in Botetourt County.

VT freshman orientation to again be virtual this summer

Published March 17, 2021 | By Evan Jones

Spring officially arrives before sunup Saturday, but colleges and universities are already making plans – and sometimes alternate plans – for campus activities this summer.  At Virginia Tech, more than 6,000 incoming freshmen usually visit the Blacksburg campus in June and July for orientation. Last year, it went on line, and orientation will remain that way this summer. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story:

 

Move to Phase 1C vaccinations could be just weeks away

Published March 16, 2021 | By Gene Marrano

Dr. Cynthia Morrow/VDH-VT photo

The move to vaccinating Virginians in Phase 1C could happen by early to mid April. So says Dr. Cynthia Morrow with the Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts. Phase 1C contains “other essential workers” not covered in 1B, but still at a greater risk because of exposure to the public. Morrow also said the mass vaccination events planned next month will likely feature the 1-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine due to logistical reasons.

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NEWS RELEASE – The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) announced today that some health districts will begin the transition to Phase 1c vaccinations this week, and that all communities across Virginia should be able to open to this group of essential workers within weeks. [this week’s Phase 1C timeline does not apply to the Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts.]

The decision to move from one phase to the next is made in coordination with local and state health officials and is dependent upon a variety of factors. Before moving to 1c, local health departments must have made strong efforts to reach all those eligible in 1a and 1b populations, particularly communities that have been disproportionately impacted, such as communities of color. Local health departments also must consider whether demand for vaccine has decreased among 1a and 1b populations.

“Finally, the light at the end of this long journey seems to be coming into view,” said State Health Commissioner M. Norman Oliver, M.D., M.A. “Vaccine is our best hope of ending the pandemic. My heartfelt thanks to the many Virginians who are signing up and getting vaccinated and for the health care workers and volunteers who are administering vaccines.”

“It is important that everyone who falls in one of the priority groups outlined in phases 1a-1c, including Virginians who are 65 and older, essential workers, and those 16-64 with underlying health conditions, get signed up on the state’s pre-registration list as soon as possible,” said Danny Avula, MD, MPH Virginia’s COVID Vaccine Coordinator. “In some communities, those on that pre-registration list will be contacted in days, not weeks, to schedule an appointment for your vaccine.”

Virginia began vaccinating healthcare personnel and people living in long-term care facilities in December, before moving to Phase 1b in January. Phase 1b includes those 65 and older, those 16-64 with underlying medical conditions and some frontline essential workers. Phase 1c includes additional essential workers, including those in the energy, construction, food services and other fields. Overlap of vaccination of groups may occur to ensure people in each phase are vaccinated as quickly and efficiently as possible. A full list of those included in each phase is available on the VDH vaccine website.

All communities are expected to move into Phase 1c by mid-April. Anyone over age 16 who lives or works in Virginia will be eligible for a vaccine in Phase 2, which is expected to begin by May 1.

Anyone who wants a vaccine should pre-register for an appointment by visiting vaccinate.virginia.gov or by calling 877-VAX-IN-VA (877-829-4682) from 8 a.m.-8p.m., seven days a week. Representatives are available in English and Spanish, and translation is available in any of more than 100 languages. TTY dial 7-1-1.

Those who have pre-registered should check the list at vaccinate.virginia.gov or by calling the call center to ensure their information is accurate. Incomplete or inaccurate information could result in you not being contacted for an appointment.

If you are pre-registered, make sure you are checking your email and answering your phone because it could be an invitation to schedule your appointment.

Carilion to open Tanglewood children’s center in October

Published March 16, 2021 | By Evan Jones

Nancy Agee-Carilion

Carilion Children’s Tanglewood Center – located where JC Penney used to be – expects building renovations to be complete by August, with an official opening in October. It will be home to Carilion Children’s outpatient services.  Carilion Children’s Tanglewood will feature 120 exam and consulting rooms, 14 pediatric specialties on site – and 700 parking spaces. At a groundbreaking in September 2019 Carilion President and CEO Nancy Agee said this model had worked before on Franklin Road:

NEWS RELEASE: Extensive renovations are underway, both inside and outside Tanglewood Mall in Roanoke County. Officially known as the Carilion Children’s Tanglewood Center, the building is planned to be completed in August 2021, with an official opening in early October.

“We cannot wait to open our doors this fall,” said Dr. Donald Kees, interim chair of Pediatrics for Carilion. “This facility signals a shift in access to care, offering a central access point for pediatric specialty services in our region.”

The building will be home to Carilion Children’s outpatient specialty practices. It is designed to make it easier for patients and their families, many of whom see more than one specialist, to access expert care. Acting as a one-stop shop, the Carilion Children’s Tanglewood Center will bring world-class pediatric services under one roof.

Image: Carilion Clinic

Image: Carilion Clinic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The facility will feature:

  • More than 77,000 square feet on two floors
  • 14 pediatric specialties
  • Pediatric physical, occupational, and speech therapies
  • Child Life Specialists
  • Imaging and laboratory services
  • Telemedicine
  • 120 exam rooms and multiple consult rooms
  • 700 parking spaces and a covered entrance with guest services support
  • Pediatric and adult dentistry

Carilion’s Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) practice, both adult and children, will have an adjacent location accessible from inside Tanglewood Mall.

“In all this excitement, the goal remains the same,” said Dr. Kees. “We’re here to provide specialized care, close to home, for the children in our region.”

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