Health and Medicine
Photo: WFIR/Ian Price
The first mass vaccination clinics in the Roanoke Valley administered 6,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines over the weekend. Many more will follow, so what was it like at the Berglund Center – and what can you expect when it is your turn? WFIR’s Evan Jones was among the group 1-b recipients, and he takes us inside the clinic as he reports in depth:
With different communities moving at different paces when it comes to getting the COVID vaccine “in to arms,” the State Vaccine Coordinator advises Virginians to temper their expectations. WFIR’s Gene Marrano has this update:
Click below to hear complete vaccine update from Dr. Danny Avula:
Photo: Ian Price
2,000 Roanoke Valley school teachers are getting their first COVID-19 vaccinations today in a mass event at the Berglund Center. It is the largest mass clinic so far in the area, and WFIR’s Ian Price is there:
The teachers we spoke to say things are moving along very quickly. Chris and Melissa Caldwell both teach in Botetourt County Schools, and they spoke with Price:
This is just day one of a three-day mass clinic at the Berglund. Tomorrow and Sunday, 4,000 people placed in priority group 1b are scheduled for COVID vaccinations, largely those 65 and older.
With one in 5 mothers nationally – 1 in 2 from at-risk populations, experiencing “maternal mental health” issues like postpartum anxiety disorders, a Roanoke-based support group for women is ready to step up and help. WFIR’s Gene Marrano reports:
Click on link below to hear extended conversation on the HUM postpartum support group, with HUM co-founder Dr. Jacklyn Nunziato and Mandolin Restivo of Postpartum Support Virginia :
See link below to register for Feb. 5 Zoom support group meeting
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIscO2qrjouHtFsOY7SJPgf0O5yGGmQTUh0
It took just several hours after it was announced before 4000 slots were filled for a mass COVID vaccination event this weekend at the Berglund Center for Roanoke area residents. Could we see a similar event in the New River Valley soon? WFIR’s Gene Marrano has that story:
Virginia Tech students are returning to campus in a phased-in program that includes a new round of COVID tests. As they do, the university is implementing a new system designed to reduce the isolation many may have experienced during the fall: pods of up to ten people in each. They are social circles that permit students registered in one to be together without masks or social distancing. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story:
Click here for full program information from Virginia Tech.
They went just like THAT! – 4000 slots for a 2-day mass vaccination event at at the Berglund Center this weekend for Phase 1-B recipients were filled within a couple of hours. Announcements about future mass COVID vaccination events will come through media channels. There were some problems with the online registration system, which a Carilion spokesman said began happening when the available appointment slots started filling up. Also of note: the online registration form did NOT issue a confirmation number as advertised; just show up with ID. Health district director Dr. Cynthia Morrow in the aftermath:
Dr. Cynthia Morrow/VDH-VT photo
The director for the Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts says she hears “heart breaking stories everyday” about people seeking a COVID-19 vaccine shot. Dr. Cynthia Morrow again urged patience today, while also saying the two local health districts should put COVID vaccine shots into about 4000 arms this week. She also said Carilion Clinic will soon announce mass vaccination events in coordination with the Virginia Department of Health.
A coalition of groups statewide that include drug abuse prevention advocates and law enforcement agencies spoke out this morning on a Zoom conference – opposing any attempt to legalize marijuana for recreational use in the General Assembly. Some participants warned about increased traffic deaths in other states that have legalized marijuana, and spoke about adverse medical and mental health effects, especially in teens and young adults. John Jones represents the Virginia Sheriff’s Association:
The Virginia Department of Health reports 9914 new positive COVID test results over the past 24 hours. That’s up from the 6757 reported yesterday morning. Locally, 82 new cases, and 1 new hospitalization in Roanoke City. 74 new cases and 1 new hospitalization in Roanoke County. 25 new cases in Salem and 13 new cases in Botetourt County. To date 5729 deaths in Virginia have been atrtibuted to the COVID-19 pandemic.