COVID-19 & Local Public Health Articles
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Devastated: Sam Wong’s departure has statewide, even national impact, health leaders say
The descriptors assigned to Sam Wong by public health leaders throughout the state universally reflect a profound admiration of a man who likely spent his last day as Framingham’s health director this week.
NEW
Massachusetts launches a new public health initiative on Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket
The aim of this initiative is to reduce the considered epidemic of tick-borne illnesses and substance abuse on these two islands. The $300,000 funding for this program comes through the Public Health Excellence Grant program, administered by the State Department of Public Health (DPH). A health inspector, a wildlife biologist and a community health worker/ epidemiologist will be paid through this grant.
No cases of Covid-19 on Martha’s Vineyard, zero Covid-19 related deaths as well!
A welcome relief for the hundreds of health care workers who spent 15 months battling the unprecedented coronavirus that refused to relent. TestMV (as it would later become known) was born, a unique, free asymptomatic test site located in the regional high school parking lot and open to anyone on Martha’s Vineyard. TestMV has proven to be effective and an ongoing effort for this region.
Karin Carroll and Kelley Hiland turn in their resignation on 30th June and the reason wasn’t clearly mentioned
Gloucester’s Health Department had been very lucky to have them because of their continued efforts who brought great programs to the city. Karin stated that she will be pursuing other options in public health. Kelly noted that public health is an evidence-based profession to be prioritized, trusted, respected and she’s proud that she upheld her values to work for people. And, as the pandemic continues, the Board of Health will need to find substitutes for these 2 experienced and hardworking health professionals. Additionally, it is tough to find replacements, keeping in mind the current climate between the Health Department and the mayor.
A new direction of behavioral health programs in Medford
The City Council in March approved creation of the Promote, Prevention, Support Behavioral Health Commission. The new panel seeks to hire 3 members – a member of a family that has used behavioral health services; a representative from the provider community; and a resident with professional experience in the field by 21st July. Talking ahead, the health commission will monitor behavioral health data in the city in accordance with city departments, community providers and residents to improve services.
Devastated: Sam Wong’s departure has statewide, even national impact, health leaders say
The descriptors assigned to Sam Wong by public health leaders throughout the state universally reflect a profound admiration of a man who likely spent his last day as Framingham’s health director this week.
Successful Efforts
Chicago Health Officials Start to Roll Out COVID-19 Vaccine to Clinics, Long-Term Care Facilities
Five staff members at a health clinic that serves Chicago’s Latino community became the first Chicagoans to get the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine on Monday in an effort to highlight the continuing disproportionate impact of the pandemic in the city’s non-white communities.
‘Route out’ of pandemic: UK gives 1st COVID-19 vaccine doses
A retired British shop clerk has received the first shot in the country’s COVID-19 vaccination program, the start of an unprecedented global immunization effort intended to offer a route out of a pandemic that has killed 1.5 million.
Wisconsin doctor, public health officials discuss distribution with COVID-19 vaccine likely available soon
The team of doctors and public health officials is tasked with providing advice to the immunization program for the State of Wisconsin on how to best allocate a COVID-19 vaccine, understanding that there will likely be more need for a vaccine than vaccine available in the months ahead.
Light at the end of the tunnel: Local public health officials are preparing for vaccines
There is light at the end of the tunnel in the form of a vaccine, with a new vaccine by Moderna announced Monday and a Pfizer vaccine announced Nov. 9. Routt County’s public health officials and the local hospital are busy getting ready for the first delivery of those vaccines.
Washington state health officials cautiously give ‘good news’ at weekly COVID briefing
Washington state is showing success in efforts of taking all the public health measures to bring COVID activity down and continuously showing positive signs in data.
Santa Barbara County Public Health official calls July 4 COVID precautions successful
July 4 COVID precautions were somewhat successful due to people’s cooperation and may help the county avoid another surge in cases and hospitalizations.
LA County Health Director ‘Cautiously Optimistic’ As Coronavirus Trends Improve
Los Angeles County’s public health director Monday again expressed cautious optimism about efforts to slow the spread of coronavirus as data is showing signs of stability, but the delay in getting accurate reporting from labs may cause an influx of backlogged results.
“Cautiously Optimistic”: Arizona’s top health official talks state’s current COVID-19 condition
Health officials leading the Arizona’s efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus said Arizonans are doing a great job at practicing social distancing, mask wearing, and staying home if sick, and are seeing some improvements with the community spread.
Three Microbiologists: Public Health Workers Making an Impact in Houston
Abstract- People with diverse background and experience join the CDC Foundation COVID-19 Corps from communities across the country to help fight this pandemic. Microbiologists, contact tracers, epidemiologists and many other public health staff are working together to make an impact.
New Methods/Projects
Austin Public Health seeking to create smoother path for seniors to get coronavirus vaccine
To avoid continued frustration over the vaccine rollout, Austin Public Health officials hope a new plan will help the most at-risk residents get vaccinated first and limit the number of days residents need to check for available appointments, local health leaders said Tuesday.
Boston University, Bedford-based MITRE to pilot digital contact tracing for Massachusetts DPH
Boston University and a Bedford-based cybersecurity company, MITRE, were selected to work with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health on a digital contact tracing initiative.
The Moderna vaccine is now in some Americans’ arms as Covid-19 cases in the US pass 18 million
As the number of Covid-19 cases reported in the United States passed 18 million, the second vaccine given emergency authorization was being administered Monday for the first time outside of clinical trials.
Here’s How Massachusetts Is Responding to the 2nd Coronavirus Surge
Massachusetts is reopening a second field hospital, beefing up coronavirus testing and limiting certain surgeries to ease the strain the state’s health care system.
La Crosse County Health Officials Call for Winter School Sports, Extracurriculars To Be Canceled
As winter school sports and other extracurriculars start their season, at least one county health department is calling for youth activities to be canceled to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.The La Crosse County Health Department recommended canceling all in-person events, including youth sports and extracurriculars, in a message to the public last week.
South Carolina public health officials roll out vaccine system upgrade
Abstract- Department of Health and Environmental Control introduces Statewide Immunization Online Network which is believed to be helpful for immunization providers as they would be able to keep track of their inventory. The network will also help patients to keep track of their immunization records and provide reminders for the same.
Michigan health officials start ‘Spread Hope, Not COVID’ campaign
Abstract-Public Health officials in Michigan has started a new campaign aiming to help safely reopen the state’s economy. The basic idea of the campaign is to spread facts amongst Michiganders and remind them to wear masks, wash their hands frequently and practicing social distancing. The campaign will be advertised via broadcasts, and social and digital media.
In California, Public Health Workers Given New Privacy Protection
Abstract- California expands a privacy law for its public health officials by keeping their home address confidential. The protection was previously reserved for victims of violence, abuse and stalking, and reproductive health workers. The law came into effect as the threats to the public health officials continue to rise amid this pandemic.
LA public health officials deep into planning for vaccine distribution; Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine could be 90% effective
Abstract- The assistant Secretary of Public Health in LA says they have been making plans for months on how the vaccine will be distributed once the vaccine is approved for public use. The director of the New Orleans Health Department says it plans to deliver the vaccine in a way COVID-19 testing is done as of now. They plan to deliver it through the federal government and Walgreens and CVS will help to administer the coronavirus vaccines.
Threats
9 top New York health officials resign as Gov. Andrew Cuomo scorns COVID-19 advice from experts
The drumbeat of high-level departures in the middle of the pandemic came as morale plunged in the Health Department and senior health officials expressed alarm to one another over being sidelined and treated disrespectfully, according to five people with direct experience inside the department.
Scammers offering fake, early COVID-19 vaccine access: public health officials
Scammers are attempting to exploit the news of the coronavirus vaccine by offering fake vaccine access for individuals who give their Social Security number to callers, public health officials have cautioned.
Around the world, health officials face death threats amid pandemic
Abstract- All around the globe, public health officials are still facing threats in this pandemic. The chief officer of Public health in Australia was criticized and had to station a police detail outside of her house after she decided to close all the borders of Queensland, a state in Australia. Death threats continue in other nations as well including Germany, Sweden and The United States of America as public health officials try to battle the pandemic.
Health department directors across Missouri have left jobs, face threats and harassment
Abstract- A public health official in St. Francois County faces threats on social media and have reported people following her and clicking pictures of her, as she works to protect her community. Many more health officials have resigned due to these threats made by their own community members and are questioning them for their work and are calling this pandemic fake.
‘It’s devastating’: Harassment of COVID health workers is widespread, ‘unprecedented,’ officials say.
Abstract- CDC pulled their team of health workers from the state of Minnesota due to continuously being harassed, including racial remarks, and being intimidated by an armed man. Public health officials continue to receive insults and threats of violence as it continues to surge across the nation.
COVID- 19 fact-finding leads to threats against health workers in Minnesota
Abstract- Public Health workers, working on a project focusing on fact findings on the spread of coronavirus face incidents of racism and threats of violence which ultimately have stopped their work.
Contact Tracing/Communication
Health officials keep close eye as COVID-19 variants found in Arizona
COVID-19 infections in Arizona appeared to be leveling off last week when officials confirmed that a variant of the virus, first found in the United Kingdom, had been found in the state.
Contact tracing expands as COVID-19 cases continue to climb
5 Investigates takes an inside look at contact tracing as COVID-19 cases continue to climb, examines what public health officials in the state are up against and asks if the costly tracing program is really worth it.
U.S. health officials see possible post-holiday spikes as ‘terrible,’ ‘scary,’ but also ‘predictable.’
With the coronavirus raging in many parts of the country and hospitals dangerously overstretched, public health officials warned on Sunday that more calamitous days may be ahead, as infections tied to holiday gatherings fuel a fresh spate of illness and death.
U.S. confirms first case of the new Covid strain discovered in UK
The first case of a new and potentially more infectious strain of Covid-19 has been confirmed in the United States, Colorado health officials said Tuesday.
Stay home and don’t travel,’ public health officials advise Austinites
People should take the rising number of Covid-19 cases into consideration as they weigh their holiday plans this week, the interim health authority for Austin-Travis County said.
Public Health Officials Say COVID-19 Testing Is Only Way To Stop Community Spread
The number of coronavirus cases has decreased since Wisconsin hit its peak in November, but public health officials are encouraging people to continue using community COVID-19 testing sites.
Baker-Polito Administration Launches New Testing Infrastructure to Increase Testing Capacity & Efficiency Statewide
Building on Massachusetts’ nation-leading COVID-19 testing program, the Baker-Polito Administration today announced the Commonwealth will increase testing capacity and locations to provide more access for residents in every county. This plan includes five new locations, and the state plans to collect 110,000 COVID-19 tests per week—representing a 50% testing increase for state-financed and organized testing sites alone.
Charlie Baker announces new COVID-19 public awareness campaign ahead of Thanksgiving
As coronavirus cases continue to surge nationwide, Gov. Charlie Baker announced a new public awareness campaign spotlighting what some residents look forward to doing after the pandemic.
Maine to alter contact tracing plans as coronavirus surges
The surge of coronavirus cases in Maine has necessitated changes to the state’s contact tracing protocols, the state’s top public health officials said Monday.
Public health officials seeking to contract extra contact tracing help
State officials are allowing proposals to be submitted for a contract to aid in contact tracing for the novel coronavirus, amid the widespread transmission of the virus throughout Iowa.
Nantucket public health officials seek to ‘surgically respond’ to COVID-19 spike linked to tradespeople
Highest number of coronavirus patients (14), were identified by the Nantucket Board of Health since March. It reported 30 cases within 5 days and the town authorities are now considering the state’s contact tracing collaborative to track other patients. They plan on expanding their outreach, education and enforcement to combat the spread of the virus.
OC Public Health Officials Won’t Identify Coronavirus Outbreak College, Enforcement Questions Surface
Abstract- Confusion and chaos arises as Orange County public health officials won’t identify the coronavirus outbreak college. OC schools have the permission to open schools, though its not clear on who would oversee the enforcement of the state’s guidelines. Many schools failed to mention testing in their reopening plans and those that do recommends getting tested if showing symptoms and are exposed to a positive tested case.
Commentary: Why scientists and public health officials need to address vaccine mistrust instead of dismissing it
Abstract- The article discusses about how public health officials are battling the questions related to COVID-19 vaccine and the concerns the country has regarding how a vaccine is the only way to end this pandemic.
Monroe County public health officials report apparent COVID-19 reinfection
Abstract- Public health officials are concerned about apparent reinfection of COVID-19. Public health officials in southern Iowa country have reported a person to be infected with the virus second time.
Fatal cases of COVID-19 at nursing facilities prompt new California law
Abstract- With nursing homes being hard hit in the state of California, Gov. Gavin Newsom brought a law into effect requiring facilities in California to report disease related deaths to the health authorities within 24 hour period during declared emergency.
Lack of Resources
How is COVID-19 vaccine distribution going? The scene in Wisconsin is ‘bizarre, disorganized’
Wisconsin lags nearly all of its Midwest counterparts in getting its health care workers and first responders vaccinated against COVID-19 and has received fewer doses than other states of its size.
Struggles with Regulations
California public health officials release COVID-19 models that plot dire scenarios for hospitals
Public health officials in California are projecting ‘alarming’ situations ahead as the states could be overflowing with COVID-19 cases about five times the current level.
Doctors and public health officials weigh in on coronavirus myths
Scientists don’t yet know whether or not a vaccinated person can still carry or transmit the disease, which is why public health officials like Nola Aigner Davis in Polk County recommend mask-wearing and social distancing until a majority of the population is vaccinated.
