CoronaVirus Conversations - Al

⚠️ Jefferson County is averaging ~300 new reported cases per day, however the total number of new cases is likely higher due lack of reporting of at-home test results. Our positivity rate has decreased to 18% and our COVID-19 Community Level remains ‘ High ’ per CDC indicators https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/covid-by-county.html

The federal program that allows Americans to order free COVID-19 testing kits through the U.S. Postal Service will be suspended today, September 2, 2022, due to lack of funding to replenish the stockpile of tests. Please click here to order a test kit: COVIDtests.gov.

On August 30, 2022, the U.S. Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response outlined the upcoming transition of COVID-19 medical countermeasures, including vaccines and therapeutics, away from federal procurement and distribution to the commercial market. https://aspr.hhs.gov/ASPRBlog/Pages/BlogDetailView.aspx?ItemID=440

This week the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) amended the EUAs of both the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines to authorize bivalent formulations for use as a single booster. The updated vaccines are designed to target the original strain of SARS-CoV-2, as well as the currently predominant BA.4 and BA.5 lineages of the omicron variant. The updated Moderna booster is authorized for use in individuals aged 18 and older, while the updated Pfizer-BioNTech booster is authorized for individuals 12 years and older. Both updated boosters are authorized for use at least two months following primary or booster vaccination https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-authorizes-moderna-pfizer-biontech-bivalent-covid-19-vaccines-use

One September 2, 2022, the CDC endorsed the recommendations by ACIP for the use of updated COVID-19 boosters from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, respectively. The federal government has already ordered 170 million doses of the updated vaccine, and these booster doses are expected to be rolled out in the coming days. In the coming weeks, the CDC also expects to recommend updated COVID-19 boosters for other pediatric groups after review of additional data https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2022/s0901-covid-19-booster.html

While we don’t know when flu will spread, how much it will spread, or how many people will get severely ill this flu season, we know that flu vaccination is a critical tool to prevent flu and its potentially serious outcomes.

It’s best to get your flu vaccine before flu starts spreading in your community, which makes September and October are a great time for most people to get their flu vaccine. Some children need two doses—they should get the first one as soon as vaccine is available. Learn more: https://bit.ly/rr7101a1.

New CDC study shows that among adults ages 65 and older, COVID-19 hospitalization rates during the Omicron BA.2 surge increased more than hospitalization rates in younger adults. Rates among adults who were unvaccinated were more than triple those who were vaccinated.

Staying up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines is the best way to protect yourself from severe illness and hospitalization from COVID-19. People at higher risk of severe COVID-19, including older adults, should consider taking additional prevention measures and talking to their doctor about possible treatments if they get COVID-19. Learn more: https://bit.ly/mm7134a3.

As of August 18, 2022, nearly 78% of the U.S. population is in a location with a medium or high COVID-19 Community Level. If you live in a medium or high community level, consider taking prevention actions to protect yourself and others, like wearing a mask.

Find your COVID-19 Community Level: https://bit.ly/36RiqiR

CDC is updating its guidance to help you better understand how best to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3bGvO6p

As of August 4, 2022, over 84% of the U.S. population is in a location with a medium or high COVID-19 Community Level. If you live in a medium or high community level, consider taking prevention steps to protect yourself and others, like wearing a mask.

Find your COVID-19 Community Level: https://bit.ly/36RiqiR.

As of July 28, 2022, nearly 88% of the U.S. population is in a location with a medium or high COVID-19 Community Level. If you live in a medium or high community level, consider taking prevention steps to protect yourself and others, like wearing a mask.

Find your COVID-19 Community Level: https://bit.ly/36RiqiR

Potentially Deadly Bacteria Detected in U.S. Soil for First Time The bacteria, Burkholderia pseudomallei, was found along the Gulf Coast region of Southern Mississippi. Previously, it had been detected in parts of Asia and Australia.

Monkeypox Update: As of July 26, 19,188 confirmed or probable monkeypox cases have been identified in 76 countries, including 3,591 in the U.S. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3HmORDD.

Monkeypox Update: As of July 19, 14,511 confirmed or probable monkeypox cases have been identified in over 70 countries, including 2,108 in the US. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3HmORDD.

Health officials on avoiding back-to-school disruptions with new COVID-19 surge Rampant COVID-19 infections caused many school disruptions over the past few years and with cases steadily rising again, health experts are hoping we can get case counts under control before the start of school.

As of July 14, 2022, nearly 85% of the U.S. population is in a location with a medium or high COVID-19 Community Level. If you live in a medium or high community level, consider taking prevention steps to protect yourself and others, like wearing a mask.
Find your COVID-19 Community Level: https://bit.ly/36RiqiR

Experts reveal how likely reinfection is from COVID with spread of omicron subvariant BA.5

Dr. Anthony Fauci, a White House advisor and the country's top immunologist, has tested positive for COVID-19. , 81, is vaccinated and has been boosted twice.

🔗 https://bit.ly/3xtR8bB

Explainer: Omicron 'stealth' COVID variant BA.2 now dominant globally

BA.2 Omicron variant identified in south Alabama The new variant makes up more than half of all new cases in the northeastern U.S.

Are you still wearing a mask? 😷 https://bit.ly/385NUlJ

Is it time to change the way hospitalizations 'with' COVID and 'for' COVID are counted? WASHINGTON (TND) — As the virus changes, so too, must the response. That’s the belief among many U. S. doctors who say it’s time to revise the way COVID-19 hospitalizations are counted and recorded. Caption: Kristine Frazao reports. (TND) “Separating out 'with' and 'for' COVI...

New: CDC’s COVID Data Tracker now shows wastewater surveillance data from more than 400 testing sites across the country. Using wastewater surveillance to track levels of the virus that causes COVID-19 can give communities an early warning of increasing COVID-19 cases and help them prepare. See the data and learn more: https://bit.ly/CDTnwss.

Charges: Nurses made $1.5 million off fake vaccination cards AMITYVILLE, N. Y. (AP) — Two nurses on Long Island are accused of forging COVID-19 vaccination cards and pocketing more than $1. 5 million from the scheme, prosecutors and police said. Julie DeVuono, the owner of Wild Child Pediatric Healthcare in Amityville, and her employee, Marissa Urraro,....

COVID hits one of the last uninfected places on the planet WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — When the coronavirus began spreading around the world, the remote Pacific archipelago of Kiribati closed its borders, ensuring the disease didn't reach its shores for nearly two full years. Kiribati finally began reopening this month, allowing the Church of Jesus...

CDC study shows kids with COVID-19 more likely to develop diabetes EL PASO, Texas (KFOX) — A new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study shows children who have had COVID-19 are at a higher risk for developing diabetes. El Paso Children's Hospital said it's seeing that same effect. Caption: KFOX. The study by the CDC looked at more than half a millio...

Take an at-home COVID-19 test if you begin experiencing COVID symptoms, it's been five days since a known exposure, or if you are going to be around those who are susceptible to severe symptoms and disease. Order four free rapid antigen at-⁠home COVID-19 tests per household at COVIDtests.gov or find a testing site near you at alabamaunites.com.

Four states were able to identify the Omicron variant of the virus that causes COVID-19 in community wastewater. These results can provide an early warning that an emerging variant may be present in a community: https://bit.ly/mm7103a5

COVID-19 vaccine protection lessens over time. Get your COVID-19 booster to increase your protection from COVID-19, including the Omicron variant.

Find your booster: www.vaccines.gov

You can order your tests for free starting today. https://bit.ly/3nY7BRJ

Everyone ages 5 years and up can get a free COVID-19 vaccine and anyone ages 12 years and up can get a free booster, regardless of insurance or immigration status.

The federal government provides COVID-19 vaccinations at no cost. Proof of citizenship is not required for vaccination. Get vaccinated as soon as you can.

More: https://bit.ly/35easvH.

COVID not going away even after omicron wave peaks in Alabama, expert says Suzanne Judd, a professor of public health at UAB, said people in Alabama should anticipate living with COVID and adapt to surges that could cause hospitalization surges and death until our immune systems adapt to the virus.