Health Info, In the News

COVID-19 UPDATE FROM DR. JONES – 09/17/2020

Dear Patient:

I hope this finds you well. Currently there are 24 persons hospitalized at NCH with COVID and we have treated 1100 people in the hospital successfully since the beginning of the pandemic. The incidence of COVID continues to fall slowly county wide and NCH has begun allowing one adult visitor per patient with appropriate screening. Unfortunately, patients with COVID are not allowed visitors at this time. Please remember to wear a mask when you are in close proximity with others, especially indoors. I also recommend washing your cloth mask every 1-2 days and if it is soiled or wet. In addition, please make sure to get your flu shot this season. We have them in the office and are happy to give one to you with an appointment. COVID can be similar to the flu, so, having the flu shot helps to differentiate the two illnesses should you get sick.


 

Vaccines: Work continues on several promising vaccines and the trial with Astra Zeneca and University of Oxford has resumed after a temporary halt. Work does continue on several vaccine candidates and the plan is for the vaccine to be available free of charge.

Pfizer says participants in its COVID-19 vaccine study showing mainly mild-to-moderate side effects

Reuters (9/15, Mishra, Erman) reports that on Tuesday Pfizer Inc “said…participants were showing mostly mild-to-moderate side effects when given either the company’s experimental coronavirus vaccine or a placebo in an ongoing late-stage study.” Pfizer “said in a presentation to investors that side effects included fatigue, headache, chills and muscle pain.” In addition, some participants “also developed fevers – including a few high fevers.”

The Wall Street Journal (9/16, Hopkins, Loftus, Subscription Publication) reports that the first shipments of a vaccine would begin soon after the FDA issued its approval and that drug makers have already started manufacturing doses so they will be prepared to ship them if they are proved safe and effective and are authorized by regulators.

Below is the link to the updated NCH COVID information page:

https://nchmd.org/news-and-events/newsroom/coronavirus-covid19

As always, take care and remember to wash your hands, wear a mask and practice at least 6 feet of physical distancing.

Paul Jones MD