WP Perspectives – May 16, 2022

Posted on by krislandrum
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Focus on Facts

  • According to Johns Hopkins University, nearly 1 million Americans have lost their lives to the COVID-19 virus since the beginning of the pandemic in late 2019. 5/13/22
  • You can help eliminate hepatitis in Virginia! Take a survey to help identify gaps and challenges in services. By completing the survey, you will be entered into a drawing for a gift card.

 

  • The Virginia WIC Program continues to navigate through the issues related to the nationwide infant formula shortage. Following the Abbott formula recall, Virginia WIC was able to expand formula options available to WIC program participants. The recently updated list of Virginia WIC-approved formula substitutions can be located here.

 

  • From vaccines causing Bell’s Palsy to pregnancy complications, to the Red Cross rejecting blood donations from vaccinated people, misinformation continues to circulate. Keep up with the latest scams and misinformation, along with suggestions of how to respond: https://publichealthcollaborative.org/misinformation-alerts

News You Can Use

child drinking from a puddleSome of Summer's Hidden Dangers: Splash Pads

As the unofficial kick-off of summer approaches with pools opening and people seeking water-centric fun, remember to be careful of waterborne illness. May 23-29 is Healthy and Safe Water Week and this year's theme is Splash Pads.

Splash pads (also known as interactive fountains, spray pads, spray parks, or wet decks) are aquatic venues that spray or jet water on users. Splash pads are usually designed so that standing water does not collect in the water play area to reduce the risk of drowning. Because of this design, splash pads do not always meet the local, state, territorial, or tribal definition of an “aquatic venue.” This means they are not always regulated, nor are they always required to disinfect the water with germ-killing chemicals. Splash pads can spread germs and make users sick if the water is not adequately disinfected. So, users and parents of young users should take their own steps to stop the spread of germs.

Splash pad jets can rinse germs found in poop off butts. Don’t sit or stand on the jets. Don’t swallow splash pad water. Learn more: https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/swimmers/water-play-areas-interactive-fountains.html

The Epi-Center

VDH cases chart
Cases by date of illness from VDH website. Click image for most recent data.

Epidemiology is the science at center of public health.

May 14, 2022  CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- The University of Virginia Health System is reporting an uptick in COVID-19 cases.

This week, it has 24 people hospitalized with COVID, double from last week.  Of those patients, 17 are in acute care, four are in the ICU and three are pediatric.

UVA Health doctors say that with the uptick in cases, this would be a good time to think about your current status, which means asking if it is a good time to get a third dose of the vaccine.

Dr. Costi Sifri says people can expect to see a wave in the numbers of cases because of where we are in the pandemic.

"Now sort of as we are shifting, I think this is accurate to say, as we shift from pandemic to endemic stage of COVID-19 is to understand we will see up and lows of infection," he said.

Sifri also says that with young people heading to graduation ceremonies this time of year, it's a good idea to get tested.

https://www.wdbj7.com/2022/05/13/covid-hospitalizations-back-up-above-300-virginia/

COVID-19 Data

Franklin County
Henry County
Martinsville
Patrick County

Cases

439
603
120
188
Over the past 13 weeks by date of illness

Deaths

14
18
7
8
Over the past 13 weeks by date of death. 5/13/2022

That's Public Health

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Due to the compounding physical and emotional challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic over the last two years, the topic of mental health has never been more timely or critical. Below are two links to articles relating to how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted mental wellness.

 

 

Have you thanked your EMT? Click on the image to hear the message.EMS Week video link

More Public Health Professionals

Last Wednesday a group of Virginia Tech students did something no other undergraduate Hokie has done before. “I’d like to address the first- yes. The first graduating class of the undergraduate public health program here at the Virginia Polytechnoic Institute and State University,” said student speaker and graduate Maya Rakotoariso. It’s a program that didn’t exist when these students began their college journey but demonstrated it’s importance over the last two years. “You didn’t have a crystal ball four years ago when you chose this path, but you hit the lottery for choosing the field that’s proven itself essential for the past two plus years,’ notes commencement speaker and New River Valley Health District Director Dr. Noelle Bissell . . . Read more.