December 14, 2020
It's on the way: The logistics of the arrival of the COVID-19 vaccine and administration The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the Pfizer COVID vaccine for emergency use. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has authorized the vaccine for those age 16 and older. On Sunday, Pfizer began shipping the vaccine to 600 sites across all 50 states. Augusta Health is one of those sites, and its vaccine is expected to arrive on Tuesday, December 15. The vaccine, which must be stored at extreme temperatures and required the purchase of a special ultra-low subzero freezer... Continue Reading
December 2, 2020
Since March, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused infections, hospitalizations, and deaths across the Commonwealth of Virginia and locally in the Staunton, Augusta County and Waynesboro area. The severity and impact of the pandemic has spurred a historically rapid quest for an effective vaccine by multiple pharmaceutical companies. Many are far along in development — in fact, two (Pfizer and Moderna) have already applied for emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Augusta Health, in partnership with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and the Virginia Hospital... Continue Reading
November 30, 2020
Type 2 Diabetes is a growing national health problem. Ninety percent of those diagnosed with Diabetes have Type 2 Diabetes. Locally, in the 2019 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) for Staunton, Waynesboro and Augusta County, 16.5% of adults in the area reported having been diagnosed with Diabetes, compared to 10.5% in Virginia and 13.3% in the US. In Staunton and Waynesboro, the percentage is even higher than the area average: 20.2% in Staunton and 16.7% in Waynesboro. Even more concerning: The percentage of people with Diabetes reported in the local 2016 CHNA was 13.9%, so the... Continue Reading
November 24, 2020
Everyone enjoys gathering together for holiday celebrations. This year, though, the gatherings may have a different look and feel. Because eating together is a higher risk activity—especially when eating with those who live outside your immediate household—virtual gatherings are encouraged this year. But can a virtual gathering be fun? According to our colleagues at Duke Health they absolutely can be! Here are some of their suggestions for events to help all relax and reconnect safely during the holidays: Host virtual holiday trivia A quick round of trivia is a familiar way to encourage... Continue Reading
November 23, 2020
There is a lot of information about diabetes—many conflicting claims on the internet, advice from friends and family, and plethora of opinions from “health experts.” It's often challenging for individuals with diabetes to navigate this world of information (or misinformation), whether they are newly diagnosed, starting a new medication or simply trying to manage their blood sugar better. Today we're going to dispel a few myths to clear up the water. Myth: “If I have diabetes I can’t eat carbs.” Fact: Evidence suggests that a balance of healthy carbohydrates, protein and healthy fat can help... Continue Reading
November 20, 2020
November is Diabetes Awareness Month. It's the perfect time to review the most common types of diabetes, general statistics, and current research surrounding the growing prevalence of early onset Type 2 Diabetes. What is Diabetes? Diabetes the one of the most common chronic diseases in the United States. Did you know one in 10 individuals have diabetes in the United States? Additionally, one in five individuals does not even know they have diabetes. Normally, when you eat a meal, it is broken down into glucose (sugar). That glucose enters your blood, and this signals the pancreas to release... Continue Reading
November 18, 2020
It’s Thanksgiving! Many will be traveling to celebrate with families. Travel and family gatherings, though, can increase your risk of getting or spreading COVID-19. The best way to protect yourself and others is to stay home. If you are sick—with COVID-19, flu or any other contagious disease—you should not attend any in-person holiday celebration. Those with medical conditions that increase risk for severe illness should also avoid in-person gatherings. If you do decide to celebrate with others, different activities carry different levels of risk for COVID-19. Here, from the CDC, are... Continue Reading
November 16, 2020
As the temperatures nudge colder and the days grow shorter, a bright spot of the fall and winter seasons each year is the holiday gatherings. But the celebrations—Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and New Years—usually include indoor gatherings of friends and families, crowded parties, and travel. All of these activities increase the risk for getting or spreading COVID-19. So how do we reduce risk for our own parties and the ones we attend? Here, from the Augusta Health Infection Prevention specialists and the CDC, are some tips to keep you and your loved ones safe and healthy. First... Continue Reading
November 3, 2020
As the fall and winter holidays approach, families begin to plan traditional gatherings to celebrate. Most of these celebrations involve travel of some family members. Thanksgiving is the often the busiest travel weekend of the year. This year, though, is the year of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it's impacted travel and holiday plans. Planning is more complex and includes additional safety considerations. Here are some facts and tips to incorporate into your holiday travel plans. First, a fact to remember: Staying home is the very best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. You can... Continue Reading
October 26, 2020
As COVID-19 continues to spread throughout the United States, more research has been published regarding devastating outcomes for diabetic patients who get the disease. As of October 26, 2020, there have been 6,710 reported cases of COVID-19 in our local Central Shenandoah Health District, which includes Waynesboro, Harrisonburg, and Staunton. Information on how many of those cases were in diabetic patients is not currently available. What is COVID-19? COVID-19 is an infectious respiratory illness caused by a new strain of coronavirus. It spreads from person-to-person through droplets of... Continue Reading
