Pandemic course improved COVID-19 knowledge, study finds – Phys.org

Pandemic course improved COVID-19 knowledge, study finds – Phys.org

Pandemic course improved COVID-19 knowledge, study finds – Phys.org

Pandemic course improved COVID-19 knowledge, study finds – Phys.org

March 27, 2024

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Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 1,300 students enrolled in a three-week summer immersion course, "The Pandemic: Science and Society," at Washington University in St. Louis. The innovative course envisioned by Feng Sheng Hu, the Richard G. Engelsmann Dean of Arts & Sciences, brought together experts from across WashU and around the country.

A new study published in the journal Humanities and Social Sciences Communications examines the course's impact and implications for effective public health messaging for university students going forward.

Reviewing data submitted three months after the course concluded, researchers found a person's preferred information sources made a difference in their level of knowledge, risk perception and protective behaviors. People with higher COVID knowledge practiced more protective behaviors during the fall 2020 semester.

"We can emphasize the need for protective behaviors without causing a feeling of dread," said Krista Milich, an assistant professor of biological anthropology in Arts & Sciences who designed and taught the COVID-19 course. The pandemic course used such an approach to encourage safety behaviors while reiterating that those behaviors can make a difference.

"The course also created a sense of community during a time when many people were feeling isolated," Milich said.

The course was free to all full-time WashU students and ran from Aug. 17 to Sept. 4, 2020. Students from all WashU schools participated in online lectures and discussion boards, completed quizzes and created a piece of communicationeither a video, an infographic, a letter to the editor or a work of artabout the virus. Students shared their work on social media using the hashtag #COVIDcourse.

The new study analyzed data from nearly 1,000 anonymous questionnaires. The majority of respondents were WashU students (83%). About half of the respondents took the course, and another 26% had some exposure to course content, either by watching lectures online or hearing from others who attended.

Respondents said their top sources of COVID-19 information were family (52%), official health organization websites (50%), news media (47.4%), friends (38.6%) and the pandemic course (32.4%). Of these, health organizations and the course were associated with higher levels of COVID knowledge, more accurate risk perception and stronger protective behaviors.

"In our study, those who relied on social media had lower COVID knowledge scores and personal safety scores than those who relied on official sources," Milich said. Using friends or family as a primary source of information was also associated with lower COVID knowledge.

While the new analysis focuses on implications for future public health communication, the results indirectly point to a second success: WashU administrators largely achieved their goals for the course. Hu and other leaders hoped an immersive, interdisciplinary course would positively influence personal behaviors and improve compliance with recommended safety steps.

"I'm so pleased to see the positive impact the pandemic course had on our students and campus community," Hu said. "This course showcases two hallmarks of Arts & Sciencescollaboration and creativityand I hope it can serve as a model for other universities seeking to improve public health knowledge on campus."

The benefits of such a course are wide-reaching, Milich said. A university practicing safer behaviors can ultimately protect the larger community by preventing spillovers that could affect vulnerable individuals in the area.

"Our study illustrates how universities can design a curriculum to impact the behaviors of students during a pandemic, which will likely have positive impacts on the surrounding community," Milich said. "Providing reliable and accessible public health information may be an important way to reduce harm during future global health crises."

More information: Krista M. Milich et al, Effective public health messaging for university students: lessons learned to increase adherence to safety guidelines during a pandemic, Humanities and Social Sciences Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1057/s41599-023-02461-9


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New study finds coronavirus in healthy Wisconsin sport fish – DoorCountyDailyNews.com

New study finds coronavirus in healthy Wisconsin sport fish – DoorCountyDailyNews.com

March 27, 2024

A new virus has been found in five fish species in the waters throughout the state, including Door County. Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison detected a coronavirus that is usually associated with birds but does not threaten human health. Department of Pathobiological Sciences professor Tony Goldberg, says his research group identified 19 new viruses in blood samples from over 100 fish, including bluegills, brown trout, lake sturgeon, northern pike, and walleye. The virus in the walleye instance was a coronavirus. Goldberg notes that the fish-associated coronavirus differs from the type of virus that causes COVID. It was present in 11 of the 15 walleye sampled by the DNR, and Goldberg says the impact of the virus on the fish is unknown, but it does not pose any threat of infecting anglers.

Goldberg says the noteworthy study was done because it is not uncommon for unknown viruses to pop up occasionally, and it is vital to set a baseline for determining the future health of fish species in the state.

The findings are part of a Wisconsin Sea Grant-funded first-time-ever study of the natural diversity of viruses of fish in Wisconsin. You can listen to the entire interview with Tony Goldberg below.


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New study finds coronavirus in healthy Wisconsin sport fish - DoorCountyDailyNews.com
Four Years Since Covid-19 Was Declared a National Emergency – UND The Dakota Student

Four Years Since Covid-19 Was Declared a National Emergency – UND The Dakota Student

March 27, 2024

On March 13, 2020, the pandemic caused by the rapid spread of the COVID-19 virus was officially declared a national emergency in the United States. Like many Americans, you can probably recall exactly where you were during this event. Maybe you found out at work or while you were in class, but no matter where you were in this moment, you probably remember the intense feelings of uncertainty and confusion that so many people were experiencing.

It has been four years since this event occurred, and it is safe to say that our world and country have changed significantly in many ways, some great and some not so great. We were all in self-isolation and had to learn a lot about ourselves and how we can become better at adapting to change. Many of us had to learn how to go about our daily school or workdays online. Although this shift was difficult at first, many of us were able to adapt and improve our digital skills. Because of this, school and work life post-pandemic looks completely different. We have begun to go back to a more traditional format, while also implementing more technology into our lives.

Although life has seemed to move back towards feeling like how it felt prior to the pandemic, it will still never feel the same. It is easy to look back on this time of our lives and feel a sense of nostalgia. Coming back to our jobs, education, and social lives was just as difficult of a shift as leaving them was. We got so used to being in isolation that we all needed to get used to interacting with others in person again. For some, this was easier and natural, and for others, it was a bit frightening. Along with this, despite us being so isolated, we got so used to building a sense of community through our shared experiences. Communities came together to care for each other, families formed stronger connections with each other, ecosystems were rebuilt, and despite the chaos that was happening in hospitals and homes, the Earth was quiet.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused mass trauma for not just health care workers or the United States, but for the entire world. So why is it that so many of us feel so nostalgic for a time where we were all so frightened and uncertain? Well, we might all be experiencing a shared psychological reaction caused by the anniversary effect. This is when a significantly traumatic date comes around on the calendar and we begin to reflect on that time and feel emotions similar to those that we experienced then. Most times we do not even realize that is what we are doing. Because we are experiencing this effect, it is likely that we could all be collectively coping with the events through shared nostalgia. Our minds like to trick us into romanticizing a time that may not have been as wonderful as we recall to subconsciously make us feel better about what we experienced.

During this time of year, it is important to find ways to cope with these intense emotions and feelings of nostalgia. This can be done by prioritizing your well-being and validating your feelings while also trying to remind yourself that this experience was not all that you remember it to be. If you are feeling nostalgic about this time, odds are you feel this way because you miss the simplicity of the life you were living at the start of the lockdown. So, maybe you need to take some time to yourself and pick up an old hobby from that time. If you are feeling negative emotions about remembering this time in your life, remind yourself that time has passed and as it does, progress is continuing to be made.

The COVID-19 pandemic was and is still very real, even if we are learning to live with it now. It has been four years since it officially began, but its effects are still relevant in our daily lives. This is something to stay informed and aware of. Four years ago, our lives were changed in many ways, some horrible and some beautiful. No matter how this time looked, all your emotions, thoughts, and opinions are valid, and it is important to recognize this as time goes on.

Nora Lee is a Dakota Student General Reporter. She can be reached at [emailprotected].


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Four Years Since Covid-19 Was Declared a National Emergency - UND The Dakota Student
Linear Morphea in the Context of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Infection: A … – Cureus

Linear Morphea in the Context of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Infection: A … – Cureus

March 27, 2024

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Linear Morphea in the Context of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Infection: A ... - Cureus
Four years of COVID-19 in La Conner – La Conner Weekly News

Four years of COVID-19 in La Conner – La Conner Weekly News

March 27, 2024

Monday was the four year anniversary of Gov. Jay Inslees March 23, 2020 emergency proclamation in response to the emerging coronavirus pandemic. He imposed a Stay Home Stay Healthy Order throughout Washington state by prohibiting all people in Washington state from leaving their homes or participating in social, spiritual and recreational gatherings of any kind regardless of the number of participants, and all non-essential businesses in Washington State from conducting business, within the limitations provided herein.

Inslees order effectively shut down social society and much economic activity. It led actions governors throughout the country took and later policies of the federal government.

Inslee first declared a state of emergency in response to cases of COVID-19 Feb. 29.

That day the first death in the United States was announced by Public Health-Seattle & King County, the proclamation states.

In 2020, 262,516 Washingtonians were infected by COVID-19 and 4,461 died, the state Department of Health reports. In 2021, 6,165 residents died; in 2022, 4,157 died; and in 2023 1,510 died, for 15,535 deaths 2020-2023, as recorded by the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics.

Nationally, deaths were 385,676 in 2020, 463,267 in 2021, 246,263 in 2022 and 75,807 in 2023 for 1,171,013 deaths 2020-2023, as recorded by the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics.

Inslee lifted the state of emergency for COVID-19 Nov. 1, 2022.

The Weekly News first stories were in the March 11, 2020, issue and dominated coverage the next 18 months. This page captures a sampling of stories and photos printed.

March 11, 2020

Locals make run on hand sanitizer; toilet paper supplies low

Concerns of the Coronavirus have reached into La Conner.

Tuesday Mayor Ramon Hayes sent this recommendation from the Skagit County Health Officer to Town Councilmembers and staff: The community should postpone non-essential events and gatherings of ten or more people.

While there are no known infections in Skagit County, there have been local cancellations and runs on hand sanitizer, rubbing alcohol and, yes, toilet paper.

At the start of last week staff taped a No masks, No Sanitizer sign on the door of the La Conner Drug store.

March, 25, 2020

Restaurants delivering on takeout

The variety of restaurants and coffee shops had a variety of sales volume in the week since Gov. Jay Inslee ordered they cease serving sit-down customers. They are an essential business under Inslees Monday declaration telling everyone to stay home, except for a short list of approved activities, including picking up take-out meals, getting groceries and medicines, seeing doctors and getting exercise. Social distancing keeping six feet distance is always necessary.

Car and foot traffic 1 p.m. Sunday was moderate on South First Street. People were having lunches at picnic tables at the boardwalk pocket parks as were two couple at Gilkey Square, where the trash receptacle on First and Morris was filled to overflowing.

April, 29, 2020

With amped up signage, visitors see social distancing message

La Conner has gone digital to get the word out on social distancing.

The Town has placed a rented electronic reader-board at the roundabout entrance to La Conner that implores weekend visitors to stay home, stay safe and maintain six-foot distancing while here to help curb spread of COVID-19.

Thats not all.

The Town Public Works Department last week implemented two other measures which, like the digital reader-board, were advanced during recent talks with the Skagit County Sheriffs Office designed to stem shoulder-to-shoulder congregating in La Conner.

May, 13, 2020

COVID-19 test site open at college

The best things in life truly are free.

And better yet when theyre also pain-free.

Thats been the case at the COVID-19 testing drive-thru site at Skagit Valley College, where Sgt. Jeff Willard of the Skagit County Sheriffs Office La Conner detachment is part of the team assembled to quickly and efficiently guide the public through coronavirus self-exam stations.

Located in the large parking area east of SVCs McIntyre Hall, the site has drawn between 50 and 200 vehicles daily since opening in late April. The site is designed to handle much larger traffic volumes than that, said Willard, who himself went through the testing process

We get people here at 8 a.m. and we dont open until 9, said Willard, a traffic sergeant. Its not uncommon for us to have 12-15 cars when we open the gates.

September, 1, 2021

County reopens fairground testing site

Here we go again. Skagit Public Health reopened its test site at the county fairgrounds on Monday. The hours are 5-8 p.m. Monday-Friday. Free antigen tests, with results in 15 minutes, and free vaccinations are offered. Julie de Losada, emergency preparedness and response manager for Skagit County Public Health, said the ratio was 20 to 1 of people getting tests to vaccinations. One line of cars inched along to the staff inside the F barn at the fairgrounds at 6 p.m..

The wait was probably over an hour to be seen for either a test or vaccination at 6:30 p.m., a volunteer estimated, though it seemed a slower process than that. Over 30 cars stretched back to the entrance ticket booth.

September, 8, 2021

August county COVID cases top 1,350

Septembers start matched Augusts end for increasing new coronavirus cases in Skagit County, with 394 new cases Aug. 30-Sept. 3, a 10% increase from Aug. 23-27. There were 10 new COVID-19 patient hospitalizations Sept. 1, alone and 16 for the week, matching the Aug. 23-27 new hospitalizations count.

The county case rate is 505.9 per 100,000 residents over the last 14 days with a hospitalization rate of 16.9 COVID-19 patients per 100,000 residents over the seven day period through Sept. 2.

August saw 87 COVID-19 patient hospitalizations, 3.3 times the 26 in July and 4.6 as many as the 19 in June. Seven people died from COVID-19 in the county in August after three deaths were reported in July.

The 1,353 new August cases are 25% greater than the 1,082 recorded in December, the second highest case count.

The Skagit Public Health Department started testing at the county fairgrounds Aug 30. One hundred two people tested positive, a 12% rate, of the 841 antigen tests given.

January, 1, 2022

Skagit County has 15,000 COVID cases

Last Tuesday, Jan. 4, the Washington state Department of Health reported the 10,000th death in the state from COVID-19 since record keeping began in early 2020. In Skagit County, 156 people have died in that period. There were 14 county resident deaths in December; 27 died in November. No deaths have been reported in 2022 through Jan. 6.

Since Nov. 1, 184 Skagitonians have been hospitalized, 24 since Jan. 1, 63 in December and 97 in November.

Experts are emphasizing increased hospitalizations and the stress put on healthcare systems over new case counts in the new year. It is much more relevant to focus on the hospitalizations as opposed to the total number of cases, Dr. Anthony Fauci, medical advisor to the president, said on ABC Jan. 3.

November, 9, 2022

Dramatic drop in new Skagit COVID-19 cases

New cases of coronavirus infections in Skagit County have dropped dramatically, 71% since July, when 1,078 people tested positive. The 315 positive tests in October are a 35.3% drop from the 487 new cases in September. In August 578 people had tested positive, itself a 55% reduction from July.

January, 11, 2023

Skagit COVID-19 cases continue to decline

Skagit County entered 2023 with COVID-19 cases on the decline. The seven day case rate per 100,000 residents fell to 50 for the week ending Dec. 31, 2022. The county case rate climbed some, to 60.6 per 100,000 residents through Jan. 4, just above the statewide rate of 58 cases per 100,000 people, according to state Department of Health data.

December totaled 407 confirmed cases, with new cases decreasing weekly, from 116 Dec. 1-7 to 70 Dec. 22-28, based on Washington state Department of Health data. New reported coronavirus cases in Skagit County declined 31% in December from Novembers 591 total confirmed cases.

November 8, 2023

Get free COVID-19 tests

Place an order to receive four free COVID-19 rapid test: special.usps.com/testkits or 800-232-0233. COVID-19 tests are available to uninsured individuals and underserved communities. No-cost COVID-19 testing sites: aspr.hhs.gov/TestToTreat/Pages/default.aspx.


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Four years of COVID-19 in La Conner - La Conner Weekly News
Florida COVID-19 deaths exceed 2000 in the first three months of 2024; one-tenth of them are in Pinellas and … – WMNF

Florida COVID-19 deaths exceed 2000 in the first three months of 2024; one-tenth of them are in Pinellas and … – WMNF

March 27, 2024

The coronavirus that causes COVID-19 via CDC.

2024 The News Service of Florida

Florida resident deaths linked to COVID-19 have topped 2,000 this year, according to newly posted data on the state Department of Health website.

The data showed that 2,076 reported deaths have been linked to the virus, with 461 in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties and 211 in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties.

The state in 2023 totaled 8,424 deaths linked to COVID-19, a substantial decrease from the three previous years.


Continued here: Florida COVID-19 deaths exceed 2000 in the first three months of 2024; one-tenth of them are in Pinellas and ... - WMNF
Evolution of COVID-19 infection in Punjab; trends during five waves of infection in the province of Punjab – BMC … – BMC Infectious Diseases

Evolution of COVID-19 infection in Punjab; trends during five waves of infection in the province of Punjab – BMC … – BMC Infectious Diseases

March 27, 2024

The work presented in this manuscript provides trends in infection in the 5th wave, which was predominantly by the Omicron variant. The wave was associated with increased transmission rates. The Ct data indicated that younger individuals, irrespective of gender, had lower Ct values, indicative of higher viral burden which is likely to be associated with severe infections. Additionally, the disease severity was derived from total no. of cases tested, tested positive and negative. The compasrison of all waves showed that 5th wave has highest cases that were tested positive which is indirectly related to the transmission and incident rate.

A significant difference was observed in positivity rates and transmission dynamics of infection over the five waves. Our findings are in line with the global ternd which showed that different variants have a distinct global spatiotemporal pattern, explaning the occurrence of the five waves in the pandemic. Moreover,different variants demonstrated a distint pattern of transmission, in that Omicron variant indicated better transmissibility in comparison to all previous variants, underscoring the importance of monitoring of any new variants to prevent further transmission [15, 16].

In this study, among the 525,376 confirmed cases, there were 439 reported deaths, including 126 critical cases and 6,507 recoveries. The fatality rate was 1.8%, while the recovery rate was 27%. The incidence of community transmission was reported to be as high as 91% [17]. The elevated rates of prevalence and fatalities in Punjab may be associated with asymptomatic transmission and with the initial untraceable spread of the virus across various districts. The phenomenon was observed globally, where overall asymptomatic transmission accounted for an overall 20% of infection. Epidemiological estimates and mathematical modles demonstrated a 15% transmission in family clusters and 20.5% transmission among adults in general from asymptomatic contact [18]. Further contributing to the infection rate was the rate of mobility. Lahore remains the largest municipal locality in Punjab, followed by Faisalabad, Sialkot and Sargodha. The city is also equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic facilities. Therefore, a significant number of patients were brought into Lahore from the periphery, thus adding to the number of positive cases.

Increasing age increases the likelihood of hospitalization and death. High-quality evidence shows an age-related risk increase of 5.7% for in-hospital mortality, 7.4% for case mortality and 3.4% for hospitalization [19]. No discernible elevated risk was associated with age for admission to the intensive care unit or intubation. Additionally, a specific age group was not associated with disease severity and mortality [20].

It has been reported that males were at a higher risk of infection, hospitalization, disease severity, and mortality [21]. Several hypotheses, including the possibility of androgen-driven pathogenesis, the potential effect of estrogen in females, testosterone deficiency leading to an inflammatory response, and the notion of an inborn error in cytokine immunity, have been proposed to explain this difference between the two genders [22]. However, additional research is needed to explore these possibilities. The cause is likely multifactorial, with these different hypotheses potentially sharing some common features [23]. Males and people 70 years of age have been reported to be more susceptible to infection and severe disease [24]. Adolescents are believed to share a comparable susceptibility to infection with adults, while children exhibit a lower susceptibility. Nevertheless, the data for this study presents conflicting findings, and a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between age and vulnerability to infection requires additional research [25, 26]. However, children are not at a higher risk for developing severe disease [27]. Compared to wild-type viruses, variants have the potential to spread more efficiently and quickly among young children, although there has been a reduction in hospitalization rates [28, 29].

Global COVID-19 data analysis indicates a higher incidence of COVID-19 infection in men than as compared to women [30]. Additionally, a compromised immune system significantly heightens the susceptibility to COVID-19, particularly among the elderly, increasing the likelihood of hospitalization due to virus-related complications. Nevertheless, several studies conducted in Pakistan have presented a paradoxical trend, where the highest number of COVID-19 cases are found in the age groups of 2029 years and 3039 years, while the elderly, who are generally more susceptible due to weakened immunity and health issues, have lower infection rates [7, 17, 31]. This apparent discrepancy can be better understood by examining Pakistan's social and demographic structure. According to data from the United Nations, only 4% of Pakistan's population is above 65 years old, with an average population of 22 years. This contrasts sharply with countries heavily impacted by the virus, where older and less healthy individuals are more likely to experience severe consequences due to their weakened immune systems [32].

The epidemiology and trends in spread of infection in Pakistani community can be further explained by the fact that during COVID-19 pandemic, Pakistan, like many other countries, implemented various public health measures. Partial and full lockdowns were imposed in various regions to limit mobility and reduce the spread of the virus. Social distancing measures were put in place together with international and domestic travel restrictions. s. Wearing masks in public places and on public transport was encouraged and, in some cases, made mandatory. In the 2nd wave, in addition to previous restrictions, the government and health authorities launched public awareness campaigns to promote wearing masks, hand hygiene, and social distancing. Increased testing and contact tracing efforts were undertaken to identify and isolate cases promptly. Vaccination efforts began in early 2021 during the 3rd wave, initially targeting healthcare workers and elderly populations. In the 4th wave, concerns about the Delta variant led to increased monitoring of international travellers. Efforts were made to accelerate vaccination campaigns to target a broader population. In response to the emergence of the Omicron variant in the 5th wave, stricter international travel restrictions and monitoring of travellers from affected areas were enforced. Practices including increased testing and timely isolation of cases were emphasized. The government considered administering booster doses to enhance immunity, particularly for those who had received their primary vaccination.

Furthermore, we analyzed the Ct values of COVID-19 cases in particular in the 5th wave were predominantly by the Omicron variant, which was associated with an increased transmission rates. The Ct data indicated that younger individuals, irrespective of gender, had lower Ct values, indicative of severity of infection. The significance of low Ct values lies in their correlation with increased transmission rates. A lower Ct value signifies a higher concentration of the virus in the patient's sample, suggesting a more robust and infectious viral presence. Individuals with lower Ct values may experience more severe symptoms, potentially leading to increased respiratory activities that release a greater number of viral particles into the surrounding environment. Consequently, these factors contribute to the efficiency and persistence of virus transmission.

In conclusion, our observations revealed a higher prevalence of COVID-19 among males, primarily because male family members often work outside the home and have more community interactions than females. Additionally, we noted that individuals between 19 and 39 years were more susceptible to infection. Previous reports have shown that a significant proportion of young adults were affected in most districts of Punjab [33].

Limitations of our study are as follows: First, there is the unavailability of data on clinical symptoms and outcomes of the tested cases. The Ct values were only available for the 5th wave, which made comparing each variant's severity and transmission dynamics across all the waves difficult.Second, due to the unavailability of mobility data, we can only hypothesize that the increased positivity rates were because of paties arriving in Lahore from different parts of Punjab. However, for final analysis, the availability of mobility data is critical. Third, longitudinal data on viral laod was not avialbale due to which the exact rate of viral replication, the duration of shedding, and the potential for transmission could not be accurately determined. Finally, the data used in this study was only taken from one laboratory.


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El Paso uses leftover COVID-19 funds for homeless aid and equity – KFOX El Paso

El Paso uses leftover COVID-19 funds for homeless aid and equity – KFOX El Paso

March 27, 2024

EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4)

After two years, the city of El Paso may finally be moving forward with how to spend the remainder of Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds.

Back in 2022, the Department of Community and Human Development was awarded $12,000,000 to which $9,000,000 was appropriated and approved by the Council.

In December, half of the $350B state and local recovery funds remained unspent.

If approved at todays meeting, City Council plans to use the unspent money on an emergency shelter for homeless individuals and rapid re- housing to provide rental assistance for homeless individuals; homeless prevention; street outreach; resource navigation for assistance programs available within the community and an equity auditor to ensure services from the city's community and human development department are used in an equitable and diverse way.

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Go here to see the original: El Paso uses leftover COVID-19 funds for homeless aid and equity - KFOX El Paso
Officials Say Illinois Veterans Homes Have Reformed Since Deadly 2020 COVID-19 Outbreak, But Staffing Challenges … – WTTW News

Officials Say Illinois Veterans Homes Have Reformed Since Deadly 2020 COVID-19 Outbreak, But Staffing Challenges … – WTTW News

March 27, 2024

Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs Director Terry Prince (third from left) testifies before the Illinois Legislative Audit Commission at the Capitol in March 2024. He was testifying regarding an audit of a deadly COVID-19 outbreak at the LaSalle Veterans Home that killed 36 residents in 2020. (Andrew Campbell / Capitol News Illinois)

SPRINGFIELD Illinois veterans affairs director told a legislative panel this week that while state-run veterans homes have better policies in place following a COVID-19 outbreak that killed 36 residents at the LaSalle Veterans Home in 2020, understaffing remains a challenge.

The need for long-term care will explode over the next 20 years, Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs Director Terry Prince told the Legislative Audit Commission. He predicted long-term care populations would grow by 200 to 500% in that span.

He said while IDVA has employees who are dedicated and devoted and willing to work overtime, the department has also let its census decrease at state-run veterans homes to keep staff-to-patient ratios sustainable.

It could be easy to say yeah, were gonna fill the Quincy Veterans Home and fill it all the way up to 400 people, but you have to have the staff to do so, he said.

He said staffing remains difficult even though Illinois fantastic benefits package for staff at veterans homes is nearly $40,000 higher than the civilian equivalent.

As for responding to COVID-19 outbreaks, Prince said the department is in a much better place than it was in 2020. Beginning in late October that year, the LaSalle home experienced a COVID-19 outbreak that sickened nearly 200 people a whopping 85% of residents and 35% of staff tested positive for the virus, which eventually killed three dozen residents.

The deadly outbreak led to legislative hearings and scrutiny of Gov. JB Pritzkers administrations response. The General Assembly called for an audit, which was published in 2022. The 12-member Legislative Audit Commission held its hearing to review it on Wednesday.

The audit made three major recommendations, including mandating testing of staff and residents during COVID outbreaks defined as two or more cases and delineating responsibilities between IDVA and IDPH. Additionally, the audit recommended the governors office increase oversight of administrative staff and create a senior home administrator position within IDVA.

I want to make sure that its recognized that this agency threw everything at this situation as they did during the COVID crisis, Prince said.

IDVA Assistant Director Anthony Vaughn told the panel that when he arrived at LaSalle toward the end of the outbreak in December 2020 as the homes newly appointed interim administrator, he found a dedicated staff looking to do the right thing.

But he also compared the scene to a Marine Corps unit thats just been through a big battle.

And theyre still recovering, and theyre still hurting, but they want the leadership to be able to move on, he said.

While a 2021 report from the Illinois Department of Human Services inspector general found fault with IDVAs response, the auditor generals report was more critical of the states public health department. The auditor generals office described the previous IDHS inspector general report as flawed for its reliance on interviews rather than documentation.

On Wednesday, Scott Wahlbrink of the auditor generals office told lawmakers that the Illinois Department of Public Health was not responsive to the crisis even though officials there were repeatedly made aware on almost a daily basis from their counterparts at the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs.

IDPH did not identify and respond to the seriousness of the outbreak, Wahlbrink said. It was the IDVA chief of staff who ultimately had to request assistance.

That chief of staff, Tony Kolbeck, was among those fired after the IDHS report on the outbreak. IDVA Director Linda Chapa LaVia was fired as well.

Pritzker, in response to the audit in 2021, said IDPH was following U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance not to visit a congregate facility and risk disease spread when a phone call would suffice.

Prince said one of his major changes has been improving communication.

I have a direct line to Gov. Pritzker, if I need to call the governor for something, he said. I have regular conversations with the IDPH director.

Since the outbreak, Prince said the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs has made changes to prevent future outbreaks and keep residents and staff safe. Angela Simmons, IDVA senior home administrator, said that IDVA has weekly infection control meetings to review daily tests that are reported to IDPH.

In addition to increased reporting, Simmons said the department has begun including staff from the states five veterans homes to develop policies for how to respond to situations ranging disease outbreaks to daily incidents.

Our policy process right now is stronger than it ever has been, Simmons said. We get input from the homes.

Since the outbreak there have also been major staff changes in IDPH and IDVA. Prince was appointed in April 2021, and IDVA hired a senior home administrator and an agencywide infection specialist. It is also looking to hire a medical director this year.

State Rep. Amy Elik, R-Godfrey, asked Prince if the states veterans homes had seen outbreaks of other infectious diseases since IDVA overhauled some of its procedures that have served as sort of a test.

Prince said the veterans homes have seen other outbreaks with better outcomes.

I believe in my heart of hearts that the vaccine has been one of the biggest things that has made this a much different story than back in 2020, he said. We are much better positioned.

Jerry Nowicki contributed to this report.

Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government. It is distributed to hundreds of newspapers, radio and TV stations statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, along with major contributions from the Illinois Broadcasters Foundation and Southern Illinois Editorial Association.


Original post: Officials Say Illinois Veterans Homes Have Reformed Since Deadly 2020 COVID-19 Outbreak, But Staffing Challenges ... - WTTW News
The CDC Issues New COVID-Related Guidance: What This Means for Employers – The National Law Review

The CDC Issues New COVID-Related Guidance: What This Means for Employers – The National Law Review

March 27, 2024

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The CDC Issues New COVID-Related Guidance: What This Means for Employers - The National Law Review