UPDATE: Tuesday, February 9, 2021
Good afternoon,
Craig and Moffat County is experiencing a rapid decline in the number of positive COVID-19 cases, active cases and hospital admissions, which is great news. Yesterday we did admit a COVID-19 positive patient to our COVID-19 unit, but it is the first COVID-19 admission since January 23rd. The total number of confirmed cases in Moffat County is 760, but only 16 of these cases is active. No new deaths have been reported. Because of these trends, Moffat County has been moved to Blue on the State’s COVID-19 dial, which allows for greater capacities.
Moffat County is successfully rolling out the COVID-19 vaccine. Most entities within the county are offering the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. On Saturday, Memorial Regional Health held its first mass vaccination clinic. We were able to vaccinate 306 people in 6 hours. Within Moffat County, 1,563 people have received at least one dose of the vaccine, which equals about 12% of the total county population. Additionally, when we look at the data for Moffat County residents who are over the age of 70, nearly 64% of this population has been vaccinated.
This week, MRH is holding 2nd dose clinics for those who have already received their first dose. We will be evaluating our vaccine supply and setting up new, first dose clinics. Two weeks ago, the Governor announced that vaccine providers can now start vaccinating people over the age of 65, as well as teachers and licensed daycare providers. If you’re in one of those categories and want to receive the vaccine, you can call to be put on our waitlist. When we open new clinics, we will call and get you scheduled. You can submit your interest online here: https://form.jotform.com/210176376671155 or you can call 826-2400.
In good health,
MRH
Questions from the MRH Community
About the Variant Strain of COVID-19
Monday, February 1, 2021
Some questions are being asked about the new variant strains of COVID-19. Currently, there are three variants that are cause for concern, and all three variants have been identified in the United States. The variants include: the UK variant, the South African variant, and the Brazilian variant. These variants are concerning because they appear to be more contagious (easily transmitted). The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is concerned because as more people contract the virus, the potential for the number of severe illness and hospitalizations increase (Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/transmission/variant.html). Currently the available information does not show that these more variants are more deadly.
Questions remain about whether the currently available vaccines are effective against these variants. On January 25th, Moderna, the maker of the COVID-19 vaccine being administered by MRH and other local agencies, published information that indicates its vaccine does appear to be effective in protecting against at least two of the variants – the UK and the South African strains. They are also investigating how a booster may provide a broadened protection. Moderna continues to monitor the efficacy of its vaccine and will publish data as it becomes available (source: https://investors.modernatx.com/node/10841/pdf).
Wednesday, December 30, 2020
The new strain of COVID-19 contains several mutations (changes) from the original strain. It has become widespread in London and southeast England. One of the mutations in this new variant is a change in one of the spike proteins. This variant is referred to as VOC 202012/01.
When a virus starts to mutate, several concerns arise.
Q: Is the new strain of the virus more contagious? A: The mutated virus may spread even more quickly. There is some evidence to suggest this is happening in London and England with this mutation.
Q: Is there a difference in symptoms in the new strain of the virus? A: Sometimes a mutated virus will cause a milder or more severe illness. So far, there is no evidence to suggest that this new variant causes a more severe illness.
Q: Will current COVID-19 tests be able to detect the mutated virus? A: Most likely, yes. The PCR tests currently being used have multiple targets to detect the virus, so if one part of the virus is mutated, the test will likely detect it from unchanged parts of the virus.
Q: Will the currently approved vaccines still work to protect against the virus? A: The new vaccines (Moderna and Pfizer) authorized for emergency use are “polyclonal.” These vaccines produce antibodies that target multiple parts of the spike protein, so even if part of the virus’ spike proteins have mutated (changed), others remain the same and the antibodies should detect the virus. It is believed that these vaccines will help protect against the mutated virus.
The CDC will continue to analyze samples of COVID-19 to look for mutations. By January 2021 every state will be sending in 10 samples twice weekly for analysis.
As we learn more about the new COVID-19 variant, we will share it with you. Like the original strain of COVID-19, this variant is still spread through respiratory droplets. The recommendations for prevention remain the same: wear your mask, wash your hands or sanitize them frequently, stay away from gatherings, remain 6’ apart.
About the COVID-19 Vaccine
Friday, January 1, 2021
Currently, the FDA has approved for emergency use the Pfizer vaccine and the Moderna vaccine. Pfizer’s vaccine is approved for people 16 and older. Moderna’s vaccine is approved for people 18 and older. It is anticipated that Pfizer, Moderna and other pharmaceutical companies developing vaccines will begin conducting studies that include younger children, but at this point no COVID-19 vaccine is available for children.
Source: COVID-19 Vaccine: Frequently Asked Questions. American Academy of Pediatrics. 2020
Thursday, December 31, 2020
As the COVID-10 vaccine becomes more widely available, some have asked if an employer can require an employee to be vaccinated for COVID-19. The answer is yes with some exceptions.
According to the Society for Human Resource Management, an employer can require employees to be vaccinated if failure to do so creates a direct threat to other employees in the workplace. However, exceptions must be made for employees who cannot be vaccinated because of disabilities or due to sincerely held religious beliefs. As with any mandate, there are many variables.
Memorial Regional Health does not require staff to take the COVID-19 vaccine. MRH has encouraged everyone to be vaccinated, but it is not mandated.
Wednesday, December 23, 2020
We have received numerous inquiries about “when” the vaccine will be available to the general public. Please see our vaccine information page https://memorialregionalhealth.com/covid-19-vaccine/ for further information. There are links that will show the plan and estimated timelines for vaccine distribution across Colorado. As MRH receives more specific information, we will share it as we receive it.
Sunday, December 20, 2020
With the emergency use authorizations given to two COVID-19 vaccines, more questions about the vaccine are being asked. One question was about needing the vaccine if you’ve already had COVID-19 this year.
There is not enough data to know how long someone’s natural immunity lasts following a COVID-19 infection. Early evidence suggests that it may not last long, but more information is needed to be more certain.
If you’re 90 days post-COVID-19 infection, get the vaccination. Do not get the vaccine if you are in quarantine or experiencing COVID-like symptoms. You should also discuss getting the vaccine with your medical provider.
Source: Mayo Clinic Health System – COVID-19 vaccine myths debunked. Tuesday, December 8, 2020
Saturday, December 19, 2020
Yesterday, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Moderna an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for its COVID-19 vaccine. This is the 2nd COVID-19 vaccine that has been given an EUA. The first phase of distribution for both of these vaccines is prioritized for healthcare workers.
MRH expects to receive its allotment of Moderna vaccines next week. We have surveyed our staff to determine who wishes to take the vaccine. It is not mandatory to receive this vaccine. We will begin vaccinating staff within 72 hours of receiving the shipment.
Facts about the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine
- 3-Phase Trial Information
- Number of people in study: 30,350. Of these, 15,184 got the vaccine, 15,165 got a placebo.
- Proposed for adults 18 years old or older
- Dose: two doses delivered 28 days apart
- Efficacy: 94% effective
- Ingredients: Preservative-free; contains synthetic messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) of SARS-CoV-2 virus; lipids, tromethamine, tromethamine hydrochloride, acetic acid, sodium acetate, and sucrose.
- Side effects: The most common side effect reported was pain at the injection site lasting about 2 days (91.6%). Other common side effects reported include fatigue (68.5%), headache (63%), muscle pain (59.6%), joint pain (44.8%), chills (43.4%), all lasting an average of 1-2 days.
Source: FDA Briefing Document
Friday, December 18, 2020
Yesterday, a panel of advisers to the Food and Drug Administration, recommended Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine be given emergency use authorization (EUA). If the FDA follows the same process as it did last week when it issued the EUA for the Pfizer vaccine, we may receive the EUA for Moderna’s vaccine today. If the EUA comes today, shipments will begin immediately and we could receive our supply next week. This first phase of vaccines is earmarked specifically for healthcare workers.
Dr. Elise Sullivan, one of our family practice physicians, is sharing her reasons for why she is going to receive the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Here are her reason:
- It’s very effective. At 94% effective at preventing infection, I’m jumping with joy. Their goal was to get 50% effectiveness and the scientists blew that out of the water.
- They performed a standard 3-Phase trial on this vaccine (as well as the Pfizer vaccine). They did not skimp on that part. Yes, the process was incredibly fast, but it was that fast because they invested a huge sum of money and had the scientific world all working on one goal together.
- We are not sure that you can’t get re-infected with COVID-19. There is not enough data to prove that once you are infected you have lifelong immunity. The vaccine is one way to help create immunity in people who have not been infected with COVID-19.
- We are not going to be able to go back to normal life until we control the virus. Achieving population (or herd) immunity though vaccination is the best way to do this.
- There is some data to suggest that you will have a higher amount of antibodies from the vaccine than from a typical COVID-19 infection.
Wednesday, December 16, 2020
We had a question yesterday from a reader, “How soon can one receive the COVID-19 vaccine after receiving another type of vaccine, for example, the Flu or pneumonia vaccines?
With current non-COVID-19 vaccines, that issue usually only comes into play with “live virus” vaccines. When you administer more than one vaccine that contains a “live virus” (like a flu vaccine), you have to do those at the same time or wait 30 days in between. For example, if you received a nasal flu vaccine, you would have to wait 30 days to get an MMR or a Varicella vaccine, or they would not be considered valid or effective.
The CDC explains a live virus vaccine like this:
“Live, attenuated vaccines fight viruses and bacteria. These vaccines contain a version of the living virus or bacteria that have been weakened so that it does not cause serious disease in people with healthy immune systems. Because live, attenuated vaccines are the closest thing to a natural infection, they are good teachers for the immune system. Examples of live, attenuated vaccines include measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (MMR) and varicella (chickenpox) vaccine.”
None of the current COVD-19 vaccines currently in development or approved for use in the United States use a live virus. Our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Linda Couillard, reviewed the documentation provided in the full “package insert” for the Pfizer vaccine while researching the answer to the question.
Dr. Couillard wrote, “There is no information within the vaccine documentation at this time. That understanding will take some time and will not be included under this EUA (Emergency Use Authorization) for any of the vaccines. Answering this question will come from the information we learn through ongoing trials, when people do not respond favorably to the vaccine, meaning they do not mount a robust immune response or have a higher frequency or more severe side effects after the injection. There has been no recommendation to delay getting the Pfizer vaccine because of a recent vaccine of another type.”
Tuesday, December 15, 2020
Yesterday, MRH executed an attestation with Governor’s Office affirming that our facility can administer COVID-19 vaccinations within 72 hours of receiving the vaccine. Some hospitals in Colorado will receive a small quantity of the Pfizer Vaccine and larger quantities of the Moderna Vaccine. The Pfizer Vaccine shipment to Colorado will contain 46,800 doses. The Moderna Vaccine will contain 95,600 doses.
Many hospitals, including MRH, are slated only to receive the Moderna Vaccine. MRH anticipates receiving our first allotment within the next two weeks and will administer all doses with 72 hours of receiving the vaccine following the protocols outlined by the State of Colorado. Moffat County Public Health is also slated to receive the Moderna Vaccine on or around the same time as MRH.
It is anticipated that the Moderna Vaccine will receive FDA emergency approval this Friday; Pfizer’s vaccine was approved last Thursday. The first doses of Pfizer’s vaccine in the United States were administered yesterday.
A reader stated and asked, “I don’t have insurance; how much will getting a vaccine cost me?” The government will be providing vaccines for free, but providers will be allowed to charge a nominal administration fee for giving the shots. The fees cover the supplies and labor costs to administer the vaccine. Fees can be recouped from public and private insurance plans and from a government fund to cover uninsured individuals. The short answer: if you have no insurance, you can still get the vaccine, and it will likely cost you nothing. Remember, the vaccine will likely not be available to the general public until summer 2021. The first vaccines are slated for healthcare workers, first responders, and nursing home personnel.
Another reader asked, “What side effects can I expect from the vaccines?”
In the Pfizer and Moderna trials (which included an average of two months of follow-up), vaccine recipients have reported mild symptoms (such as sore arms, redness at the injection site, headache, or fatigue) a little more frequently than with flu vaccines.
New England Journal of Medicine report published this week described the incidence of serious adverse events as “low.” We encourage you to read the study for yourself: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2034577
Wednesday, December 9, 2020
An MRH reader asked yesterday: will the vaccine be enough to stop the spread of COVID-19? The answer: it will help, but it won’t stop it right away. Let me explain. Yesterday, I read an article sent to me by one of our Board members. It was from the New York Times entitled, “The Vaccine as a Fire Hose.” The article explained that the COVID-19 vaccine, like any vaccine, will have a much greater chance at being effective if it is introduced at a time other than when the pandemic is raging.
People are contracting COVID-19 at a rate much higher than any other point this year. Currently, over 200,000 cases are confirmed daily. Let me state that again – 200,000 cases daily! Back in April, when we were seeing our first COVID-19 spike, there were fewer than 100,000 cases being confirmed daily. With the virus spreading this quickly, the COVID-19 vaccine will have a harder time slowing the spread.
Let me explain with an analogy: a fire is burning in your house. If you leave a candle burning on your mantle and it catches on fire the holiday wreath that is hanging right above it, you might be able to put out the fire with a glass of water you bring from the kitchen if you catch it as soon as the fire starts. But, if you leave your candle burning on the mantle, and it catches on fire the wreath hanging above it, and you don’t realize there’s a fire until your smoke alarm goes off and half your house is on fire, a glass of water isn’t going to do much to help put out, or even slow down, the fire.
This may leave you asking, so why take the vaccine if the virus is raging and it might not work fast enough? First, vaccine will help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in people not yet infected. Early indication is that the vaccine is showing a 95% efficacy rate. But while the vaccine is being distributed, COVID-19 will still be spreading. The vaccine will work better and faster if we all do our part to slow the spread now – wear a mask, wash your hands, physically distance yourself from others when out, and refrain from gathering with people with whom you do not live.
Tuesday, December 2, 2020
Yesterday, a reader asked if MRH had any knowledge to share about possible vaccine distribution plans. Thank you for your trust in our daily messages to share with you what we know. Based upon the 100+ page plan submitted by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the vaccine will be made available in phases as quantities arrive in Colorado.
Phase 1 Distribution in Colorado is defined as:
1. Inpatient and outpatient healthcare workers, including assisted living and outpatient pharmacies
2. EMS/Firefighters, Police, Public Health Professionals, and Correctional Workers
3. Residents/Patients of assisted living, long-term care, and Nursing Home Facilities
Colorado will receive approximately fourteen-thousand (14,000) doses for the entire state with the first delivery. Governor Polis hoped that by the end of December through January, Colorado would receive between 100,000 and 200,000 doses. To provide some perspective: Colorado has approximately 72,000 healthcare workers, 12,069 law-enforcement officers,11,500 firefighters, 13,357 EMS personnel, and 16,004 residents in long-term care and nursing home facilities.
We are encouraged that a vaccine is on the way. Even with a vaccine, it will take a significant amount of time to vaccinate the number of people required to achieve some population immunity level. Once again, to provide an example: Colorado’s population is 5.8 million. Experts believe that we will need to vaccinate at least 2.8 million to achieve an adequate population immunity level.
COVID-19 vs. the Flu
Tuesday, December 29, 2020
We continue to hear statements about COVID-19 being no more deadly than the flu, and this simply is not true. Worldwide, nearly 1.8 million people have died from COVID-19, which started last December. In the United States, over 330,000 people have died between January 2020 and December 28, 2020. Each year, the flu tends to cause between 290,000 and 650,000 deaths worldwide. Even when flu is at its worst, it is not as deadly as COVID-19. COVID-19 is over 2.5 times more deadly than flu.
Those who survive flu and COVID-19 may be at risk for complications, as both flu and COVID-19 can cause serious, long-term complications. Severe cases of COVID-19 may cause long-term damage to your lungs, heart, brain, kidneys and other organs. Flu may cause inflammation in your heart, brain and muscles, and multi-organ failure. Sometimes, you may get a secondary bacterial infection after having had influenza.
Source: Coronavirus Disease 2019 vs. the Flu. Johns Hopkins Medicine. December 28, 2020
Monday, December 28, 2020
Someone asked us to talk about COVID-19 versus influenza (flu). Both COVID-19 and the flu are contagious respiratory illnesses. Both viruses can cause fever, cough, aching and joint pain, and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea. Both can result in pneumonia, and both can range from mild to severe, including death.
There are several differences between COVID-19 and flu. First, they are caused by different viruses – COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus and flu is caused by several different strains of influenza. Second, COVID-19 can be spread by people who do not have any symptoms or feel sick at all. Finally, those with COVID-19 may also experience a loss of taste and smell, which is not typically seen in people with flu.
The recommendations to prevent the spread of both COVID-19 and flu are the same – frequently wash your hands, stay home when you’re sick, stay physically distant from others when you are out, and wear your mask.
Source: Coronavirus Disease 2019 vs. the Flu. Johns Hopkins Medicine. December 24, 2020
Wednesday, December 16, 2020
We had a question yesterday from a reader, “How soon can one receive the COVID-19 vaccine after receiving another type of vaccine, for example, the Flu or pneumonia vaccines?
With current non-COVID-19 vaccines, that issue usually only comes into play with “live virus” vaccines. When you administer more than one vaccine that contains a “live virus” (like a flu vaccine), you have to do those at the same time or wait 30 days in between. For example, if you received a nasal flu vaccine, you would have to wait 30 days to get an MMR or a Varicella vaccine, or they would not be considered valid or effective.
The CDC explains a live virus vaccine like this:
“Live, attenuated vaccines fight viruses and bacteria. These vaccines contain a version of the living virus or bacteria that have been weakened so that it does not cause serious disease in people with healthy immune systems. Because live, attenuated vaccines are the closest thing to a natural infection, they are good teachers for the immune system. Examples of live, attenuated vaccines include measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (MMR) and varicella (chickenpox) vaccine.”
None of the current COVD-19 vaccines currently in development or approved for use in the United States use a live virus. Our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Linda Couillard, reviewed the documentation provided in the full “package insert” for the Pfizer vaccine while researching the answer to the question.
Dr. Couillard wrote, “There is no information within the vaccine documentation at this time. That understanding will take some time and will not be included under this EUA (Emergency Use Authorization) for any of the vaccines. Answering this question will come from the information we learn through ongoing trials, when people do not respond favorably to the vaccine, meaning they do not mount a robust immune response or have a higher frequency or more severe side effects after the injection. There has been no recommendation to delay getting the Pfizer vaccine because of a recent vaccine of another type.”
Friday, December 4
We have been asked to provide more data about the flu and what we (MRH) experienced last year compared to what we (MRH) are seeing this year with COVID-19. We asked our Medical Records department for that data yesterday. In all of 2019, MRH admitted 10 patients for influenza and illness related to influenza. Zero people died in the hospital from influenza or influenza-related illness. Since October of this year (2020), MRH has admitted nearly 20 people for COVID-19-related illness. Seven (7) people have died in the hospital (five residents of Moffat County and two residents of another county). COVID-19 is not the flu.
Yesterday, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) issued an update regarding the length of time a person must quarantine after prolonged, close contact with a COVID-positive individual (ie a spouse or child in the home tests positive for COVID). While 14 days is still the gold standard and still what is recommended, CDHPE will now allow 7-10 days of quarantine if a person remains asymptomatic. A person can be released from quarantine on day 8 if a molecular-based COVID test is done after day 5 and resulted by day 8 and the result is negative. MRH is updating its return to work guidelines to reflect these changes. Public Health clarified that this will effect quarantine orders issued on or after December 3rd. Orders issued prior to that date remain in place for the length of time specified in the order.
Prevention and Treatment of COVID-19
Tuesday, December 22, 2020
What is convalescent plasma therapy for COVID-19?
Convalescent plasma therapy uses blood from people who have recovered from an illness to help others recover. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized convalescent plasma therapy for people with COVID-19. Convalescent plasma is frequently administered to patients with COVID-19 and has been reported, primarily based on observational data, to improve clinical outcomes. However, very little data exists from actual randomized and controlled trials. We address this today because some patients who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 in our community have been donating plasma through the donation center in Grand Junction (which is the closest facility to Moffat County that can accept plasma donations directly). Like with most things, if you are donating plasma (or you have received plasma) to help with COVID-19, please take note:
- If you have been vaccinated for COVID-19, you cannot donate convalescent plasma for COVID-19 patients ever again.
- Once you donate convalescent plasma, you can be vaccinated for COVID-19 as early as the next day, BUT you have to wait for two (2) weeks to donate blood or plasma for anything other than COVID-19.
- Women must be tested for HLA antibodies (commonly found in pregnant women) before donating convalescent plasma. If they test positive, they cannot donate convalescent plasma.
- Individuals donating plasma must be symptom-free for fourteen (14) days after a COVID-19 positive test.
- If you are a convalescent plasma recipient, you will need to wait ninety (90) days before getting a COVID-19 vaccination.
If you have recovered from COVID-19 and wish to donate convalescent plasma, you can contact: SCL Regional Blood Center, 750 Wellington Ave., Grand Junction, CO. The number is 970-298-2555 and donation times are Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. and Saturdays 8:30 – 11:00 a.m.
Moderna Vaccine Arrives
MRH and Moffat County Public Health are expecting delivery of the Moderna vaccine today. MRH will be administering its first vaccine doses today following the guidelines published by CDHPE (Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment).
For more information about the Moderna Vaccine, please see: https://www.fda.gov/media/144638/download
Sunday, December 13, 2020
On Friday, a reader asked us to talk about what strategies we might take to boost our immunity and increase our chances of staying healthy. I found several widely accepted recommendations including:
- Exercise – 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week
- Eat a balanced diet
- Get quality sleep – sleep in a very dark, quiet, cool (but not cold) room
- Reduce stress – staying virtually connected to friends and family, getting fresh air and exercise, and meditating are some ways to relieve stress
- Practice good infection reduction practices – hand washing, mask wearing, physical distancing
(Source: Harvard Health Publishing, June, 2020).
Exercising for 150 minutes per week supports a strong immune system. It helps lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and the risk of heart disease, diabetes. Exercise doesn’t have to be complicated – getting outside and walking is a great way to get the heart pumping.
A healthy, balanced diet also helps strengthen your immune system. Fiber as well as the nutrients you get from fruits and vegetables support immune function by giving your body vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
Of these recommendations, the quality of your sleep can directly affect your immune system. To maintain a boosted immune system, try to get seven to nine hours of sleep each night. Sleep is shown to activate your immune system which can help fight off infections and other signs of illness.
Reducing stress may also give your immune system the boost it needs to fight of illness. Stress can produce a chemical called cortisol. Cortisol has been shown to prevent the production of white blood cells which help fight off infection.
Testing for COVID-19
Friday, December 11, 2020
Yesterday we talked about COVID-19 antibody tests, so today let’s talk about the other current COVID-19 tests offered locally. The FDA has authorized the use of three types of tests: molecular, antigen and antibody (discussed yesterday).
Currently the most readily available test is a molecular test. This test is also known as a PCR test, a diagnostic test or a viral test. Molecular tests detect the virus’s genetic material. It is effective in detecting the presence of COVID-19 in both symptomatic and asymptomatic people.
Most local medical clinics, including Memorial Regional Health’s Rapid Care Clinic, are conducting molecular/PCR testing. The sample is taken by collecting a nasopharyngeal (the part of the throat behind the nose) swab. The time to receive a result is 2-10 days depending on the testing volume at the lab. (Source: FDA, October 2020).
Another molecular test available locally is an rRT-PCR test. It is a saliva test. This test can be purchased from our WorkWell clinic without having to be seen by a physician. The test is self-administered and send via FedEx to the testing facility. The time to receive a result is generally 2-4 days.
Antigen tests are a form of diagnostic COVID-19 test. These tests look for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid proteins in respiratory samples compared to looking for the presence genetic material (RNA) in molecular (PCR) tests. These tests are typically called rapid COVID tests because they generally take less than an hour to get results. They are recommended mostly for people who are already symptomatic. They are less effective at detecting the virus in a person who is not exhibiting any symptoms. (Source: FDA, October 2020).
Today, Friday, December 11, Public Health is conducting FREE COVID-19 testing from 2-4 p.m. They will be using Curative PCR tests (molecular). Anyone can be tested, regardless of symptoms. Testing will be held at 1050 Industrial Avenue (the Fire Training Facility behind K-Mart). People can expect to get results in three to four days.
Myth vs. Fact
Monday, December 21, 2020
From a social media comment: The Moderna vaccine is made using aborted fetal cells and it is immoral accept the vaccine; only the Pfizer vaccine is not made from aborted fetal cells. This statement is factually false.
Answer: We realize this is a sensitive question however, we have seen this comment on social media and feel we need to share the facts as you decide for yourself if you are going to take one of the COVID-19 vaccines.
Pfizer’s and Moderna’s vaccines were not made using fetal cells. They did use human embryonic kidney cells (HEK 293) for confirmatory lab testing. Human embryonic kidney 293 cells, also often referred to as HEK 293, HEK-293, 293 cells, or less precisely as HEK cells, are a specific cell line originally derived from human embryonic kidney cells grown in tissue culture taken from aborted female fetuses in 1972.
Such cell lines are “immortal,” meaning that, once developed, they continue to divide and reproduce themselves indefinitely. This fact means that using such lines does not necessarily create additional demand for new fetal tissue.
Furthermore, the original fetal kidney cells used to create HEK 293 underwent numerous modifications before the cell line was successfully produced in a lab. The line itself has since been modified in many ways to optimize its usefulness. HEK 293 has become a staple for biological research; its use is so universal, and so many other basic research materials like recombinant proteins and molecular reagents have been produced from it, that conducting research without relying on it in some form is practically impossible.
Anyone who wants to avoid benefiting from the use of HEK completely, would effectively have to give up the use of any medical treatments or biological knowledge developed or updated within the past forty (40) years. We live in a morally imperfect world in which it is impossible to insulate ourselves from the results of real or perceived injustices.
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
This morning we thought that we would address a claim that the COVID-19 vaccine causes sterilization in women. A reader mentioned that a social media post was circulating in Moffat County and wanted to know if MRH had an opinion. We try only to provide facts, so we researched this question and provided the facts as we understand them.
In early December 2020, social media users began sharing a claim that the “head of Pfizer research” had warned that the drug company’s new COVID-19 vaccine would cause sterilization in women. The story was sourced from a blog called “Health and Money News” and referenced statements made by Michael Yeardon. Michael Yeardon is not the head of Pfizer research and never has been but he did work for Pfizer. He left Pfizer in 2011 (nine years ago). His title at Pfizer was “Vice-President and Chief Scientist for allergy and respiratory.”
Yeardon sent a letter to the European Medicines Agency (“EMA”) calling on the EMA to halt clinical trials of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine in the European Union. In the letter, Yeardon claimed that the Pfizer vaccine blocks a protein key in the formation of the placenta in mammals, and he claimed that it’s possible women who receive the vaccine could become infertile. However, he did not state a fact, only a theory, that the vaccine causes sterility, unlike what is being reported on social media. Factually, there is no mention of the risk of sterility in Pfizer’s publicly available study. The first study had results from tens of thousands of volunteers. Yeardon has been known to spread COVID-19 misinformation in the past, and we will leave it alone with this comment.
Similar stories from August 2020 that an “insider” at GlaxoSmithKline leaked that their vaccine for COVID-19 has been manufactured and that it contains chemicals that will eventually cause “an explosion of infertility.” Further, the insider claimed that GlaxoSmithKline had developed a male version that results in a drop in testosterone levels to help with mass infertility plans. These comments have been attributed to a 1989 study into anti-fertility vaccines and are unrelated to COVID-19 trials. Let’s not forget the other claim that the Gates family is behind a sprawling conspiracy to control the world through vaccines engineered as part of the COVID-19 pandemic. Do any of these claims seem like facts? No.
Here is what we know: in the face of nearly 264,000 known COVID-19 infections and 3,358 COVID-19 related deaths in Colorado (and counting), many people refuse to wear masks because they do not feel that coronavirus is real. Some of those who believe the virus exists are not concerned about getting sick or getting others sick. It is no surprise to us then that the the public is split on expectations around vaccines. Vaccines work, and they have virtually eliminated the risk of many preventable diseases throughout our history. Is the history of vaccinations in our Country perfect? No.
Monday, December 7, 2020
A reader asked, “Does MRH get paid more when someone dies in the hospital from COVID-19?” This question is a good question, and we hope our answer makes this as simple as possible. First, no hospital is paid for a “death,” only the care provided up until a patient passes away. Most hospitals are paid by a “diagnosis” for a specific type of service (COVID-19 being one of many diagnosis codes). Now, I say most hospitals because not all hospitals are paid the same. Medicare pays some hospitals by “diagnosis” and other hospitals based on a percentage of the cost to provide care. MRH is in the latter category because it is classified as a “critical access hospital.”
As we were saying, some hospitals are paid by diagnosis. This hospital classification means that Medicare pays a fixed dollar amount regardless of how long the patient stays in the hospital by diagnosis type. An inpatient “knee replacement” may pay $10,000 while an inpatient “COVID-19” patient may pay $17,000. Please note, we are using these numbers loosely by making up the reimbursement amounts. It does not matter to Medicare if a patient suffering from COVID-19 stays in the hospital for three days or three weeks; it pays the same. Medicare decides how much labor, supplies, and time is used to care for a patient by a diagnosis. They understand that caring for a COVID-19 patient consumes more labor, supplies, and time than a patient with, let’s say, a knee replacement.
It is true that for some hospitals, an inpatient hospitalization with a diagnosis of COVID-19 is paying more than a regular inpatient admission for some other diagnosis. Medicare sets those rates, not local hospitals. It is also true that it is more expensive to take care of a COVID-19 patient because of the amount of labor and personal protective equipment (PPE) used, etc.
However, to imply that hospitals would be “fabricating” a COVID-19 admission to “make money” would mean that they are violating the False Claims Act. A hospital violating the False Claims Act would be a big deal. The fine is three times what Medicare paid to the hospital for each violation, plus fines up to $10,000 per each violation.
This information now turns the question back to MRH. Medicare does not pay MRH by a COVD-19 diagnosis; we are paid on a percentage of the cost to provide care to patients regardless of diagnosis or length of stay. We receive 98% of the cost of care from Medicare for taking care of inpatients. Critical access hospitals, like MRH, used to receive 101% of the cost until 2013 when budget sequestration (automatic spending cuts) went into effect as part of the Budget Control Act (BCA) of 2011. Lawmakers have yet to restore that difference to rural hospitals.