We wrote in our March update: Well we have been here before……!

We were referencing a break and slowdown in COVID infections during March. And of course we are here in April to report a new variant that is now spreading across the Country:

Here’s what you need to know about BA.2 the new variant. 

Around the world, new infections are largely due to the BA.2 version of omicron. In the U.S., BA.2 accounted for about a quarter (23.1%) of the cases for the week ending March 12, the CDC says. That’s up from 14.2% the week ending March 5.

This new COVID variant, first detected two months ago, now making its way across the U.S. and spreading more quickly in the Northeast and West.

The BA.2 variant appears to be on its way to becoming the dominant COVID strain, having roughly doubled each week for the last month, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. BA.2 is considered by the World Health Organization as a “sublineage” of the highly transmissible omicron variant. It’s a different version of omicron than BA.1, which was responsible for the surge that hit the Midwest in January – February.

How fast is BA.2 spreading in the US?

BA.2 made up 39% of cases in New Jersey and New York, the week ending March 12, up from 25.4% the previous week, the CDC says. (Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands are also included by the CDC in that region’s COVID case breakdown.)In the Northeast (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont), BA.2 accounted for 38.6% of cases, up from 24% the previous week, according to the CDC. 

In the West, which includes Arizona, California and Nevada, BA.2 accounts for 27.7% of cases, up from 17.1% the previous week. In the upper West, including Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington, BA.2 made up 26.2% of cases, up from 16%, the CDC says. 

BA.2 cases have risen in recent weeks in the rest of the U.S., accounting for 12% to 20% of cases in other states for the week ending March 12.

Does BA.2 spread faster? Is it more lethal?

Studies have shown that BA.2 is “inherently more transmissible” than omicron BA.1, according to the World Health Organization. What’s not yet known is if BA.2 causes severe illness as did omicron BA.1 did, which prompted a rapid surge in cases, hospitalizations and deaths for a month before plummeting just as quickly. While omicron BA.1 was considered milder than both COVID’s original strain and the delta variant, it led to an increase in U.S. COVID deaths: 60,000 in January 2022, twice the amount of deaths in November, according to the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota.

But health officials are uncertain what BA.2 will do. 

Are vaccines and natural immunity effective against BA.2?

Vaccines were shown to be as effective against BA.2 as they were against omicron BA.1, according to British scientists. That means the vaccines may not prevent infection, but they work well in fending off severe illness.  If you were infected by omicron BA.1, you may also have good protection against BA.2, according to the World Health Organization. While reinfection is possible, studies suggest that infection with BA.1 “provides strong protection” against reinfection with BA.2.

And lastly, we encourage everyone to read a USAToday piece printed in mid-March by a Dr. David Gifford, a geriatrician, is the chief medical officer at the American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living.

Don’t blame nursing homes for the deaths of residents in a

pandemic

To grade nursing homes on deaths is disrespectful to the caregivers who put their lives on the line to protect residents, who are like family to them.               Dr. David Gifford USATODAY March 16, 2022

Blame the virus, not nursing homes for residents’ deaths in a pandemic (usatoday.com)

 

Well we have been here before……!

Community COVID cases at this writing have decreased week over week since our last report. We have been writing about the community effects and whether it is Flu or COVID what is in the community will make its way into a nursing home within the community.

Our facility’s COVID numbers have dramatically decreased since our last update.  Our mitigation of reducing the spread of this virus continues to work as we stay focused on infection control: handwashing, masking, and distancing where we can.

Fortunately overall, the vaccines appear to be working against Omicron and Delta variants, but we must remain vigilant and steadfast on vaccinating and boosting as many residents and staff members as quickly as possible.  Please remember, like the Flu Vaccine – the COVID vaccine does not protect someone 100% from getting the virus, it was designed to reduce extreme (death, hospitalization) effects of the virus.  So for those holding out from vaccination saying – “why should I get it – you got the vaccine and you still got COVID:” Please look at the numbers: 99% of UNVACCINATED people are who are being admitted to the hospital from their significant symptoms and are those who have died from this virus.

We remain optimistic but we cannot let our guard down.  As we started this update – we have been here before.  Stay diligent. Stay focused.  If we can move forward for a couple of months without another major outbreak (like Omicron was) and we can beat this virus.

BOOSTERS ANYONE?

There is a lot in the news about Booster shots for the COVID vaccine. This doesn’t mean the vaccine isn’t working it is to boost the effects of the vaccine you already got. Think of it as taking another dose of Tylenol after a headache or fever. Booster shots – Who can get them – easiest said YOU.

• Any Residents living in a Long Term Care setting (a Nursing Home)
• Any Employee that works in a Long Term Care setting

Long Term Care settings are usually described as congregate living settings. Studies have shown throughout the pandemic that people who live or work in congregate living settings are more susceptible because of the way the people in these environments live (think of activities, eating, sharing rooms.)
What are examples of congregate living environments?

• Nursing Homes
• Dormitory at Colleges
• Schools
• Correctional Facilities

Once the virus has come into the congregate living setting it can spread quickly, and this is true for many viruses – COVID and FLU.

At this writing the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) has authorized boosters for all three vaccines.

Our facility conducts boosters (and new) vaccination clinics for our residents and employees.
Flu vaccination for all staff and residents are also available.

Overall, we are happy to report that our facility is doing very well with the COVID virus and its impact on our residents and our staff.

On behalf of all of us we wish you and your family a safe and Happy Thanksgiving.

The public health department will be coming out very soon with guidance to holiday celebrations such as residents going home for the holiday; families coming into the facility to enjoy the holiday with their loved one; or general how to celebrate in the facility. Please communicate with Administration if you have any questions about this guidance. 

An Ounce of Prevention                         (some notes are from the CDC)

The United States recently surpassed 40 million COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic, with more than 4 million of these cases reported in the past few weeks. COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths have generally increased throughout most of the country since the beginning of summer, fueled by the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant. Low vaccination coverage in many communities is driving these increases.

Fortunately for our facility we have had very, very few cases impacting our residents here.  We credit this dream to the work we have done and continue to do in ensuring proper infection control standards are followed; our strong dedicated adherence to PPE; screening standards of residents, staff and visitors alike.  Our leadership continues to join the State’s Department of Public Health on a weekly call of COVID updates to ensure we have the best and most up to date information.   

Although most people with COVID-19 get better within the weeks following illness, some people experience post-COVID conditions. A recent CDC study shows that adults who had COVID-19 may experience ongoing health problems that can last four or more weeks after COVID-19 infection. Health problems may include shortness of breath, fatigue, difficulty concentrating (“brain-fog”), headache, fast-beating or pounding heart, cough, joint or muscle pain, dizziness/lightheadedness, or mood changes, among other symptoms. Even people who did not have significant COVID-19 symptoms in the days or weeks after they were infected can have post-COVID conditions.

For those individuals that get COVID-19 despite being vaccinated the chances of them being hospitalized or it leading to death is very small.  Vaccinated COVID-19 people are clearly seen with much less symptoms and much less effects than unvaccinated people.

The best way to prevent post-COVID conditions is by getting vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as you can. CDC recommends all people ages 12 years and older get vaccinated, including people who have had COVID-19 or a post-COVID condition. The COVID-19 vaccines recommended for use in the United States continue to offer protection against severe illness, hospitalization, and death. If you are not yet fully vaccinated, you can reduce the risk of long-term complications by taking steps to protect yourself and others from getting COVID-19. To find a vaccine provider near you, visit Vaccines.gov or our State’s website.

A major concern right now is Delta, a highly contagious SARS-CoV-2 virus strain, which was first identified in India in December. It then swept rapidly through that country and Great Britain as well. The first Delta case in the United States was diagnosed in March and it is now the dominant strain in the U.S.

One thing that is unique about Delta is how quickly it is spreading. 

From what we know so far, people who are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus appear to have protection against Delta.  A high majority of vaccinated individuals have much reduced symptoms, and few have serious symptoms, or are in need of hospitalization.  Anyone who is unvaccinated and not practicing preventive strategies is at risk for infection by the new variant, the doctors say.

Here are five things you need to know about the Delta variant.

1. COVID Delta is more contagious than the other virus strains.
2. Unvaccinated people are at risk. Vaccinated people may get what they call “breakthrough” COVID, however, in majority of those cases signs and symptoms are much milder than someone who has not been vaccinated.
3. Delta could lead to ‘hyperlocal outbreaks.’
4. There is still more to learn about Delta.
5. Vaccination is the best protection against Delta.

The fear now is that if the vaccinated numbers don’t rise dramatically the Delta variant will continue and it will mutate into another strain, and another strain, to evidentially mutate to a strain that is NOT affected by the vaccine.  We all need to do what we can to STOP it now.

We are fortunate that we have had very few “breakthrough” cases here at our home.  And following the science, majority of those have been milder cases than we saw last year at this time. 

We continue to do everything we can to mitigate the continuing threat of this virus.  Our stratgeies include:

• Following State and Local Health Guidance
• Increase monitoring of Infection Control
• In-Services with Staff
• Ensuring Isolation Practices on any potential outbreak

• Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Effective Cleaning Products
• Testing as Required; needed and suspected

Residents, Family Members, Staff and Visitors,

We hope this posting finds you and your loved ones staying safe and healthy.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused tremendous disruption in each of our lives. As one of your health care providers or employer, we care deeply about your health and well-being. That’s why we are encouraging everyone to get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible if you haven’t already. Getting vaccinated can bring you one step closer to enjoying the activities you miss. It is one of the most important things you can do to help protect yourself and your loved ones from this disease. Everyone 12 years of age and older is now eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccination.

Here are some answers to questions we have heard most often from patients:

• Why should I get vaccinated? Nursing Home Residents have been affected greatly by COVID19. COVID-19 can cause serious illness or even death. There’s no way to know how COVID-19 will affect you. And if you get sick, you could spread the disease to family, friends, and others around you. COVID-19 vaccination is an important tool to help us stop the pandemic and get back to normal.
• Are COVID-19 vaccines effective at preventing the disease? All COVID-19 vaccines available in the United States are effective at preventing the disease. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine will also help keep you from getting seriously ill even if you do get COVID-19.
• Are the COVID-19 vaccines safe? COVID-19 vaccines are safe. Over 100 million people in the United States are fully vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccines have undergone the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history, and scientists are continuing to monitor their safety.
• Will the shot make me sick? Will I have side effects? You may have side effects after vaccination, but these are normal signs that your body is building protection. The most common side effects are pain, redness, and swelling in the arm where you got the shot, tiredness, headache, muscle pain, chills, fever, and nausea. If you have these side effects, they should go away within a few days. Serious safety problems are rare. But if you are concerned about them, we would be happy to talk to you or discuss this with your primary care Physician.

There are many places where you can get vaccinated, and it’s 100% free. You can

• Contact our facility to schedule a vaccination appointment for our next vaccination clinic date.
• Visit vaccines.gov or www.vacunas.gov to find vaccines near you.
• Text your zip code to 438829 (GETVAX) or 822862 (VACUNA), or call 1-800-232-0233 to find vaccine locations.
• Call your local pharmacy or visit your local health department website.

We have provided vaccination information for all three approved vaccinations by copying the link below and pasting either in a browser or a search engine (google):

Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Information | CDC
Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Information | CDC
Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine Information | CDC

Get Vaccinated

Find a COVID-19 vaccine near you.

Find a vaccine near you

Text your zip code to 438829

Call 1-800-232-0233