Category: Covid-19

Dear Tom,What is the coldest temperature ever recorded on the Earth?Milton Darrell, Champaign, Ill.Dear Milton,The Earth's lowest temperature was recorded at the Vostok station operated by Russia, -128.6 degrees, on July 21, 1983. That record stood until a new and colder reading was registered in the interior of Antarctica in August, 2010: -135.8 degrees. The reading was made by satellite and not by direct human measurement and so it will not be recorded as the Earth's lowest temperature. The reading of -135.8 degrees was determined at the bottom of a shallow depression six to nine feet lower than the prevailing ice surface said Ted Scambos, an ice scientist who made the announcement at an American Geophysical Union meeting in San Francisco recently.

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The effect of COVID-19 on air pollution - WGN-TV

Experts say that measures put in place to fend off the coronavirus mask wearing, social distancing and virtual schooling were a big factor in preventing a twindemic of flu and COVID-19. A push to get more people vaccinated against flu probably helped, too, as did fewer people traveling, they say.

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Amid COVID-19 pandemic, flu has disappeared in the US - WIS10

By: KDKA-TV News Staff

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) There are nearly 70 active cases of COVID-19 between inmates and staff at the Allegheny County Jail.

According to the county, 52 inmates have tested positive and so have 14 staff members.

The jail says that more than 300 employees have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and more than 200 have received both doses.

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COVID-19 In Pittsburgh: Nearly 70 Inmates And Staff At Allegheny County Jail Infected - CBS Pittsburgh

WASHINGTON (NewsNation Now) President JoeBidenand Vice President Kamala Harris took part in an event marking the 50 million COVID-19 vaccine shots given since they took office Thursday.

More than 66 million COVID-19 vaccine shots have been administered in the U.S. to date, according to the CDC, including 50 million since Biden and Harris entered the White House. Biden set an initial goal of 100 million doses in their first 100 days in office.

At first, critics said that goal was too ambitious, no one could do that, then they said it was too small, but the bottom line though is that America will be the first country, perhaps the only one to get that done, Biden said.

Biden said vaccinations are weeks ahead of schedule in regards to the 100 million goal, despite recent setbacks caused by winter storms across the country.

The story of this vaccination campaign is like the story of everything hard and new America does: some confusion and setbacks at the start, and then if we do the right things, we have the right plan to get things moving, Biden said.

Biden said the pace of vaccinations has increased from about six million doses a week to about 12 million doses a week since they took office.

Currently, nearly 60% of people over 75 have received at least one shot of a COVID-19 vaccine, Biden said, as well as 75% of people in long-term care facilities.

Biden said the current goal for vaccine manufacturers is to have enough doses for every adult American by the end of July.

Prior to the event, Biden and Harris also received a briefing from members of their COVID-19 team on virus response and the state of vaccinations.

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Biden, Harris mark 50 million COVID-19 vaccinations in the U.S. - WFLA

COVID-19s impact on front-line healthcare staff will unfold for years to come, but it appears to have already had an effect on physicians career plans, according to a new survey.

A surprisingly large percentage are considering leaving the practice of medicine entirely, planning to retire early, or leaving to work for another employer, based on a survey of 485physicians and administrators by Jackson Physician Search.

The financial realities of physician turnover are staggering. Recruitment costs can add up to $250,000 or more per physician, including sourcing, relocation, and sign-on bonus, according to the survey. Plus, lost revenue can easily exceed $1 million during a specialist vacancy.

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Of the physicians surveyed, 83% reported that their employer had no physician retention program in place. In contrast, 30% of administrators reported the same indicating a significant gap. Among administrators, about half (55%) claimed they had an informal, unwritten retention program, but it seems that physicians either arent aware of it or dont value a program that is esoteric.

RELATED:Physician compensation slides afterCOVID-19 slams practices, Kaufman Hall says

The survey outlines several tips for addressingphysician turnover andlong-term physician retention:

Physician retention begins at the time of recruitment:Research from Gallup clearly shows that organizations that foster a healthy workplace culture perform better and have fewer retention issues.Nearly half of administrators reported that their physician retention program starts during recruitment, giving them a solid opportunity to build an ongoing and mutually beneficial relationship with physicians. The first 180 days are critical: keep communication lines open and address concerns promptly. Other suggestions to begin retention prior to the start date include: matching the physician with an internal mentor, sending the hospital newsletter, and asking the CEO to send a welcome message.

One in three physicians receive no formal orientation: According to physicians, 29% received an individualized orientation program and another 39% received a general orientation. But, 32% received no formal orientation at all, which puts them at risk of struggling unnecessarily during the early months of employment. Customize the orientation program to the specific needs of the physician, and be sure to include a list of internal resources for accounting, billing, and credentialing.

Compensation and work-life balance are top benefits to retain doctors: Compensation tops the list as most beneficial in retaining physicians. Considering the high cost of a medical degree, this isnt surprising. The median medical school debt according to the Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) is $200,000. Providing opportunities to earn additional compensation to pay off that debt sooner can support long-term retention.After money, physicians rank work and life balance benefits in the form of additional time off and reduced call as most appreciated, and administrators concur. Whenphysicians were asked which of these benefits are currently offered by their employer, 40% of them said none.

RELATED:Nearly half physician's practices have had to lay off, furlough workers, MGMA survey finds

Address physician engagement: The survey highlighted that physician engagement dips to its lowest level for physicians within the first three to five years of servicearound the same time that many physicians seek a new position with another organization.With 69% of physicians being actively disengaged, turnover may be expected. Uncover what factors are contributing to low engagement, such as needing more autonomy in how they practice medicine, how patient care and facility operations could be improved and addressing toxicity in the workplace.

The impact of COVID-19:Thirty percent of administrators report losing physicians during the pandemic. Considering physicians responses, it appears a mass exit of talent is yet to come. Jackson Physician Search reports that since March 2020, job applications have risen by more than 30%. During the early months of COVID-19, the supply and demand of physicians teetered towards more of an employers market.

But now, bargaining power is shifting back to the physicians and will become more prominent in 2021, especially with the projected uptick in physician retirements.

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COVID-19 is exacerbating physician retention and burnout. Here are some tips to address it - FierceHealthcare

Most kids and teens cant get the COVID-19 vaccine. So why did Pa. send thousands of doses to pediatricians?  The Philadelphia Inquirer

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Most kids and teens cant get the COVID-19 vaccine. So why did Pa. send thousands of doses to pediatricians? - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Dear UD Community,

In recent days, there has been a rise in the number of COVID-19 cases among students in the University of Delaware community. With the start of the spring semester, many students understandably want to socialize and connect with friends, especially in the campus dining halls and off-campus gathering places. Unfortunately, such increased levels of social activity and contact promote transmission of the coronavirus, and we now must act swiftly to slow the spread in our community. Please note the following changes to campus operations:

Campus dining Beginning at 11 a.m. Thursday, February 25, and continuing until further notice, all campus dining hall meals and food court items will be provided only on a grab-and-go basis. In the Trabant and Perkins student centers, please use mobile ordering; occupancy of the centers will be reduced to 25% of capacity. Students may not congregate to share meals in an indoor space on campus, including residence hall common spaces. If physically distanced, students are welcome to congregate to eat outdoors.

Academics Currently, the University is not making changes to classes, labs or research facilities, though this may be necessary in the future if the number of positive cases on campus continues to rise.

Residence halls No guests are permitted in all UD residence halls, and students must adhere to capacity guidelines posted in residence hall public spaces and lounges.

Off-campus student living Off-campus students are encouraged to undergo testing weekly (see below for more details). We encourage all off-campus students to not mingle outside of their household units and to use takeout when dining at local restaurants.

Campus events All campus events should be held virtually; those that continue in person will be capped at 10 people.

Carpenter Sports Building (Little Bob) Occupancy will be reduced to 25% of building capacity. Please note that appointments continue to be required to use the facility. In addition, recreation programming will be adjusted accordingly.

Athletics UD continues to operate in accordance with guidance from the state of Delaware and protocols established by the NCAA and Colonial Athletic Association (CAA). At this time, fans of all UD sports are not permitted to attend competitions.

Employee work arrangements Faculty and staff should continue their current working situation, whether that is on campus or remotely. Any questions should be directed to your supervisor.

COVID testing on campus Students living on campus are required to participate in UDs COVID testing program every week. On-campus students receive a weekly email from RLH COVID Testing, where they can access a link to make reservations at the UD testing sites in Harker ISE Lab or Clayton Hall. Testing is by appointment only. No walk-ups will be permitted.

Also, Student Health Services is randomly selecting and requiring off-campus students to test at UD testing centers (Harker ISE Lab or Clayton Hall). Students will be notified by email about how to schedule their test. Off-campus students who are not feeling well should contact Student Health Services to speak to a nurse regarding their plan of care.

COVID testing off campus Off-campus students are encouraged to be tested weekly. For students living off campus or for faculty and staff, there are many convenient options available from the state of Delaware and New Castle County, with results available quickly:

If you have test results available, please submit them to the University to help adequately monitor the health of our community. Students should submit results to Student Health Services and select "Medical Clearances, then the Update button next to COVID-19. Faculty and staff should submit results to UD Human Resources.

Additionally, on a random basis, the Human Resources Office is selecting staff who are working on campus to test at the UD testing Centers, and they also are notified by email. Anyone selected for on-campus testing must schedule an appointment as no walk-ups are permitted.

All UD students, faculty and staff are reminded to continue practicing safe behaviors, including wearing face coverings and maintaining physical distance from others. Minimize gatherings with people outside your household; remember that the City of Newark limits gatherings at private residences to 10 people indoors and 20 outdoors. We strongly encourage all members of the UD community to install and enable the COVID Alert DE smartphone app, which aids in contact tracing.

When health and safety conditions improve, we will lift the latest restrictions and return to the campus safety guidelines that have been in place since the start of the semester.

If the number of cases continues to rise, however, the University will unfortunately need to implement additional restrictions to ensure the health and safety of our community. These may include temporarily moving all classes online, requiring all on-campus students to remain in residence halls for all but essential activities, prohibiting all off-campus students from coming on campus and suspending athletic activities. It is essential that all members of the UD community work together to protect the flock by adhering to all noted COVID-19 health and safety protocols; any violation of such will be handled by the UD Office of Student Conduct immediately.

Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to ensuring a safe and healthy experience for all members of the UD community.

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New measures in place to slow the spread of COVID-19 | UDaily - UDaily

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WNCN) A University of North Carolina study is trying to determine whether mouthwash could help slow the spread of COVID-19.

Before the pandemic, swishing some mouthwash before heading out was probably about good hygiene and good manners. Now researchers want to know if it can protect people from more than bad breath.

Dr. Laura Jacox and Dr. Jennifer Webster-Cyriaque are researching whether mouthwash can kill the coronavirus in the mouths of people who have it and whether it can prevent them from spreading it to other people. The study is taking place at the UNC Adams School of Dentistry.

Some dentists already have patients use mouthwash before cleanings or procedures in hopes that it will help.

We dont know if the rinses we are using are effective at killing the virus right now, Jacox said.

Various types of mouthwash have been tested against the virus in a lab setting.

Quite a few laboratory studies have demonstrated that these viruses can be targeted and taken down by these mouth rinses. However, people are not Petri dishes, Webster-Cyriaque said.

The researchers are studying commercially available rinses with various ingredients to see which ones, if any, kill the virus in the mouths of people recently diagnosed with COVID-19.

This trial will tell us not only does the mouth rinse work, (but also) if it works, how long it works, Cyriaque said, adding that the study also seeks to answer whether the virus remains infectious after using mouthwash, if it can continue to replicate, and if whats coming out can infect someone else.

It wont replace masks or social distancing. But, if it works, the researchers said it could offer an extra layer of protection in addition to existing guidelines. It could also have implications for when people remove their masks to eat.

I think it will be a game-changer for social situations, Jacox said. Having this as a way to know, OK, youll be safe for 15 minutes or 30 minutes, or maybe an hour, that could really change how we interact with people when masks do need to come off.

If youre age 18-65, and youve been diagnosed with COVID-19 or started experiencing symptoms within the past week, you can participate in the study. It takes place at the UNC Adams School of Dentistry and takes about an hour and a half. You will receive a Visa gift card. To enroll, call or text (984) 363-6243 or email gohealthcenter@unc.edu.

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Can mouthwash prevent the spread of COVID-19? UNC researchers want to find out - WAVY.com

We are pleased to introduce our new COVID-19 Vaccination Web Portal. This is a multi-step process that adds you to our waitlist and helps you pre-register to save time when getting your vaccine. Currently, we are vaccinating people 65 or older, first responders, and those in the medical community.

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COVID-19 Information | Nash County, NC - Official Website

The World Health Organization (WHO) and Chubb Limited (NYSE: CB), through ESIS Inc., a Chubb company, signed an agreement on behalf of the COVAX Facility on 17 February 2021 for the administration of a no-fault compensation programme for the 92 low- and middle-income countries and economies eligible for support via the Gavi COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC) of the COVAX Facility.

As the first and only vaccine injury compensation mechanism operating on an international scale, the programme will offer eligible individuals in AMC-eligible countries and economies a fast, fair, robust and transparent process to receive compensation for rare but serious adverse events associated with COVAX-distributed vaccines until 30 June 2022.

By providing a no-fault lump-sum compensation in full and final settlement of any claims, the COVAX programme aims to significantly reduce the need for recourse to the law courts, a potentially lengthy and costly process.

ESIS, as the independent administrator of the programme, was selected in accordance with WHOs procurement rules and procedures, and charges no fees to applicants.

All vaccines procured or distributed through the COVAX Facility receive regulatory approval or an emergency use authorization to confirm their safety and efficacy.

But, as with all medicines, even vaccines that are approved for general use may, in rare cases, cause serious adverse reactions.

The unprecedented nature of the COVID-19 pandemic has been matched by the largest ever rollout of new vaccines under the ACT-Accelerator and its vaccines pillar, COVAX. This no-fault compensation mechanism helps to ensure that people in AMC-eligible countries and economies can benefit fromthe cutting-edge science that has delivered COVID-19 vaccines in record time, said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. We are pleased to be collaborating with Chubb, which has the capabilities to support the COVAX facility through its global network and claims handling ability. WHOs agreement with Chubb offers further protection and confidence in the life-saving power of vaccines.

The No-Fault Compensation fund is a massive boost for COVAXs goal of equitable global access to vaccines: by providing a robust, transparent and independent mechanism to settle serious adverse events it helps those in countries who might have such effects, manufacturers to roll out vaccines to countries faster, and is a key benefit for lower-income governments procuring vaccines through the Gavi COVAX AMC, said Dr Seth Berkley, CEO of Gavi.

The COVAX no-fault compensation programme will be operationalized through its web portal (www.covaxclaims.com) by 31 March 2021, which will include resources such as the programmes protocol, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and information on how to submit an application.

Eligible individuals may apply for compensation under the programme once the portal becomes operational, even if a COVAX-distributed vaccine is administered to them before 31 March 2021.

The programme is financed initially through Gavi COVAX AMC donor funding, calculated as a levy charged on all doses of COVID-19 vaccines distributed through the COVAX Facility to the AMC eligible economies until 30 June 2022.

WHO is working with Chubb to secure insurance coverage for the programme with Chubb as lead insurer.

Chubb is proud and honoured to work with the World Health Organization and its partners on the critically important COVAX programme, said Evan G. Greenberg, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Chubb. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating effect on people and economies around the globe, and the development and deployment of efficacious vaccines is a crucial step toward ending this crisis. However, a vaccination strategy is only as effective as the number of people it reaches, which is why the COVAX facility is so critical. Access to the protection offered by a vaccine should not be limited or restricted. All countries, regardless of income levels, should have equal access to these life-saving vaccines.

The delivery of COVID-19 vaccines during 2021 will be the fastest and largest global deployment of novel vaccines in history. The COVAX Facility aims, by the end of 2021, to deliver at least 2 billion doses of safe, effective and quality-assured vaccines to all participating countries, including at least 1.3 billion doses to the 92 AMC-eligible countries and economies, at the same time as wealthier nations.

***

The Gavi-administered COVAX Facility forms a key part of the COVAX pillar (COVAX) of the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator, a ground-breaking global collaboration to accelerate the development, production, and equitable access to COVID-19 tests, treatments, and vaccines. COVAX is co-led by Gavi, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and WHO, working in partnership with developed and developing country vaccine manufacturers.

The World Health Organization provides global leadership in public health within the United Nations system. Founded in 1948, WHO works with194 Member States, across six regions and from149offices,to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable. Our goal for 2019-2023 is to ensure that a billion more people have universal health coverage, to protect a billion more people from health emergencies, and provide a further billion people with better health and wellbeing.

For updates on COVID-19 and public health advice, visitwww.who.intand follow WHO on Twitter,Facebook,Instagram,LinkedIn,TikTok,Pinterest, Snapchat,YouTube,Twitch

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance is a public-private partnership that helps vaccinate half the worlds children against some of the worlds deadliest diseases. Since its inception in 2000, Gavi has helped to immunise a whole generation over 822 million children and prevented more than 14 million deaths, helping to halve child mortality in 73 developing countries. Gavi also plays a key role in improving global health security by supporting health systems as well as funding global stockpiles for Ebola, cholera, meningitis and yellow fever vaccines. After two decades of progress, Gavi is now focused on protecting the next generation and reaching the unvaccinated children still being left behind, employing innovative finance and the latest technology from drones to biometrics to save millions more lives, prevent outbreaks before they can spread and help countries on the road to self-sufficiency. Learn more at http://www.gavi.org and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.

The Vaccine Alliance brings together developing country and donor governments, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the World Bank, the vaccine industry, technical agencies, civil society, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and other private sector partners. View the full list of donor governments and other leading organizations that fund Gavis work here.

Chubb is the world's largest publicly traded property and casualty insurance company. With operations in 54 countries and territories, Chubb provides commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, personal accident and supplemental health insurance, reinsurance and life insurance to a diverse group of clients. As an underwriting company, we assess, assume and manage risk with insight and discipline. We service and pay our claims fairly and promptly. The company is also defined by its extensive product and service offerings, broad distribution capabilities, exceptional financial strength and local operations globally. Parent company Chubb Limited is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CB) and is a component of the S&P 500 index. Chubb maintains executive offices in Zurich, New York, London, Paris and other locations, and employs approximately 31,000 people worldwide. Additional information can be found at: http://www.chubb.com .

ESIS, Inc. provides claim and risk management services to a wide variety of commercial clients. Our innovative best-in-class approach to program design, integration, and achievement of results aligns with the needs and expectations of our clients' unique risk management needs. With more than 66 years of experience and offerings in both the U.S. and globally, ESIS provides one of the industry's broadest selections of risk management solutions covering both pre- and post-loss services.

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No-fault compensation programme for COVID-19 vaccines is a world first - World Health Organization