COViD-19 LOCAL SITUATION SUMMARY
Here is the latest update from area hospitals, assisted living facilities and nursing homes as of June 14, 2020:
LINKS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CORONAVIRUS:
CDC Corona Virus Prevention Page
New Study Shows Danger of Superspreader Events
A Superspreader event is one where a single infected person infects a large number of others. According to a new study coming out of Hong Kong, this is the No.1 means by which Coronavirus infection is spread. The study demonstrated that 20% of the cases studied passed the infection on the the other 80%.
The researchers also discovered the following:
70% of all infected patients did not pass on the infection to anyone else.
All the superspreader events, where most patients were infected, involved indoor social gatherings.
“Superspreading events are happening more than we expected,” said Ben Cowling, one of the study’s co-authors. “More than what could be explained by chance. The frequency of superspreading is beyond what we could have imagined.” He went on to point out that if government restrictions succeeded in stopping such superspreader events, it would benefit more people than any other method being tried.
Some examples of how superspreader events have crearted clusters of Coronavirus infections that popped up almost overnight:
A South Korean church attendee infected 43 others in February. A singer at a choir practice in Washington state in March infected 53 people, and a New York lawyer was responsible for passing on the Coronavirus to more than 100 people at a community get-together.
The researchers examined more than 1000 Coronavirus cases from January through April, 2020. More than half were connected to only six superspreading events.
Coronavirus typically carries an R0 (pronounced: R-naught) value of 2.5. That means on the average, an infected patient is likely to infect between 2 and 3 other people. But the R0 value of attendees at a superspreader event is three to four times as great. These events included a wedding, a temple observance, and large gatherings in Hong Kong’s nightclub district.
Eight out of ten of the patients studied became infected at one such event. The others were infected by coming into contact with a patient in a one-on-one or small group or family setting.
These recent findings are supported by past studies in other countries that encountered similar results (20% of the patients spreading 80% of the infections) during previous pandemics.
All of this research points to the fact tha superspreading events happen in crowded indoor areas and share a few key characteristics: They involved indoor gatherings in which a lot of people from different households were in close, extended contact.
For example, a superspreader event in Arkansas involved a pastor and his wife who attended church events and a Bible study group a few days before they developed coronavirus symptoms. Of the 92 people they came into contact with, 35 got sick. Seven had to be hospitalized. Three died.
Going forward, the researchers believe that other countries could benefit from instituting rules that target the source of most transmissions, rather than issuing blanket shelter-in-place orders.
“Anything outdoors is fine. I’m less concerned about protests,” said Cowling, adding that restaurants and bars could also probably operate at 50% capacity, with empty tables between diners. He pointed to Japan as a country that has had success in combatting Coronavirus outbreaks by adherence to the “3 C’s Rule.” Avoid Closed spaces, Crowded places, and Close-contact settings—all of which are ripe for superspreading events.
Source: Business Insider. June 5, 2020
Metformin Recall Announced by FDA
The Food and Drug Administration has called for a voluntary recall of Extended Release Metformin. Tests have revealed that it contains excessive levels of NDMA, a potential carcinogenic.
Metformin is the world’s most commonly used prescription drug used to treat Type 2 Diabetes. Long-term xposure to NDMA at above-acceptable levels has been shown to be harmful.
Among the five manufacturers of this medication is the Apotex Corporation which produces 500 mg. metformin hydrochloride extended release tablets.
To be clear, this recall does not apply to immediate-release types of metformin. The immediate-release variety is much more commonly prescribed than the extended-release.
Similar voluntary recalls have taken place over the past few years when NDMA was found to be present in hypertension and heartburn medications.
The FDA says it is working closely with manufacturers of the recalled tablets to identify the source of the NDMA impurity and ensure appropriate testing is carried out.
“Now that we have identified some metformin products that do not meet our standards, we’re taking action. As we have been doing since this impurity was first identified, we will communicate as new scientific information becomes available and will take further action, if appropriate,” said Patrizia Cavazzoni, MD, acting director of the FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.
The FDA pointed out that there are other manufacturers of this medication whose products have been found not to contain any NDMA and should be considered safe for use.
If you, or someone in your family, is currently taking Metformin Hydrochloride Extended Release tablets, please contact our office to determine if you should discontinue use or switch medications.
SOURCE: Disclosures website. May 29, 2020.
Promising News for Osteoporosis Patients
Osteoporosis is a global public health problem that affects almost 200 million people worldwide. Erectile dysfunction is the most common male sexual dysfunction in the aging population, with more than 70% of men over the age of 70 suffering from this. Yet these two seemingly unrelated conditions share a very important molecular pathway. PDE5A inhibitors refer to two types of widely and safely used drugs for erectile dysfunction (tadalafil and vardenafil). New research shows that both drugs act in the formation of new bone and reduced removal of old bone. Due to this, the drugs could potentially be utilized for co-treating erectile dysfunction and osteoporosis in men of advancing ages, as well as for treating osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.
In this remarkable study, Both drugs enhanced osteoblastic activity (bone formation) and significantly increased bone mineral density in mice. Overall, the effect from tadalafil and vardenafil resulted in a net bone gain.
According to Dr. Zaidi, at Mt. Sinai Research Center, where the study was conducted: “…a common class of FDA-approved medications that have a proven safety record for erectile dysfunction for men and pulmonary hypertension for both women and men can be repurposed for osteoporosis treatment.”
Repurposing of medications already approved by the FDA means the patients seeking treatment for osteoporosis will be able to obtain these medications much sooner than otherwise.
SOURCE: Mount Sinai Health System, June 4, 2020
Connection Found Between Increased Serotonin Levels and Obesity
Australian researchers at Flinders University have shown that levels of EC (enterochromaffin) cells, which produce serotonin in the gut, are elevated among obese and diabetic patients. But despite the known metabolic roles of gut-derived serotonin, the underlying causes of increased serotonin with obesity and diabetes remains unknown.
Serotonin is a chemical produced by nerve cells. It is used by the body to send signals between your nerve cells. Serotonin is found mostly in the digestive system, although it’s also in blood platelets and throughout the central nervous system. Serotonin is made from the essential amino acid tryptophan.
“We’ve already shown that EC cells have the ability to sense and release serotonin in response to select nutrients under healthy conditions, says Dr. Alyce Martin, part of the research team. “Now we have shown that nutrient sensing by these cells, as well as the number of cells present, is impacted by diet in obese and diabetic patients.”
The study was conducted on mice and found that diet plays a major role in regulating EC cell-produced seratonin in the small and large intestine. Last year, the same research team demonstrated how gut bacteria communicates with EC cells to impact metabolism among healthy patients. The findings from these two studies have direct implications in the treatment of such metabolic disorders as obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Source: MedicalXpress Breaking News-and-Events; June 5, 2020
Thinking of a Caribbean Getawy? Here are the islands with the fewest cases of Coronavirus.
As we all know, travel was abruptly put on hold earlier this year, but recent signs of re-openings and lifting of restrictions have given sun chasers everywhere a ray of hope that the dream of lounging on a white sandy beach while looking out at shimmering turquoise water may not be too far off.
Specifically, the Caribbean islands have laid out their plans for a “new normal” among locals and are cautiously welcoming back visitors. Here is a list of some of those getaway spots with the fewest reported cases of COVID-19:
Anguilla
Number of cases: 3
The British overseas territory has closed its airport and ports until at least June 30. For locals, however, restrictions started to lift on April 30, allowing up to 25 people to gather while practicing social distancing. The island, which has been named the best in the Caribbean by Travel + Leisure readers several years in a row, is known for its scenic hiking, sea turtles, and bird life.
The British Virgin Islands
Number of cases: 8
The British overseas territory will reopen its borders in June for returning residents and citizens who will each be subject to a 14-day quarantine, according to the Government of the Virgin Islands. The islands have a nightly curfew, according to the UK government. Beaches, however, are open from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Curaçao
Number of cases: 20
The Curaçao International Airport is closed to arriving passengers, according to The Curaçao Tourist Board. Additionally, while Curaçao, a territory of the Netherlands, has lifted its “Shelter in Place” order, the island still has a nightly curfew. Restaurants have reopened for dine-in, but groups larger than 25 people are not allowed.
Dominica
Number of cases: 18
Dominica has closed its borders to commercial and private flights or boats, according to the U.S. Embassy in Barbados. The country also has a curfew in place at night.
Grenada
Number of cases: 23
Grenada is looking at June 30 as a possible date for re-opening its borders, according to its prime minister. In order to do so, he said procedures have to be in place, including ensuring hotels have sanitation protocols. Charter flights, however, may resume earlier than that. Grenada remains under a state of emergency, according to NOW Grenada, but beaches are accessible during morning hours.
St. Kitts and Nevis
Number of cases: 15
The border of Saint Kitts and Nevis is currently closed to international travel, according to the Prime Minister. Additionally, the island has a nightly curfew and while residents can check out the beach, they have to do so during early morning weekday hours only, according to the U.S. Embassy in Barbados. Face masks are required in public areas.
St. Maarten
Number of cases: 77
The Dutch territory is currently closed to tourism and is “very much dependent on the health situation of other countries COVID-19 to be under control before we can feel comfortable opening our borders to the world and traveling Public,” according to the Prime Minister. On May 11, St. Maarten lifted its “shelter-in-place” order, according to the U.S. Consulate General in Curacao, but a nightly curfew remains in effect.
Brighten Your Stay-at-Home Days by Becoming a Virtual Visitor of the World’s Greatest Museums
We have all been challenged by being stuck at home during this pandemic. In terms of entertainment, it means you’re in for a lot of boredom, a lot of Netflix, and a lot of browsing the Internet.
But there is a way to get a little culture and education while you’re confined to your home. According to Fast Company, Google Arts & Culture teamed up with over 2500 museums and galleries around the world to bring anyone and everyone virtual tours and online exhibits of some of the most famous museums around the world.
Now, you get to “go to the museum” and never have to leave your couch. Take a look at just some of Google’s top museums that are offering online tours and exhibits. Now you can even go “outside” with incredible virtual tours of some of America’s best national parks. Here are some of the best museum tours:
British Museum, London
This iconic museum located in the heart of London allows virtual visitors to tour the Great Court and discover the ancient Rosetta Stone and Egyptian mummies. You can also find hundreds of artifacts on the museum’s virtual tour.
Guggenheim Museum, New York
Google’s Street View feature lets visitors tour the Guggenheim’s famous spiral staircase without ever leaving home. From there, you can discover incredible works of art from the Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, Modern and Contemporary eras.
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
This famous American art museum features two online exhibits through Google. The first is an exhibit of American fashion from 1740 to 1895, including many renderings of clothes from the colonial and Revolutionary eras. The second is a collection of works from Dutch Baroque painter Johannes Vermeer.
Musée d’Orsay, Paris
You can virtually walk through this popular gallery that houses dozens of famous works from French artists who worked and lived between 1848 and 1914. Get a peek at artworks from Monet, Cézanne, and Gauguin, among others.
National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul
One of Korea’s popular museums can be accessed from anywhere around the world. Google’s virtual tour takes you through six floors of Contemporary art from Korea and all over the globe.
Pergamon Museum, Berlin
As one of Germany’s largest museums, Pergamon has a lot to offer – even if you can’t physically be there. This historical museum is home to plenty of ancient artifacts including the Ishtar Gate of Babylon and, of course, the Pergamon Altar.
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
Explore the masterworks from the Dutch Golden Age, including works from Vermeer and Rembrandt. Google offers a Street View tour of this iconic museum, so you can feel as if you’re actually wandering its halls.
Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam
Anyone who is a fan of this tragic, ingenious painter can see his works up close (or, almost up close) by virtually visiting this museum – the largest collection of artworks by Vincent van Gogh, including over 200 paintings, 500 drawings, and over 750 personal letters.
The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles
European artworks from as far back as the 8th Century can be found in this California art museum. Take a Street View tour to discover a huge collection of paintings, drawings, sculptures, manuscripts, and photographs.
Uffizi Gallery, Florence
This less well-known gallery houses the art collection of one of Florence, Italy’s most famous families, the de’Medicis. The building was designed by Giorgio Vasari in 1560 specifically for Cosimo I de’Medici, but anyone can wander its halls from anywhere in the world.
MASP, São Paulo
The Museu de Arte de São Paulo is a non-profit and Brazil’s first modern museum. Artworks placed on clear perspex frames make it seem like the artwork is hovering in midair. Take a virtual tour to experience the wondrous display for yourself.
TWO MORE HEALTHY STAY-AT-HOME RECIPES
Even though you’re staying at home, you don’t need to get stuck in a cooking rut! Switch it up by trying out these creative and healthy meal ideas.
Teriyaki Glazed Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast halves, cut into strips
- 3 tablespoons canola oil, divided
- 4 medium carrots, julienned
- 1 medium sweet onion, julienned
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- Hot cooked rice
- Sesame seeds, toasted, optional
- Sliced green onions, optional
Directions
- In a large skillet or wok, stir-fry chicken in 2 tablespoons oil until no longer pink, 6-8 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
In the same skillet, stir-fry carrots in remaining oil for 2 minutes. Add onion; stir-fry until vegetables are tender, 2-4 minutes longer.
Combine soy sauce and brown sugar; add to skillet. Bring to a boil. Return chicken to skillet. Boil until sauce is slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Serve with rice. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions if desired.
Health tip
A simple swap to reduced-sodium soy sauce will decrease sodium to about 1,200 milligrams per serving, but that’s still high. To cut even more, replace some of the soy sauce with water or reduced-sodium broth.
Nutrition Facts
1 serving: 324 calories, 13g fat (2g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 1922mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (20g sugars, 3g fiber), 28g protein.
Creamy Curried Chicken
The key to this curry chicken is getting complex flavors without a heavy feel. For the veggies, use colorful pea pods, sweet red peppers and water chestnuts.
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-1/2-inch pieces
- 1-1/3 cups light coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons red curry paste
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 package (16 ounces) frozen stir-fry vegetable blend
- 3 cups hot cooked brown rice
Directions
- Preheat oven to 425°. Place chicken in a greased 8-in. square baking dish. In a small bowl, mix coconut milk, curry paste and salt; pour over chicken.
Bake, covered, 18-22 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink. Meanwhile, cook vegetables according to package directions; drain. Serve chicken with rice and vegetables.
Nutrition Facts
1 cup chicken with 3/4 cup rice and 3/4 cup vegetables: 511 calories, 14g fat (6g saturated fat), 94mg cholesterol, 606mg sodium, 51g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 5g fiber), 41g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 5 lean meat, 3 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 fat.
Source: Taste of Home website. www.tasteofhome.com