COVID-19 Health and Wellness Information |
With the recent headlines about increased COVID-19 cases, this is a good time for all of us to refocus our efforts toward combatting the coronavirus. Thanks to vaccines, many people have started to resume pre-pandemic activities, but we cannot let down our guard yet.
Florida is seeing a surge in cases due to the Delta variant. However, it’s important to remember that the key to getting through this pandemic and back to normal has always been looking out for our community. We wear masks to keep each other safe, and now, we get vaccinated for the same reason.
With increased safety in mind, this week we took steps across all campuses to reduce the risk of spreading the virus. Starting this afternoon, we are no longer allowing single visitors to our inpatient hospital facilities to further protect our patients, visitors, and staff. Whenever possible, meetings should be held virtually. We revised our recommendations regarding the use of masks indoors (Coral Gables/Marine campuses and Medical Campus
) and we continue to encourage everyone to get vaccinated. Think of vaccines and masks as primary prevention and surveillance testing as secondary prevention with the common goal of getting rid of this virus. Here at UM we do both.
I am looking forward to seeing everyone in a few weeks, and even with the increase in COVID-19 cases, I am still confident. Last year, our ’Canes community proved that we took our personal responsibility seriously by adhering to campus and personal safety measures. I know we will step up to take care of each other once again.
If you are still not convinced to get a vaccine, write to me at CovidCMO@miami.edu and I will provide you with the information you need to know.
As always, I am here to answer any questions you may have.
Roy E. Weiss, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor of Medicine
Chair, Department of Medicine
Chief Medical Officer for COVID-19 |
THE DELTA VARIANTThe CDC announced this week that the 7-day average for new cases is up 52.5%, hospitalizations are up 32.2%, and daily deaths have increased 19.2%. They attribute these rises to the Delta variant, as it now makes up 83% of all new cases. The reason for the swift rise is because the Delta variant is one of the most contagious respiratory viruses we know of—about 225% more transmissible than the original strain. We are also seeing a shift to younger indivduals getting ill.
That’s why it is more important than ever to get vaccinated, even if you have had COVID-19 and already have antibodies for it. Those antibodies are not necessarily protective against variants, and there is no quantification for their efficacy.
While we are nowhere near the numbers that we saw during the winter months, the upward trajectory is troubling, particularly because it is preventable. The vaccines are extremely effective at preventing hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19 infection. In fact, according to CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky, more than 99% of recent COVID-19-related hospitalizations and deaths were among unvaccinated individuals.
BREAKTHROUGH CASES You have likely heard the term “breakthrough case” used to describe fully vaccinated people who have tested positive for COVID-19. There are reports of this occurring, but it is not unexpected. No vaccine is 100% effective. However, the COVID-19 vaccines are almost 100% effective at doing what they were created to do—protect people against severe illness and death. Those who are fully vaccinated, which means more than two weeks after receiving their final vaccine dose, generally experience very mild symptoms if they test positive for the virus.
MIXED HOUSEHOLDSThere are many of us who live with either immunocompromised people or children under 12 who cannot get vaccinated and who worry about their vulnerability to COVID-19. The first thing you can do to protect them is get vaccinated. In addition, make sure that children over the age of two wear masks in public spaces, stay 6 feet away from others, and practice good hand hygiene. If you live in an area that is seeing a surge or that has a low level of vaccination, you may also want to take the extra precaution of continuing to mask in public areas, and avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated indoor spaces.
TALK TO YOUR NEIGHBOR A study completed in March found that being part of a community and having strong social bonds had a significant impact on whether or not an individual chose to wear a mask. In fact, the research showed “the odds of wearing a mask increase by approximately 5% for each unit increase in the frequency of talking with neighbors and by 16% for each unit increase in the frequency of communicating with friends and family.”
I bet the same holds true for vaccination. So, make sure you talk to your neighbors and other people in your community. If you are looking for ways to get more involved or just for tips on how to strike up conversations, consider joining the HHS COVID-19 Community Corps and volunteer to help get more people vaccinated. The only way we will truly get past this pandemic—and any future pandemics—is by coming together. |
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We will share more health and wellness news in the next edition. |
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COVID-19 RESOURCES
Students, faculty, and staff on the Coral Gables and Marine campuses who are experiencing possible symptoms consistent with, or who have been potentially exposed to, COVID-19 should contact the University's COVID-19 hotline at 305-243-ONE-U, where UHealth physicians and providers are available to answer your questions and provide telemedicine services if needed.
Members of the Medical Campus should contact 305-243-8378.
For additional University of Miami COVID-19 information and resources, visit coronavirus.miami.edu.
If you are a student in distress or need counseling services, the Counseling Center provides mental health services through HIPAA-compliant teleconferencing platforms. Counselors are certified and available to help any time by calling 305-284-5511. Additional resources are also available by visiting counseling.studentaffairs.miami.edu.
If you are a faculty or staff members in need of support visit fsap.miami.edu. |
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