COVID-19 Health and Wellness Information |
It has been a challenging month with cases and hospitalizations rising steeply, but it does appear that the situation should improve soon. Our models predict that the current omicron wave will peak in our region in the next week or so. Everyone wearing masks and getting boosters will help to ensure that does happen, so please keep up the excellent work.
We held two town halls recently, one for the Medical Campus and another for the Coral Gables and Marine campuses. I was pleased to speak at both and share the latest updates on the pandemic and answer your questions. There was a lot of helpful information from University leaders so I encourage you to watch the recordings if you were not able to attend.
The spring semester starts Tuesday, Jan. 18, however, to help limit the spread of COVID-19, students will attend classes remotely until Jan. 31. I wish you all a great start to the semester and look forward to seeing everyone on campus soon. This weekend is a holiday weekend as we celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Please stay safe and consider using the time to be of service. As Dr. King said in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1957, "Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”
I offer some food for thought in this newsletter.
Roy E. Weiss, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor of Medicine
Chair, Department of Medicine
Chief Medical Officer for COVID-19 |
THERAPEUTICSWhile you may be hearing a lot of bad news about omicron, there are also positive developments in COVID-19 therapeutics. Just in December, several new treatments were authorized by the FDA. Please contact your doctor to determine if any of these therapies are right for you. Here’s an overview of what’s available:
Monoclonal antibodies: They are manufactured proteins that augment the body’s own antibodies. While not a substitute for a vaccine, they can provide some additional protection to enhance the antibody response. Sotrovimab appears to be effective against omicron and it was only approved under Emergency Use Authorization for patients who meet high-risk criteria. The treatment, which blocks the SARS-CoV-2 virus from attaching to host cells, is administered by IV within 10 days of symptom onset. Unfortunately, there is a limited supply, and it takes a long time to manufacture.
Evusheld is another monoclonal antibody preparation and the only authorized treatment given to high-risk patients as a preventative, before infection. It is prescribed to high-risk individuals who are severely immunocompromised, such as transplant and cancer patients. Evusheld is two monoclonal antibodies administered in two shots given in the muscle and may prevent infection from exposure to the virus for up to six months.
Oral anti-viral medications: This class of medication is used to attenuate the replication of the virus once a person has become infected. Molnupiravir is an antiviral developed by Merck, which works by causing the virus to replicate with mutations that lead to the virus’ inability to survive. The oral medication must be taken within five days of symptom onset to be effective but has been shown to reduce hospitalizations and deaths by 30 percent. The treatment takes five days to complete.
The antiviral Paxlovid, developed by Pfizer, is slightly different in the way it works. It is two pills for each dose for five days. The main antiviral pill halts viral replication, and a second pill in the treatment is a drug that protects the first from being broken down by the liver. The pills must be taken within five days of symptom onset, and data from the trial showed that it reduces hospitalizations and deaths by 88 percent.
Although we have these new tools to prevent COVID-19 severe illness, the most effective prevention strategy is to get vaccinated and boosted.
OMICRON UPDATEThe data from South Africa, England, and even locally demonstrate that omicron is less severe than the delta variant. For example, a report released at the end of December by the UK Health Security Agency stated that people infected with omicron were about half as likely to be hospitalized as those infected with delta. One reason for this is that it appears to be more able to infect the cells in the throat and nose than cells in the lungs. However, this may also be linked to omicron’s rapid spread. So, even though people are less likely to be hospitalized, so many more people are being infected that it quickly takes up room in the hospitals.
KEEPING OTHERS SAFEI trust and hope that most who read this newsletter are vaccinated and boosted. This will keep more than 90 percent of you out of the hospital. However, you may get infected and be contagious, and some in the community are not vaccinated. There are steps you can take. To ensure that we limit the spread of the infection and eventual strain on our health care system, we ask that people avoid eating inside with others in congregate settings. Eat in your car, or eat outside in a park. We are lucky to live in South Florida where al fresco dining is pleasant this time of year. While we’re at it, another reminder to avoid indoor events and even crowded outdoor events.
NATURAL IMMUNITY There is a lot of debate regarding vaccination vs. natural immunity, with many questioning why they need to get a booster or vaccine if they have already had COVID-19. The reason is that infection alone provides only varying levels of immunity for a very limited time. In contrast, vaccines offer far more robust and measurable protection that lasts longer. For example, a study cited by the CDC stated that, “Protection from infection-acquired immunity showed evidence of waning in unvaccinated follow-up but remained consistently over 90% in those who received two doses of vaccine, even in those infected over 15-months ago.”
A DAY OF SERVICE As mentioned in the opening message, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is celebrated all around the country through performing acts of service to honor Dr. King’s call for everyone to do more for others. There are “virtual days of service” like those offered by Hands-On Miami so that you can volunteer safely. However, another way to be of service to the community is to get vaccinated, wear a mask, and try to convince as many people as possible to do the same. In this way, you protect each family member, friend, stranger, patient, and person. |
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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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