Category: Infectious Diseases
As Overall COVID-19 Hospital Numbers Shrink, Share of Black, Latino Patients Climbs to Near-Pandemic Highs
David Wohl, MD The percentages of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in the state who are Black and Latino remains near pandemic highs, a CBS17.com data analysis found. The overall daily hospitalization totals have plummeted over the past few months to their lowest levels in more than a year. But of those who are being admitted to hospitals, a higher share of them come from those two … Read more
Hightow-Weidman Earns Vaccine Hesitancy Grant
Lisa Hightow-Weidman, MD, MPH The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) recently awarded five research grants to address vaccine hesitancy, uptake, and implementation among populations who experience health disparities. A total of $14.5 million has been committed over five years for these five grants, subject to available funds. Over $3.67 million h … Read more
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Face It: NC Researchers Say COVID-19 Hasn’t Left, So It’s Best To Wear Masks. Still.
David Wohl, MD The government may no longer require North Carolinians to wear masks in public, but putting them on could help prevent thousands of coronavirus cases and deaths by the end of the year, reports the Greensboro News & Record. Research from three state universities have created a computer model that predicts coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths under vari … Read more
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Wohl Stresses Importance Of Vaccine as Delta COVID Variant Gains Steam
David Wohl, MD WRAL reports another COVID strain could soon become more prevalent in the United States. The Delta variant, first identified in India in October 2020, is now listed as a “Variant of Concern” by the World Health Organization. David Wohl, MD, professor of medicine in the division of infectious diseases, is among the experts who fear that could soon change, due to the … Read more
New Report Assesses COVID-19’s Trajectory and Implications For Medicare, Social Security
David Weber, MD, MPH What will happen with COVID-19 through 2022, and what does this mean for programs like Social Security and Medicare? A new report from the National Academy of Social Insurance provides a framework to connect the various factors affecting the pandemic’s trajectory and the outcomes that are impacting, and will continue to impact, social insurance programs, incl … Read more
Epidemiologists Share Concerns About the Mask Requirement Being Removed At the Arena, Specifically For Fans Who Are Unvaccinated
Emily Sickbert-Bennett, PhD, MS As restrictions continue to loosen in North Carolina, Emily Sickbert-Bennett, PhD, MS, associate professor of medicine in the division of infectious diseases, expressed concerns about removing the mask requirement at sports venues. Watch the news story on WRAL.
Department of Medicine Grants & Funding: May 1 – May 31, 2021
Division of Infectious Diseases Lisa Hightow-Weidman, MD, PhD, received an NIMHD grant award for “A multidimensional digital approach to address vaccine hesitancy and increase COVID-19 vaccine uptake among African American young adults in the South.” Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Michael Knowles, MD, received a grant award from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation fo … Read more
ID Fellowship Welcomes Alumni for Public Health Career Panel
“These people [UNC Faculty] have got your back!.” – Dr. Sancta St. Cyr The ID Fellowship program welcomed three distinguished alumni on Monday May 24th via zoom to present at the first Alumni Career Panel. This panel focused on Public Health, and featured Dr. James Lewis, Dr. Victoria Mobley, and Dr. Sancta St. Cyr. The three reflected on their time as ID Fellows at UNC, shared s … Read more
Sickbert-Bennett Discusses New CDC Guidelines For Masks
Emily Sickbert-Bennett, PhD, MS Emily Sickbert-Bennett, PhD, MS, associate professor in the division of infectious diseases, talked with NewsNation (WGN) about new CDC guidelines relaxing mask requirements and what the changes mean for the US. Under new CDC guidelines, fully vaccinated persons do not need to wear masks in indoor settings. Watch the news story. Sickbert-Bennett al … Read more
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Vaccine Providers Seek to Make Process Comfortable, Efficient For Teens and Families
David Wohl, MD Now that young teenagers are eligible for the COVID-19 shot, vaccine providers across the Triangle are working to make the vaccination process as easy as possible for families, reports WNCT-9 news. David Wohl, MD, professor of medicine in the division of infectious diseases, told WNCT that parents who aren’t yet vaccinated can often get their shots when their child … Read more
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How NC Dodged a Potential 4th Wave of Covid-19
David Wohl, MD New cases of COVID-19 in North Carolina have dropped by more than 35 percent during the past four weeks, a CBS17.com data analysis found. With Gov. Roy Cooper lifting all capacity and social distancing regulations along with most mask requirements, the trends have reversed four weeks after a 30 percent increase in new cases fueled concerns about a possible fourth w … Read more
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Local 12-Year-Old Gets COVID Vaccine For Birthday
David Wohl, MD A WRAL.com report says vaccine sites at Duke, UNC, CVS and Walgreens have seen excited kids showing up to get their COVID vaccine – including one kid who was eager to get the shot on his birthday. At the Friday Center, David Wohl, MD, professor of medicine in the division of infectious diseases, offered assurances to the parents of the young teen, explaining that t … Read more