Category: Infectious Diseases
From Infertility to Magnetism, COVID-19 Vaccine Myths Abound
David Wohl, MD With vaccination rates dropping in North Carolina, medical experts are concerned that not enough people are protected from COVID-19. Currently, North Carolina sits at 54% of adults at least partially vaccinated, below the national average of 63%. David Wohl, MD, professor of medicine in the division of infectious diseases, explained to The News & Observer that … Read more
Vaccine Lottery and Boosting COVID Immunity
Credit: Spectrum News Governor Roy Cooper has instituted a vaccine lottery to help boost vaccination rates in the state. Spectrum News interviewed David Wohl, MD, professor of medicine in the division of infectious diseases, to get his perspective on the effectiveness of the lottery. Watch the Spectrum Interview here.
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Will We Need Boosters? What Will a Rollout Look Like? Wohl Answers Questions About the Next Round of Shots
David Wohl, MD With the COVID-19 vaccine rollout slowing down, many people are wondering if they will need to come back to a clinic for a booster shot. In a report from WBTW-News 13, David Wohl, MD, professor of medicine in the division of infectious diseases responded to questions about the possibility of booster shots. “We know that boosters shots are probably going to happen,” … Read more
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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