Thank you for taking the time to check in with your colleagues. The start of the traditional school year brings new challenges, and it can be especially hard to appreciate how each one of us may be struggling. The strength of this Department lies in our ability to continue to work together, to be flexible, to show respect toward each other, and together, solve what we can and make better what we touch. We thank you for all that you do.
DOM Community Support
To help us better support each other during the pandemic, the Department is launching a “DOM Community Support” Microsoft Teams site to share important information during a time when many are figuring out school, child care and coverage. Use a desktop/laptop/mobile device to access the site and post/read messages and resources related to non-work life, particularly childcare and education. The site is secure and restricted to UNC and UNCH employees only.
- Faculty, residents/fellows, and staff with a .unc.edu email address should simply click this link to join automatically.
- Residents/fellows with a .unchealth email address will soon receive an email with a link to access the site.
- Department of Medicine and HCS Staff with a .unchealth email address should please contact jennifer_layton@med.unc.edu to be added.
COVID-19 Updates
- Although there have been a number of COVID+ clusters on campus, we have not seen a spike in admissions. Over the last two weeks, we have averaged 15 ICU and 10 floor patients who are positive for the virus. Our teams continue to do amazing work caring for these patients and their families.
- Non COVID-related care is super busy. Despite staffing challenges, and simultaneously navigating virtual and in-person care, our clinics overall are seeing about 95% of the visit volume they did pre-COVID. Both the main campus and Hillsborough are operating at high occupancy levels.
Multi-Site Trials Developed By Moderna and NIH
- A Phase 3 clinical trial designed to evaluate if an investigational vaccine can prevent symptomatic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in adults has begun. The vaccine, known as mRNA-1273, was co-developed by the Cambridge, Massachusetts-based biotechnology company Moderna, Inc., and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health. The trial, which will be conducted at U.S. clinical research sites, including the UNC School of Medicine, is expected to enroll approximately 30,000 adult volunteers who do not have COVID-19.
Universal Pandemic Precautions
- PLEASE, PLEASE, wear eye protection and masks at all times when with patient, families, and co-workers in close proximity.
- Do not be afraid to ask patients to put their masks on when you enter the hospital or clinic exam room.
- Be particularly aware when removing masks to eat and drink, and keep safe distances.
Flu Shots
- Please get your flu shot early this year. Keep an eye out for flu shot clinics starting soon.