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BUNCOMBE COUNTY, NC – April 4, 2023 – Buncombe County (BC) and the Buncombe County Commissioners recognize National Public Health Week from April 3-9. This year’s theme is “Centering and Celebrating Cultures in Health.” Cultures shape health. Communities are important for education and are built by its members. The BC Department of Public Health improves the health and wellbeing of everyone in the community. The Department protects, prevents and promotes community health. Some of the programs include food and environmental safety, ending health disparities, the COVID-19 pandemic response, clinical services, immunizations, sexually transmitted infections, and working with community partners for health promotion.

The Commissioners released a statement, “Public Health professionals help communities prevent, prepare for, mitigate, and recover from the impact of health threats including disease outbreaks (such as the COVID-19 pandemic), natural disasters, and disasters caused by human activity.”

The social determinants of health have a large impact on individual health and population health. These are community characteristics like education, income, housing, transportation, racism, discrimination, violence, access to nutritious food, water & air quality, and language & literacy skills. Contributors to protecting public health include first responders, social workers, scientists and researchers, and physicians and nurses.

The new Buncombe County Public Health Director is Dr Ellis Matheson. She has been the Director of Nursing and Clinical Services Coordinator for BCHHS since 2014. Prior to this, she has been a public health nurse with Henderson and Buncombe Counties since 2000. The Director of Public Health enforces public health laws, oversees the Department’s operations, and organizes efforts to promote public health.

BCHHS Director Stoney Blevins said, “Dr. Matheson has been a steady, robust leader in the agency and our region for many years. We are very fortunate to have this happy transition occur within our own ranks. I truly look forward to the continued growth and contributions of this organization under her leadership.”

 

Listen to the full report below:

 

 

Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]

More Posts for Show: Asheville FM News Hour

 

ASHEVILLE, NC – April 12, 2023 – The CDC reports that the community level for Buncombe County remains at a low level for the week ending April 3^rd. Every county in North Carolina has been low for the past 3 weeks. About 96% of the counties in the U.S. are at a low level with less than 1% at a high level.

The CDC reports that the community transmission level for Buncombe County is down to a moderate level for the week ending April 2^nd. Most counties in North Carolina are at a moderate level. More than 25% of the counties in the U.S. are at a high level with about 15% at a low level.

The Buncombe County COVID-19 metrics are on the North Carolina COVID Dashboard. Data from the week ending on April 1^st indicate:

• Last week’s total cases are down by 15 (17%) from the previous week
• 68% of the total population have received their initial vaccination series.
• 33% of people with their initial vaccination series have had the updated booster.
• The seven-day daily average of COVID-19 hospitalizations has decreased by 5 (30%) and of ICU patients has increased by 2 from last week.

An updated COVID-19 booster is now available for eligible persons 6 months and older. It is more effective at protecting against severe illness and death from the new variants.

The Department of Health and Human Services recommends:

• Stay up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccines and the updated booster.
• People with any COVID symptoms should get tested
• People who are positive for COVID-19 or do not feel well should stay home

For a county at a low community level, like Buncombe County, the CDC recommends:

• If you are at high risk for getting sick, wear a high-quality mask in a public indoors space.
• If you plan on being with someone at high risk for getting sick, consider self-testing for COVID-19 infection and wear a high-quality mask when indoors with them.

 

Listen to the full report below:

 

 

Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]

More Posts for Show: Asheville FM News Hour

 

ASHEVILLE, NC  – April 5, 2023 – I’ve been isolating at home since my COVID symptoms officially began on March 20^th. Day 1 of isolation started the following day, the first full day after the symptoms began. I was too sick to get out of bed for 2 days, Day 1 & 2 of isolation. I began a 5-day course of treatment with Paxlovid on Day 1. Paxlovid is for the early-stage treatment of mild to moderate disease in at-risk persons. It has been proven effective at reducing the risk of developing severe disease and death in high-risk people and reducing the risk of having long COVID symptoms.

Each day that followed was better than the day before. My fever resolved by Day 3. I was able to walk the dogs twice a day, play my guitar, and even use my exercise bike indoors. My isolation period was over after 5 full days and because my fever had resolved more than 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicines. The CDC recommends wearing a mask for 5 more days if I was in a public indoors space or indoors with other people. I took a COVID test on Day 8. It was negative! I suspected that the mild ongoing fatigue was par for the COVID course. By Day 10 of isolation, my COVID headache and cough returned. However, this time my test was positive! As the day progressed, so did my symptoms of intense headache, nagging cough, fatigue, chills and fever to 100.8 in spite of taking Tylenol.

Dr Anthony Fauci, the recently retired  Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and President Biden have had a COVID ‘rebound’ infection after taken the COVID anti-viral medicine Paxlovid. However, according to the CDC, COVID rebound can also occur in patients not taking Paxlovid. People infected with COVID can have symptoms that worsen and recede before going away completely similar to many other respiratory virus infections, like the common cold and the flu. Symptoms of COVID rebound are usually less severe than the original illness. Estimates are as high as 30% of untreated COVID patients can develop a rebound. The CDC reports that COVID rebound can occur between 2 and 8 days after the first recovery. It is characterized by a recurrence of COVID symptoms or a new positive test after having tested negative. The CDC says that there is no need for any further medical treatment for COVID rebound after Paxlovid treatment. COVID rebound does not represent a new infection; however, it can be spread to others during the period of rebound.

I’ve cancelled all my activities for another 10 days. My original Day 10 is now my new Day 1. My new Day 10 will be on April 8^th. I plan to test on the new Day 8 and again 48 hours later on the new Day 10.

 

Listen to the full report below:

 

 

Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]

More Posts for Show: Asheville FM News Hour

 

WASHINGTON, DC – March 29, 2023 – On March 29^th, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved selling the opioid overdose-reversing drug naloxone (trade name Narcan) without a prescription. This can improve access to a life-saving medicine in an effort to reduce the number of deaths from drug overdose. The over-the-counter (OTC) form will be available by the end of the summer. Manufacturers of generic versions will have to file separate applications to the FDA requesting OTC status.

Narcan is a nasal spray and the most popular form of naloxone. It is manufactured by Emergent BioSolutions, a U.S. pharmaceutical company. The U.S. opioid crisis has resulted in more than 100 thousand overdose deaths a year between October 2021 to October 2022 (according to CDC data). A majority of these deaths are linked to fentanyl, a very potent synthetic opioid. Naloxone can reverse opioid overdoses, of street drugs (heroin, fentanyl) and prescription medicine (oxycodone).

Harm reduction can reduce the risks that may be associated with drug use practices and offer support options. Community-based naloxone distribution is an important option for overdose prevention. Substance use advocates have been recommending that Narcan be available without prescription. Having this life-saving medicine available where people use drugs and where people are more likely to be around overdoses can reduce deaths.

Pharmacies have been allowed to sell naloxone without a prescription because of favorable standing order laws in every state in the U.S. including North Carolina. Consumers must ask the pharmacist for the medicine before buying it. In spite of these laws, Narcan has not been available at every retail pharmacy. This life-saving medicine is also available at local health departments, with first responders, and syringe service programs at little or no charge. Following the FDA action, Narcan could potentially be available at convenience stores, gas stations, supermarkets and online where other over-the-counter medicine are sold.

The new FDA ruling does not directly affect what manufactures and pharmacies charge for the medicine. A Narcan kit of 2 doses of nasal spray can cost from $50 to $143. Many insurances cover the cost; however, uninsured people would have to pay the full retail price.

FDA Commissioner Robert Califf said in a statement, “Today’s approval of OTC naloxone spray will help improve access to naloxone, increase the number of locations where it’s available and help reduce opioid overdose deaths throughout the country.”

 

Listen to the full report below:

 

 

Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]

More Posts for Show: Asheville FM News Hour

 

ASHEVILLE, NC – April 5, 2023 – The CDC reports that the community level for Buncombe County remains at a low level for the week ending March 27^th. Every county in North Carolina has been low for the past 3 weeks. About 90% of the counties in the U.S. are at a low level with less than 1% at a high level.

The CDC reports that the community transmission level for Buncombe County remains at a substantial level for the week ending March 27^th. Most counties in North Carolina have been at a moderate level. More than 30% of the counties in the U.S. are at a high level with about 10% at a low level.

The Buncombe County COVID-19 metrics are on the North Carolina COVID Dashboard. Data from the week ending on March 25^th indicate:

• Last week’s total cases are up by 11 (16%) from the previous week
• 68% of the total population have received their initial vaccination series.
• 33% of people with their initial vaccination series have had the updated booster, up 1% from last week.
• The seven-day daily average of COVID-19 hospitalizations has decreased by 1 and of ICU patients has decreased by 1 from last week.

An updated COVID-19 booster is now available for eligible persons 6 months and older. It is more effective at protecting against severe illness and death from the new variants.

The Department of Health and Human Services recommends:

• Stay up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccines and the updated booster.
• People with any COVID symptoms should get tested
• People who are positive for COVID-19 or do not feel well should stay home

For a county at a low community level, like Buncombe County, the CDC recommends:

• If you are at high risk for getting sick, wear a high-quality mask in a public indoors space.
• If you plan on being with someone at high risk for getting sick, consider self-testing for COVID-19 infection and wear a high-quality mask when indoors with them.

 

Listen to the full report below:

 

 

Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]

More Posts for Show: Asheville FM News Hour

 

ASHEVILLE NC & CHICAGO, IL – March 29, 2023 – At his State of the Union address on February 7^th, President Joe Biden said, “COVID no longer controls our lives.” Like any good citizen, I took these words to heart. My wife and I had the initial COVID vaccination series, are up-to-date with boosters, and always wear a high-quality mask in stores. Last week, 90% of the counties in the United States including Buncombe County had a low community level. Weekly cases here are at their lowest in 21 months. A physician from Chicago told me that his hospital is about to end mandatory masking for staff because of low regional COVID levels. So why did I become infected with the COVID-19 virus?

My wife and I planned to fly to Chicago on March 16^th to celebrate a family event. We’ve had more than 1 month to get ready to follow the Presidential decree. The party will be indoors in a large room with high ceilings, good ventilation and about 30 mask-less guests. Although I haven’t eaten indoors in a restaurant in 3 years, I was asked to have 1 or 2 meals inside. I requested a large restaurant with high ceilings, good ventilation and tables spaced far apart.

On Thursday March 16^th, we put on high-quality N95 masks before entering the Asheville Regional Airport. I briefly removed mine for 5 minutes to eat a sandwich before boarding the flight to Chicago. The mask stayed on until I left O’Hare Airport. We masked up to visit a grocery store to get most of the food for our visit. We were mask-less in my relative’s residence and car.

On Friday, we went to an art museum while wearing high-quality KN95 masks. We had dinner indoors that evening. I had my KN95 mask on until we were seated at a side booth, far-removed from the crowd. Dinner lasted for an hour.

The party was from 2 pm to 5 pm on Saturday. It was difficult to maintain social distancing. Greetings were a few quick handshakes and hugs. The afterparty was held from 7:30 pm to 9 pm in a football field-sized great room with about 15 mask-less guests.

Sunday was our final day in Chicago. I developed an occasional cough that may have resulted from breathing dry cold air outside. We had an early one-hour brunch at a corner table in a half-filled restaurant. I put my N95 mask on when entering O’Hare Airport and kept it on until leaving the Asheville airport.

My legs began to ache after I took a hike on Monday. Tuesday morning, I was sore from my back to my toes. At lunchtime, I had shivering and a fever so I took a COVID test. The result was positive. I asked my relative to tell the partygoers that I have COVID. We found out that 2 people didn’t feel well and one of them tested positive for COVID earlier in the day. My wife felt sick too and tested positive 3 days after I did.

I told my PCP about my positive COVID test and that I haven’t felt well for 1-2 days. He prescribed Paxlovid, the COVID-specific anti-viral medicine, because I am at high risk to develop severe illness due to my age. Paxlovid is a very effective medicine with a low incidence of side-effects. I took the pills in the evening before bedtime and in the morning upon arising for 5 days.

I didn’t get out of bed for 2 days because of the shivering, an excruciating headache and total body discomfort. On the 3^rd day, I was able to get out of bed slowly, catch up with email, play my guitar and walk the dogs by suppertime.

COVID may no longer be controlling our life. However, I can’t control who will be joining me in stores, restaurants and parties. Therefore, I will continue to be careful and wear a high-quality mask in stores. If I choose to go without a mask in restaurants and parties, I hope that others will follow the recommendations of the Department of Health & Human Services:

• Stay up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccines and the updated booster.
• People with any COVID symptoms should get tested
• People who are positive for COVID-19 or do not feel well should stay home

We are all in this together, protecting ourselves, our loved ones and others. It’s all about being careful when care is needed. Our country’s COVID emergency ends on May 11^th; however, taking good public health measures still makes better sense than political discourse and partisan rules.

 

Listen to the full report below:

 

 

Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]

More Posts for Show: Asheville FM News Hour