ST LOUIS, MO – April 27, 2022 – New research found that a blood biomarker test may detect Alzheimer’s disease in older adults with memory problems. In two studies published April 21 in the Journal of the American Medical Association Network Open, showed that a blood test accurately detected the protein amyloid in 81% of samples when compared with an imaging scan of the brain. Amyloid accumulates and forms clumps in the brains of Alzheimer’s disease patients. Experts say the tests are important because they would be easier, cheaper and available to more people than brain imaging scans or spinal taps which are now used to detect biological hallmarks of the disease. Alzheimer’s disease afflicts an estimated 6.5 million Americans. This blood test, which is not yet covered by Medicare or private insurers, costs $1,250.

Blood tests represent “a very early start to a new era of diagnosis for Alzheimer’s disease,” said Doctor Stephen Salloway, a professor of neurology and psychiatry at Brown University who directs a memory and aging program at Butler Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island. “I see them as being transformative for Alzheimer’s, because once we validate them a little bit further, and hopefully get coverage for them, we can use them both to screen for clinical trials and to screen for treatment.”

It is hope that a blood test would be a biomarker that would detect early Alzheimer’s disease, informing individuals of their risk years before memory and thinking problems occur, and measure the effectiveness of treatment for early disease too. Researchers and drug companies have spent hundreds of millions of dollars over the past two decades on the theory that drugs clearing amyloid from the brain could slow memory decline.

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

ASHEVILLE, NC – May 4, 2022 – According to the North Carolina COVID Dashboard, data from the week ending on April 27 indicate the case rate is up 45% over the previous week. The May 3^rd Buncombe County COVID Community Update opines that “This coincides with an incubation following Spring Break and Holidays where increased in-person interactions likely occurred.”

On May 4^th, Buncombe County Health and Human Services hosted a virtual media question and answer session. Public Health Director, Stacie Saunders, reminded everyone that “The pandemic is not over.”

This is the time of year for large gatherings, like weddings, graduations, reunions and celebrations. Many may be held indoors, particularly during the cooler fall season. Stacie Saunders feels that it is very important to follow public health COVID precautions when planning to attend a gathering. She recommends that being outdoors is best, keep plenty of space between yourself and others, and wash your hands.

Stacie Saunders outlined a detailed review of current public health precautions. Consider your personal health risk and personal tolerance of risk of becoming infected. It is important to consider the community risk level and whether you know the health and vaccination status of the people at the event.

The best scenario is that everyone is up-to-date with their COVID vaccinations. Some gatherings may require showing their vaccination card, but it may not be up-to-date with boosters. There may be COVID immunity in the community due to the high vaccination rate and from some people having had COVID recently.

Everyone should get tested if exposed to COVID prior to the event or having symptoms. All symptomatic persons should not attend and should stay at home away from others, even if their test is negative because it can become positive in a few days. The antigen test and the PCR test are both good quality tests. Free at-home tests can be obtained at  https://www.covid.gov/tests .

The most effective face covering is a high-quality medical-grade N95, KN95 & KN94 face mask. When choosing to wear a mask, choose the most protective mask against the newer highly contagious COVID virus strains. Dr. Tom Inglesby, the Biden administration’s Covid testing coordinator, said “We know that these masks provide better protection than cloth masks.”

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

ASHEVILLE, NC – May 3, 2022 – Buncombe County COVID-19 metrics are on the North Carolina COVID Dashboard. Data from the week ending on May 7 indicate:

• There are 235 cases per 100,000 residents in the last 7 days up 73% from the previous week.
• 66% of the total population have received their full primary vaccination series. This is unchanged for over 2 months
• 62% of people with full primary vaccination series have had at least one booster. This has increased 1% since last week.
• The seven-day daily average of COVID-19 hospitalizations are less over the past week and of ICU patients are unchanged than over the previous week.
• The CDC reports that the risk level for Buncombe County is low for the week ending May 5^th.
• Wastewater surveillance may provide an early warning before individual testing shows that COVID-19 is spreading. The state dashboard reports that the 15-day rate of change of viral load for the Metropolitan Sewer District for Buncombe County is severely increasing for the time period ending May 4^th. The CDC website reports that the rate of change is moderately increasing for the time period ending May 8^th.

The Department of Health and Human Services recommends:

• Get vaccinated and boosted when eligible.
• People with any COVID symptoms or exposure to someone with COVID should get tested
• People who are positive for COVID-19 or do not feel well should stay home

Vaccination sites and testing sites can be located through the North Carolina and Buncombe County Department of Health and Human Services.

Save your face masks:

• The risk level may rise with a new variant
• A person at high risk for severe illness should speak with their health care provider
• Mask wearing is recommended for persons with a positive test, having symptoms, or exposure to someone with COVID-19
• Governor Cooper’s executive order on March 1^st says that agencies may require everyone to wear a mask in “high risk” settings like health care facilities, nursing homes, correctional facilities and homeless shelters.

Listen to the full report below:

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