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Grand Rounds Update
Sherrill Brown, M.D., Medical Director of Infection Prevention, and Stacy Decario, R.N., Director of Vaccines, presented at the Tuesday, November 8 Special Grand Rounds, Infectious Diseases Update.
Topics Discussed:
- Flu cases are the highest they have been at this time of the year in three years.
- RSV is also increasing hospitalizations for young people and the elderly.
- Orange County declared a state of emergency due to RSV.
- Older children are now getting infected with RSV.
- COVID-19 cases are expected to rise due to variant BQ.1 and BQ.1.1.
- Review testing and treatment strategies for flu, COVID-19, and upper respiratory infection seasons.
- Putting it all together for holiday gatherings.
- Vaccine updates.
Resources:
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Flu Cases on the Rise
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), early increases in seasonal influenza activity continue nationwide.
- CDC estimates that, so far this season, there have been at least 1,600,000 illnesses, 13,000 hospitalizations, and 730 deaths from flu.
- An annual flu vaccine is the best way to protect against flu. Vaccination helps prevent infection and can also prevent serious outcomes in people who get vaccinated, but still get sick with flu.
- CDC recommends that everyone ages six months and older get a flu vaccine annually.
Employee Flu Vaccinations
AltaMed continues to offer free flu shots to employees. See the attached list of locations and times to receive your flu shot.
Prevention Tips
- Get your flu shot.
- Wear a mask when indoors.
- Wash your hands, especially after touching communal surfaces or shaking hands.
- Avoid shaking hands with people, hugging, or kissing.
Flu Tracker
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COVID-19 Updated Bivalent Booster
COVID-19 cases are expected to rise due to the prevalence of variant BQ.1 and BQ.1.1. AltaMed is providing the updated COVID-19 bivalent booster to all employees. See the attached list of locations and times to receive your booster.
What Has Not Changed at AltaMed
- California Department of Public Health (CDPH) requires all health care workers to have the primary series AND a booster.
- All patients and staff will continue to screen for COVID-19 symptoms.
- CDPH and AltaMed require all staff to wear a mask when not eating and drinking at any AltaMed location.
Community and Employee Vaccine Event
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AltaMed is hosting a free vaccine event for the community, and employees are also invited to attend and receive the updated bivalent booster. The event will be held on Saturday, November 19 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at AltaMed Medical and Dental Group – South Gate (8627 Atlantic Ave. in South Gate).
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Staying Healthy at Holiday Gatherings
- Avoid getting sick.
- Get vaccinated.
- Wear your mask indoors and outside of your home (kids, too, while indoors at school).
- Wash your hands for the full 20 seconds and carry hand sanitizer.
- Avoid shaking hands, kissing, and hugging (say hello with an elbow bump).
- Test before you go. Test, at a minimum, the day of your event; consider also two days ahead.
- Stay home if you are feeling ill.
- Wear a mask around everyone.
- Protect those at risk.
- Babies, especially those younger than six months, should be kept home and away from hugging and kissing relatives.
- Older adults are recommended to wear a mask, get vaccinated, and follow hand hygiene protocols.
- Improve the ventilation/filtration in your home or gathering area; consider a decrease in crowding indoors.
- If someone gets sick, have a plan for testing and treatment ASAP.
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Questions and Communications
We welcome your COVID-19 or infection prevention questions, suggestions, and input. Please email us — click here. Know that this is a safe space and most questions will be answered individually prior to being shared anonymously with staff.
How to Stay Informed
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Please Note: If you are contacted by the media with questions about the coronavirus outbreak or for any other reason, email Christina Sanchez, Vice President, Public Affairs. The Public Relations team monitors all media coverage of AltaMed (social and traditional platforms) to uphold our reputation. If you have questions and concerns regarding media coverage, call Christina at (310) 420-1135. If you would like to read news releases from AltaMed, visit our external website, AltaMed.org under Newsroom. | | | | | |
