• Research Study Expectations

1. Answer a brief (15 minute) survey about your professional background and experience with medical group visits and telemedicine programs.
2. Participate in a 90-minute (at most) structured interview/focus group during which you will be introduced to GEMINI and asked for feedback.
3. You can earn $50 for your time and participation.

• An increase in COVID-19 patients.
• An increase in behavioral health patients and statewide lack of inpatient psychiatry beds.
• The ongoing work stoppage at St. Vincent’s (they have now taken >80 beds out of service).
• Higher acuity of inpatients overall.
• Ongoing staffing shortages and difficulty filling open positions.
• Almost no availability of travelers (due to national Covid-19 surge).

• Current hospitalizations at UMass Memorial are 26 (8 in ICU).
• Worcester Stop-the-Spread test positivity up, now at 3.7%.
• In-house test positivity for asymptomatic patients stable at 0.9%; for symptomatic patients now up to 7.8%.
• Monoclonal antibody treatment is available and expanding. The monoclonal antibody clinic is located on the Hahnemann campus. Check the UMass Memorial Hub for additional information. 
• Additional information about COVID testing sites and times can be found on the Hub.
• UMass Memorial will mandate vaccination for all employees with all employees having received their first dose by November 1.

• COVID cases are rising. Massachusetts has had a 127% rise in the last 14 days compared to a 96% change in Maine and a 310% change in NH.
• Of the 7,737 breakthrough cases among people fully vaccinated in Massachusetts, 400 people have been hospitalized and 100 have died (0.002%). 
• 7-day average percent positivity is 2.65%. Hospitalizations 271 with 61 in the ICU and 22 intubated. Confirmed deaths 17,727.
• MA community colleges are not mandating vaccines for returning students.
• MA State schools are requiring COVID vaccines.
• Although some schools require vaccination for students, they are not requiring vaccination for staff.

• There are almost 108,000 new cases daily. The US has had more than a 100% change in 2 weeks. COVID-19 is more prevalent in the southern States.
• Vaccines could get full approval soon.
• The more contagious Delta variant accounts for more than 80% of US cases.

• COVID-19: fever and chills, muscle and body aches, shortness of breath, fatigue, new loss of taste and smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea and vomiting, and diarrhea.
• Delta Variant: Runny nose and sore throat, flu-like respiratory and GI symptoms, dry cough, shortness of breath, and fatigue. Less likely loss of taste and smell. 
• Vaccine side effects: Pain, redness, swelling, fever and chills, headaches, muscle aches, fatigue. Other adverse effects have been reported. See the CDC website.
• Seasonal Allergies: Sneezing, runny nose, congestion, loss of smell, post-nasal drip, respiratory issues like mouth breathing or wheezing, cough, fatigue, throat irritation.