(Photo of Heritage Valley Nurse Sana Borda giving the thumbs up as she receives the vaccine. Photo Courtesy of Heritage Valley)

(Moon Twp.,Pa.) –Heritage Valley Health System’s  Front-line workers were the focus Friday morning according to a press release the workers were administered doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at the Heritage Valley Beaver Hospital. Two of the Health System’s hospitals, Heritage Valley Beaver and Heritage Valley Sewickley, each received 975 doses of the vaccine Thursday December 17, 2020. Heritage Valley immediately initiated a plan to vaccinate the staff who provide direct patient care within the hospitals. In the press release Heritage Valley said they expect Heritage Valley Kennedy hospital to receive their allotment of the Moderna vaccine as soon as it is approved.

Norm Mitry, president; CEO, Heritage Valley Health System said via the release that  “Since March, our dedicated physicians, nurses and all staff have gone above and beyond to provide the best health care to all patients during the pandemic. We’re proud of their efforts and pleased that we are able to begin administering the vaccine to those who have given so much of themselves,”  He also added that  Heritage Valley Health System also developed an automated tool and process for individuals to
schedule both their 1st dose and follow-up dose, 21 days later, as well as post the appointments to their respective calendars. “This automated seamless process allows individuals to schedule their own appointments at their convenience and will also enable the Health System to perform all of the required reporting associated with the COVID-19 vaccine process.”

 

Pence, wife Karen, surgeon general get COVID-19 vaccines
By ZEKE MILLER and JILL COLVIN Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Mike Pence has received the coronavirus vaccine during a White House event aimed at convincing skeptical Americans that the vaccines are safe. Pence’s wife, Karen, and Surgeon General Jerome Adams also got the vaccine on Friday during the event that was televised. In remarks after his shot, Pence called the speed with which the vaccine was developed “a medical miracle.” The pandemic has killed more than 310,000 in the United States. President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris also are going to be vaccinated in public, but it’s unclear when President Donald Trump will be administered the shot.

Shutdown deadline looms over COVID-19 relief talks
By ANDREW TAYLOR Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Top negotiators on a must-pass, almost $1 trillion COVID-19 economic relief package are committed to sealing an agreement in hopes of passing the legislation this weekend. The pressure is on. Government funding lapses at midnight Friday and a partial, low-impact shutdown would ensue if Congress fails to pass a stopgap spending bill before then. That’s not guaranteed, since some Republicans might block the stopgap measure to keep the pressure on if the talks haven’t borne fruit. But all sides appeared hopeful that last-minute wrangling wouldn’t derail the legislation.

Alaska woman has allergic reaction to vaccine
The Associated Press undefined
JUNEAU, Alaska — Health officials in Alaska reported a health care worker had a severe allergic reaction to a COVID-19 vaccine within 10 minutes of receiving a shot.
U.S. health authorities warned doctors to be on the lookout for rare allergic reactions when they rolled out the first vaccine, made by Pfizer and Germany’s BioNTech. Britain had reported a few similar allergic reactions a week earlier.
The Juneau health worker began feeling flushed and short of breath on Tuesday, says Dr. Lindy Jones, the emergency room medical director at Bartlett Regional Hospital. She was treated with epinephrine and other medicines for what officials ultimately determined was anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction. She was kept overnight but has recovered.
Unlike the British cases, the Alaska woman has no history of allergic reactions.
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Over-the-counter home test for COVID-19 gets US green light
By MATTHEW PERRONE AP Health Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — A home test for COVID-19 will soon be on U.S. store shelves. The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday cleared the first kit that consumers can buy without a prescription to test themselves entirely at home. Regulators granted use for a similar home test last month, but it requires a doctor’s prescription. The test kit from an Australian company allows users to swab themselves and get the results at home in about 20 minutes. The test connects to a digital app to help users interpret the results. The company says it will have 3 million tests available next month.

PITTSBURGH – As part of enhancing public health and safety measures and peace of mind for travelers, Pittsburgh International Airport is joining several airports around the world in offering optional COVID-19 testing for arriving and departing passengers beginning next week.

In partnership with TACKL Health, the testing program is scheduled to launch inside PIT’s Airside Terminal beginning Monday, Dec. 21 in Concourse A. The center, which is beyond the security checkpoint, will be a safe space with socially distanced seating, privacy curtains and directional floor decals. The location is centrally located near the Center Core across from Gate A2.

The testing option inside the terminal is an expansion of PIT’s ‘Safe Travels’ program that features a number of health and safety measures implemented this year in response to the pandemic.

“Whether people are traveling now or planning a trip in the future when they feel more comfortable, we want travelers to know that public health, safety and security are always our top priorities,” said April Gasparri, Senior Vice President of Public Safety, Operations and Maintenance. “This service further demonstrates that commitment and helps to increase traveler peace of mind.”

For travelers choosing to be tested, Savannah, Georgia-based TACKL Health will offer both polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and rapid antigen testing, administered by trained and licensed healthcare professionals in accordance with U.S. HIPAA (Health Information Portability and Accountability Act) requirements. Rapid antigen test results will be available within 15 minutes, with individuals receiving PCR results between 24-48 hours, on average.

Testing will be held daily from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Passengers can schedule an appointment in advance and walk-in visitors will be accepted.

The tests will cost $95 for the rapid antigen, $125 for the PCR, or $175 for both and can be paid with cash or credit card. No referral is needed, and health insurance is not accepted.

“Throughout the pandemic we’ve been working to help organizations address the challenges of COVID-19,” said Lauren Hetzel, Vice President of Business Development for TACKL Health. “We’re pleased to have the opportunity to work with Pittsburgh International Airport in offering a safe, convenient option for travelers.”

 

As part of the state order, passengers are not currently required to show test results when entering the airport, checking in for a flight or before boarding a plane, nor is the airport responsible for enforcement.

 

Passengers should not come to the airport if they are sick or experiencing COVID-like symptoms. Visit www.flypittsburgh.com/PITcovidtest for more information.

 

About Allegheny County Airport Authority:

 

Allegheny County Airport Authority, which operates Pittsburgh International Airport and Allegheny County Airport, is committed to transforming Pittsburgh’s airports to reflect and serve the community, inspire the industry, and advance the region’s role as a world leader. The airport was named by Fast Company magazine as One of the Most Innovative Companies in the World as well as a finalist in its World Changing Ideas awards, both in 2020.

 

The Authority’s Safe Travels initiative commits to the highest in public health and safety standards in the airport industry – today and in the future. The initiative, in accordance with guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, outlines best practices for reducing the spread of germs and keeping travelers healthy. For more information, visit www.flypittsburgh.com.

Keystone State News Connection

December 15, 2020

Andrea Sears

HARRISBURG, Pa. — A new report shows the COVID pandemic is having a big impact on the health and well-being of children and families in Pennsylvania and nationwide. The Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Kids, Families and COVID-19 report draws on data collected since April by the U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey.

Kari King is president and CEO of Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children, which compiled the state data for the report. She said the Commonwealth has done relatively well in maintaining food security, access to health care and housing stability. But she is very concerned that 27% of households in the state reported feelings of depression or hopelessness.

“We know that paternal health and child health is intertwined,” King said. “So if a parent is feeling that way it’s much more likely that a child will be feeling that way.”

The data also show 1 in 10 Pennsylvania families does not currently have health insurance, and 16% fear they won’t be able to pay their rent or mortgage on time.

Almost half-a-million Pennsylvanians have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and more than 12,000 have died. As Leslie Boissiere, vice president of internal affairs with the Annie E. Casey Foundation pointed out, the losses are causing social and emotional challenges for children.

“The numbers are staggering, schools are reporting excessive absences. And I think we can expect an increase in learning loss as a result of this year when their education has been disrupted,” Boissiere said.

The report also found wide racial disparities, with Black and Latino families twice as likely to be experiencing food and housing insecurity and lack of health insurance.

King noted lapses in health insurance combined with the need to socially distance during the pandemic already are having an impact on children’s health care.

“Parents understandably started to keep their children at home and, in some instances, also didn’t take their children to regular pediatric visits, or they were delayed,” King said.

The report recommends instituting policies at all levels of government that promote racial and ethnic equity and prioritize helping children and families cope with the pandemic.

‘Relieved’: US health workers start getting COVID-19 vaccine
By LAURAN NEERGAARD AP Medical Writer
The largest vaccination campaign in U.S. history is underway with health workers getting the first shots. “Relieved” is the reaction of a nurse who got vaccinated early Monday. Hospitals are rolling out the first small shipments, as boxes of precious frozen vials arrive at locations around the country. The injections begin an effort to try to beat back the coronavirus — a day of hope amid grief as the nation’s death roll nears a staggering 300,000. How well initial vaccinations go will help reassure a wary public when it’s their turn sometime next year.