Friday, July 31, 2020

This week’s report highlights COVID-19 trends, pandemic impacts in LatinX communities, and new resources and training opportunities for providers and patients.

Monitoring Trends

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Week 11 Household Pulse Survey (July 9-14, 2020), Experienced and Expected Loss of Employment Income by Select Characteristics.

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Key Observations this Week

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On Thursday, Buncombe County Interim Health Director Jennifer Mullendore, MD, shared that sustained increases in new cases and the percentage of positive tests show that Western North Carolina is experiencing widespread transmission of COVID-19. Statewide this past week,

New reported cases remain high. North Carolina has been designated in the “red zone” by the White House coronavirus task force. 

Hospitalizations broke records, reaching an all-time high on Tuesday of 1,272, which surpassed the previous record of 1,239 set on July 27 and July 29.

The percentage of positive cases averaged 8%.

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COVID-19 Cases Soar in NC’s LatinX Communities

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North Carolina leaders are reaching out to LatinX residents as COVID-19 cases continue to soar in this population. Where ethnicity is known, 42% of our state’s confirmed cases are from Hispanic communities, which represent less than 10% of the state population.

A recent UNC Public Policy study found that more LatinX households lost employment income than any other racial or ethnic group since April. LatinX people also experience disproportionate rates of anxiety, housing and food insecurity, and many live in rural areas of the state where resources are more scarce.

On July 22, a New England Journal of Medicine article authored by UNC researchers highlights the public health policies that need to be implemented to address these health inequities.

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Calling All Masked Healthcare Heroes

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Western Carolina Medical Society is planning a social media campaign about the importance of wearing masks and other key actions for preventing the spread of COVID-19. You are invited to participate by

• Taking a selfie in your mask or cloth face covering
• Filming a short video (less than a minute) about the 3 Ws
• Sharing a quote about why you wear a face covering
• Sharing resources for free or DIY face coverings

Photos/videos can be made in your healthcare office or a more casual setting while wearing your mask or face covering properly. You may find this recent NPR article helpful as you plan what to share.

Please email your submission to Kristin at saswashington@gmail.com.

COVID-19 Practice Support Tip Sheets

• Guidance on Designated Support Staff for Hospitalized Patients with IDD (AADMD) New
• Interim Guidance on Return to Sports (AAP) New
• Recommendations for Investigational COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma (FDA) New

For more practice support resources, please see MAHEC’s COVID-19 Regional Response Guidance.

NEW Resources to Help You Serve Your Patients

Provider Resources

• COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Clinician Information (American Red Cross)
• Heroes Health Initiative, free mental wellness app developed by UNC
• Individual and Group Emotional Support for Frontline Workers, free virtual support provided by the American Red Cross, also available by phone at 833-492-0094
• Mental Health Resources for Healthcare Providers
• Virtual Support Group for WNC Healthcare Workers, Thursdays at 7:00 pm

Health Inequities and Social Support

• COVID-19 Support Guidelines for Individuals with IDD (AADMD)
• COVID-19 Symptom Checker in Espanol (NCDHHS)
• Find My Testing Place, online tool available in multiple languages (NCDHHS)
• North Carolina Justice Center, rights and resources for historically marginalized populations

Patient Resources & Education

• COVID-19 FAQs (NCDHHS) with guidance on symptoms, prevention, and self-isolation
• COVID-19 Health Updates in Spanish including statements from NC LatinX consulates
• Food and Nutrition Services (NCDHHS), help buying food including purchasing groceries online
• COVID-19 prevention videos targeting Black and LatinX residents in English and Spanish
• Virtual Family Assistance Center (Red Cross), free 24/7 bereavement resources in multiple languages

NEW & Ongoing COVID-19 Virtual Trainings & Support

ASAM Criteria Training Project for North Carolina New
Monday, August 3 at 8:30 am, 2-day live virtual training with upcoming dates available

Communication with Refugee & Immigrant Communities during COVID-19 New
Tuesday, August 4 from 2:00 to 3:00 pm

Complex Trauma: The Connection Between COVID-19 and Social Unrest New
Wednesday, August 5 from 12:30 to 2:00 pm

COVID-19 Webinar Series: Pandemic, Protests and Politics New
Wednesday, August 5 at 3:00 pm

Policy Recommendations and Promising Practices for Addressing Youth Vaping New
Thursday, August 6 from 1:00 to 2:00 pm

WCMS Free Virtual Yoga and Meditation New
Thursdays from 11:15 am to 12:30 pm, beginning August 6

MAHEC Project ECHO: Coordinating Community Resources in WNC New Series
Wednesdays (biweekly) from 7:00 to 8:00 am beginning August 12

MAHEC Project ECHO: Acute Care of Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19
Wednesdays from 12:00 to 1:00 pm

NCDHHS COVID-19 Healthcare Coalition
Wednesdays from 1:00 to 2:00 pm
Click link above and select “add to distribution list” to receive weekly meeting invitations

Archives

June 24, June 17, July 10, July 2
June 26, June 19, June 12, June 5
May 29, May 22, May 15, May 8, May 1
April 24, April 17, April 10

If you would like to receive this weekly report, please email Sam.Blankenship@mahec.net to be added to our distribution list. 

Regional Response Partners

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