Month: September 2023

Sep 05

Experts dispel misinformation as Bi-State sees rise in COVID-19 cases

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (KMOV) – In the Bi-State, COVID-19 numbers are rising, but experts say there are likely more infections out there going unreported. In St. Louis County alone, the average number of daily new cases is 148. As this new variant continues to be somewhat unpredictable, some people are getting confused on what they should do to stay safe. Sweta Patel and her family all got COVID for the first time last month. “Our symptoms were like pretty bad,” Patel said. Patel said their initial symptoms were a fever and cough. “It was definitely scary because it was the summertime because you don’t really expect to get sick in the summer,” Patel said. Patel said they’ve all been vaccinated and had a booster shot. However the CDC is warning the new COVID variant can still get people who have been vaccinated sick. “With different variants and more boosters, I feel like it is for the average person to kind of understand it is kind of complicated,” Patel said. That’s what Washington University infectious disease specialist at BJC, Dr. Rachel Presti, is trying to clear up. The CDC said this variant may be more able to cause an infection in people who have had coronavirus or had a COVID-19 vaccine. But Dr. Presti said that’s being misinterpreted. “You might be a little more at risk from this new variant,” Dr. Presti said. “That doesn’t mean you’re more at risk than somebody who is not immune. That means there’s a new kid in town, and you might be a little more likely to be infected with this one. Somehow, that was misinterpreted as people who are immune are more likely to get infected than people who are not immune.” As the virus adapts, it mutates and can get more people sick. Mercy Department of Medicine chair and infectious disease physician Dr. Farrin Manian said it’s the same flu-like symptoms, but people aren’t getting more severely sick with this variant. “We’re looking at a population who has been somewhat experienced in terms of being exposed to these types of viruses,” Dr. Manian said. “What’s changed is that the current variant seems to be kind of evading the immune system enough that even if you’ve the vaccine in the past or the actual infection, you may still get it. But you’re not at any higher risk of getting it.” A new booster vaccine is expected to come out within the next few weeks, specifically tailored to fight against this variant and others that are forming. Copyright 2023 KMOV. All rights reserved.

Sep 05

Marcia DeRousse, ‘True Blood’ Actress, Dies at 70

Marcia DeRousse, who came to the aid of the supernatural as Dr. Patricia Ludwig on the HBO drama True Blood, died Saturday in Altadena after a long illness, a publicist announced. She was 70. She wrote on Facebook in April that a fall in her doctor’s office was going to “lead to my death,” adding that the spill “caused my hiatal hernia to move to an area where it is now dangerous.” The 4-foot-4 DeRousse made her big-screen debut alongside fellow little person Billy Barty in the Warner Bros. film Under the Rainbow (1981), also starring Chevy Chase and Carrie Fisher. She also was in the movies Tiptoes (2002) and D.J. Caruso’s The Disappointments Room (2016). Related Stories DeRousse appeared on episodes on the Alan Ball-created True Blood during its second, fourth and seventh seasons. A native of Doniphan, Missouri, DeRousse graduated from the University of Missouri and came to Los Angeles with her mother in 1980. She became interested in a career as an actor while teaching in the Pasadena public school system. A chance meeting with Barty led to her appearing as one of the hotel guests in Under the Rainbow, and she followed with guest-starring turns on ABC’s The Fall Guy and NBC’s St. Elsewhere. DeRousse, who lived in Altadena, considered Poltergeist actress Zelda Rubinstein a mentor. She was described as “an outspoken dynamo with a distinct, sharp wit,” an advocate for opportunities for the senior disabled community and a lover of cats, especially strays.

Sep 05

Community Blood Center seeing urgent need for donors

The summer months have increased the amount of blood needed for hospital patients. Right now there is an urgent need for donors throughout north east and north central Wisconsin as well as the upper peninsula of Michigan. From July 4th through Labor Day weekend blood usage has been 14% higher than normal in these areas. “We really need blood donors to come out now to schedule a blood donation appointment and help us be able to ensure that patients tomorrow, next week, next month have blood for the medical treatment that they need,” said Kristine Belanger the Vice President of Operations and Chief Operating Officer of the Community Blood Center. “Blood donations really just haven’t kept pace with that increase blood usage, so the blood supply is dangerously low currently and we are really encouraging community members to schedule an appointment and donate blood,” said Belanger. The increase comes from more people being active throughout the summer months and 20% of all hospital procedures require blood off the shelf to help patients. “There are medical emergencies that happen everyday throughout the community that require dozens and dozens of units of blood and all of that blood comes from volunteer blood donors,” said Belanger. Anyone who is healthy enough to donate can give one pint of blood or 500 milliliters every 56 days. “It’s quick, it’s easy, it’s safe and it only takes about an hour and there’s not a lot of things you can do in an hour and know that you’ve saved a life,” said Belanger. If you would like to learn more about donation opportunities you can visit communityblood.org

Sep 05

Low donor turnout, Labor day weekend leads to critically low blood supply

27 minutes ago JACKSON, Tenn. — Low donor turnout and high blood use over Labor Day weekend has put the current supply at critical levels. LIFELINE Blood Services says that West Tennessee’s blood supply is at a critically low level, and they are in need of about 450 units of whole blood each week to maintain an adequate supply. “Due to high demand over the weekend and two local cardiovascular patients who require O positive blood, we have issued a Critical Appeal and urgently ask our donors to step up and make the time to donate today. Our West Tennessee patients are counting on us!” said Melinda Reid, Marketing Manager with LIFELINE Blood Services. LIFELINE located at 183 Sterling Farms Drive, is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. They say walk-ins are welcome. The Dyersburg Center is located at 1130 Highway 51 Bypass, Suite 19 & 20, and is open Saturday and Wednesday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday through Tuesday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. They say no appointment is necessary to donate whole blood. See a list of mobile blood drives being hosted by LIFELINE here. Find more local news here.

Sep 05

UK student shares blood transfusion story

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – The 2023 WKYT blood drive at the Kentucky Blood Center starts this Wednesday. According to the Red Cross, every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood and or platelets. We spoke with a 21-year-old woman who needed blood transfusions after she was involved in a car accident that killed her friend. On March 17, 2018, Megan Picinich and her friend Aubrey Howard were riding in a car on Union Mill Road in Jessamine County. According to deputies, the driver of the car lost control, hitting a tree. Howard died after the crash. She was 15 years old. Meanwhile, 16-year-old Picinich was taken to the hospital with injuries to her head, arm, back and pelvis. “I lost all consciousness,” Picinich said. “I don’t really remember the actual accident, which is a good thing.” Within the blink of an eye, the Jessamine County teen needed blood. “I accepted blood after the accident. My blood levels were really weird,” Picinich said. “I know I had a few blood transfusions then, especially the night of the day after.” Picinich is O+, and months after the accident, she needed more blood donations. “I had a lot of medical needs, then blood transfusions and whatnot,” Picinich said. Now a UK senior, Picinich tells us in the past, she was not a blood donor, but her traumatic experience has changed her views on helping others. “Somebody like Aubrey, if there would have been more they could have done, she would have taken a lot of blood,” Picinich said. Picinich gave her reasons for giving blood: It is free. It only takes around an hour. Statistics say one in four people need blood. You can see how far blood donations can go. This 21-year-old is evidence. “I’ve had rarely been in pain when you give blood. It’s a quick prick, and you’re done,” Picinich said. The 2023 WKYT Blood Drive is this Wednesday and Thursday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. each day at all three centers Blood Center locations involved in the 2023 WKYT Blood Drive Beaumont/ Lexington (primary for media interviews) 3121 Beaumont Centre Circle Andover/ Lexington 3130 Maple Leaf Drive Frankfort 363 Versailles Road Suite 300 Copyright 2023 WKYT. All rights reserved.

Sep 05

Why the latest COVID-19 spike in Maryland is different from others

You or someone you know has likely become infected with COVID-19 in the past few weeks, and many are confused on what to do about it.Medical experts said virus levels in the U.S. have been on the rise for weeks, and it’s hard to tell how worried people should be.Federal data suggests that the current increases have stayed far below earlier surges. The data also shows that there are probably more infections than current surveillance systems can capture.Dr. Miriam Alexander is the medical director of employee health and wellness at Lifebridge Health.”We are seeing more cases in our employees and slightly more cases here at the hospital,” Alexander said.Lifebridge officials said they are also seeing a definite increase in cases at Expresscare locations. Alexander said there is a lot of confusion about the uptick.”Many have home kits so many are testing at home, and that data would not get transmitted by any authority, so that’s some of the confusion. The cases that get reported might just be the tip of the iceberg,” she said.Alexander said, as of now, the public does not need to wear a mask during general activities.”If you’re in tight quarters, some people are masking up again, and if you are in a high-risk population, it may be worthwhile masking up again,” she said.If you test positive for COVID-19, Alexander suggested taking steps to prevent the spread of the virus.”(Lifebridge is) continuing to follow the same protocol. We are having people stay home for five days after they start getting sick, and then after those five days, we then have people mask for another five days,” she said.With constantly changing variants, Alexander said you should be sure to vaccinate and get the latest booster. BALTIMORE — You or someone you know has likely become infected with COVID-19 in the past few weeks, and many are confused on what to do about it. Medical experts said virus levels in the U.S. have been on the rise for weeks, and it’s hard to tell how worried people should be. Advertisement Federal data suggests that the current increases have stayed far below earlier surges. The data also shows that there are probably more infections than current surveillance systems can capture. Dr. Miriam Alexander is the medical director of employee health and wellness at Lifebridge Health. “We are seeing more cases in our employees and slightly more cases here at the hospital,” Alexander said. Lifebridge officials said they are also seeing a definite increase in cases at Expresscare locations. Alexander said there is a lot of confusion about the uptick. “Many have home kits so many are testing at home, and that data would not get transmitted by any authority, so that’s some of the confusion. The cases that get reported might just be the tip of the iceberg,” she said. Alexander said, as of now, the public does not need to wear a mask during general activities. “If you’re in tight quarters, some people are masking up again, and if you are in a high-risk population, it may be worthwhile masking up again,” she said. If you test positive for COVID-19, Alexander suggested taking steps to prevent the spread of the virus. “(Lifebridge is) continuing to follow the same protocol. We are having people stay home for five days after they start getting sick, and then after those five days, we then have people mask for another five days,” she said. With constantly changing variants, Alexander said you should be sure to vaccinate and get the latest booster.

Sep 05

We Are Blood expanding LGBTQ blood donor eligibility with updated FDA guidelines

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Starting Wednesday, We Are Blood (WRB) will implement the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) updated guidance removing eligibility criteria based on the gender of donors and their sexual partners, according to a news release from WRB. This move will safely allow additional members of the community to donate blood. The new FDA guidance revises blood donor eligibility questionnaires for blood centers across the country, according to WRB. The new guidance removes time-based deferrals and eligibility questions specific to “males who have sex with males and females who have sex with males who have sex with males,” the release said. This updated guidance was issued by the FDA following a years-long study with community blood centers across the U.S. to evaluate safe alternatives to prior guidance, the release said. The new guidance is similar to those already in place in the United Kingdom and Canada, according to WRB. New questions will be the same for every donor, regardless of gender or the gender of sexual partners, according to WRB. Anyone who has attempted to donate at WRB under prior guidance is now eligible and is invited to complete a reentry form, which can be found on the WRB website, the release said. For anyone taking prescribed PreP/PEP medications will be deferred for three months from their last dose taken orally or two years if injected, the release said. These are medications that, while they can be highly effective for minimizing the risk of HIV transmission during sexual activity, the risk of transmission does remain during a blood transfusion due to the volume of blood, according to WRB. “We Are Blood is eager and excited to implement these important changes to blood donor eligibility,” said Nick Canedo, WRB’s vice president of community engagement. “We look forward to welcoming and fostering a blood donor community which reflects the diverse friends, family, and neighbors we serve.” Appointments can be scheduled online at any of the four donor centers on North Lamar, Round Rock, Cedar Park and South Austin or at mobile drives, the release said.

Sep 05

Super Herber Bros. Blood Donor Challenge

ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – September marks Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and the Herber family has a challenge for the month of September. Andy Herber’s son, Nathan, won his fight against T Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma a few years back. Nathan needed more than 50 transfusions during his treatment and now wants to help kids still fighting cancer today. The challenge runs through September 30th. You can donate at the Downtown Blood Donor Center, the Northwest Blood Donor Center and at community blood drives as well. Andy, Nathan and the Super Herber Bros. dropped by to talk about the challenge and play some Mario Kart against KTTC’s Nick Jansen. Copyright 2023 KTTC. All rights reserved.

Sep 05

Man arrested after blood, folding knife found on him, Sturbridge Police say

Police found “multiple broken glass bottles, a bloody knife and a large amount of blood on the ground,” after getting called to the Super 8 motel Saturday night, according to the Sturbridge Police Department. Officers were able to track the blood to a nearby motel room, where they found a man with a large gash on his face. He was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries, read the police department’s Facebook post. After speaking with witnesses Sept. 2, police said they were able to track down a suspect in a nearby room. He was found with blood on his skin and shoes, and had blood-stained pants that “were soaking wet” and “appeared as if someone had attempted to wash them,” police said. Read more: Sturbridge woman who survived car explosion was trying to get high, police say Police said there was also a small blood-stained folding knife in the pants. Police identified the man as Alix Ulloa-Hernandez, 34, from Vinton, Virginia, who was arrested, taken to the Sturbridge Public Safety Complex and held on a $7,500 cash bail. The post said Ulloa-Hernandez will be charged with assault and battery dangerous weapon, disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace. According to the post, witnesses told police the incident began at a small party at Super 8 by Wyndham Sturbridge on Main Street, attended by employees of the same roofing company out of Georgia. The witnesses said two groups of employees began an argument about which group performed better work, and during the argument, Ulloa-Hernandez allegedly cut the victim’s face open with a knife. Police were called at about 8 p.m. Police said, Robert Meza Hernandez, 21, from Norcross, Georgia and Danny Erazo Saravia, 28, from Norcross, Georgia were also identified by witnesses as being involved in the disturbance. Both Hernandez and Saravia will be summoned to court to answer charges of disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace. There are no more suspects.

Sep 05

Malaria-infected mosquitoes found in U.S.

Malaria-infected mosquitoes found in US The experts share ways to protect yourself after malaria-infected mosquitoes have spread in several states. <!–> Summer might be winding down, but mosquitoes haven’t gotten the memo. –> They’re still out there biting, and in some cases spreading diseases, including one that hasn’t spread in the U.S. in 20 years. Consumer Reports has more on the return of malaria and how you can protect yourself. <!–> Malaria was virtually wiped out in the U.S. in the 1950s, but this summer the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced nine cases of “locally acquired malaria.” –> <!–> –> That means the people infected had not traveled to areas where malaria is common. <!–> The most likely scenario is that a mosquito bit someone who was infected in a foreign country and then traveled back to the U.S., and then that mosquito bit another person, spreading the infection to them. –> At least seven people in Florida, two in Texas, and one in Maryland tested positive for what is believed to be locally acquired malaria. <!–> –> The other more worrisome but less likely scenario is that the U.S. has a previously undetected new strain of malaria-infected mosquitoes. <!–> The most common symptoms are flu-like and include fever, shaking chills, sweats, headache, body aches, nausea, and vomiting, and typically start seven to 30 days after infection. –> <!–> Why is malaria returning now? It’s always been the case that malaria could become reestablished in the U.S., because the mosquitoes that transmit it are common here. –> Factors like a warming climate and increasing global travel can make the environment friendlier to mosquitoes and the diseases they carry. <!–> Still, public health measures have had a good track record of stopping malaria transmission in the U.S. –> Despite these new cases, the risk of locally acquired malaria in the U.S. is extremely low, while other mosquito-borne infections like West Nile are far more common, and can be dangerous. <!–> So your best bet is to prevent mosquito bites before they happen. And always use a safe, effective insect repellent. –> Consumer Reports’ tests show the most effective repellents include those that contain 25 to 30 percent deet — like 3M Ultrathon Insect Repellent8 and Ben’s Tick and Insect Repellent Wilderness Formula Pump. <!–> –> It’s also important to keep mosquitoes away from your yard. <!–> –> Keep your space free of containers filled with water, and keep your lawn mowed and free of leaves and other debris. <!–> And you’ll lessen your risk of getting bitten when you avoid going outside at prime feeding times: That’s dawn and dusk. –> All Consumer Reports material Copyright 2023 Consumer Reports, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Consumer Reports is a not-for-profit organization which accepts no advertising. It has no commercial relationship with any advertiser or sponsor on this site. Fo <!–> –>