COVID cases spike, cause staff shortages

COVID-19 cases continued to skyrocket in Johnson County this week, forcing employers to get creative as they tackle staffing shortages. “We’ve tripled the number of COVID tests we’ve administered this week compared to two weeks ago,” said Miranda Camino, clinic director at the Family Medical Center. “And we are seeing a lot of patients who…

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Amie Holt Care Center COVID update

The Amie Holt Care Center is under outbreak status as deemed by the CDC, meaning a staff member has tested positive for COVID-19. When a staff member tests positive, the infection prevention team investigates to determine if other staff or residents may have been exposed. COVID-19 testing will be completed for residents and staff if…

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Newest COVID variant spreads quickly

Highly transmissible. That’s how scientists and healthcare professionals are describing omicron, the newest variant of COVID. Due to the highly contagious nature of the variant, the Johnson County Healthcare Center has implemented changes to protect our patients and residents, including staff wearing KN95 masks (as they have multiple layers) for patient interactions. The Johnson County…

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Boosters shown to increase protection against Omicron

According to data from South Africa and the United Kingdom, a COVID vaccine booster dose increases vaccine effectiveness against the Omicron variant to 75%, compared to 35% for those who have received two doses of an mRNA vaccine. The reinfection risk of Omicron is five times higher than with Delta, and protection from a previous…

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The flu is here!

Protect yourself and your family by washing your hands often; keeping your sneezes and coughs to yourself; and keeping your hands out of your eyes, mouth and nose. It’s also not too late to get the flu vaccine, which is available at The Family Medical Center – no appointment necessary. Walk-ins are welcome. (497 West…

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Pfizer COVID vaccine receives full approval

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration gave full approval to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for those 16 years old and older. “The FDA’s approval of this vaccine is a milestone as we continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. While this and other vaccines have met the FDA’s rigorous, scientific standards for emergency use authorization,…

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Symptom check: COVID-19 or seasonal allergies?

Spring is in the air. Green grass peeks out through a blanket of snow. Buds swell and burst open, revealing tiny new leaves on trees. Colorful flowers begin to bloom on shrubs. Birds start appearing at backyard feeders. You wake up each morning sneezing and with a stuffy nose. In past years, your first thought…

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Mask policy at JCHC

For the past two months, Johnson County has maintained a low COVID-19 case rate and continues to see a climbing vaccination rate. As such, the Johnson County Healthcare Center has modified its mask policy. The Johnson County Healthcare Center will not require fully immunized individuals to wear a mask within the main campus, including the…

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Vacation safety during the pandemic

Source: Association for Professionals in Infection Control & Epidemiology How can I make my travel plans safer? If you ultimately decide to move forward with your travel plans, follow these tips to ensure maximum safety during your trip: Get fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Wait two weeks after your second shot (or the one shot in…

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