COVID-19

Andrew Noymer
The Orange County Register, September 9, 2024

California’s COVID booster rates are dismal as new shot debuts. More sickness ahead?

"During the Delta surge, it was clear COVID was going hell-for-leather. Now we get these surges, and it’s less predictable. Unlike 2020 and some extent 2021, most people have had a COVID vaccine by now...I still believe it reduces severity. I’d advise readers who haven’t gotten any to get on board. You could be saving your own, or someone else’s, Nana." (Andrew Noymer)
Daniel Parker
Voice of OC, August 5, 2024

Orange County Grapples With Summer COVID Wave

"It’s just massive under testing on multiple levels – you used to have all these clinics where you could go get tested and get a bunch of tests sent to your house. At-home tests don’t get reported to state and county officials, which makes it difficult to determine what the actual positivity rate is. " (Daniel Parker)
Bernadette Boden-Albala
Parade, July 13, 2024

The One Unexpected Thing Infectious Disease Experts Are Begging You to Stop Doing If You Don’t Want to Get COVID This Summer

""As a public health leader, I will always strive to remind our community the substantial evidence backing the effectiveness of vaccines. The key is to keep your vaccines up to date as each season we face a new strain of flu or even a new variant of COVID-19. The most up-to-date shot will protect you from the viruses circulating now." (Bernadette Boden-Albala)
Bernadette Boden-Albala
Verywell Health, July 2, 2024

What to Know About the LB.1 COVID-19 Variant

"There is no evidence today that the LB.1 variant is causing different or more severe symptoms compared to past variants. The real difference is on an individual’s immunity either built up by maintaining adherence with booster vaccines or a combination of past COVID-19 infections. " (Bernadette Boden-Albala)
Bernadette Boden-Albala
VerywellHealth, May 21, 2024

MIP-C Is a New COVID-Related Syndrome That Can Cause Severe Lung Scarring

"It is important for syndromes or patterns like MIP-C to be identified because it is crucial for medical recognition and treatment options. Future research targeting MIP-C can better understand mechanisms involved and ultimately develop appropriate treatment and management strategies to reduce the impact of scarring on lung tissue. " (Bernadette Boden-Albala)
Bernadette Boden-Albala
Parade, May 10, 2024

These Are the 2 Most Common Symptoms of the New FLiRT COVID Variant Doctors Are Seeing Right Now

"We are not in flu season, so if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, it may be a sign that you have been exposed to COVID-19. You must test as soon as you experience symptoms for two reasons. First, if you test early, you can receive antiviral treatment earlier and reduce the chance of severe symptoms. Second, vulnerable communities like the elderly, pregnant people and the unvaccinated are highly susceptible, so testing early helps you make the informed decision to stay home and take care of yourself and your community." (Bernadette Boden-Albala)
Andrew Noymer
The Orange Country Register, April 3, 2024

Why do so few in Southern California get updated COVID vaccinations?

"Most egregiously, its official guidance is not to let a positive COVID at-home test result keep us from going to work or school, as long as we are asymptomatic. Yet some people are advised to re-up their vaccines every four months. While new guidance on a cadence of every-four-months vaccines for 65+ may make sense in light of data on fading antibodies, it’s not going to do anything to help vaccine uptake. " (Andrew Noymer)
Dana Mukamel
Medical Xpress, January 8, 2024

High-quality nursing home dementia care is not only a matter of adding staff, says study

"Current studies compare health outcomes of dementia patients receiving specialized care to dementia patients in general care. We wanted to investigate the dynamics of dementia, staffing and health outcomes in nursing homes compared with residents without dementia and embarked on this study to offer insights into this complex, three-way relationship." (Dana Mukamel)