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covid19

Brevard County- Troubling Influx of Patients with COVID-19 Symptoms Crowding Area Emergency Rooms

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BREVARD COUNTY, FL. – Hospital emergency rooms are inundated with patients with symptoms of COVID-19, a situation that has prompted a plea from Brevard County health officials and emergency services for residents to consider other options before taxing ambulance services with non-emergency calls and showing up at the ER for a COVID test when other test sites are available. 

All three hospital systems in the County  are over capacity and continue to deal with a strong surge in patients, said Brevard County Emergency Director John Scott. Hospitals have implemented surge plans that include cancellation of elective surgeries, and converting regular space into COVID-19 space and negative pressure rooms. Also of concern, Scott said, are that hospital emergency rooms are seeing comparable surges in patients with COVID-19 symptoms, though not all of those visiting the ER have an emergency situation. That creates safety concerns for real emergencies, such as traffic accident-related trauma patients, heart attack victims or others needing emergency treatment.

Scott said it’s important that residents and visitors to Brevard County increase their vigilance and “return to what we know helps slow the spread when it comes to COVID,  which is wearing face coverings, good hand hygiene, practicing social distancing when possible and, of course, we know we have a solution to this– which is our vaccine, and we encourage people to get as much good information that’s out there and make sure they know where to get them.”

Unvaccinated residents ages 12 and older should consider getting a COVID-19 vaccine, which is also available through a personal physician, pharmacy or retail outlet, and urgent cares. Scott said it’s also important that people looking to be tested for COVID-19 symptoms do so, not at an ER, but at an urgent care, pharmacy or through their own personal physicians.
 
“It is imperative that we pull together, we get through this and slow this curve to relieve the stress on our hospital system and our healthcare system so we can take care of everyone who gets sick,” Scott said.

The DOH has testing sites listed at  https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/testing-sites/. The Centers for Disease Control recommends that both vaccinated and unvaccinated residents wear a mask indoors in public, and continue to practice social distancing, hand washing, and cover coughs and sneezes. 

Some delays and backlogs are being encountered where testing is available.  At some locations, appointments are necessary. Others have seen long lines or are requesting patients to wait in their vehicles until notified to come inside for a test.

“(Testing) is still widely available in our community, but like anything as the numbers go up so too does the demand for testing,” Scott said. “We know it’s available at urgent care centers, Walgreen’s, CVS,  some medical diagnostic centers, and there are some at-home versions that can purchased at various retail outlets. A lot of primary care physicians are also offering tests. We always encourage folks to go to their primary physician anytime they have a question about their health, but I also want to caution folks that just because you want a COVID-19 test doesn’t mean you should go to the emergency room. That’s the exact opposite of what you should be doing. Go to Walgreen’s, go to CVS, contact your primary care physician or go to an urgent care, but also be patient. We are working with suppliers. Tests continue to come in, and the demand is up.”

Brevard County Fire Rescue Chief Mark Schollmeyer, said his department has seen an increase in COVID-19 positive and COVID-19 symptomatic patients over the last several weeks that equals, if not exceeds, the height of the pandemic in 2020.

“Subsequently our BCFR ambulances are seeing an increase in hospital times due to not being able to turn patients over to hospital staff,” he said, referring to ERs filled with patients suffering from COVID-19 symptoms. “We continue to ask that people use 9-1-1 sparingly for non-emergent issues and to save the ambulances and ER trips for those who urgently need those services. Just being COVID positive but asymptomatic does not always make it a life-threatening emergent condition requiring a trip to the ER. We ask people to take advantage of your primary care physician, telemedicine or urgent care and leave emergency room and ambulance trips for those with life threatening or serious emergencies.”

mccormick

Recall Alert-McCormick & Company recall 3 of its seasoning due to possible Salmonella contamination.

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McCormick & Company, Inc. is initiating a voluntary recall of McCormick Perfect Pinch Italian Seasoning, McCormick Culinary Italian Seasoning and Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Ranch Seasoning due to possible contamination with Salmonella.

Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.

The four products subject to this recall include:

McCormick Perfect Pinch Italian Seasoning 1.31 oz bottle
UPC NUMBER: 052100049731
MCCORMICK ITEM NUMBER: 901582629
AFFECTED DATE CODES: BEST BY MAY 26 24 K, BEST BY MAY 27 24 K, BEST BY JUN 04 24 K, BEST BY JUN 05 24 K

McCormick Perfect Pinch Italian Seasoning 2.25 oz bottle
UPC NUMBER: 052100038254
MCCORMICK ITEM NUMBER: 901455463
AFFECTED DATE CODES: BEST BY JUN 30 24 H, BEST BY JUL 01 24 H

McCormick Culinary Italian Seasoning 1.75 lbs. bottle
UPC NUMBER: 52100325743
MCCORMICK ITEM NUMBER: 932574
AFFECTED DATE CODES: BEST BY Jun 12 24 H

Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Ranch Seasoning 153g bottle
UPC NUMBER: 066200021047
MCCORMICK ITEM NUMBER: 901543520
AFFECTED DATE CODES: BB / MA 2022 SEP 06

The four products were shipped to the following locations:

SHIPPING DATES: June 20, 2021 through July 21, 2021
STATES SHIPPED TO: AL, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WI
INTERNATIONALLY SHIPPED TO: Bermuda, Canada

The potential risk was brought to McCormick’s attention by FDA during routine testing. This recall affects cases that were shipped of the affected date codes.

McCormick has alerted customers and grocery outlets to remove the product with the affected date codes from store shelves and distribution centers immediately, and to destroy this product in a manner that would prevent any further consumption

Consumers do not need to return the product to the store where it was purchased. Instead, consumers are urged to dispose of the recalled product and its container. Please contact McCormick Consumer Affairs at 1-800-635-2867, weekdays from 9:30 AM to 8:00 PM (Eastern Time), for a replacement or full refund, and with general inquires.

covid19

CDC gives new mask recommendations for unvaccinated individuals

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Washington D.C. –

 

Wearing a mask over your nose and mouth is required on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States and while indoors at U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations. Travelers are not required to wear a mask in outdoor areas of a conveyance (like on open deck areas of a ferry or the uncovered top deck of a bus).

healthfirst

Palm Bay-Health First updates Visitor Guidelines

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Palm Bay, Florida-

Update as of Friday, July 23

Face masks are required inside all Health First locations and must remain worn in all spaces, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status.

Visits from friends and relatives are an important part of recovery, and we welcome them too. However, to protect against the spread of respiratory illness, including COVID-19, we have updated our visitor policy. The following policy is now in place:

    • Patients may have one visitor at a time and can switch out visitors.
    • Visitors must pass an entry screening upon each entry and re-entry.
    • No visitors younger than 18 years old at this time.
    • Visitation for COVID-19 positive or PUI patients is not allowed with the exception of end-of-life and labor/delivery patients.
    • Standard visitation hours will be from 7:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. (This does not apply to end-of-life, maternity, or emergency department visitors.)
    • Patients admitted outside of visitation hours will be allowed to have one visitor accompany them to the unit and stay until the patient is settled into their room.
    • Patients who come in for surgery or a procedure and are admitted can have one visitor accompany them to their room.
    • No overnight visitation (Exceptions for pediatrics, maternity, end-of-life and emergency services.)
    • Pediatric patients may have two visitors who must be either parents or guardians.
    • Maternity Services and NICU may have one visitor with the exception of a patient who has a doula. In this case, the patient may have both the support person and doula.

Other Rules and Regulations

    • Visitors should receive a Visitor ID pass at the Visitor ID Badging Station at Holmes Regional and Palm Bay Hospital.
    • Wash hands prior to entering or leaving a patient’s room.
    • Visitors should refrain from visiting when ill or recently exposed to a communicable illness or infection.
    • Visitors should maintain privacy by only entering the room of the patient they are visiting.
    • Facilitating rest and recovery by keeping noise and disturbances to a minimum.
    • Wear protective equipment when applicable.
    • Refrain from smoking, consuming alcohol or using illegal drugs on Health First premises.
    • Visitors should wear appropriate clothing such as shoes and shirts.
    • Abide by patient preferences, as well as clinically necessary restrictions or limitations.
    • Refrain from interfering with normal health care operations.
    • Limit visitation to times specified by each facility.
covid19vaccine

City of Palm Bay to Host Vaccination Clinic in Partnership with Orlando VA

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PALM BAY, FLORIDA – The City of Palm Bay will host a vaccination clinic in partnership with the Orlando VA Healthcare System on Friday, April 30, 2021. The event will be held from 10:00am until 2:00pm in the Dawn Reid Community Room in the City Hall Annex, located at 120 Malabar Road SE. Vaccinations will be offered to veterans, as well as veteran spouses, caregivers, and CHAMPVA recipients 18 years of age and older.
 
To pre-register for vaccination, visit https://www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine/ or call (407) 631-0499.
 
Orlando VA staff will be distributing the double-dose Moderna vaccine and the single-dose Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine at the clinic. Distribution of the Janssen vaccine resumed on April 23 at the recommendation of the Centers for Disease Control and the Food and Drug Administration following a temporary pause to conduct a thorough safety review. Both agencies issued statements supporting the continued use of the vaccine and determined that available data show that the benefits of the Janssen vaccine outweigh the known and potential risks in individuals 18 years of age and older. Individuals who receive the Moderna vaccine will have their second dose appointment scheduled at the Palm Bay VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic or the Viera VA Clinic.
covid19vaccine

City of Palm Bay to Offer COVID-19 Vaccinations

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PALM BAY, FLORIDA – The City of Palm Bay, in partnership with Brevard County Emergency Management and the Department of Health in Brevard County, will continue offering free COVID-19 vaccinations at a distribution site at Palm Bay Fire Rescue Headquarters, located next to Liberty Park at 899 Carlyle Avenue SE. The distribution site will be operated by Palm Bay Fire Rescue personnel and offer free drive-thru vaccinations by appointment only on Friday, April 23, 2021.
How to Secure a Vaccination Appointment
The City of Palm Bay’s vaccination site is appointment-only; no walk-ups will be allowed. The City will open registration phone lines at 9:00am on Monday, April 19 and again at 9:00am on Tuesday, April 20. Appointments will be assigned on a first come, first served basis until all appointment slots have been filled. During your registration call, a representative will collect information needed to begin your vaccination paperwork.
To make a vaccination appointment, call (321) 726-2790. Phone lines will be activated from 9:00am until 12:00pm on Monday, April 19 and again on Tuesday, April 20 from 9:00am until 12:00pm.
Once you have completed the registration process, you will be assigned an appointment time. To ensure a smooth vaccination appointment, please arrive to the testing site on time.
What to Bring to Your Vaccination Appointment
Please bring a valid form of ID (driver’s license, passport, etc.) to your vaccination appointment. If your ID does not list a Florida address, please bring proof of full- or part-time Florida residency (utility bill, mortgage statement, etc.).
Vaccine Eligibility
The City of Palm Bay must operate in accordance with State of Florida vaccination eligibility guidelines. As of April 5, 2021, all Floridians are eligible to receive any COVID-19 vaccine as prescribed by the Food and Drug administration. The Moderna vaccine is authorized for individuals age 18 and up.
Vaccine Type
Currently, the City has received doses of the Moderna vaccine through its partnership with Brevard County Emergency Management and the Department of Health in Brevard County. The Moderna vaccine requires two doses, spaced 28 days apart. Individuals who receive the Moderna vaccine at the City of Palm Bay distribution site will have the appointment for their second dose scheduled during their initial visit.
Future Appointment Availability
The City of Palm Bay’s distribution site will operate on a week-to-week basis due to limited vaccine supplies. Future appointment availability will be determined by the weekly vaccine allotments received from the Florida Department of Health. The City is committed to continuing our vaccine distribution partnership with Brevard County Emergency Management and the Department of Health in Brevard County. As supplies become available, we will open additional vaccination appointments.
covid19vaccine

CDC & FDA recommend a pause on Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine

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Breaking News

Federal health agencies are calling for an immediate pause in the use of Johnson & Johnson’s single-dose coronavirus vaccine after six recipients in the United States developed a rare disorder involving blood clots within two weeks of vaccinations. 

All six recipients were women between the ages of 18 and 48. One woman died and second woman has been hospitalized in critical condition. 

Around seven million people in the United States have received Johnson & Johnson shots so far.  Nine million shots have been shipped out to the states according to the data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

covid19vaccine

City of Palm Bay to Open Vaccine Distribution Site

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Vaccinations will be performed by appointment only on Friday, April 9. Registration opens Monday, April 5 at 9:00am.
 
PALM BAY, FLORIDA – The City of Palm Bay, in partnership with Brevard County Emergency Management and the Department of Health in Brevard County, will be opening a COVID-19 vaccine distribution site at Palm Bay Fire Rescue Headquarters, located next to Liberty Park at 899 Carlyle Avenue SE. The distribution site will be operated by Palm Bay Fire Rescue personnel and offer free drive-thru vaccinations by appointment only beginning on Friday, April 9, 2021.
 
How to Secure a Vaccination Appointment
 
The City of Palm Bay’s vaccination site is appointment-only; no walk-ups will be allowed. The City will open registration phone lines at 9:00am on Monday, April 5. Appointments will be assigned on a first come, first served basis until all appointment slots have been filled. During your registration call, a representative will collect information needed to begin your vaccination paperwork.
 
To make a vaccination appointment, call (321) 726-2790. Phone lines will be activated at 9:00am on Monday, April 5.
 
Once you have completed the registration process, you will be assigned an appointment time. To ensure a smooth vaccination appointment, please arrive to the testing site on time.
 
What to Bring to Your Vaccination Appointment
 
Please bring a valid form of ID (driver’s license, passport, etc.) to your vaccination appointment. If your ID does not list a Florida address, please bring proof of full- or part-time Florida residency (utility bill, mortgage statement, etc.).
 
Vaccine Eligibility
 
The City of Palm Bay must operate in accordance with State of Florida vaccination eligibility guidelines. As of April 5, 2021, all Floridians are eligible to receive any COVID-19 vaccine as prescribed by the Food and Drug administration. The Moderna vaccine is authorized for individuals age 18 and up.
 
Vaccine Type
 
Currently, the City has received doses of the Moderna vaccine through its partnership with Brevard County Emergency Management and the Department of Health in Brevard County. The Moderna vaccine requires two doses, spaced 28 days apart. Individuals who receive the Moderna vaccine at the City of Palm Bay distribution site will have the appointment for their second dose scheduled during their initial visit.
 
Future Appointment Availability
 
The City of Palm Bay’s distribution site will operate on a week-to-week basis due to limited vaccine supplies. Future appointment availability will be determined by the weekly vaccine allotments received from the Florida Department of Health. The City is committed to continuing our vaccine distribution partnership with Brevard County Emergency Management and the Department of Health in Brevard County. As supplies become available, we will open additional vaccination appointments.
BREAKING-NEWS-GENERIC-2

All Florida Residents 18 and over will be eligible COVID-19 vaccine on April 5th

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Breaking News: In two weeks all Florida Residents age 18 and over will be able to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Gov. Ron Desantis announce this morning that effective Monday, April 5th, he’ll open the vaccine up to “all individuals age 18 and older.” Effective Monday March 29, all residents of Florida 40 and over will be eligible to receive the vaccine. 

Residents can preregister at myvaccine.fl.gov.

 

covid19vaccine

Orlando VA to Hold a Mobile Vaccination Clinic in Palm Bay

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PALM BAY, FLORIDA – The Orlando Veterans Affairs (VA) Healthcare System will hold a mobile vaccination outreach event at the Palm Bay VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic, located at 5200 Babcock Street NE, on Saturday, March 27th from 9:00am until 3:00pm. The single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be distributed by appointment only at this event; walk-ups will not be permitted. Vaccinations will be provided free of charge to qualified individuals.
 
To qualify for vaccination at the Palm Bay VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic, individuals must be eligible veterans currently enrolled in the VA system and meet at least one of the following criteria:
 
  • 65 years of age and older
 
  • Work in public service (law enforcement, firefighter, hospital employee, teacher, etc.) – Valid employee ID is required at check-in
 
 
To schedule an appointment, call (407) 631-0499. For more information and for a complete list of VA vaccination opportunities, visit https://www.orlando.va.gov/services/covid-19-vaccines.asp.

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