Wastewater testing is an effective way to identify new cases of COVID-19, finds study Wastewater testing is an effective way to identify new cases of COVID-19 in nursing homes and other congregate living settings, and it may be particularly useful for preventing outbreaks in college dormitories, a new University of Virginia study finds. The research, a collaboration of UVA s School of Medicine and School of Engineering, was led by UVA Health s Amy Mathers, MD. It offers some of the first clear guidance on the most effective methods to perform testing to detect COVID-19 in wastewater. The researchers evaluated and compared sampling and analysis techniques by testing them within buildings with known numbers of positive cases. They were then able to determine wastewater testing s strengths and limitations as a tool for monitoring COVID-19 in a building population. For example, the technique proved better at detecting initial infections than determining the number of occupants infected or how long they had been infected.
View Comments STAUNTON Sandra McGrath will be the new principal at Bessie Weller Elementary School. The announcement was made by Superintendent Garett Smith at the Staunton School Board meeting Monday night. The school s assistant principal since 2017, McGrath will replace Rich Fletcher, who is retiring after this school year. I was extremely excited, McGrath said, but along with that excitement comes a lot of responsibility. Before becoming an educator, McGrath worked in administration at the University of Virginia Health System. While in college, she saw two paths hospital administration or education that her career might take following graduation. She chose the former, and while she enjoyed working at UVA, she said something was missing.
Government Executive Get the latest on need-to-know topics for federal employees delivered to your inbox. email The reputation of all COVID-19 vaccines hinges on improving perceptions of the Johnson and Johnson shot. Katherine J. Wu , Had Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine been the first to get the FDA’s green light, it might have been hailed from the get-go for what it actually is: a scientific and technological marvel. It requires just one injection to confer full immunity a boon for needlephobes and tough-to-reach populations who can’t easily access a second dose. It’s relatively cheap and has forgiving refrigeration requirements, making it a breeze to ship and store. And clinical trials showed that it’s a knockout at guarding against hospitalization and death, and 66 percent effective at preventing moderate to severe cases of COVID-19, even amid the rise of antibody-dodging coronavirus variants. Johnson & Johnson accomplished all this in less than a year, granting the world a safe and effective vaccine crucial to hastening the pandemic’s eventual end.
Many people have picked up foraging as a hobby during the pandemic in an effort to get outside. The Blue Ridge Poison Center is warning people to be careful when picking and eating your own plants.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to people spending more time outdoors and sparked an increased interest in foraging for wild foods, which can lead to accidental poisoning.
Police investigating more shots fired incidents, one person hurt cbs19news.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from cbs19news.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Many infants aren t getting common childhood vaccines, study finds Experts are worried about kids’ protection against potentially life-threatening infections 04/30/2021 Photo (c) vgajic - Getty ImagesWhile a lot of attention is currently being paid to the COVID-19 vaccine, a new study conducted by researchers from the University of Virginia Health System evaluated infants’ overall vaccination records. According to their findings, nearly 30% of infants aren’t vaccinated for common childhood illnesses like measles, chickenpox, or polio. The team is particularly concerned about what this means for kids’ general health and wellness because missing these crucial vaccines can leave them susceptible to serious illnesses.