VH is recognized by the House of Delegates
Valley Health (VH) announced that they have been recognized by the House of Delegates.
The recognition is for their service to the community through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Virginia Delegate Wendy Gooditis was at Winchester Medical Center July 18 to present House Resolution 653 to VH personnel.
Gooditis told the officials that the resolution passed unanimously on bipartisan basis through the House of Delegates.
Gooditis added that she and her colleagues across the Commonwealth acknowledge and appreciated what VH does for the community often at great personal risk.
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VH implements Level Yellow visitation
In an email from Valley Health (VH) Public Relations Manager Carol Weare it was announced that visitation to VH Hospitals has gone from level red to level yellow as of today Mon. Mar. 14.
This is due largely to the recent decrease in COVID-19 cases and admissions.
Two of a patient’s care partners can now stay at the bedside of adults in surgical or critical care units.
The exception is when a patient is confirmed or suspected of having COVID-19 then only one care partner is allowed.
In labor or delivery units a third person is allowed for a baby’s delivery.
All care partners must be at least 18 years of age and designated by the patient.
All care partners must also follow all VH health and safety guidelines.
A complete definition of Level Yellow status is found at valleyhealthlink.com.
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CDC list all of LFHD as low COVID-19 Transmission Counties
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have listed all counties in the Lord Fairfax Health District (LFHD) as a low COVID-19 transmission rate area.
Under the new guidelines by the CDC of Low, Medium or High transmission rates.
Clarke, Frederick, Page, Shenandoah and Warren Counties are all listed as low in transmission of COVID-19.
Under the new CDC guidelines this means healthy people who are up to date on vaccinations do not have to wear masks.
Of course anyone is welcome to continue to use a mask if they choose especially those with compromised immune systems.
Masks are also still required on public transportation as well in some public buildings.
The rating of Low for the LFHD comes as new cases of COVID-19 have dropped by 20 percent in recent weeks.
Also the 72 percent of Virginians currently vaccinated has helped to keep the LFHD at its current Low transmission rate.
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CDC implements new mask guidelines
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) set new guidelines for masks and where it is safest to go without one.
A seven day moving average has been implemented using current hospital beds in use, admissions and COVID-19 cases to determine low, medium or high transmission levels.
For instance as of Feb. 28Â Valley Health have reduced reporting hospitalizations to once a week as current COVID-19 admission continue to drop.
You should talk with your health care provider for complete information.
Visit CDC.Gov to find where your community stands in the low, medium or high category.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Winchester drops mask requirements in government centers
The Winchester CitE news letter announced that masks are no longer required for unvaccinated visitors in government buildings.
Where visitors to the Winchester City Government Buildings will no longer be required to wear masks there are circumstances that need to be considered.
City officials ask that you follow the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
If you feel sick stay at home, practice proper hygiene and wear a mask.
The CDC also recommends a mask for anyone who is recovering from COVID-19 symptoms for at least ten days.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Frederick County School Board holds a special meeting tonight 1/20
A social post from Frederick County Schools shows that the Frederick County School Board will hold a special meeting tonight at 7:30.
The meeting will take place at the Administration Building at 1415 Amherst St. Winchester.
With COVID-19 cases preventing some from attending the meeting public comments can submitted today Jan. 20.
The comments must be submitted before 3 p.m. today Jan. 20 at frederickcountyschoolsva.net.
A live stream of the meeting will be available at the school’s you tube channel.
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News Maker Jason Craig of VH on COVID-19 testing locations
As we have mentioned and Gov. Northam has confirmed in an email COVID-19 testing cannot be performed at hospital emergency rooms.
We spoke with Valley Health’s (VH) Director for Community Health Jason Craig about it in our latest news maker.
The good news is brought to you by The Town of Front Royal.
Jason confirms that emergency rooms are for emergency situations and not for COVID testing.
He tells us where test are to be preformed all across our region including Frederick, Warren, Shenandoah and Page Counties.
Jason not only tells us where testing is being done but what has to be done before you get that test.
Click here for Jason’s interview.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Those Nasty, Drunken “Iggle” Fans
Greetings From The Booth!
It’s Christmas week, and in the latest VFB, I thought I’d start with a few stocking stuffers before getting to the big present under the tree (BTW, when you unwrap gifts on Christmas morning, do you start with the stocking, or do you save that for last?). Last week was my annual Christmas vacation, and I started it with a short drive to beautiful Middleburg, where a memorial was held for the late Sam Huff. It was more a celebration of Sam’s life as opposed to a somber event, and featured video footage, gospel music, and Sam Huff stories from the likes of broadcaster Frank Herzog, and executives from the Marriott Corporation and the West Virginia Breeders Classic. The event was like a trip back into my youth, as I got to meet the aforementioned Redskins play-by-play man Herzog, and former burgundy-and-gold greats like Mark Moseley, Brig Owens, and Sonny Jurgensen. I also had the pleasure of speaking to Sam’s longtime companion Carol Holden, who was as nice as could be, and even agreed to listen to my Sports Dogs Podcast from several weeks ago about Sam. I’m humbled to say that she gave the podcast high praise.
Another passing took a lot of us by surprise this morning , simply because we thought Russ Potts would live forever. Russ was 82, but always seemed 28 to me. You can certainly look up his long list of achievements–he was a 4-term Virginia State Senator, headed up his own sports marketing company (Potts marketed some big-time events like the Sampson vs. Ewing UVA-Georgetown basketball game back in the day), and was an inductee into the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival Sports Hall Of Fame. More that, Russ Potts was a first-class gentleman. I had the honor of speaking with Russ on one of my Sports Dogs shows a few years ago, and he could not have been nicer. Having him on that show was a major reason we won a Virginia Association of Broadcasters “Outstanding Sports Operation” award that year. Russ Potts was involved in lots of things on a national scale, but was always about first and foremost about Winchester. He will be missed by many.
Now, to that big present under the tree. Because of a COVID outbreak on several NFL teams, the league has had to do some rescheduling of games this week, including the Washington Football Teams’ game with the Philadelphia Eagles. That contest was supposed to have been played yesterday (Sunday), but was move to Tuesday of this week, and the “Iggles” and their fans are not happy. Their reasoning is that they are being punished because of an issue on the opposing team. The WFT had over 20 players go on the COVID list, and when combined with a MASH unit-like injury list, would have been hard-pressed to field a team on Sunday. As it stands, the Football Team will still be heavy underdogs on Tuesday night in what is a must-win game for both teams. Many of the Philly players and fans wanted a forfeit, which is the last thing the NFL wants to do.
These are the same Eagle fans who mocked Giants’ Head Coach Joe Judge last year when Judge complained that Philadelphia mailed in the 4th quarter of a game with Washington that had playoff implications. This is also the same Philly fanbase that has been known to boo Santa Claus. The NFL is very protective of its product, and like any business owner trying to navigate through the pandemic, can ill-afford another shutdown, while handing out free wins in December.
So, to all you nasty, drunken Iggle fans–stop whining and play the game. You are probably going to win, especially if the WFT starts a quarterback by the name of Gibby Gilbert, or Gilbert Gottfried, or Gilbert O’Sullivan–I forget his name to be honest. I’m not sure Washington has much chance if someone under center was the voice of AFLAC or had a 70’s top-40 hit. Yes, you will now have only 4 days to prepare for your next game ( a home contest against the lowly Giants), but the Football Team will also have 4 days to get ready for a road game AT Dallas. Who is being punished more? Just tee it up and play.
That’s it from The Booth. If you don’t get what you want tomorrow night, try not to boo Santa.
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!
RW
Community Health: Understanding Omicron
As part of our ongoing Community Health series in partnership with Valley Health, today’s conversation with Dr. Jeffrey Feit centered around the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
He explained why this variant is particularly tricky and talked about what is known vs what is not known about it’s spread, virility and the impact vaccines will have in fighting it.
People Inc. is offering internet connectivity assistance
People Inc. is offering internet connectivity help with a connectivity specialist available according to their website.
Anyone who has had internet service interrupted by a situation caused by COVID-19 can take advantage of the program if they qualify.
Programs are available to qualified clients to cover past due payments.
The program could also provide up to six months of paid service to those who qualify.
Click here for additional information and qualifications for the service.
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