With the resurgence in COVID-19 cases across the U.S., some states and hospitals are implementing a limit to or postponement of nonessential and elective surgeries. Michael McKee, MD, orthopedic surgeon at Banner University Medical Center and professor and chair of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at the College of Medicine – Phoenix, is quoted.

UArizona Health Sciences expert Deepta Bhattacharya, PhD, discusses the omicron variant, COVID-19 vaccines and the best ways to stay healthy and safe.

According to the CDC, Arizona has the second-highest death rate in the nation. Joe Gerald, MD, PhD, associate professor of public health policy at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman and the team leader for the university's COVID-19 Modeling Group, is interviewed.

Mohab Ibrahim, MD, PhD, medical director of the UArizona Health Sciences Comprehensive Pain and Addiction Center, said he is seeing mostly diffuse muscle and joint pain. However, less common pain complaints have included headache and neuropathic pain.

Omicron’s increased transmissibility has led to a record number of coronavirus infections, bolstering immunity to help prevent future surges – but health experts still remain concerned about the potential of new variants and reduced immunity over time. Deepta Bhattacharya, PhD, a professor and immunologist at the College of Medicine – Tucson is quoted.

People worldwide have received mRNA vaccines that provide powerful protection against severe COVID-19 caused by infection with SARS-CoV-2. For more than a decade, cancer researchers have been developing a type of treatment known as a personalized cancer vaccine using various technologies, including mRNA and protein fragments or peptides. Julie Bauman, MD, MPH, professor of medicine and deputy director of the UArizona Cancer Center, is quoted.

Daniel Derksen, MD, professor of public health and director of the University of the UArizona Center for Rural Health, has been appointed to the New College of Health Solutions advisory board, a group of health leaders assembled to help the college better understand health workforce issues and the needs of Arizona’s diverse communities.

John N. Galgiani, MD, a professor and director of the Valley Fever Center for Excellence at the College of Medicine – Tucson, writes about the Arizona Board of Regents’ New Economy Initiativeand its support for a Valley Fever Collaborative among the state’s three public universities calling it a major step in recognizing Valley fever as a significant public-health and economic problem in Arizona.

Protection against COVID-19 infection has dropped significantly with Omicron, largely due to the dozens of mutations on the virus's spike protein, making it easier to spread through vaccinated and unvaccinated populations than with previous variants. Deepta Bhattacharya, PhD, an immunologist and professor at the College of Medicine – Tucson, is quoted.

Wildcat Hockey will raise awareness for cancer with proceeds going to the UArizona Cancer Center when it faces ASU Thursday, Jan. 27, at the Tucson Arena.