FACT FINDERS: Long-Haul COVID and the Delta Variant Aug. 11, 2021 Are you more likely to get long-haul COVID-19 from the original strain of the coronavirus or from the delta variant? Janko Nikolich-Zugich, MD, PhD, Department Head of Immunobiology at the College of Medicine – Tucson, says that’s still something they are researching. Most of the long-haul cases that have been diagnosed so far come from the original strain or early variants like Alpha. KOLD-TV (Tucson, AZ)
More Than 100,000 New Daily COVID Cases Reported in U.S. Fueled by Delta Variant Aug. 10, 2021 As CBS News' Omar Villafranca reports, the U.S. is now averaging more than 100,000 new coronavirus cases daily. The former head of the FDA warns that numbers could become higher as the new school year kicks off. Dr. Shad Marvasti, a family medicine physician and associate professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix, joins CBSN's Elaine Quijano with more. CBS News
How to Ask if Someone Is Vaccinated and Other Pandemic Etiquette Aug. 10, 2021 A parent can legally ask individual teachers if they’re vaccinated, but the teacher doesn’t have to answer, said a recent advisory in Education Week, a journal of K-12 education news. “Anyone can refuse to answer the question, but they should be prepared to be treated as if they are unvaccinated,” wrote Sarah Whitley Coles, MD, a family physician and assistant professor at the College of Medicine – Phoenix, in Dear Pandemic, a website and newsletter that offers family-friendly medical advice. Tampa Bay Times
Dr. Murtaza Akhter on Unvaccinated Students: ‘If I Were Parent, I’d Want My Kids Wearing Masks’ Aug. 10, 2021 Murtaza Akhter, MD, emergency physician at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix, discusses the CDC's announcement that fully vaccinated students do not need to wear masks in schools. MSNBC - Craig Melvin Reports
Dr. Benjamin Lee Named Chair of College of Medicine – Tucson Department of Urology Aug. 9, 2021 Dr. Lee will continue leading the department after increasing faculty, clinical visits, surgical procedures and research over the last five years. Read more Image
Public Health Faculty and Students Pursue Global Research Aug. 9, 2021 Six fellows working with faculty mentors will conduct research around the world as part of this year’s Global Health Equity Scholars fellowship program. Read more Image
Building Bridges Between Cancer Center and Tribal Communities Aug. 9, 2021 Dr. Monica Yellowhair unites her cancer expertise with a love for education and her community to strive for health equity and a cancer-free Arizona. Read more Image
Kids in Eye of ‘Perfect Storm’ of Tucson’s COVID-19 Spread Aug. 9, 2021 Children 16 and younger are accounting for a growing number of new COVID-19 cases in Pima County and nationwide. And that rise comes at a time when more than 100,000 county residents — those younger than 12 — are ineligible for the vaccine as schools reopen across Arizona, a state that has prohibited mask mandates in classrooms. “We’re seeing the perfect storm of another resurgence,” said Helene Felman, MD, clinical associate professor of pediatrics at the College of Medicine – Tucson and chief of general pediatrics at Banner Health in Tucson. Arizona Daily Star
Achieving a 'New Sexual-Health Paradigm' Means Expanding STI Care Aug. 9, 2021 Currently, the biggest limitation is access to care, said Laura Mercer, MD, MBA, a clinical assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology and director of OB/GYN clerkship at the College of Medicine – Phoenix. Mercer, who was not involved with the National Academies report or the analysis of it, told Medscape Medical News that it's essential to emphasize "sexual health as a core element of routine primary and preventative care" to ensure it becomes more accessible to patients without the need to seek out specialty. Medscape