CASS COUNTY HEALTH UPDATE

The Texas Department of Health and Human Services has been alerted to the first reported monkeypox case in our region. It is unclear however where the case is. It should be noted however that PHR 4/5N is a large region in Northeast-East Texas that covers several counties, and is larger than ten states in population and geography, so even though residents should be cautious, they should not be fearful.

Currently, the monkeypox outbreak has recorded 813 cases. The cases affect all ages and genders; however, the largest number of infections happen between 18-39 years old, 18-29 years, 227 cases, and 30-39 years with 363 cases respectively here in Texas. Of the 813 cases, 801 are men.

In a release from DSHS, “DSHS and local health departments are investigating cases of monkeypox that are part of an international outbreak. The disease, which can cause a serious skin rash, appears to be spreading largely via direct contact with the skin or saliva of an infected person. Most cases so far have been among men who have sex with men, so that population should be especially aware of the situation and take precautions to avoid direct contact with anyone with a rash.

”As of Aug. 10, DSHS has begun shipping an additional 16,340 vials of the JYNNEOS monkeypox vaccine to local health departments and DSHS public health regions. The distribution is based on the number of people currently at the greatest risk of being exposed to the monkeypox virus.

“DSHS has also provided updated guidance to local health departments, including on the population eligible for vaccination. The guidance covers the federal announcement allowing providers to stretch the number of doses they have by giving a smaller amount of vaccine through a different injection method. This method may allow each vial to be used for up to five doses.”

The name monkeypox may not stick around for very long, according to Forbes, “The World Health Organization is inviting the public to propose new names for monkeypox and has renamed two variants of the disease, according to a statement released Friday, after weeks of criticism that the name has racist connotations and generates stigma.”

In COVID-19 News. CDC eases COVID quarantine and testing guidelines as it marks a new phase in a pandemic. According to reports, “People who are not up to date with their Covid-19 vaccines and who are exposed to someone infected with the coronavirus no longer need to quarantine, according to new CDC guidelines. The new guidelines could also ease the testing burden on schools.”

“We’re in a stronger place today as a nation, with more tools—like vaccination, boosters, and treatments— to protect ourselves, and our communities, from a severe illness from COVID-19,” said Greta Massetti, Ph.D., MPH, MMWR author. “We also have a better understanding of how to protect people from being exposed to the virus, like wearing high-quality masks, testing, and improved ventilation. This guidance acknowledges that the pandemic is not over, but also helps us move to a point where COVID-19 no longer severely disrupts our daily lives.”

Within the new direction of the CDC, they have issued new guidelines: Continuing to promote the importance of being up to date with vaccination to protect people against serious illness, hospitalization, and death. The protection provided by the current vaccine against symptomatic infection and transmission is less than that against severe disease and diminishes over time, especially against the currently circulating variants. For this reason, it is important to stay up to date, especially as new vaccines become available.

Updating its guidance for people who are not up to date on COVID-19 vaccines on what to do if exposed to someone with COVID-19. This is consistent with the existing guidance for people who are up to date on COVID-19 vaccines.

Recommending that instead of quarantining if you were exposed to COVID-19, you wear a high-quality mask for 10 days and get tested on day 5.

Reiterating that regardless of vaccination status, you should isolate yourself from others when you have COVID-19.

You should also isolate if you are sick and suspect that you have COVID-19 but do not yet have test results.

If your results are positive, follow CDC’s full isolation recommendations.

If your results are negative, you can end your isolation.

Recommending that if you test positive for COVID-19, you stay home for at least 5 days and isolate yourself from others in your home. You are likely most infectious during these first 5 days. Wear a high-quality mask when you must be around others at home and in public.

If after 5 days you are fever- free for 24 hours without the use of medication, and your symptoms are improving, or you never had symptoms, you may end isolation after day 5.

Regardless of when you end isolation, avoid being around people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19 until at least day 11.

You should wear a high-quality mask through day 10.

Recommending that if you had moderate illness (if you experienced shortness of breath or had difficulty breathing) or severe illness (you were hospitalized) due to COVID-19 or have a weakened immune system, you need to isolate through day 10.

Recommending that if you had severe illness or have a weakened immune system, consult your doctor before ending isolation. Ending isolation without a viral test may not be an option for you. If you are unsure if your symptoms are moderate or severe or if you have a weakened immune system, talk to a healthcare provider for further guidance.

Clarifying that after you have ended isolation, if your COVID-19 symptoms worsen, restart your isolation at day 0. Talk to a healthcare provider if you have questions about your symptoms or when to end isolation.

Recommending screening testing of asymptomatic people without known exposures will no longer be recommended in most community settings.

Emphasizing that physical distance is just one component of how to protect yourself and others. It is important to consider the risk in a particular setting, including local COVID-19 Community Levels and the important role of ventilation, when assessing the need to maintain physical distance.

Here in Cass County since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been 4982 confirmed cases, 2950 estimated cases, and 197 fatalities.