Today marks 1 year since the 1st diagnosed COVID case in Louisiana. To date we have had 430,000 cases of COVID in Louisiana and 9769 deaths. 6.1 million have been tested for COVID.
Vaccines:
We now have three safe effective vaccines to help us fight this pandemic. Today the governor has expanded vaccine eligibility.
We are regularly receiving Pfizer COVID vaccines at Abbeville General.
The Maurice Community Care Clinic is now set up to administer Moderna COVID vaccines.
The Johnson and Johnson vaccines that Louisiana received were used strictly for mass vaccine events. There is NO more Johnson and Johnson vaccines available until 3/28/21.. .
If anyone would like a vaccine please call 898-6235 or 898-6242 or you can reach out to the Maurice Community Care Clinic at 898-9449.
CDC released new guidance for people who have been fully vaccinated.
Expansion of COVID-19 vaccine eligibility criteria in Louisiana to include individuals aged 18-64 with certain high-risk medical conditions (or 16+ for Pfizer vaccine only), and staff working in congregate settings.
The State of Louisiana is announcing an expansion of the criteria for Phase 1b, Tier 1 of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign. This expansion, effective March 9th, 2021, includes all persons previously available in Phases 1a and 1b, Tier 1 and expands Phase 1b, Tier 1 to include:
Individuals aged 18-64 (or 16+ for Pfizer vaccine only) with at least one of the conditions listed by the CDC as placing them at an “increased risk of severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19.” The CDC list of conditions can be found at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-withmedicalconditions.html.
o Cancer
o Chronic kidney disease
o COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
o Down Syndrome
o Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease or
cardiomyopathies
o Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant
o Obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 30kg/m2 or higher but < 40kg/m2)
o Severe obesity (BMIC >40kg/m2)
o Sickle Cell Disease
o Smoking
o Type 2 diabetes mellitus
Individuals aged 18-64 (or 16+ for Pfizer vaccine only) with at least one of the conditions
listed by the CDC that indicates they “might be at an increased risk of severe illness from
the virus that causes COVID-19.” The CDC list of conditions can be found at:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-withmedicalconditions.
html
o Asthma (moderate-to-severe)
o Cerebrovascular disease (affects blood vessels and blood supply to the brain)
o Cystic fibrosis
o Hypertension or high blood pressure
HAN Bureau of Community Preparedness 2
o Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from blood or bone
marrow transplant, immune deficiencies, HIV, use of corticosteroids, or use of other
immune weakening medicines
o Chronic liver disease
o Overweight (BMI > 25 kg/m2, but < 30 kg/m2)
o Pulmonary fibrosis (having damaged or scarred lung tissues)
o Severe neurologic conditions such as dementia
o Thalassemia (a type of blood disorder)
o Type 1 diabetes mellitus
Important: Persons with above medical conditions should be instructed to complete the
Louisiana COVID-19 Vaccine Attestation Form which is attached to this Health Alert and will
be posted on the Louisiana COVID Vaccination website.
Any staff working in congregate facilities (such as prisons/jail staff).
To read more you can go to https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
COVID Variant Strains:
- UK Strain – 20 cases in Louisiana. 75 cases under investigation
- South Africa Strain – None in Louisiana
- Brazilian Strain – None in Louisiana
According to a recent New England Journal article the confidence is very strong that all three vaccines are protecting us against the variant COVID strains.