Covid-19 Update (October 2023)

Three and half years after the start of the Covid-19 pandemic (November 2019) , its large scale public health impacts are being recognized.  Those of us who went through this period will remember it for the rest of our lives.

 

Covid-19 Excess Mortality (2020-2022)

Relative excess mortality (REM, %) is a measure of the deaths that would not have been expected, without the large scale societal and economic perturbations associated with the pandemic.  This statistic is different from the deaths directly caused by the infectious disease known as Covid-19.

REM is expressed as the percentage of deaths over those that would normally have occurred, i.e., based on data from the years before the pandemic. As such, the true death toll of the pandemic is much larger than the numbers officially associated with Covid-19 infections.

This report suggests that 1,179,024 excess deaths occurred during the first 2 years of the pandemic, about the same number of lives lost to direct infection by this coronavirus.

 

Current Estimates of the Prevalence of Post Acute Covid (Long Covid)

Current data indicate that women are affected more than men, Hispanic cohorts show higher prevalence than other groups, as do people living close to the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and those living in Nonmetro (Rural) regions of the country.

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April 2023 Update

With the waning of Covid, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has relaxed mask requirements.  However, I also see a lot of people in our community wearing masks. People are still concerned, and that is understandable. Clients can advise me on their special needs, based on current immune status.  We will work together to keep you safe.

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Since May 2020, patients have been following these guidelines to minimize community spread, the unintentional transmission of SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19).

All patients are screened during the initial telephone conversation, before an appointment is scheduled, to make sure they aren’t experiencing Covid-19 signs and symptoms (see below).

• First Appointment: Please wait in your car and I will bring you in to the clinic. Hand washing on entry is required, as is a face mask.
• For those who work in high density public access environments, special precautions are needed.  Most of these workplaces are currently screening worker temperatures on a daily basis to make sure they are not experiencing a fever.  Alcohol containing “disinfectant” wipes can be used, in addition to washing hands, to wipe down exposed body areas.
• “With regard to current infection control guidance and screening of patients,  you have declared that neither you nor anybody that you have been around has been experiencing cough, fever, shortness of breath, fatigue (acute onset), headaches, body aches (myalgia), diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and other signs and symptoms associated with Covidi-19 during the last two weeks.”
• If these signs and symptoms appear while you are being treated at the clinic, please notify us as soon as possible.
• ***The point of contact for Covid-19 related concerns is your primary care provider or the nearest Emergency Department. ***

 

• Clarification on chronic pain or acute injury syndromes

With regard to headaches and body aches (myalgia), our concern is about conditions with an acute onset of undefined nature, rather than pain from chronic conditions, e.g., radiculopathies or arthritis syndromes, that the patient has been suffering from for more than 3 months.  Pain associated with acute muscle strain or injury is also being treated at the clinic.  Contact the clinic for additional information.

 

• HOUSE CALLS, an option for patients who prefer not to drive

For established patients, house calls, to discuss herbal medicines, dietary guidelines, or physical activity routines / exercises ‒ e,g,, deep breathing, stretching, Chi Kung (Qi Gong) ‒ are an option.  Weather conditions permitting, these activities can also be done outdoors.

Tele-health interactions via web based services like ZOOM are also an option.

Contact us (503-682-9319) for additional information or to schedule an appointment.