Health officials concerned by rise in flu, RSV cases – The Suffolk News-Herald

Health officials concerned by rise in flu, RSV cases – The Suffolk News-Herald

Health officials concerned by rise in flu, RSV cases

Published 5:48 pm Friday, November 25, 2022

The Virginia healthcare community is encouraging local residents who haven’t done so to get vaccinated against the flu, get vaccinated or boosted against COVID-19, and to take personal health and safety precautions as we enter what could be a particularly intense flu and respiratory illness season.

This year’s flu season is already showing early, concerning signs that it may be worse than in recent years, Virginia Department of Health officials said in a recent news release.

There are also increasing numbers of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) cases, which may cause serious illness and hospitalization in children and older adults.

If these trends continue, healthcare officials both locally and across Virginia say this could strain healthcare systems in some communities. Virginia doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare providers are already being inundated with a surge of sick patients seeking care, filling hospital beds, and in many cases requiring longer hospital stays.

Data from Virginia hospitals and public health surveillance information from the Virginia Department of Health suggest that the Commonwealth faces the prospect of a particularly challenging flu and respiratory disease season throughout this fall and winter. Emergency department and urgent care clinic visits involving patient diagnoses of RSV have quadrupled since early September and remain significantly elevated.

Visits for flu-like illness are also rising – for the week ending November 5, such visits are at least four times higher than in the same week for each of the past four years, according to VDH.

In Virginia, we have seen a 41 percent increase in flu-like illness and an overall 18 percent increase in respiratory illness from the week prior. Virginia Immunization Information System data from July 1-November 9, 2022 indicates that flu vaccination uptake in children younger than 12 is lower this year as compared to the same time periods during the previous three years.

Virginia Department of Health Eastern Region Public Information Officer Larry Hill gave some general everyday techniques for people to stay safe and healthy.

“The best defense is a flu shot,” Hill said. “Also wash your hands, cover your sneeze or cough and stay home when sick.”

Likewise, the Western Tidewater Health District shared a Facebook post on Nov. 13 with information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Respiratory Syncytial Virus.

Described as a “common respiratory virus that

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Whitestone REIT Signs Anchor Agreement with High Energy Health & Fitness Brand, EoS Fitness

Whitestone REIT Signs Anchor Agreement with High Energy Health & Fitness Brand, EoS Fitness

HOUSTON, Dec. 08, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Whitestone REIT (NYSE:WSR) (“Whitestone” or the “Company”) today signed a long-term, 51,000 square foot lease with EoS Fitness, establishing a strong relationship with the dynamic, high energy, fitness brand. Securing EoS as the anchor at Williams Trace Plaza center in Sugar Land, a fast-growing suburb of Houston, aligns well with Whitestone’s community center focus as it leverages EoS’s growing reputation for family friendliness and great service. The addition of EoS will dramatically increase investment returns for Whitestone’s center in the coming years. EoS Fitness replaces an underutilized grocer, and is anticipated to increase traffic to the center, create greater tenant demand for spaces and potentially support the development of a future pad site at the center.

“We are thrilled to be bringing EoS Fitness into our Williams Trace Plaza center. The addition of a high-quality, state-of-the-art health and fitness tenant like EoS Fitness positions the center to thrive,” said Whitestone REIT Chief Operating Officer, Christine Mastandrea. “Investing in a high-traffic center in the vibrant Sugar Land community is anticipated to contribute to Whitestone’s future earnings growth in 2023 and beyond.”

Sugar Land is a hub for numerous industries, including advanced manufacturing, biotech, financial services and energy technology. The city has a highly educated workforce with over 60% of residents holding a bachelor’s degree or higher, nearly twice the national average, according to the Greater Houston Partnership.

EoS Fitness is a leader in the fitness industry, offering an inclusive and welcome environment for fitness enthusiasts of every level. The brand offers top-of-the-line health, fitness and wellness amenities, a variety of high-energy group fitness classes, multiple high-tech strength and interactive fitness experiences, and expansive recovery spaces where members can focus on improving their overall health and achieving their fitness goals. EoS gyms draw steady, repeat foot traffic and are heavily connected with the surrounding community.

Fitness remains one of the top retail categories for foot traffic growth. For more information on foot traffic levels and other key data, please see refer to Placer.ai’s Quarterly Index on their website.

Whitestone achieved record occupancy of 92.5% in the third quarter 2022 and continues to focus on finishing the year with strong results. 

About Whitestone REIT

Whitestone REIT (NYSE: WSR) is a community-centered real estate investment trust (REIT) that acquires, owns, operates, and develops open-air, retail centers located in some of the

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USDA Invests More Than $59M to Improve Dietary Health and Nutrition Security

USDA Invests More Than M to Improve Dietary Health and Nutrition Security

WASHINGTON, Nov. 22, 2022 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced an investment of $59.4 million to support the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program’s (GusNIP) Produce Prescription and Nutrition Incentive programs designed to encourage families and individuals to eat more healthfully by increasing access to fresh fruits and vegetables. This investment delivers on a commitment made in the Biden-Harris Administration’s National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health to improve access to healthy and affordable food.

Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young, USDA Chief Scientist and Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics, visited the Takoma Park Silver Spring (TPSS) Co-op in Takoma Park, Maryland. Crossroads Community Food Network in partnership with TPSS is receiving funding under this program to launch “Year-Round Fresh Checks” to expand access to affordable fresh fruits and vegetables in the Takoma/Langley Crossroads community, a primarily immigrant neighborhood just outside Washington, D.C. Over the course of the project, it is anticipated that 3,000 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) users will spend $450,000, which will be matched with $450,000 in incentives ($250,000 from federal funds and $200,000 from state and local matching dollars).

“Partners such as Crossroads Community Food Network, Inc., are invaluable for USDA’s nutrition security efforts,” said Jacobs-Young. “By understanding the lived experiences of their community, they help deliver USDA programs into the hands of the people who need them most.”

GusNIP programs strive to improve dietary health through increased consumption of fresh produce, improve individual and household food security, and reduce health care use and associated costs. GusNIP Nutrition Incentive programs provide incentives at the point of purchase among income-eligible consumers participating in USDA’s SNAP and income-eligible consumers participating in other USDA nutrition assistance programs. Produce Prescriptions leverage medical assistance programs to provide “prescriptions” from a health care provider for fresh fruits and vegetables.

“Since its creation in 2019, GusNIP projects have increased access to healthy foods, and this investment serves to ensure that even more consumers can provide fresh, locally-grown fruits and vegetables for their families,” said Dr. Dionne Toombs, Acting Director of the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), the entity administering the awards. “In fact, as a result of additional funding provided through the American Rescue Plan Act, NIFA is expanding our reach to many first-time program applicants from underrepresented communities nationwide.”

Forty-three awards make up a $20.7 million Produce Prescription Program investment through USDA’s American Rescue Plan funding for

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2022 Holiday gift guides – Gifts for health and fitness fanatics!

2022 Holiday gift guides – Gifts for health and fitness fanatics!
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2022 Holiday gift guides – Gifts for health and fitness fanatics!

ARTICLE – I’m sure you have at least one person on your gift buying list that is serious about their health and fitness. These gift ideas are for them!

LesMills SMARTBAR weight set

The SMARTBAR weight set from LesMills is an exciting new take on fitness equipment that makes it easier than ever to make your workouts faster and more efficient. This high-quality home gym equipment is designed to make it much easier to switch out weight plates with almost zero effort. Forget about hard-to-manage clips, the SMARTBAR plates snap into the gator ends securely and can then be released just as easily without any separate parts to drop or lose. The gator ends also rotate while you’re lifting to make your workouts smoother and with less strain on your wrists. This set comes with 3 pairs of cast iron core plates (2.2, 5.5, and 11lb) that can even be used as hand weights for a full-body workout because they have built-in grips in the center and edges. The square shape of the plates also means that they won’t roll away when they are clipped to the barbell. I think this set is awesome and have been using it regularly for my own workouts. It’s an extremely well-made set and I love how easy it is to switch out the plates.
Price: $479.99
Where to buy: Lesmills and Amazon

Walk-i-Task treadmill desk


WALK-i-TASK is the perfect gift to help those who are looking to incinerate calories by moving their body while working from home. WALK-i-TASK is a height-adjustable desk that easily attaches to your home treadmill. This treadmill desk attachment provides a convenient way to eliminate sedentary lifestyles and get steps in while on boring Zoom calls, streaming TV shows, or even reading.

If your loved one values their health and wellness, WALK-i-TASK is the perfect solution. Key product features include:

  • Height Adjustable For Optimal Comfort
  • Attaches & Detaches To Transition From Walking to Running
  • Fits Most Treadmill Brands & Models (including NordicTrack, Sole etc)
  • Strong & Durable Workspace (top and bottom platform)
  • No Assembly Required

Read: Customer reviews
Original Price: $239.99
Discounted Price: $189.99 ( Save $50 when you use the code: GADGETEER50 )
Where To Buy: walkitask.com

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Health care organizations urge COVID & flu vaccination and treatment

Health care organizations urge COVID & flu vaccination and treatment

Statement from: American Academy of Family Physicians, American Association of Nurse Practitioners, American Academy of Physician Associates, American College of Emergency Physicians, American College of Physicians, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Geriatrics Society, American Medical Association, American Osteopathic Association, Council of Medical Specialty Societies, Infectious Diseases Society of America, and AMDA – The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine


WASHINGTON November 21, 2022 – Given the anticipated increase in COVID-19 and influenza cases this fall and winter, America’s health care professional organizations are coming together to remind the public of the importance of vaccinations and early treatment. A strong recommendation from a trusted clinician is one of the most effective strategies to increase vaccine uptake. We encourage our members to use every interaction with patients as an opportunity to make strong vaccine recommendations, educate and answer questions about prevention and treatment options, encourage vaccination, and where feasible provide vaccination.

We strongly recommend that everyone who is eligible, especially those at higher risk, urgently receive their updated COVID-19 booster (or COVID-19 primary series if not yet vaccinated) and influenza vaccine. We expect that the updated COVID-19 vaccine will help reduce severe illness, hospitalizations and death for our most vulnerable patients, including older adults, those who are pregnant and recently pregnant, and those from historically minoritized communities. We urgently ask all clinicians to be vigilant and prioritize vaccination in the coming months. To maximize uptake of vaccines after counseling, our organizations will continue to advocate for access to vaccines and evidence-based treatments for everyone.

Given the higher morbidity and mortality among older people, those who are pregnant and recently pregnant, and immunocompromised people, we strongly recommend that health care professionals increase their timely use of effective treatments. While newer variants may not respond to some existing treatments, health care professionals must be ready and able to prescribe life-saving oral antiviral treatments for COVID-19 and influenza, to those at highest risk. It is critical that everyone, especially those at risk for serious illness, understand the importance of testing and early communication with their clinicians to seek treatment as soon as they test positive.

We commit to continue working with federal partners to provide usable and consistent information and emerging evidence-based tools that we can rapidly push to our members. The time to act is now, and the nation’s organizations of health care professionals are ready and willing to do all

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Exercise Might Ease Side Effects of Breast Cancer Treatment | Health & Fitness

Exercise Might Ease Side Effects of Breast Cancer Treatment | Health & Fitness

FRIDAY, Nov. 25, 2022 (HealthDay News) — An exercise program, even if it’s not as intense as national guidelines suggest, could help breast cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy reduce fatigue and have a better quality of life, new research suggests.

Researchers from Edith Cowan University in Australia included 89 women in this study — 43 participated in the exercise portion; the control group did not.

Exercisers did a 12-week home-based program. It included weekly resistance training sessions and 30 to 40 minutes of aerobic exercise.

Researchers found that patients who exercised recovered from cancer-related fatigue more quickly during and after radiation therapy compared to the control group. Exercisers also saw a significant increase in health-related quality of life, which could include measures of emotional, physical and social well-being.

“The amount of exercise was aimed to increase progressively, with the ultimate target of participants meeting the national guideline for recommended exercise levels,” said study leader Georgios Mavropalias, a postdoctoral research fellow in the School of Medical and Health Sciences.

“However, the exercise programs were relative to the participants’ fitness capacity, and we found even much smaller dosages of exercise than those recommended in the [Australian] national guidelines can have significant effects on cancer-related fatigue and health-related quality of living during and after radiotherapy,” Mavropalias said in a university news release.

The Australian national guidelines for cancer patients call for 30 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic exercise five days a week or 20 minutes of vigorous aerobic exercise three days a week. This is in addition to strength training exercises two to three days a week.

About 1 in 8 women and 1 in 833 men are diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetimes, according to Living Beyond Breast Cancer, a Pennsylvania-based nonprofit organization.

The study showed a home-based exercise program during radiation therapy is safe, feasible and effective, said study supervisor professor Rob Newton, a professor of exercise medicine.

“A home-based protocol might be preferable for patients, as it is low-cost, does not require travel or in-person supervision and can be performed at a time and location of the patient’s choosing,” he said in the release. “These benefits may provide substantial comfort to patients.”

Study participants who started an exercise program tended to stick with it. They reported significant improvements in mild, moderate and vigorous physical activity up to a year after the program ended.

“The exercise program in

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