COVID-19 newsletter - February 24, 2022

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  • Feb 24, 2022
COVID-19 Newsletter

Pandemic vs. endemic

The SARS-COV-2 virus will likely continue to produce new variants of itself. The behavior of most of these variants has been benign with the notable exceptions of the delta and omicron variants last year. Higher vaccination rates directly decrease the opportunities for the virus to produce variants.

Learn more from Randy Hemann, M.D., chief medical officer, Olmsted Medical Center and John O’Horo, M.D., infectious disease specialist, Mayo Clinic as they share their input on the terms pandemic and endemic:

Dr. Randy Hemann: Pandemics are not all created equal. The end of the COVID-19 pandemic will eventually be defined by experts using scientific criteria to evaluate its current global impact. Yet, due to various political and economic pressures, declaring an end to the pandemic may be different between wealthy and poor nations, regions with high versus low vaccination rates, or those with or without effective medicines. Both terms define a state of alertness, rather than a specific direction or plan. The term endemic doesn’t mean our troubles are over. It refers to this disease as one that is here to stay. We accept the fact that certain populations may succumb to it, and we minimize that outcome with our best prevention and treatment strategies. The two terms are probably not as important as the simple question most people have asked, “What do we do next?”

Dr. John O’Horo: We are entering an endemic phase in the United States, but it’s important to remember the endemic isn’t the end. Rather, this means we have to learn to live with a certain level of COVID-19 in our communities as part of our lives. We will have to monitor that level, and enact appropriate precautions based on risk levels and settings locally, as opposed to following national and long-term policies. For example, we may see a rise in activity requiring more masking in nursing homes or health care settings, but not in general public spaces, to protect our most vulnerable if cases surge. Endemic means local conditions are important, and awareness is critical.
 

Vaccination and boosters 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends all people ages five and older get vaccinated against COVID-19, and those ages 12 and older receive a booster. People previously infected with the virus should also get their vaccine and booster. Data shows that COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters can provide a higher, more robust and consistent level of immunity to protect people from COVID-19 than antibodies from infection alone. 

For their future and their safety. Get the COVID vaccine and booster

Olmsted County’s youth are essential to our community. Olmsted County Public Health Services (OCPHS), Mayo Clinic, Olmsted Medical Center, City of Rochester, and Rochester Public Schools have teamed up to encourage more and more children to receive their COVID-19 vaccinations. 

Join us in preparing our youth for a strong and safe future. Here are some steps you can take today:

  • Schedule appointments for your children to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
  • Encourage and help your friends, family, neighbors, and other loved ones to get their children vaccinated.
  • Encourage your friends, family, and neighbors to sign up to receive the COVID-19 vaccine newsletter. Click “subscribe” on the front page of the Olmsted County website.
  • Share OCPHS social media updates and information.

Learn more on the Olmsted County COVID-19 webpage and on the Olmsted County Public Health Facebook page.  

Spring break travel plans – be prepared and informed

Domestic and International Travel

  • Delay travel until you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines.
  • Check your destination’s COVID-19 situation before traveling. State, tribal, local, and territorial governments may have travel restrictions in place. For international travel, check entry and exit requirements.
  • Wearing a mask over your nose and mouth is required in indoor areas of public transportation (including airplanes) and indoors in U.S. transportation hubs (including airports).
  • Do not travel if you are sick, tested positive for COVID-19 and haven’t ended isolation, had close contact with a person with COVID-19 and haven’t ended quarantine, or are waiting for results of a COVID-19 test.
  • If you are not up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines and must travel, get tested both before and after your trip.

Updates from OCPHS, Mayo Clinic, and OMC

Olmsted County Public Health Services (OCPHS)
COVID-19 cases are continuing to decline, about 437 cases in the previous week. While cases decline, Olmsted County remains a community of high transmission, so masking and other mitigation efforts are still recommended. Visit the Olmsted County COVID webpage for the latest updates.

Upcoming COVID-19 vaccine clinics at OCPHS
Olmsted County Public Health Services will be holding walk-in clinics for the COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine or booster throughout the month of March. Pfizer vaccines and boosters will be administered to anyone five-years-old and up on the following days: 

  • March 2, 2022 - 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • March 9, 2022 - 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • March 11, 2022 - 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • March 15, 2022 - 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

All vaccine clinics will take place at the OCPHS building at 2100 Campus Dr. SE, Rochester, MN.

If you’d like to receive a vaccine or booster at one of these clinics, you do not need to register in advance. You will just need to tell OCPHS employees at the front desk that you’d like to receive the COVID-19 vaccine or booster. Staff will help you fill out the appropriate paperwork needed to receive the vaccine.

Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic in Rochester has eased restrictions for hospitalized patients, effective Thursday, February 24, 2022.

The number of visitors per adult inpatient will change to two consistent designated visitors. Visitors must be at least 5 years old. This is consistent with pediatric patient restrictions. A responsible adult must accompany all visitors under age 16. 

For the Family Birth Center, two consistent designated visitors age 16 or older will be allowed for the duration of the hospital stay. 

Mayo Clinic continues to encourage people ages five and older to get vaccinated or to get a booster, if you are age 12 and older and are five months out from a second COVID-19 vaccination. 

Individuals or parents and guardians can self-schedule a vaccination appointment:

  • Use your Patient Online Services account to schedule an appointment online or through the Mayo Clinic app.
  • Call the Rochester campus Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or weekends from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.: 507-538-4040.
  • If you don’t have a Patient online Services account, call Mayo Clinic Customer Assistance at 877-858-0398.

If you are eligible to receive a booster dose COVID-19 vaccine, check COVID-19 vaccine options by Mayo Clinic campus.

For more information on the COVID-19 vaccine and boosters, visit the Mayo Clinic COVID-19 vaccine information site.

Olmsted Medical Center (OMC)

Face Mask Reminder
Employees, vendors, patients, and visitors are reminded to wear a surgical mask when in OMC buildings. If needed, patients and visitors will be provided a surgical mask to wear when going through the screening process. Patients who have their own surgical mask are invited to wear them when visiting an OMC building. 

COVID-19 Vaccinations 
OMC is scheduling COVID-19 vaccination appointments for children ages 5-11. In addition, OMC is offering pediatric vaccination clinics every Saturday. To schedule an appointment, call 507-292-7300.

OMC is offering the Pfizer vaccine booster for patients 12+ who completed their primary series with Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson (Janssen). OMC also continues to offer appointments for first and second doses for the Pfizer vaccine. Appointments are available on Thursdays.

Hours at OMC’s COVID-19 Testing Site at FastCare North
OMC’s COVID-19 Testing Site is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. The location is closed for lunch from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.

There are two ways to make an appointment to be tested:

  1. Call the COVID triage line at 507-292-7266 during the hours of 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. 
  2. Schedule an appointment online using the patient portal, OMC MyChart. After you sign into your OMC MyChart account, select “Symptom Checker” from the Menu.

Available in OMC MyChart: Online scheduling for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine
OMC patients are able to schedule an appointment for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine through the patient portal, OMC MyChart. Appointments can be scheduled for a first dose, second dose, or booster. 

When you arrive at the vaccination location, you will be asked a series of questions to be sure you are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Please bring your vaccine card with you to the vaccination appointment.