Multicultural Health Institute

COVID-19 Updates

COVID-19 Resources

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Letter from President of the National Medical Association, Oliver T. Brooks, M.D.

On March 13, 2020, President Trump declared a national state of emergency due
to the rapid spread in the United States of SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus
that causes clinical COVID-19, a clinical respiratory infection with clinical
findings anywhere from asymptomatic carrier to respiratory failure and death.

The NMA is closely monitoring the developments of COVID-19 and its effects on
our health care providers and our broader community. This is a very serious
situation affecting all areas of function of society, beyond medicine, including
but not limited to financial markets/commerce, diversity, legal issues, politics
and telehealth. There is also the added psychological stress that comes with
worry for the health and welfare of ourselves, our families, our colleagues and
our community.

As of March 18, 2020, 1:00 p.m. EST, in the U.S., there are 7,324 cases reported
with 115 deaths, with cases reported in all 50 states and 3 of 8 territories. The
number of cases and deaths is increasing daily. The statistics are very
regional and it is clear that we, as health care providers, need to stay
up to date with the activities relevant to our individual locale. I urge
you to monitor, daily, your local or state public health department’s
information.

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Related to the NMA, our practice of medicine, and our community I recommend
the following links. All are reputable sources of information. They address a
variety of situations related to COVID-19. STAY INFORMED.

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1. For information regarding Screening for SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/lab/guidelines-clinical-specimens.html
2. For information of the Economic Effects of COVID-19 on Minorities:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/korihale/2020/03/17/the-economic-impact-of-covid-19-will-hit-minorities-the-hardest/#2191aaa710c0
3. For information regarding Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Patients with Suspected or Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Healthcare Settings:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/infection-control/control-recommendations.html
4. For information on Managing Stress associated with COVID-19:
https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/mental-health-considerations.pdf?sfvrsn=6d3578af_2
5. For information of the level of Global Disease Burden:
https://gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6
6. For information on the Outpatient Management for Pregnant Women With Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19:
https://www.acog.org/-/media/project/acog/acogorg/files/pdfs/clinical-guidance/practice-advisory/covid-19-algorithm.pdf?la=en&hash=2D9E7F62C97F8231561616FFDCA3B1A6
7. For information on COVID-19 in the Pediatric Population:
https://www.aappublications.org/news/2020/02/28/coronavirus022820
8. For information on Hospital Care of COVID-19 patients, including ICU:
https://assets.acponline.org/coronavirus/scormcontent/?_ga=2.28377468.1363258434.1584580903-1639222083.1584580903&_gac=1.45346448.1584580903.EAIaIQobChMI8-ev66-l6AIV6R-tBh3B2QWREAAYASAAEgIVH_D_BwE#/lessons/hCIsMQbg5c9uxp2Q4iVdKz8I0VQuQ-km
9. For information on Updated Telehealth and HIPAA guidelines:
https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2020/03/17/ocr-announces-notification-of-enforcement-discretion-for-telehealth-remote-communications-during-the-covid-19.html
10. For information regarding Legal Issues and COVID-19:
https://www.natlawreview.com/article/advisory-regarding-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-legal-issues-us

  

U.S. Containment Measures

The U.S. containment measures have so far been mild compared to the nationwide lockdowns imposed in Italy, France and Spain. The virus has infected more than 156,000 people in 142 countries, resulting in over, 5,800 deaths.

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News Articles

Coronavirus Florida: Sarasota Schools setting up drive-through food pickup​

Coronavirus: Why systemic problems leave the US at risk​

US surgeon general: US cases are where Italy was 2 weeks ago

'Every Chance That We Could Be Italy,' Warns US Surgeon General of Coronavirus Spread as Trump Downplays Threat

Coronavirus live updates: Restrictions could last months; Canada closes border; McDonald's closes dining rooms

Have a dry cough or a sore throat? 9 steps to take if you might have coronavirus

OP-ED: COVID-19 and Black People

From Katrina to Coronavirus What Have We Learned?

COVID-19 Underscores Wealth and Health Disparities in the African American Community

Clinical Trials at SMH

Sarasota Memorial is joining two national clinical trials related to the treatment of COVID-19. The first study is testing the antiviral drug remdesivir, while the second trial is evaluating the use of plasma donated by people who have recovered from COVID-19 to treat current patients.

Remdesivir has previously shown promise in the treatment of other types of coronaviruses. SMH is one of the first hospitals in the Southeast region to participate in this worldwide study to assess the medication’s safety and effectiveness in treating COVID-19. To be given the option to participate in the FDA-approved remdesivir trial at SMH, COVID-19 positive patients must be hospitalized, on a ventilator and meet other clinical criteria.

The convalescent plasma study is a clinical trial that is coordinated with the Mayo Clinic to evaluate whether the antibodies in plasma from patients who have recovered from COVID-19 can help newly infected patients. The plasma from just one donor can be used to treat up to four patients. SMH will partner with the Suncoast Blood Centers, which will collect and provide the donated plasma for this FDA-approved trial. Sarasota Memorial Hospital - Florida State University Internal Medicine resident physicians will collaborate with the SMH Clinical Research Team to help gather data to conduct this research.

There is currently no proven, established treatment for COVID-19, which is why participating in this important research is a priority for SMH. We are grateful to the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation, Inc. for its support of this work.

In addition to participating in the two clinical trials, Sarasota Memorial also is using the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine as well as high dose steroids and specialized antibiotics in the treatment of patients hospitalized with COVID-19.