National & Arizona COVID-19 Update April 29

There were 603 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Arizona today, bringing the state total to 860,772. There were six new COVID-19-related deaths, for a total of 17,282. There are 11% of intensive care unit beds currently in use by COVID-19 patients and 14% of ICU beds remain available.

This information comes from the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) COVID-19 data dashboard.

Anthony Fauci, MD, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and Walter Koroshetz, MD, director of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke spoke together at the American Academy of Neurology annual meeting about COVID-19 last week. Medpage Today reports that symptoms like brain fog and fatigue appear to linger for months in some people whose nervous systems were affected by SARS-CoV-2. From Dr. Koroshetz:

What we do know is that the virus affects systems in the body that are essential to the brain, particularly the vascular system. Encephalopathy is very common, even in people who are not getting sedating drugs in the ICU. Clearly, the nervous system takes a hit here… So clearly, it is affecting the nervous system in the acute stages. The big question is, what are the long-term consequences?

Many anecdotal reports of people experiencing prolonged symptoms associated with COVID-19 improving following vaccination are encouraging, but according to AZCentral, more study is required to prove any connection. From Phoenix pulmonologist, Dr. Marilyn Glassberg:

I think it has to be studied, I wouldn’t rule out any possibilities, but I would say, let’s do the research, let’s get it done right and get answers based on evidence … I think everything is hearsay.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated guidance on wearing masks outdoors. According to Medpage Today, fully vaccinated people can now gather and participate in outdoor activities without wearing a mask, except in certain crowded settings or venues.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning letter to the operator of a website that marketed unapproved drugs for multiple uses including to treat COVID-19. According to an FDA press release, 369 tests and sample collection devices are authorized under emergency use authorization.

Insurance Journal reports that despite obstacles posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, injured workers have experienced no meaningful delays in access to medical treatment, according to research from the Workers’ Compensation Research Institute.

We found no change in pattern in the first treatment, and no change in the number of visits.