DPH Confirms First Cases of UK COVID-19 Variant |
Child Younger than 10 Tests Positive |
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The Division of Public Health (DPH) has reported the first three confirmed cases of the COVID-19 variant, SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7, in Delaware. This variant is commonly referred to as the UK Variant. Delaware now joins a list of 26 other states reporting cases of the UK variant. The three individuals, all from New Castle County, share a household and all tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this month. The cases involved two adults ranging in age from 35-64, as well as a child under the age of 10. The cases were identified through routine surveillance of test specimens performed by the Division of Public Health Laboratory. Read more. |
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Information Practices Need to Request the COVID-19 Vaccine |
DPH Updates Vaccine Distribution Process for Participating Practices |
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MSD has received many calls from our members for more information regarding the process to request COVID-19 vaccines for their offices to administer to patients. The following are key resources that can also be found on the DPH Coronavirus Vaccine webpage.
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DPH Revises Guidance On COVID-19 Vaccine 2nd Dose |
Administration Dates Between Doses Extended |
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The Division of Public Health (DPH) has announced an updated approach to administering second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in response to new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). DPH is recommending to vaccine partners that they schedule second doses between 28 and 35 days after the first dose is administered. Read more. |
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DPH Conference Call Scheduled - Wednesday |
COVID-19 Updates for Physicians and Practice Managers |
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The Division of Public Health (DPH) in partnership with the Medical Society of Delaware is hosting a series of question and answer conference calls for physicians and their practice managers to address concerns and questions about the COVID-19 vaccine and the vaccination phased plan. The next call will be Wednesday, February 3rd at 6:00 p.m. The dial-in number is 888-218-0223. No access code is needed. If you missed this week's DPH call, click here to listen. |
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Community COVID-19 Testing Sites |
Information to Share With Your Patients |
Governor John Carney, the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH), and the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) have released the list of community testing sites throughout Delaware scheduled for next week, including pop-up and Curative trailer sites, as well as community sites hosted by New Castle County. View list. |
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DPH Announces Latest COVID-19 Statistics |
Hospitalizations / Cases Continue to Decline |
Here are the latest Delaware COVID-19 statistics.
- 73,233 total laboratory-confirmed cases
- Total deaths: 1,078
- Deaths today: 3
- Cases today: 459
- New Castle County cases: 43,763
- Kent County cases: 12,634
- Sussex County cases: 20,361
- Unknown: 177
- Age range: 0 to 104
- Hospitalized: 320; Critically ill: 46
- Number of COVID-19 vaccines reported administered: 92,552
- Number of COVID-19 vaccines delivered to Delaware: 120,850
Additional demographic data on COVID-19 cases and deaths, including race/ethnicity, more age-specific data and COVID rate information by ZIP code, and information on Delaware's contact tracing efforts can be found on the Division of Public Health's My Healthy Community data portal.
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MSD Physician Leadership Series |
The Medical Society of Delaware has launched the "Excellence in Physician Leadership Series, A Certificate Program in Leadership Development" as a 12-week self-paced certificate program in physician leadership education and development which includes attendance at two required live sessions. This program will share the relevant skills necessary for leadership excellence and equip physicians with practical tools in finance, practice improvement, strategy, public speaking and decision-making to empower physicians to effectively participate in leading organizations in the rapidly changing world of health reform. The cohort is now open. Read more. |
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Celebrate National Mentoring Month - Become an MSD Mentor! |
Your Contribution WILL Make a Difference |
MSD is looking for help for members to serve as mentors for our new up and coming members. MSD’s Mentor Program pairs individuals to learn about each other, share information about MSD activities, committees and opportunities, and encourage engagement with MSD events and initiatives. This is your opportunity to “pay it forward” to young physicians, residents, fellows, and students and encourage their engagement with MSD. Contact Mary LaJudice, 302-224-5183 or Mary.LaJudice@medsocdel.org. Click here to read testimonials from MSD Past President Nancy Fan, MD and Committee on Membership Chair John O'Neill, DO about the benefits of peer mentoring. |
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The cyber insurance marketplace has been changing dramatically over the last few months. Frequency and severity of ransomware events have impacted the market causing dramatic rate increases as well as mandating safety requirements for current and new placements of coverage.
The Medical Society of Delaware Insurance Services, Inc. (MSDIS) team has seen a significant increase in the number of current insureds that DO NOT have the following safety measures in place:
- 2-factor authentication for all remote network access
- Including 2FA for remote desktop protocol (RDP)
- 2-factor authentication for all remote email access
- Offline backups that are segregated from the insured’s network
- Spam filtering and email configuration
- Next generation anti-virus
Carriers are placing surcharges of up to 25% onto rates if these safety measures are not in place in your practice. We suggest that you reach out to your IT provider to make sure you have these measures in place so that you are able to place/renew your coverage without debits related to these IT precautions. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your current cyber insurance coverage or would like to discuss purchasing cyber insurance, contact Sharon Ruth, Health Client Advocate at MSDIS (302) 397-0173 or Sharon.Ruth@usi.com
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It is with sadness that we share Judith G. Tobin, MD died last Thursday, January 21st. Dr. Tobin was one of just 12 women admitted to Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York. The mother of six children, Dr. Tobin was a staff pathologist at Nanticoke Memorial Hospital in Seaford and also served as Deputy Medical Examiner for the Board of Post Mortem Examiners for Sussex County. In 2009 until her retirement she was the Assistant State Medical Examiner, overseeing Kent and Sussex counties, performing more than 5000 autopsies. Our condolences go out to her family and all who knew and loved her. Read more.
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Kevin S. Chen, MD
Sharon A. Zwillinger, MD
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MSD members are afforded a seven day review period from the date of this publication to comment regarding an applicant applying for membership. Please contact Mary LaJudice at (302) 224-5183 or Mary.LaJudice@medsocdel.org with any questions or concerns.
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The Latin phrase Rerum Cognoscere translates to learn, examine, or become aware of facts or things. In this section we highlight measurable items of interest in health care from MSD, Delaware, the US, and the world. |
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2.5 per 1M
Rate of cases of anaphylaxis in the U.S. reported after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
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50%
Percentage of all women who died during childbirth in Delaware between 2011 and 2017 who were black.
DE Child Death Review Committee
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81,230
Number of people who died in the U.S. of a drug overdose in the 12 months ending last May.
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
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March 18 - SAVE THE DATE: Dementia Care - Long-Term Care, 8:00 - 11:00 a.m., virtual event.
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Was the information in this newsletter useful? If so, forward to a friend to let them know the value of your Medical Society of Delaware membership. |
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