The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Health

New surgical center

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AdventHealth leaders and members of the Taneja family cut the ribbon on the new facility. (Courtesy of AdventHealth West Florida Division)

AdventHealth leaders cut the ribbon on the new $300 million Taneja Center for Surgery at AdventHealth Tampa, the largest surgical expansion in Tampa Bay history, according to a news release.

The 314,000-square-foot surgical tower is a state-of-the-art facility built to expand for Florida’s growing population, and for larger robotics needed for intricate surgical cases requiring multiple surgeons.

New additions include:

  • 18 new, 750-square-foot operating rooms
  • A negative-pressure ante room outside of the operating room to keep surgeons and patients safe during infectious cases
  • Indigo clean lighting to allow for disinfection even during surgeries
  • Livestreaming pathology in the operating room
  • 96 new, private patient rooms

The Taneja Center will begin surgical cases on Oct. 12.

Teen panel addresses problems facing youths

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A trio of Pasco County high schoolers gathered over the summer to share their perspective on youth drug use, mental health and other issues facing their peers — both on school campuses and in the community at large.

The teen activists — Land O’ Lakes High School’s Jocelyn Meriwether, Fivay High School’s Avery Merta and Gulf High School’s Maddie Horn — are part of a group called Safe Teens Against Drugs, or STAND, in Pasco County.

They have a straightforward mission: To end youth substance abuse in the area by educating teachers, law enforcement, business owners and other community members.

They do this by sharing their observations and by suggesting solutions.

The youth group is facilitated by the Pasco County Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention (Pasco ASAP), which arranged a virtual panel discussion.

Members of Safe Teens Against Drugs (STAND) shared insights during a panel conducted during the summer on youth drug use, mental health and other issues facing their peers in Pasco County. Their testimony came during a virtual panel discussion organized by the Pasco County Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention (Pasco ASAP). (Courtesy of Pasco Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention)

“The mission of STAND is to really empower youth to be agents of change, by strengthening their voices,” Pasco ASAP’s coalition coordinator Kellie Rodriguez said, during the session.

Incorporating adolescent voices in the discussion is critical, she said.

Drug use in schools
The teens’ testimonies of what’s happening within their respective public schools were revealing for health service providers and other stakeholders. That was particularly true regarding the pervasiveness and accessibility of drugs.

Merta asserted students at Fivay High have access to all types of illicit substances — including cocaine, Percocet and LSD.

“A lot of kids get their hands on things they shouldn’t have,” the 17-year-old junior said. “There’s people getting hands on literally everything at my school.”

Horn said marijuana vapes and edibles are an issue at Gulf High School, and beyond.

The 15-year-old sophomore shared a story about a classmate openly selling marijuana-laced brownies to other students in one of her art classes last year.

“It was just wild to see,” Horn said. The sale was out in the open, but because it was a brownie, the teacher wasn’t suspicious.

The prevalence of marijuana vaping is concerning, too, she said.

Horn said these so-called weed pens have been found to have higher concentrations of THC — tetrahydrocannabinol — the main active ingredient of cannabis.

The troubling trend hits close to home for Horn, whose cousin became addicted to the weed pens and experienced withdrawal symptoms.

It was hard to watch, Horn said.

Smoking marijuana remains “one of the biggest drug-related issues” in schools, according to Meriwether, a high school junior and STAND Pasco president.

She said some Land O’ Lakes High students have strategically teamed up to visit different school restrooms simultaneously so if one gets caught, not all of the drugs are confiscated.

Offending students, however, rarely ever were discovered and punished, Meriwether observed.

“Getting caught was not common,” she said.

More school accountability needed
The students also pointed to the need for adults in the Pasco County school district to play a more active role in curbing illicit drug use.

More teachers need to routinely check school restrooms between passing periods “to make sure no one’s doing (anything),” Merta suggested.

Meriweather and Horn said teachers need to listen to what students are saying and pay attention to what they are doing.

“I don’t know how many times I’ve been in class and students are like talking very loudly about what they’re about to go do in the bathrooms…and our teachers just kind of overlook it, or kind of don’t react or don’t say anything,” Meriweather said.

She said teachers and other adults should step in and say: “Hey, I hear what you’re talking about. Let’s not do that, you know.’”

More empathy for teens needed
Another major complaint the panelists expressed centered on the general lack of empathy from teachers, guidance counselors and other school-support staff when students experience a panic attack or other mental health episode.

Marijuana usage remains an issue throughout Pasco County high schools, according to a group of students from Safe Teens Against Drugs (STAND). (File)

“A lot of times, I’ll be having a panic attack and our teachers will be like, ‘Oh, you need to get back to work, you need to stop doing that,’” Horn said. “It’s really discouraging because I’m going through something and I have these really big emotions and big thoughts, and sometimes I can’t handle (them) on my own.”

Merta agreed: “Most of the teachers actually cause more anxiety by pressuring you into doing something.”

Merta explained — a student can be experiencing some type of anxiety, and instead of helping, the reaction might be: “Do your work. Do this. Do that.’”

Although the counselor at his school is supportive, Merta said, the counselor simply can’t devote enough time to students.

“You can only talk for like 10 to 15 minutes, so it’s not really something that’s worth it,” Merta explained.

Meriwether said it can take more than two weeks to get in to see a guidance counselor at Land O’ Lakes High School.

That’s not helpful during the middle of a panic attack, she said.

Pasco County Commissioner Christina Fitzpatrick chimed in, too.

She agreed with the panel that students need to have easy access to counselors.

“Yeah, they might be working on a specific topic right then, but they should be able to stop what they’re doing and help address a student, because a student is priority,” Fitzpatrick said.

She recommends that teachers be given mental health and anxiety de-escalation training.

Some positive steps forward
Students said they have seen progress, both at school and in the community.

Fivay has installed smoke detectors that can locate vapes, Merta said.

The school district also is instituting human trafficking educational programming at the end of each school year, Merta said.

Meriwether commended the positive presence of the Pasco Sheriff’s Office’s in schools and in the community. Deputies routinely ask how they can help better serve the area, the teen said.

Horn appreciates the welcoming attitude that Pasco County Schools has toward groups such as STAND.

The group has been invited to elementary and middle schools where information is shared on an array of topics, she said.

The plan to use COVID-19 relief funds to bring on 27 mental health counselors is a good step, Horn said.

To find out more about these issues or STAND, visit EmpoweredCommunities.org, or email .

Published September 22, 2021

Heart monitoring goes wireless

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AdventHealth Tampa has performed its first wireless monitoring sensor implant to help physicians manage heart failure patients remotely, according to a news release.

The FDA-approved procedure is designed to reduce hospital admissions by 58% and improve quality of life for patients.

The CardioMEMS HF System sensor is about the size of a paper clip. (Courtesy of AdventHealth West Florida Division)

“This innovative technology is opening up a new chapter in how we treat patients with heart failure,” said Dr. Oliver Abela, cardiologist at AdventHealth Tampa, in the release.

“We are committed to elevating cardiovascular care in our community and adding (the) CardioMEMS HF System allows us to treat heart failure patients from a distance and, proactively, personalize their medical needs,” said Dr. Abela.

The minimally invasive procedure allows physicians to insert a small sensor (the size of a paper clip) into the patient’s pulmonary artery.

Once implanted, the patient goes home with a queen-sized pillow device that connects wirelessly to the sensor, allowing physicians to monitor the patient’s heart failure status from anywhere.

Patients usually can be discharged from the hospital four hours after the procedure, and can make a full recovery in a week.

The sensor is designed to last the lifetime of the patient and does not require batteries.

Health News 09/15/2021

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(Courtesy of Shantel Meyer)

Supporting those in crisis
The GFWC Wesley Chapel Woman’s Club welcomed guest speaker Katie Rockman, from The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, to a recent meeting. Rockman, assistant director of development, spoke about the different ways the center helps people in need, including veterans speaking with veterans who suffer from PTSD, and assisting victims of violent crimes. Anyone in need of help can dial 211 on the phone and reach someone at The Crisis Center. The woman’s club also made a $500 donation to help with the center’s mission. From left: club treasurer Kim Hanscel, club president Cindi Nalon, and Katie Rockman.

NAMI Pasco seeks donations
NAMI Pasco (National Alliance on Mentall Illness) is asking for donations of the following items, for its office:

  • School supplies
  • Fall décor
  • Holiday décor
  • A couch (it would need to be delivered)
  • Things on its Amazon Wish List

For more information, email .

Brain aneurysm awareness
The Trinity Love Hoblit Foundation announced that Gov. Ron DeSantis has issued a proclamation recognizing September as Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month.

The mission of the foundation is to raise awareness, and support and fund neurological research, training and treatment for brain aneurysms, strokes, and other cerebrovascular conditions in honor of Trinity Love Hoblit who passed away in 2015 at the age of 14 from a ruptured brain aneurysm.

“We are honored that Governor DeSantis has issued the proclamation,” said Olivia Hoblit, president and founder of the foundation, in a news release.

“Compared to other conditions like cardiac arrest and stroke, most people have little awareness about the signs and symptoms of a brain aneurysm. Just like a heart attack or a stroke, a ruptured brain aneurysm is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. Awareness is the beginning of prevention, and we are tremendously grateful to Governor Ron DeSantis for his support in spreading awareness across Florida,” said Hoblit.

For the full proclamation and additional information, visit tinyurl.com/fv9srckx.

Medical center recognized
The Medical Center of Trinity has been recognized by Healthgrades for:

  • 2021 Labor and Delivery Excellence Award
  • 2021 for Superior Performance in Labor and Delivery
  • Among the Top 10% of Hospitals Evaluated for Labor and Delivery in 2021
  • Five-Star Recipient for Vaginal Delivery for Seven Years in a Row (2015-2021)
  • Five-Star Recipient for C-Section Delivery for Seven Years in a Row (2015-2021)

“We are proud to offer expectant moms in the Tampa Bay area quality women’s services, which keep them close to home,” said Dr. Corbi Milligan, chief medical officer, in a news release.

“From Labor and Delivery, Level II Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU), Maternal Fetal Medicine and the continuation of these five-star awards, families can trust Medical Center of Trinity for the birth of their baby,” said Milligan.

To help consumers evaluate and compare hospital performance, Healthgrades analyzed patient outcomes data for hospitals across 16 states that provide all-payer state data for years 2017 through 2019. Healthgrades found that the variation in hospital performance makes a significant difference in terms of clinical outcomes.

St. Joseph’s Hospitals in top 100
The group of five St. Joseph’s Hospitals, including St. Joseph’s Hospital-North in Luz, was named among the nation’s Top 100 hospitals by Fortune/IBM Watson Health.

This is the fourth consecutive year that St. Joseph’s Hospitals has earned the honor, and the fifth time overall.

The four other hospitals included in the recognition are St. Joseph’s Hospital, St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital and St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital, all in Tampa, and St. Joseph’s Hospital-South in Riverview.

“It is an honor to be recognized as one of the Top 100 hospitals in the U.S.,” said Tom Garthwaite, president of St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, in a news release.

“This award speaks to the dedication of our medical staff and team members who work to improve the health care for our North Hillsborough and East/Central Pasco communities. The Top 100 award recognizes quality care, great patient outcomes as well as our patient’s experience. By focusing on our patients, we provide true patient-centered care in a pleasant, healing environment,” said Garthwaite.

For the first time, this year’s ranking of top hospitals also introduced a measure of hospitals’ contributions to community health with a focus on equity developed by a team of experts at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Equity and the Bloomberg American Health Initiative at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

In BayCare’s most recent annual report, St. Joseph’s Hospital-North contributed approximately $12.1 million that went to charity care, unreimbursed care and direct community services. St. Joseph’s Hospital-North has also provided essential items and holiday gifts to families at the San Jose Mission in Dover.

For more information on the Top 100 hospitals, visit 100tophospitals.com.

Ending pandemic requires a unified effort

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Doctors are continuing to urge those who are eligible to get vaccinated, to mask up, to keep a social distance from others and to practice good hygiene — in a layered effort to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Doctors from the University of South Florida, BayCare and AdventHealth delivered that message in two separate virtual sessions held last week.

“As we opened the school year, it was truly what I call the perfect storm,” Dr. Christina Canody, pediatric service line medical director for BayCare said, during a Zoom call arranged by U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, who represents Florida’s 14th congressional district.

“Last year, when we opened, we had mandate mask requirements, we had some of the lowest rates of infectivity, positivity and prevalence that we had seen during the pandemic,” Canody said.

“This year, we were at absolute opposite ends of the spectrum.

“We were at very high prevalence and positivity rates, and we continue to see a large number of children impacted,” Canody said.

She emphasized that despite the tremendous increase in pediatric admissions to the hospital, that children generally have a less complicated course of treatment and pediatric death rates remain low.

However, she noted that the hospital chain had 180 pediatric admissions in August, which was the highest number, by far.

“The majority of those are cared for at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital,” the pediatrician said.

“We have seen an uptick in our emergency room visits, and in general, we still have capacity,” she said.

But the increase in pediatric cases, coupled with the surge in adult cases, puts a strain on health care workers, she said.

Previously, many of the hospital’s pediatric staff had transitioned to help care for adults, she said.

The hospitalization of a child also takes a toll on families — both emotionally and financially, and disrupts their daily lives, she said.

She also talked about the importance of children being able to go to school.

She noted that the social isolation during last school year has had a lasting effect on some children’s mental health.

She also noted that many people are coping with the death of relatives, colleagues or friends.

Canody emphasized the need to educate people about the seriousness of the pandemic.

She put it this way: “It’s going to continue to circulate as long as it continues to be transmitted. Most pandemics last, on average, three years.”

She underscored these steps to help reduce the spread:

  • Become fully vaccinated, if you’re eligible.
  • Wear a face mask. “It’s more important if a person who is infected wears one, but if you wear one as well, you can decrease your risk of being exposed to the virus,” she said.
  • Practice good hand hygiene. “For little kids, we try to encourage them to keep their hands to themselves and keep their things to themselves, and also to wash their hands frequently.”
  • Stay home, if you’re not feeling well.

“We all have to take care of each other,” Canody said. “It is a little defeating sometimes, when people don’t heed the message. And, I can be honest with you that personally, I’ve had family members who have been affected by this virus. I know people personally who have passed away from this virus.

“The majority of our patients in the hospital are unvaccinated and the majority of the deaths we are seeing now are unvaccinated.”

Dr. Jason Salemi, of the University of South Florida, noted “nine or 10 weeks ago we had about six children being hospitalized every day in the entire state, with COVID-19.

“We’ve had a (more than) 10-fold increase, where more recently, over the past seven days, it’s been about 66 children being hospitalized every day, with confirmed COVID-19,” Salemi said.

The USF doctor also shared statistics regarding numbers of people who are not fully vaccinated in Florida. He said those figures stand at 1 million, among those ages 12 to 17; 5.5 million for those 18 to 64; and 800,000 among those 65 and older.

There’s also 2.8 million children in Florida who are younger than 12 who cannot be vaccinated, he said.

“The most heavily vaccinated group in our society is our seniors, and they are realizing the benefits of vaccination more than any other group,” Salemi said.

The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce also hosted a Zoom session involving Amanda Maggard, president and CEO of AdventHealth Dade City and AdventHealth Zephyrhills, and Dr. Rodrigo Torres, vice president and chief medical officer for the two hospitals.

Maggard told those listening that “about 90% of our admissions have not been vaccinated. So, the science really is proving true that vaccinations save lives, vaccinations prevent critical illness, so we really want to get the word out in the community and try to increase vaccination. That’s going to be our best way to get through this virus.”

She added that wearing masks continues to be important.

She also touched on the availability of a new monoclonal antibody treatment for patients who are 12 or older. The treatment can prevent hospitalization or death in COVID-19 patients.

The state has opened a number of sites offering the treatment, including the Fasano Hurricane Shelter, at 11611 Denton Ave., in Hudson.

AdventHealth also is offering it at its Dade City campus. (Call the hospital or check its website for details.)

Torres gave a brief history on the pandemic and touched on various strains of the virus.

While much has been reported about the Delta variant, Torres said there’s another strain, known as the lambda, which is being carefully watched by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The lambda was identified in Peru at the end of last year, he said.

“It’s one that’s very virulent and it’s able to escape the mechanisms of how the vaccine works,” Torres said. “We believe that for the time being, we have a good control over this lambda variant, but this is one that actually concerns the CDC the most, out of all of these variants of interest.”

Torres also touched on the fact that the Pfizer vaccine has received FDA approval, and the hospital has recommended its staff get the third shot.

“The data has proven that on your third vaccine, you provide antibodies up to nine times the amount of what you normally would have produced just by keeping your two-vaccine regimen,” Torres said.

Published September 08, 2021

Health News 09/08/2021

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Thyroid cancer awareness
The Medical Center of Trinity is bringing attention to one of the fastest-growing incidences of cancer during national Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month (September).

The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped small gland at the base of the neck that produces hormones to regulate metabolism.

Although symptoms vary, in addition to feeling or seeing a lump in the neck, the five signs of a thyroid condition include fatigue, weight changes, high cholesterol, hair loss, and neck discomfort.

Thyroid nodules are lumps or growths within the thyroid gland, and are more common in women, and increase in prevalence with age.

Not all nodules are cancerous.

During Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month, the medical center encourages women to do neck checks and to make sure it is part of an annual medical exam If a person thinks symptoms are present, a thyroid evaluation with a doctor should be scheduled.

Preventive screenings
It’s important to make your health a priority.

When life gets busy, sometimes taking the time to schedule an appointment takes a backseat to just about everything else.

AdventHealth offers this list of important preventive screenings for women:

  • Annual Well Visit. Women of all ages should make a point to keep their annual well-woman visit, where a primary care provider can screen for a variety of diseases, assess the risk for future problems, discuss lifestyle habits, and make sure vaccinations are up to date.
  • Mammogram. Depending on risk factors and family history, annual mammograms likely will start between the ages of 40 and 50. Speak with a primary care provider to determine the screening schedule. Expect to undergo a yearly mammogram until age 75. The test can identify possible early signs of breast cancer.
  • Colonoscopy. In most cases, women should undergo regular colonoscopies (once every five to 10 years), starting at age 50 (possibly sooner based on personal risk factors and/or family history). The outpatient procedure, performed under sedation, can identify precancerous polyps or early cancerous cells so they can be removed.
  • Dental Exam and Cleaning. Dental exams are recommended for all individuals every six months, with X-rays once per year. Professional dental cleanings remove plaque and bacteria that can lead to tooth and gum disease. The dentist also checks for signs of tongue and mouth cancer. Problems with dental health can be an indication of other health problems, such as osteoporosis.
  • Cholesterol Screening. Most women should undergo regular cholesterol screenings starting at the age of 45. Screenings should start at age 20 if the person is a smoker, is obese, or has diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension) or heart disease. These screenings should be done every five years.
  • Pap Test and HPV Test. Most women should undergo an annual pap and HPV test until the age of 65. These tests screen for abnormalities that may indicate pre- or early cervical cancer. Testing positive for HPV can identify women who may be at risk to develop cervical cancer later on in life.
  • Skin Exam. Speak wih a primary care provider or dermatologist to determine a screening schedule. Undergoing regular skin exams enables the health care provider to track worrisome moles, lumps or bumps, along with identifying and treating early signs of skin cancer.

AdventHealth encourages women to talk to a trusted health provider about scheduling all necessary screenings.

Pasco’s opioid task force will help shape funding priorities

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The Pasco County Commission has determined what the makeup will be for the county’s opioid task force.

The appointed board will serve to advise commissioners, regarding expenditures of funds the county will receive from a settlement involving national prescription opiate litigation.

Forming the advisory body is a necessary component for the county to qualify for a portion of the settlement proceeds.

The group will develop an abatement plan that identifies strategies currently being utilized to respond to the opioid epidemic, and will present the plan to the county board by Dec. 1.

The membership of that board will include:

  • The Pasco County Fire Rescue fire chief or designee
  • The Pasco County superintendent of schools or designee
  • The Pasco County sheriff, or his/her designee
  • The Pasco assistant county administrator for public services, or designee
  • A representative from New Port Richey and Zephyrhills, who will alternate
  • The director of the Florida Department of Health Pasco County, or designee
  • A person with subject matter expertise in public health or addiction, who is employed by a provider of opioid-related services in Pasco County, who is nominated to the task force by the county administrator and approved by the county board
  • The chief judge of the Sixth Judicial Circuit or designee
  • A representative from Pasco Alliance for Substance Addiction Prevention (Pasco ASAP), or its designee
  • A person with subject matter expertise in public health or addiction, who is retired, who is nominated to the task force by the county administrator and appointed by the county board

The biggest point of contention was whether or not a member of the county board should serve on the task force.

Commissioner Christina Fitzpatrick advocated for having a commissioner on the task force and that she would like to serve in that capacity.

Commissioner Mike Moore was adamantly opposed, saying the task force should be made up of professionals in the field.

“I don’t think any commissioner should be on it. We need to leave it to the doctors, the nurses, the licensed mental health counselors, the psychiatrists, the psychologists, somebody from the sheriff’s office because they have somebody that’s dedicated to this issue, probably somebody from fire rescue, as well, that treats this on a regular basis, that deals with this on a regular basis. Let them bring this back to us, then we’ll make the decisions from there,” Moore said.

But Fitzpatrick said: “I would like to be on that board. I have been involved with ASAP and substance-exposed newborns since 2012.”

Moore, however, prevailed when he made a successful motion to ensure no board members were named to a seat on the advisory board.

Initially, the county’s assistant county administrator for public services, or designee, will chair the task force. After that, the task force will select its own chair. Seven members of the task force must be in attendance, for the group to have a quorum.

Published September 01, 2021

Health News 09/01/2021

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(Courtesy of networkofcare.adventhealth.com)

Back pain in children
The growing number of books, notebooks, folders and other items needed for school unknowingly can place children at risk for back pain, according to an AdventHealth news release.

How a child wears his or her backpack can even play a part, and to decrease the risk of back injury, a backpack should be worn as it was intended.

To encourage correct use, select a backpack that’s comfortable – usually one made of lightweight material with cushioned straps and a back panel.

To get an A+ in backpack safety, AdventHealth offers these tips:

  • Carry only necessities leaving everything else at home or in a locker. Keep the load light.
  • Wear both shoulder straps.
  • Wear waist belt if present.
  • Keep all straps snuggly fastened but not overly tight.
  • Keep heavier items closer to your back.

A heavy backpack can alter the natural curvature of the spine, placing abnormal stress on spine structures.

Over time, this awkward posture can cause a student to develop pain.

Good posture and proper body mechanics are key factors to maintaining spine health.

When lifting more than five pounds, a student should get down close to the backpack, keeping the neck and back in line, bend at the hips, and lift with the legs and buttocks while tightening the abdominal muscles. A student should refrain from reaching for or twisting to pick up the heavy load.

New physicians
Florida Orthopaedic Institute (FOI) has added Dr. Jeffrey T. Kannen and Dr. Spencer S. Smith to its organization.

Dr. Kannen is fellowship trained in primary care sports medicine, and cares for all musculoskeletal conditions in pediatric and adult populations.

As a primary care sports medicine and orthopedic physician, he does not perform surgical procedures. His interests are in overuse injuries of the upper and lower extremities, extreme sports injuries, diagnostic ultrasound, and regenerative medicine treatments.

Dr. Smith received his fellowship in adult reconstruction, and performs hip and knee replacements. He also takes care of failed or infected joint replacements.

Dr. Kannen will see patients at the FOI Citrus Park, North Tampa and Palm Harbor offices.

Dr. Smith will be at the North Tampa, Riverview and Wesley Chapel locations.

For information, visit FloridaOrtho.com.

COVID-19 cases are straining hospitals, health care workers

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Hospital admissions of patients with COVID-19 continue to rise, adding to the strain already being experienced by local hospitals.

Admissions for patients with COVID-19 are at their highest levels since the start of the pandemic in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oregon and Washington, according to statistics kept by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Things are so serious that Pasco County Fire Rescue Fire Chief Scott Cassin and EMS Division Chief Paula Coleman have issued a video, asking residents and guests to avoid using the 911 system unless they are experiencing a true emergency.

“Hospital emergency rooms are currently being inundated with patients, and the time it takes to be seen in an emergency room is skyrocketing across our community,” the fire chief says in the video.

“Many hospitals are at, or over, capacity and ambulances are currently holding patients at hospitals for hours at a time, due to a lack of available beds and hospital staff.

“This is causing an ambulance shortage across the county, and is causing long wait times for our 911 callers,” Cassin says.

Coleman adds: “Please help us provide lifesaving interventions for those who truly need them. If your 911 call is not an emergency that needs immediate medical attention — such as chest pain, shortness of breath, stroke symptoms, serious trauma or other life-threatening illnesses or injury — please consider contacting your primary care physician, or utilizing a walk-in clinic or urgent care center. This will get you the help you need in a timelier manner, while at the same time assist an overtaxed health care system,” she says.

“Let’s all do our part to save the ambulances and ER visits for those who urgently need those services,” Coleman says.

Michael Weiss, epidemiology program manager for Florida Health-Hillsborough County, gave a big-picture look at Hillsborough County’s COVID-19 situation during an Aug. 18 emergency meeting of the Hillsborough County School Board.

“Right around June into July, we started this steep increase,” Weiss said.

“We are trending upwards. We are at 1,622 cases per day in our county. Positivity is around 22%. During the pandemic, this is the highest for both of those values.”

“This recent increase has coincided with a few things. In July, we had relaxed community mitigation measures, and we also saw the introduction of the delta variant into our community.

“These two things combined really increased the case transmission and the case rate in our community,” Weiss said.

“Hospital visits and hospitalizations both related to COVID are both at the highest levels seen at any point during our pandemic — during the entire pandemic. Hospitals are recording twice the number of COVID patients they saw in 2020 winter peak,” the epidemiologist said.

“Pediatric hospitalizations are also increasing. They represent a small percentage of the overall COVID hospitalizations, but they are also increasing. We are seeing both admissions and emergency department visits for pediatric cases increasing.

“Hospitalizations generally lag behind the case increases, so we expect the hospitalizations to continue to increase in the near future,” he added.

“Across all of these age groups, the hospitalizations are overwhelmingly in the unvaccinated population. Hospitals are reporting anywhere from 80% to 90% of cases are in unvaccinated individuals,” Weiss said.

Hospitals are making adjustments as the COVID-19 caseloads increase.

AdventHealth has halted elective procedures at AdventHealth Carrollwood, AdventHealth Dade City and AdventHealth Zephyhrhills, and at its AdventHealth Sebring facility, according to a media advisory issued Aug. 20.

“This decision allows us to further plan for the increased need for hospital beds, resources, and advocate for patients and team members. Patients will be notified if their procedure will be canceled,” the hospital chain announced.

AdventHealth “continues to see a significant increase in COVID-19 cases at its facilities across West Florida and has far surpassed its highest peak at any point in the pandemic,” the advisory adds.

The hospital system’s 10 hospitals in its West Florida Division had 600 currently admitted COVID-19 positive patients, according to the Aug. 20 advisory.

BayCare, another health care system in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area, paused all of its elective surgeries and procedures at its hospitals in Pinellas, Pasco and Polk counties, regardless of whether they require an overnight stay, effective Aug. 14, according to the hospital’s website.

“This will help reserve resources for the urgent and emergent needs of severely ill patients,” the posting says.

“COVID-19 hospitalizations have increased 10-fold since the beginning of July, and today we have more than 1,000 COVID positive patients in our 14 acute care hospitals across the Tampa Bay area,” Glenn Waters, chief operating officer for BayCare, said in a website post.

“We’re making these operational adjustments to be sure we can continue providing safe, high-quality care to the recent influx of COVID patients, in addition to hundreds of other people in our hospitals with unrelated, serious medical issues,” Waters said.

In a new development, Gov. Ron DeSantis held a news conference last week to announce the opening of local sites to provide a new monoclonal antibody treatment for patients who are 12 years old or older. The treatment can prevent hospitalization or death in COVID-19 patients.

DeSantis presided at the opening of the site at the Fasano Hurricane Shelter, at 11611 Denton Ave., in Hudson.

Another site has opened in Hillsborough County at King Forest Park, at 8008 E. Chelsea St., in Tampa. The only access into the park is off Orient Road just north of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, according to a Hillsborough County news release.

Both sites will be open daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For additional details, call the Florida Department of Health Monoclonal Antibody Treatment Support Line at 850-344-9637.

COVID-19 statistics: Aug. 13 to Aug. 19

Florida
New cases: 150,118
Positivity rate 19.8%

Hillsborough County
New cases: 11,161
Positivity rate: 22%

Pasco County
New cases: 4,223
Positivity rate: 26.4%

Source: Florida Department of Health

COVID-19 symptoms
Symptoms of COVID-19 may include:

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Published August 25, 2021

Controversy continues over school mask mandates

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Leon County Judge John Cooper was scheduled this week to conduct a three-day hearing involving a lawsuit that challenges the legality of an executive order issued by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

In the executive order, DeSantis stands firm on his position that parents —  not school boards — have the right to decide whether their children should be required to wear masks on campus.

But a group of parents has challenged the governor’s legal authority to make that call.

This week’s Tallahassee court hearing, set to begin Aug. 23, comes after attorneys for DeSantis attempted to have the lawsuit dismissed.

The judge refused to toss the lawsuit, but refrained from any assessment on the merits of the case, according to numerous published reports.

In addition to DeSantis, the Florida of Board of Education has weighed in on the mandatory mask issue.

The board of education has created options for students who are in districts that mandate masks, but do not wish to comply. Instead of complying, those students can obtain a scholarship through the state to attend a private school, or can attend school in a different district.

Also, the state has warned districts that if they defy the governor’s executive order, they can face reduced funding in an amount equivalent to the sum of the superintendent and school board members’ salaries, according to numerous published reports.

President Joe Biden has countered that by pledging the federal government could fill that funding gap — if one arises — by using American Rescue Plan dollars.

“We’re not going to sit by as governors try to block and intimidate educators protecting our children,” Biden said, on national television.

DeSantis, at another news event, countered: “We believe this is a decision for the parent.”

As the debate plays out, individual school boards continue to impose face mask requirements.

During an emergency meeting last week, the Hillsborough County School Board adopted a 30-day mandatory face mask requirement for students and staff, allowing an opt-out with a medical note.

School boards in Mami-Dade, Alachua, Palm Beach, Broward and Sarasota counties have taken similar actions.

The divisiveness of the mandatory masking issue was on full display during the Hillsborough school board’s hearing.

Board Chair Lynn Gray said the surge in the delta variant of COVID-19 created an emergency for the board — not only in terms of the number of positive cases being reported on campus, but also of the numbers of students and staff being forced to quarantine.

She said action was needed because the situation was unsustainable.

Passions ran high at the meeting.

Dozens of speakers on both sides of the issues made passionate 1-minute arguments, either for or against.

“Our K-5 children cannot get the vaccine, but at the same time, you’ve given them no option to do e-learning, no required social distancing and no required masks,” one parent said, urging the board to take action.

Another put it plainly: “I am very concerned for our vulnerable children.”

A third observed: “If you can mandate masks 100% last year, you can mandate masks this year. Your actions today can save lives.”

Other speakers presented a different point of view.

“Those that are living in fear, if they want to wear a mask, let them wear a mask. Put on a visor. Put on a second mask. But don’t force our children to wear masks if they don’t want to,” one speaker said.

Another put it this way: “Leave the mask policy as is, with parents deciding what’s best for their children.”

A third challenged the school board’s authority: “You work for us. We are not subservient to you. My children will not spend the rest of the year, or another minute, wearing a mask.”

Board members listened to hours of public testimony. Medical experts offered data and answered questions. Board members discussed the issue, too.

Ultimately, the mandatory mask decision passed on a 5-2 vote, with members Nadia Combs, Jessica Vaughn,  Henry “Shake” Washington, Karen Perez, Board Chair Gray voting yes; and members Stacy Hahn and Melissa Snively voting no.

Hillsborough Schools Superintendent Addison Davis recommended that the board follow DeSantis’ executive order, but said he would support the board, whatever the vote’s outcome.

Hahn and Snively spoke against defying DeSantis’ executive order.

It remains unclear how the mandate, which remains in effect in Hillsborough public schools through Sept. 17, will be enforced.

Contact tracing can’t keep up
Meanwhile, in Pasco County public schools, masks are optional.

Dealing with the impacts of COVID-19 and the delta variant in this new school year, has not been easy, Pasco Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning told the Pasco County School Board at its Aug. 17 meeting.

“We are drowning. We are struggling to stay afloat,” Browning said. “It’s like bailing out a sinking ship with a thimble.”

The district can’t keep pace with the contact tracing that’s required, Browning said.

That’s problematic because by the time the contact tracing can be completed, the quarantine period has expired, he said.

“You may have positive cases, asymptomatic positive cases, in the classrooms,” the superintendent explained. “At this point, there is nothing we can do about that, unless they start showing symptoms. Then, as soon as they are symptomatic, they will be sent home.”

There’s another issue that’s compounding the problem, the superintendent said.

“What we’re having, and this is not a news flash, we’re still having some parents sending their sick kids to school,” Browning said.

School board member Alison Crumbley had this message for parents:  “If your kid has a symptom, they don’t need to be showing up at school. Period. Done.”

“I can’t even imagine sending a kid to school that’s sick and you know they’re sick. We cannot be doing that right now.

“We’ve got to keep these number down, we’ve got to keep these numbers down,” Crumbley emphasized.

School board member Megan Harding said the district should provide COVID sick time for all teachers, not just those who have been vaccinated.

Browning disagreed: “It is a statement of fact that the costs for unvaccinated employees are higher.”

The district has already spent $12 million in COVID-related claims, and the district’s insurance fund is running at a $4 million deficit, Browning said.

School district statistics: 2021-2022 school year, to date*

Hillsborough County
Student cases: 2,310
Staff cases: 648

Pasco County
Student cases: 897
Staff cases: 196

*As of the evening of Aug. 22

Published August 25, 2021