George Schmitt speaks with Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Doug Manion about COVID updates in Milford

This week Dr. Cruse talks about improving numbers here but points out that it’s improving only because it has been so bad. We still have some of the highest numbers of the pandemic right now. 35% of all cases of the pandemic and 12% of all deaths have occurred in the past two months. Things are looking better, but it definitely isn’t over yet.

George Schmitt speaks with Milford Mayor Sean Strub and Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Doug Manion about COVID updates in Milford

This week Dr Cruse gets personal and talks about his recent experience with COVID in his family. He reminds us that the statistics he reviews every week are human beings not numbers. The pandemic is not over. Wear your mask and get your vaccine.

George Schmitt speaks with and Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Doug Manion about COVID updates in Milford

This week Dr. Cruse reviews the numbers which are very high still but seem to be peaking. Hospitalizations and deaths are still high from Omicron. He reports that the vaccine mandate for healthcare will go into affect for Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers and Wayne Memorial Hospital this week. They hope to get more free home test kits this week. He also talks about returning to a new normal with vaccines, masking, home testing and isolation, and treatments for those at higher risk.

This week Dr. Cruse talks about the very high cases here and around the country. Also hospitalizations and deaths are increasing with Omicron. He discusses the two new pills to treat COVID. Molnupiravir by Merck and Paxlovid by Pfizer. He focuses on Molnupiravir because they are getting that this week at Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers. There is significantly concern about it causing birth defects and should be used with caution in women of childbearing years. He also reports that the community health centers will be getting more at home test kits to give out to the public. Check Wayne Memorial Hospital’s Facebook page for their availability.

George Schmitt speaks with Milford Mayor Sean Strub and Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Doug Manion about COVID updates in Milford

This week Dr. Cruse talks about the incredibly high number of cases in Wayne and Pike county. There have been 1800 cases in the past week which is 11% of all of our cases of the entire pandemic. Omicron is spreading like wildfire. While it is milder than Delta, it is not mild and is leading to hospitalizations and deaths. It is affecting younger kids and toddlers more. This week Dr. Cruse also talks about the current monoclonal antibody infusion they are giving at Wayne Memorial Hospital and Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers.