DEMA gets $85.6 million from FEMA for COVID testing, reporting

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines, Health

The Delaware Emergency Management Agency announced Thursday that $85.6 million in federal funds have been made available for reimbursement of COVID-19 testing and reporting costs. The funds, issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, will reimburse the state agency for emergency protective measure costs incurred between Oct. 12, 2020 and Sept. 12, 2021. According to DEMA, approximately $3.08 million of …

USGS finds PFAS in untreated well water throughout Delaware

Charlie MegginsonHeadlines, Health

The U.S. Geological Survey announced Wednesday that forever chemicals known as PFAS have been found in untreated well water throughout Delaware. Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are a group of more than 4,000 manmade chemicals used to make fluoropolymer coatings and products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease, and water.  According to the Centers for Disease Control, fluoropolymer coatings can …

Dem. bill would guarantee health insurance for undocumented children

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines, Health

Left: Rep. Krista Griffith, D-Fairfax. Right: Sen. Sarah McBride, D-Wilmington North. Democratic lawmakers plan to file a bill in the General Assembly Friday that would guarantee health insurance for all Delaware children who are not otherwise covered, including undocumented immigrant children. House Bill 317, sponsored by Rep. Krista Griffith, D-Fairfax, and Sen. Sarah McBride, D-Wilmington North, would direct the Department …

Doctor plants seeds of inspiration

Bryan ShupeHeadlines, Health

Embodying a peaceful and humble nature is Bayhealth Family Medicine Physician Kandis Samuels-Leutzinger, MD, MPH. As an African American physician leader in Delaware, she is planting seeds of inspiration for those she cares for, mentors, and teaches. Dr. Samuels is a family medicine physician specializing in obstetrics and gynecology. She’s also the associate director of Bayhealth’s Family Medicine Residency Program. …

Delaware mask mandate to expire Friday, Feb. 11

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines, Health

Gov. Carney’s universal indoor mask mandate will expire Friday, Feb. 11/Getty Images Delaware’s universal indoor mask mandate will expire at 8 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 11. Gov. John Carney on Monday revised the State of Emergency order citing the sharp decrease in cases since the height of the omicron variant surge. While masks will no longer be required inside many …

How to improve energy as a grandparent

Bryan ShupeHeadlines, Health

Becoming a grandparent is an absolute dream come true for most people. You now get to spend time spoiling a grandchild and seeing how magical the world is all over again through their eyes as they grow up. The only downside to this is that children seem to have boundless energy. Unfortunately, as we age, our energy diminishes and it …

Highmark clients can get free COVID-19 tests at pharmacies

Betsy PriceHeadlines, Health

Abbott Laboratories’ home COVID-19 testing kit is among those available at area drug stores, when in stock.   People who have Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance can pick up a COVID-19 test at any in-network pharmacy without having to pay for it, the company announced Monday. Highmark is complying with an order by the Biden administration that insurance …

DBCC’s Young Survivors in Action promotes meditation and meaningful activity during and after breast cancer treatments

Terry RogersHealth

Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition (DBCC) understands that every breast cancer survivor needs methods for staying upbeat, healthy and motivated. This is especially true of women who are diagnosed at a young age. For this reason, they offer DBCC’s Young Survivors in Action, a program which is designed to connect, support, and empower young women diagnosed with breast cancer. “Recently, DBCC’s …

COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations continue to drop in Delaware

Betsy PriceHeadlines, Health

The number of new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continued to decline this week in Delaware. As of Thursday, Jan. 27, the Delaware Division of Public Health said the state has had a 57% decrease in the seven-day average of new positive cases reported since the peak of the surge on Jan. 12, 2022. It also reported: The total number of …

Bayhealth to require vaccines for all staff

Terry RogersHealth

by Terry Rogers     Bayhealth is now requiring all employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine under new federal regulations As many hospitals began requiring all staff to be vaccinated for COVID-19, Bayhealth was one of the few healthcare systems who allowed their staff to either be vaccinated or submit to weekly tests under the recommended CDC guidelines. With a …