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Another NY record set as COVID cases continue surge

NEW YORK – “New York City is ready, we need you to be ready too.”

That was Mayor Bill de Blasio’s message at a press conference on Sunday afternoon as he addressed the ongoing spike in COVID-19 cases in New York City.

De Blasio announced that New York City was reporting another 5,731 positive COVID-19 tests and that he was expecting to see the omicron variant drive a continuing surge in cases over the next few weeks before fading away.

“A really, really shocking figure and one that will keep growing undoubtedly,” de Blasio said.

Later on Sunday, New York broke its own record for a third straight day, reporting 22,478 positive COVID tests in a single day.

“This is not March of 2020. We are not defenseless,” Hochul tweeted. “People across the state are doing the right thing by getting vaccinated, getting boosted, and wearing their masks. Do your part to keep your neighbors safe. Get your vaccine or booster today.”

“We expect omicron to be a fast and temporary phenomenon,” de Blasio said. “We expect these next weeks to see a very, very big surge in cases.”

“Vaccination remains vital, even against omicron,” said Dr. Dave Chokshi New York City’s health commissioner. “Get your booster right now.”

According to the latest data from the city’s Health Department, just over 70% of the city’s residents are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. About 90% of adults and about 80% of all residents have received at least one vaccine dose.

De Blasio also said the city was going to “double down” on vaccination mandate enforcement. The city will also be significantly increasing testing capacity, distributing high-quality masks across the city, and distributing more at-home tests at high-volume sites. 

The mayor and health officials announced Thursday the city would give out 1 million free N95 masks and 500,000 free at-home tests, to be distributed through community organizations. On Sunday they said eight new fixed-site testing sites and 17 new mobile units would be opened by this week, bringing the city’s totals to 36 fixed sites and 93 mobile units, with more anticipated.

City health officials also said that New Yorkers who are over the age of 65 or are immunocompromised should rethink attending large gatherings over the next few weeks, while Dr. Chokshi advised planning holiday celebrations around the most vulnerable person in any group.

RELATED: COVID surge forces 10 Broadway shows to cancel performances

The omicron surge has hit the entertainment industry in New York City hard, forcing as many as 10 Broadway shows to suspend performances due to positive COVID tests and causing Saturday Night Live to shoot their holiday episode without an audience, musical guest, or most of the cast and crew. 

De Blasio also said that a decision would be made by Christmas about whether this year’s Times Square New Year’s Eve celebration would be held as usual.

“This is an all vaccination event, and it is outdoors and those are two very, very important, favorable factors,” de Blasio said.

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While the US Postal Service fights for its life financially, 2,000 of its workers are in quarantine and dozens have tested positive for the coronavirus

The US Postal Service is in crisis, with lawmakers warning that plunging mail volumes could shut it down by June without “urgent” financial help — threatening everything from critical medicine deliveries and vote by mail to a third of Amazon orders.

But the crisis is far more than financial. The National Association of Letter Carriers, the union representing USPS city carriers, said 51 USPS employees had tested positive for COVID-19 as of Wednesday. On top of that, nearly 2,000 were in quarantine.

“As the number of confirmed positive coronavirus cases have increased throughout the general public, so too have been the number of postal employees who have tested positive,” a statement from the union’s president, Fredric Rolando, read. “About half of the postal employees are quarantined by order of public health officials and half have chosen to self-quarantine.”

The union announced the coronavirus-related death of New York City carrier Rakkhon Kim, who was 50, on Thursday.

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A Connecticut doctor has been charged after authorities said he deliberately coughed on his coworkers

A doctor at the University of Connecticut Health Center was arrested and charged with a misdemeanor for coughing and hugging coworkers, local news outlets reported.

Cory Edgar, 48, is an assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at the UConn Musculoskeletal Institute. Witnesses told WTNH that Edgar intentionally coughed on two other medical workers and disregarded coronavirus safety measures.

“The involved doctor has confirmed that he is in excellent health and does not to his knowledge have COVID-19,” Jennifer Walker, a UConn Health spokesperson told Business Insider in a statement.

“We can also state that any UConn Health employee with an indication of illness is asked to stay home, and during this pandemic, all employees are screened for symptoms prior to entering the premises,” she added.

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Deaths rise to 132 in China outbreak as foreigners leave

BEIJING (AP) — Countries on Wednesday began evacuating their citizens from the Chinese city hardest-hit by an outbreak of a new virus that has killed 132 people and infected more than 6,000 on the mainland and abroad.

China’s latest figures cover the previous 24 hours and add 26 to the number of deaths, 25 of which were in the Hubei province and its capital, Wuhan. The 5,974 cases on the mainland were a rise of 1,459 from the previous day. Dozens of infections of the new type of coronavirus have been confirmed outside mainland China as well.

Earlier in the morning, a plane carrying Americans who had been in Wuhan left for Anchorage, Alaska, where they will be rescreened for the virus. Hospitals are prepared to treat or quarantine people who may be infected. Then the plane is scheduled to fly to Ontario, California.

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How to lower cholesterol with the right diet and exercise regimens

If you’re one of the 95 million US adults with a total cholesterol level higher than 200 mg/dL, you might be wondering what measures you can take to lower your cholesterol. 

Medication isn’t right for everybody, and making changes to your lifestyle, such as eating a heart-healthy diet and getting regular exercise, may be more important for you. Here’s what you need to know.

The best ways to lower cholesterol

According to Steven Reisman, MD, a cardiologist and director of the New York Cardiac Diagnostic Center, the best way to lower cholesterol is with lifestyle modification through diet and exercise.

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Boy, 4, receives apology from hospital for ‘failings’ that led to brain damage at birth as he is awarded

Letterkenny University Hospital has apologised for the failings that caused injuries to a baby who was brain damaged at birth.

The apology was read out in the High Court as Jack McGahern Donaghey, now aged four years and who has cerebral palsy, settled his legal action with an interim settlement of €2.5million.

In the apology the hospital general manager, Sean Murphy said he wished  to express sincere apologies for the failings that caused the injuries to Jack and the “consequential trauma suffered by him and you, his parents and his family.”

It added: “The hospital understands that neither this apology nor the financial compensation granted  by the court can negate the continuing heartache that the McGahern Donaghey family must feel every day and appreciate that this continues to be a very difficult time  for you.”

Jack’s parents Denise and Seamus were in court as the apology was read out and the interim settlement reached after mediation was approved.

Outside court, Jack’s mother Denise McGahern said they were so relieved this day had arrived.

“With this interim settlement Jack will get the best support and care and help that he needs.

“This has been a very stressful time for our family,” she said.

Ms McGahern added: “Although the interim settlement had been achieved today, it has been a very tough battle over the last three years between us and the HSE, causing us anxiety and worry.

“Whilst the apology from the HSE is welcome, we are saddened and weary of the legal process and struggle to understand why it took this legal road to bring about an explanation and produce an apology.”

She said they would like lessons to be learned from what happened to Jack and they never wanted “this tragedy to be visited on any other family”.

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The One Food Men Should Eat Every Day

Summer is the season for fruit. From fresh watermelon to ripe strawberries, it’s the best time to add some fresh produce into your diet, and one of the best additions for men specifically is blueberries. Regardless of the season, you should always have a pint of juicy blueberries on hand. Plus, see the 40 Foods Nutritionists Eat Every Day.

“Blueberries are some of the most antioxidant-packed foods, especially relative to their calorie intake,” says Melissa Majumdar, MS, RD, CSOWM, LDN, registered dietitian and national media spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. “Half a cup of blueberries contains only 40 calories.”

The health benefits of these tiny berries are pretty massive.

“Blueberries are highest in vitamin K, manganese, vitamin C, and fiber,” says Majumdar.

But the biggest reason men should be adding blueberries to their diet is because of their heart and metabolism benefits. 

“Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men in the United States,” says Majumdar. “And anthocyanins, which give blueberries their rich, deep color, can contribute to cardiovascular protection,” says Majumdar.

Research indicates blueberries may improve heart health because of their influence on cholesterol levels and endothelial function. While more research is needed, preliminary research indicates that blueberries may also help manage blood pressure. 

The Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow Up Study also show that individuals with a higher consumption of fruit, especially those high in anthocyanins like blueberries, were associated with decreased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

“It’s estimated that 23 percent of men have metabolic syndrome, a precursor to diabetes and heart disease,” says Majumdar. “Adding blueberries to our diet, especially in the place of higher sugar, fat, or salt-laden foods, could absolutely improve health.”

If you’re looking for some ways to incorporate blueberries into your diet, here are some tips from Majumdar:

1/2 cup of blueberries = 1 serving of fruit

  • Breakfast – Add to oatmeal or whole grain pancakes in lieu of syrup or sweetener, or to a plate of eggs for a burst of color and fiber.
  • Snack – Pair with cottage cheese or yogurt, or mix into a smoothie. Take unsweetened freeze-dried blueberries on the go for a crunchy and healthy treat.
  • Lunch – Add to a salad or mix into a fruit salad. You could even mix them with mint and feta into a cold grain salad. Try it with quinoa or farro for a filling lunch side.
  • Dinner – Blend into a salad dressing or for a dipping sauce. Mix with some plain Greek yogurt, fresh herbs, and olive oil and spin in the blender.
  • Snack – Munch on berries right out of the pint or try them frozen for a late night treat. Pair with some walnuts for a superfood combo!

If you still need ideas, try one of these healthy blueberry muffin recipes.

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Woman, 33, who blamed cramps on stress is diagnosed with colon cancer

Married woman, 33, who thought she had indigestion for two years brought on by stress from her high-powered job and a food truck diet is diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer

At 33 years old, Diana Zepeda was a fairly typical Washington, DC resident: working long hours in a stressful job, eating whatever was available when she had a minute to spare, past the invincibility of her 20s, and feeling the physical consequences.
Her friends, too, were developing one food intolerance after another, so between her lifestyle and stress levels, it seemed reasonable that Zepeda’s stomach started acting up.

Now, six months later, Zepeda has had radiation, chemotherapy and a sizable portion of her digestive system removed.

She is one of an alarming and growing number of young people developing the disease, which was once thought to be an illness of older people only.

Zepeda endured relatively mild symptoms like bouts of diarrhea for two years, blaming her own diet before going to a doctor.

Now, at the end of six months of chemotherapy, she warns that early action might have saved her from several invasive surgeries and the partial loss of several organs.

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Doctors Insisted Her Back Pain Was Caused by Depression, Turns Out She Had Stage 4 Cancer

Trial and error. That’s why a doctor’s office is called a practice, right? It’s the reason we say “practicing medicine” rather than “perfecting medicine.”

No one is perfect, doctors especially. Still, knowledge aside, a good physician listens to his or her patients, even if it goes against what they know about illness. In many ways, seeing a doctor can often feel like being a number rather than a name. Personal experience can attest to the difference between good bedside manner and the opposite.

Tori Geib probably knows this better than anyone. Her countless visits to different specialists for back pain soon turned into a nightmare.“I saw three rheumatologists to find out why I had this pain, but none took me seriously,” Geib told Health.

She went on to explain that one doctor even wrote off her pain as “depression manifesting as pain in my body.

”From anti-inflammatory medication to steroids to muscle relaxers and antidepressants, Geib had seen the backside of a pill bottle too many times to count.

Still, her pain didn’t abate. It got to the point where she started to question herself, wondering if maybe she was imagining what was going on in her own body.

“I almost felt like I was gaslighting myself,” she said. “Was this all in my head? Surely all these doctors couldn’t be wrong; after all, they were the experts.”

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Why Did a Student Die After Eating 5-Day-Old Pasta? Doctor Explains

For many, meal prep is key to maintaining a healthy diet and saving money, but if you elect to make your food days in advance, make sure to store it properly.

A famous case that recently resurfaced is that of a 20-year-old Belgian student who reheated spaghetti with tomato sauce after it had been left out in the kitchen for five days. The 2008 case was featured in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology and spotlighted on the YouTube channel Chubbyemu, which profiles strange medical tales.

In this case, the student, who was not named, became ill within a half-hour of consuming the pasta, suffering intestinal distress, nausea and a headache, the medical journal reported. He decided to try to sleep off the symptoms, drinking water and not taking any medicine or seeking medical attention. He nodded off at midnight after hours of vomiting.

The next morning, he was found dead by his parents. An autopsy showed he likely died about 10 hours after eating the pasta and that his liver had completely shut down and he was suffering from pancreatitis.

So what happened? The student suffered from something known as “fried rice syndrome.”

“[It’s] a generic term for a form of food poisoning, which is actually quite virulent, potentially lethal, which is caused by a specific … bacteria called Bacillus cereus,” Dr. Andrew Ordon of “The Doctors” told InsideEdition.com.

The bacteria multiplies rapidly in food left out at room temperature, particularly rice, lending the illness caused by the microbes its distinctive name.

Pasta is another such food that, when not refrigerated, can create the ideal environment for B. cereus to thrive. That’s why it’s important to make sure to store food properly. “If you consume it you can get really sick,” Ordon said.

The Belgian student isn’t alone. Ordon pointed out several other cases of people who became violently ill after eating food contaminated with B. cereus. “There was one reported story a family went on a picnic, they cooked pasta, made it into pasta salad, so it had been sitting out for some time. … They got very sick, in fact one of the family members died,” he said.

Another case Ordon addressed actually involved fried rice. “In Texas, a woman went to a Chinese restaurant, a buffet … she got very, very sick [and] went into liver failure,” he said.

In 2018, Inside Edition spoke to the woman in question. Germaine Mobley said she became sick after dining at a restaurant just outside Dallas. “I started having problems breathing and my husband called an ambulance,” she recalled.

Mobley ended up in the intensive care unit for eight days afterward but survived.

Ordon has a few tips to stay safe.

“It’s important to remember when you cook food, you need to put it in the refrigerator, whether it’s hot food or cold food,” said Ordon. “Make sure it’s refrigerated, don’t keep it too long. And there are certain foods that are a real setup: Pasta, rice, soups, sauces.

“Make sure that when you cook them, you do refrigerate and don’t keep them around for too long.”

Source : https://www.insideedition.com/why-did-student-die-after-eating-5-day-old-pasta-doctor-explains-50425