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TURIN, Italy (AP) — Egyptologists and other experts gathered in Italy this week to celebrate a successful campaign to save ancient Egyptian temples from being submerged by a dam project 50 years ago and heard of cultural sites facing similar threats now. Health Details: Gary George Johnson, 74, of Bland, VA died peacefully Friday, October 9, 2020, following a brief illness.He was born January 1, 1946 at Bluefield, WV, the son of the late George & Eleanor Burton.
Health officials confirm new COVID-19 deaths in Mercer and
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Details: 'With a heavy heart the McDowell County Health Department has confirmed today, the first death of a resident from complications related to COVID-19 in the county,' county health officials announced.
› Verified 1 days ago
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Bluestone Health Care offering drive-through COVID-19
Details: The Bluestone Health Care Association will have drive-through testing today from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m at its Thorn Street facility in Princeton, according to Susan Plumley, RN and quality and risk manager.
› Verified 2 days ago
› Url: https://www.bdtonline.com/news/bluestone-health-care-offering-drive-through-covid-19-testing/article_7da9c148-14d7-11eb-b964-331ab7f39caf.html Go Now
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Health Department shakeup: Two resign, one retires at
Details: Sixteen individuals at the Princeton Health Care Center were hospitalized Sunday night as a result of COVID-19, Bill Crouch, cabinet secretary of the West Virginia Department of Health and Human
› Verified 4 days ago
› Url: https://www.bdtonline.com/news/health-department-shakeup-two-resign-one-retires-at-mercer-county-board-of-health-meeting/article_06186d22-d392-11ea-9bdd-170fda3dabbf.html Go Now
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Four now positive for virus at Princeton Health Care
Details: PRINCETON — Princeton Health Care Center has confirmed four employees have tested positive for COVID-19 cases, but no residents. All 162 employees were tested on Oct. 28 and all residents on Oct
› Verified 1 days ago
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Mercer County Health Department pursuing any available
Details: Brenda Donithan, administrator of the health department, said some grants have already been applied for, including almost $10,000 for vaccine-related supplies like a special refrigerator to store
› Verified 1 days ago
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Health officials in McDowell County warn that individuals
Details: If you did attend this service and have not been previously contacted by the Health Department officials, please contact the McDowell County Health Department immediately at (304) 448-2174.
› Verified 6 days ago
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Two COVID-19 related deaths reported in Tazewell County
Details: However, the health department is reporting 29 active virus outbreaks within the Cumberland Plateau Health District, which is comprised of Tazewell, Buchanan, Russell and Dickenson counties.
› Verified 1 days ago
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Free COVID-19 testing available in Mercer County News
Details: The Mercer County Health Department will be conducting virus screenings Friday from 9 a.m to 3 p.m. at its facility along 978 Blue Prince Avenue. The screenings will be part of Gov. Jim Justice
› Verified 3 days ago
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Virus claims first McDowell victim News bdtonline.com
Details: According to the state Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR), McDowell County had 232 positive cases as of Thursday. In neighboring Mercer County, one new death was reported.
› Verified 1 days ago
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Thanks for support during illness Opinion bdtonline.com
Details: 11 a.m., at the Broyles-Shrewsbury Funeral Home Chapel in Peterstown. Burial will follow at Orchard Cemetery, Ballard.
› Verified 2 days ago
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Health officials monitoring 17 individuals at Mercer
Details: The health center is increasing infection control practices, which include employee screenings, the use of personal protective equipment while in the facility and increased cleaning procedures.
› Verified 8 days ago
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Medical cannabis rejected: Mercer Board of Health takes no
Details: The Bureau of Public Health started issuing marijuana patient ID cards on July 1, 2019. The WV Medical Cannabis Commission started providing licenses for marijuana dispensaries on July 1.
› Verified 1 days ago
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Sixteen individuals at the Princeton Health Care Center
Details: Sixteen individuals at the Princeton Health Care Center were hospitalized Sunday night as a result of COVID-19, Bill Crouch, cabinet secretary of the West Virginia Department of Health and Human
› Verified 5 days ago
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Health officials confirm two more coronavirus deaths in
Details: Health officials didn’t release any additional details regarding the two new deaths. According to the state’s online COVID-19 dashboard, there are no active nursing home outbreaks in Tazewell
› Verified 2 days ago
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Health officials confirm 30th COVID-19 death in Mercer
Details: Brenda Donithan, administrator of the Mercer County Health Department, said the man had been a patient at Princeton Community Hospital before being transferred to Charleston Area Medical Center.
› Verified 2 days ago
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School employee in Mercer County dies as a result of
Details: According to the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, 170 of Mercer County’s 310 cases are considered active. Another 117 people have recovered from the virus and 23 have died
› Verified 3 days ago
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Board of Health plans to call candidates, interim
Details: The Health Department has been busy looking at all policies and procedures. Interim Administrator Brenda Donithan told the board reports, especially death reports, are now completed correctly and
› Verified 4 days ago
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Three more die of COVID-19 in Mercer, cases approaching
Details: The Mercer County Health Department also confirmed 111 new virus infections over the past week, pushing the county’s cumulative number of coronavirus cases to date in the county to 949.
› Verified 1 days ago
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Head of DHHR claims ‘everything was done right’ at PHCC
Details: Princeton Health Care Center, pictured above, is the site of four of Mercer County’s COVID-19 deaths. Staff photo by Jessica Nuzzo Crouch provided a timeline of events at the center.
› Verified 8 days ago
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Justice dispatches National Guard to Princeton nursing
Details: The health department statement said those who participated in the community swim may have been exposed to an individual who is a confirmed COVID-19 case.
› Verified 4 days ago
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Princeton Health Care Center plans to allow visitors
Details: Princeton Health Care Center (PHCC) officials issued a statement about the results of COVID-19 testing that was conducted Monday. Based on the tests results, there were no active COVID-19 cases
› Verified 1 days ago
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Mercer County Health Department pursuing any available
Details: The Mercer County Health Department is pursuing grants in anticipation of rising expenses from distributing a COVID-19 vaccine in the, hopefully, near future.
› Verified 2 days ago
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Health officials confirm 31st COVID-19 death in Mercer
Details: Brenda Donithan, administrator of the Mercer County Health Department, said a woman who died in a Roanoke, Va. hospital is Mercer Countys' 31st COVID-19 related death.
› Verified 1 days ago
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New coronavirus cases reported in Tazewell and Buchanan
Details: The health department didn’t release any additional details regarding the new COVID-19 case in Tazewell County, including whether it is the result of travel or community spread of the virus.
› Verified 3 days ago
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Two new COVID-19 deaths in Mercer County also from the
Details: The state Department of Health and Human Resources Friday confirmed the deaths of an 85-year old female and an 81-year-old male, both from Mercer County. Allison C. Adler, director of
› Verified 2 days ago
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Wells and Williams appointed to Mercer County Board of
Details: The board of health oversees the Mercer County Health Department, which has faced a struggle recently after Stevens and the medical officer resigned, and the administrator suddenly retired.
› Verified 1 days ago
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Board of health departures, medical marijuana, litter
Details: A selection of comments from our Facebook page last week: On a story about top health officials, including the county health officer, board of health chairman and health department administrator
› Verified 14 days ago
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Responsibility on localities: State officials: School
Details: CHARLESTON — School systems and health departments across the state have been advised by state officials to notify communities of a positive COVID-19 case, including the specific school.
› Verified 7 days ago
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Staff members test positive: Nursing home designated
Details: The elderly, and those individuals with underlying health conditions, are at the greatest risk for COVID-19. The virus is once again surging across the region and nation with a second wave of the
› Verified 2 days ago
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Supporting economic health: USDA investing in multiple
Details: The Trump Administration announced Thursday that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing $239,000 in grants to help improve economic health in rural Southern West Virginia.
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We are in the midst of a perfect public health storm in
Details: The coronavirus outbreak at Princeton Health Care Center has revealed a crucial shortcoming in our public health protection organization. The Mercer County Board of Health has failed to anticipate
› Verified 9 days ago
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West Virginia's ex-health officer, state senator both
Details: CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia's former public health director and the majority leader of the state senate said they have tested positive for COVID-19.
› Verified 3 days ago
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Health officials confirm 28th COVID-19 in death in Mercer
Details: The four most recent COVID-19 deaths in Mercer County are not associated with the Princeton Health Care Center. According to the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, the
› Verified 1 days ago
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Disparity in the numbers: Fourth PHCC death confirmed, but
Details: The Mercer County Health Department Sanitarian Matt Bragg said he was still trying to determine the reason for the disparity between the state DHHR and Mercer County numbers on Friday.
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Choosing new members: County Commission to select
Details: The health department released a statement Monday that said, “The delayed reporting of these deaths was influenced by two factors: first, the sudden vacancy of the medical director position at
› Verified 2 days ago
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Mercer vacancies filled: Wells, Williams chosen to serve
Details: The board of health oversees the Mercer County Health Department, which has faced a struggle recently after Stevens and the medical officer resigned, and the administrator suddenly retired.
› Verified 4 days ago
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Kadar under fire for posting closed sign on Health
Details: Dr. Robert Stevens, chair of the Mercer County Health Department’s board of directors, address members of the board and health department during an emergency meeting at the health department on
› Verified 7 days ago
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Bluestone Health Association receives $1.8M from federal
Details: PRINCETON — A Mercer County health organization is among the health providers across West Virginia sharing in more than $12.8 million from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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› Verified 6 days ago
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Recordings reveal WHO's analysis of pandemic in private
Details: GENEVA (AP) — As the coronavirus explodes again, the World Health Organization finds itself both under intense pressure to reform and holding out hope that U.S. President-elect Joe Biden will
› Verified 4 days ago
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US: WHO not sharing enough info about China virus probe
Details: GENEVA (AP) — A senior U.S. government official complained Tuesday that the World Health Organization has not shared enough information about its planned mission to China to investigate the animal
› Verified 5 days ago
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Jaws Acquisition targets primary care with Cano Health
Details: Cano Health treats more than 103,000 patients through a network of primary care doctors in Florida, Texas, Nevada and Puerto Rico. It brought in about $365 million in revenue last year, and CEO Dr
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Numbers rise, schools close as virus rampages through
Details: The health department’s Friday update showed the county has 31 new cases, bringing the cumulative total to 1.098 with 348 active cases and 37 deaths.
› Verified 1 days ago
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Coronavirus deaths surpass 10,000 in hard-hit
Details: Bluefield, WV (24701) Today. Plenty of sunshine. High 56F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph..
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Pakistan's Lahore sees peak pollution as coronavirus
Details: Doris Jane Howery Corell, 86 of the Thompson Valley community of Tazewell, VA passed away Tuesday, November 10, 2020 at Heritage Hall Health Care in Tazewell, VA.
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Greece: Bishop's death revives debate on communion safety
Details: Greek health experts have mostly avoided commenting on church practices but have noted that World Health Organization guidelines list saliva as a leading means of contamination.
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WASHINGTON (AP) — Government health advisers sharply criticized a closely watched Alzheimer’s drug on Friday, concluding there wasn’t enough evidence that the experimental drug slowed the brain-destroying disease.
The panel of outside experts for the Food and Drug Administration agreed that a pivotal study in patients failed to show “strong evidence” that the drug worked. The experts warned of multiple “red flags” with the data, which did not initially show any benefit until another analysis with later results.
Friday’s meeting follows months of skepticism about the drug, developed by Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Biogen Inc. and Japan’s Eisai Co.
“Alzheimer’s treatment is a huge, urgent, unmet need,” said panelist Dr. Joel Perlmutter, of Washington University School of Medicine. “But if we approve something with data that is not strong we have the risk of delaying good, effective treatments.”
He was one of eight panelists who voted against the drug’s evidence; one voted that the drug showed “strong evidence” and two members said they were undecided. The panel also rejected the merits of a second study of the drug.
The FDA is not required to follow the group’s guidance but their negative opinion could weigh heavily on the agency’s decision on whether to greenlight the drug. The FDA is expected to make a decision by March.
The Biogen drug, known as aducanumab, does not cure or reverse Alzheimer’s; the claim is that it modestly slows the rate of decline. Current drugs only temporarily ease symptoms and no new options have emerged since 2003.
Much of panel’s commentary was a rejection of the FDA’s viewpoint. Earlier in the day, the FDA’s chief staff reviewer gave a glowing review of the drug, calling study data submitted by Biogen “exceptionally persuasive,” “strongly positive” and “robust.” But an FDA statistician noted flaws and inconsistencies in the results and potential safety issues.
″“It feels like the audio and video on TV are out of sync,” said panel member Dr. Caleb Alexander of Johns Hopkins University.
The drugmakers halted two studies of their drug last year after disappointing results. But several months later the companies reversed course, announcing that a new analysis showed the drug was effective at a higher dose and that the FDA advised that it might warrant approval.
More than 5 million people in the United States and many more worldwide have Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia.
The drug is expected to be very expensive and “could bankrupt our health care system” while giving patients false hope, the consumer group Public Citizen warned in comments ahead of the meeting.
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The FDA evaluation focuses on safety and effectiveness. But advocates for approval, including the Alzheimer’s Association, are pushing to make need part of the decision.
ABOUT THE DRUG
Aducanumab (pronounced “add-yoo-CAN-yoo-mab”) aims to help clear harmful clumps of a protein called beta-amyloid from the brain. Other experimental drugs have done that but it made no difference in patients’ ability to think, care for themselves or live independently.
It’s a biotech medicine made from living cells, and such drugs are very expensive. No price estimate has been announced for the drug, which is given through an IV once a month.
If aducanumab is approved, it’s expected to be covered by Medicare, the government plan for seniors. The FDA and Medicare are barred from considering cost when reviewing a new drug or treatment.
Even qualifying for the drug could be expensive. It’s only been tested in people with mild dementia from Alzheimer’s or a less severe condition called mild cognitive impairment. To verify a diagnosis has required brain scans that cost $5,000 or more. Insurers including Medicare don’t cover the scans because their benefits are unclear, but that could change if a scan becomes a gateway to treatment.
THE EVIDENCE
Historically, the FDA often required two studies showing safety and effectiveness, but in recent years has relaxed that standard.
Each of the two aducanumab studies enrolled about 1,650 people and were stopped roughly halfway through when it seemed the drug wasn’t working. Biogen says that later results show one study was positive at the highest dose; the second study was clearly negative. The company says an analysis from both studies on people who got the highest dose for the longest time shows benefit.
But there are many questions about the validity of such analyses. Another complication: the studies were changed after they were underway to let some people get a higher dose. And the placebo group in the positive study worsened more than the one in the negative study did, which could help explain why aducanumab appeared better by comparison in that one.
The FDA review largely dismissed safety concerns, including swelling in the brain that occurred in as many as one-third of patients, often leading to discontinuation of the drug.
The FDA should require a third study to test the drug in ideal conditions and get a clear answer, said the Mayo Clinic’s Dr. David Knopman, in an interview ahead of the meeting. He’s on the FDA advisory panel but didn’t participate in Friday’s meeting because he helped lead one study. He and other doctors published a journal report earlier this week arguing against approval.
WHAT IT WOULD MEAN FOR PATIENTS
Nearly a dozen Alzheimer’s patients, family members and doctors urged approval of the drug during a public comment period of the online meeting, saying the move would provide hope to patients and spur development of additional therapies.
But any benefit from the drug “is relatively small,” said Dr. Eliezer Masliah, neuroscience chief at the U.S. National Institute on Aging, commenting before the meeting.
In the positive study, the drug modestly slowed the rate of mental decline -- a difference of only 0.39 on an 18-point score of thinking skills. How much that means in terms of being able to live independently, recognize family members or remember things is unclear.
Drugs that remove amyloid may have to be combined with medicines that do other things in the brain, and used early enough before damage occurs, to do much good, Masliah said.
If the drug is approved, the American Academy of Neurology urged the FDA to not make it a broad authorization, which could expose many patients to a medicine that might harm rather than help, and could “overwhelm the health care system.”
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Marchione reported from Milwaukee.
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