Parents of Peachtree Park Pediatrics,
Dear parents of Peachtree Park Pediatrics,
We continually strive to provide you with the most up to date information on the COVID-19 pandemic. Read on for pandemic-related updates and resources.
Parenting Pandemic Questions Answered
The Washington Post published an excellent Q & A on issues of concern to parents.
One of the experts interviewed is Dr. Wilbur Lam from CHOA. He reports on a study to determine if younger children could collect nasal swabs on themselves for testing. “We found kids as young as age 4 could swab themselves and get a decent sample,” he said. “This will allow tests to be used at schools. It means kids can swab themselves, and the teacher won’t have to take up 15 minutes of class time. That allows a lot of public health measures to be easier, that allows school health measures to be easier.”
Study Shows COVID Vaccination Does Not Impact Fertility
“A new study adds to growing evidence that there is no connection between COVID-19 vaccinations and a reduced chance of conceiving.”
See – CNN Health: Covid-19 vaccinations do not impair fertility in men or women, study finds
“Rather, couples in the study had slightly lower chances of conception if the male partner had been infected with the coronavirus within 60 days — which offers even more reason to get vaccinated against Covid-19, since the illness could affect male fertility in the short term, according to the study.”
Study Shows At Home COVID Tests are Accurate for Children
“Despite earlier concerns that at-home COVID-19 tests might be less accurate than PCR tests, new research in U.S. children and teens adds to evidence that the rapid tests are highly accurate.”
See – HealthDay: At-Home COVID Tests Accurate for Kids: Study
“The rapid antigen test sensitivity rate (ability to identify people for whom the PCR test would detect infection) was 92.7%, and its specificity rate (ability to identify people for whom the PCR test would not detect infection) was 98%.
The sensitivity was similar for those with symptoms (92.3%) and without symptoms (92.6%).
The study also found that the negative predictive value (the probability that a person who tests negative has not been infected, as a PCR test would show) was high for both symptomatic (99.2%) and asymptomatic (99.7%) children and teens.”
Prior Infection AND Vaccination Provides the Most Protection
Reuters reports on a study showing that during the Delta variant surge people who had previously had COVID were less likely to get Delta than those who were vaccinated.
“Protection against Delta was highest, however, among people who were both vaccinated and had survived a previous COVID infection, and lowest among those who had never been infected or vaccinated, the study found.”
If you or your child has had COVID, you can receive the vaccine as soon as you have finished the isolation period.
At Least 20% of U.S. has been Infected
“At least 20 percent of Americans have now been infected with COVID-19, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.”
See – The Hill: At least 20 percent of Americans have been infected with COVID-19, data show
“The data shows more than 66,400,000 Americans have been infected with the coronavirus since the pandemic began in early 2020. The country has seen more than 850,000 deaths.
The total number of Americans who had COVID-19 could be much higher due to asymptomatic cases.
About 63 percent of the population is now fully vaccinated, though that figure significantly varies by locality.”
We encourage everyone to continue to use good hand hygiene and practice social distancing as much as possible. Please contact our office with any further questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Peachtree Park Pediatrics
For reliable, up-to-date information about COVID-19, visit:
- From the CDC: Coronavirus Disease 2019
- From the AAP: 2019 Novel Coronavirus
Peachtree Park Pediatrics strives to deliver up-to-date primary care to our infant, child, and young adult patients in a welcoming and family-friendly environment. The practice has deep roots in the Atlanta community, and it is our continued honor to be entrusted with the health care of our next generation.
