COVID-19 News and Updates
Hello all,
Nina Duggan here with the latest COVID-19 news and updates.
This week we will be discussing Healthy Acadia’s latest crowdsourcing initiative, neurological symptoms persisting in cases of long COVID, and addressing a piece of misinformation that was widely circulated during late October.
COVID Communication:
Healthy Acadia Launches New Crowdsourcing Initiative
Residents of Hancock and Washington counties are encouraged to submit their stories about why they choose to stay up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations. This initiative is to encourage discourse about vaccination in the community, and what it means to people as an avenue to keep themselves and their neighbors safe, especially as we gather for the holidays and move indoors for the colder season.
Stories may be submitted in writing or via a 30-60 second video. Healthy Acadia will provide a $25 stipend per submitted story, with a maximum of 5 stories per person.
Flyers for this initiative are available in both English and Spanish if any organizations, businesses, or individuals would like to help spread the word.
To submit or for more information, contact our Vaccine Equity Team at:
207-271-6023
COVID in the News:
State of COVID-19 in Maine
Average case counts have decreased by 20% from two weeks ago as of today, with test positivity at around 8.5%. Hospitalizations and deaths have seen a decrease, whereas the number of patients in ICUs for COVID in the state has increased by 25%.
Neurological symptoms of COVID-19 persist after 1 year post diagnosis
According to research presented at the ANA (American Neurological Association) Annual meeting, even individuals with mild COVID-19 infections showed persisting neurocognitive impairment, depression, and anxiety even after a year post infection. As more information about the effects of long COVID and COVID-19 infection in the body becomes available, it’s important that the information gets communicated so that people can both take risks accordingly and get the care they need post infection.
Links and sources: ANA Annual Meeting Healio News Report
Fact Check: COVID-19 Vaccines Are Not Linked to Cancer
A misleading “meme” trend has led to a widespread piece of misinformation circling throughout the month of October. A set of studies were released pointing to increased risks of cancer in people under 50, which was then attached to the COVID-19 vaccines by people on Instagram. This post was shared widely across social media platforms in the United States, Australia, Greece, and Russia. The post itself cites a CNN article about the increasing cancer rates, published in 2022. However, the time periods for the studies were 2002 and 2012, 1995-2016, and 1970-2017 respectively, long before the COVID-19 pandemic began. The research fellow for the study itself was contacted and made absolutely clear that there is no risk of cancer from the COVID-19 vaccines.
Links and sources: AFP Fact Check Posts misleadingly link pre-pandemic cancer studies to COVID jabs
Featured in the Field:
Shots Heard Round the World
Shots Heard Round the World is an interesting non-profit organization that specifically works to protect healthcare providers and vaccine advocates from coordinated attacks on social media by anti-vax groups. They have tips and tricks to keep your accounts protected, as well as what to do if you start getting “trolled”.
They can be found on Instagram, TikTok, and on their Website.
Sign up here to receive Nina’s COVID-19 updates via email.
Follow Healthy Acadia on TikTok (@healthyacadia) for more updates!
If you or anyone you know have questions or concerns about COVID-19 or the available vaccines please call or text our COVID-19 Peer Support Line at 207-271-6023, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.