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Davis Journal

Case counts are down but physicians don’t want to see Utah lose its edge

Apr 01, 2021 01:15PM ● By Becky Ginos

SALT LAKE CITY—As COVID restrictions relax, healthcare workers are encouraged but warn the public to stay vigilant.

“I’m excited about the trends we’re seeing,” said Dr. Mark Briesacher, Intermountain Health Physician Executive. “It means so much to families and patients. It’s good to see our staff and nurses feeling good.They’re still tired and recovering but overall it’s a positive trend.”

Although the mask mandate is set to end on April 10, Briesacher said the mask policy will not change at IHC. “The most important thing is how to keep our patients and community safe. The numbers still represent a lot of new cases. We must remain vigilant, especially in healthcare facilities by wearing masks, washing hands and sanitizing your hands when you leave. It’s all about keeping patients safe and each other safe.”

The new variants are more contagious, he said. “Fortunately we’ve had an effective response with distribution of vaccines and the benefits of the initial push here. But all you have to do is look down at Brazil as a country for an example of things not going well.”

The public order on masks does end on April 10, said Briesacher. “But in our mind it’s a personal mandate. In order to stay safe we still need to wash our hands, distance and wear masks. That’s how we’re going to live with this virus going forward.”

Briesacher said as people vacation for spring break they should consider ways to stay safe. “Do more things outdoors. Consider heading south and camping. Stay in groups that are small. There’s some risk of a spike but we’ll watch it.”

Currently there are 2.3 million people who are eligible for the vaccine in Utah, he said. “That’s a moment of celebration. Hats off to our health departments and coalition partners for delivering the vaccine to every ZIP code.”

Some people have concerns about which vaccine they should get, said Briesacher. “Patients may have personal reasons for choosing one over another. But my overall suggestion is get whichever one is being offered at your nearest clinic. Keep it as simple as possible.”

Briesacher said he thinks the earliest kids will be enrolled in the vaccine study is probably mid to late summer. “Work started in late January and February. As a pediatrician I’m anxious to have that data.”

There have also been reports that some coronavirus antibodies have been found in breast milk. “The takeaway is we already know that certain antibodies are present in moms who breastfeed, but these are stories, not science yet.”

As a pediatrician, Briesacher said he’s had so many conversations with moms and dads about vaccinations. “Learn about it (COVID vaccine). If you’re on the fence about getting vaccinated consider this could make it possible to hug your grandparents, have family dinners, go to the gym or an outdoor concert. It’s a chance to get back to all the things we love to do.”

It’s a marathon, he said. “Celebrate the victories along the way but let’s not lose our edge. Don’t forget the seriousness, people are still dying from this. If you focus on the number of new cases those are people who are being impacted in difficult ways. We owe it to them to stay vigilant until we can keep this virus down.”