HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — The nation’s doctor spoke directly to the Marshall University community Friday on a variety of health topics including the COVID-19 pandemic.
The university’s Dr. Carter G. Woodson Lyceum hosted U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams in a virtual presentation as West Virginia continues to set pandemic highs in nearly every daily report by the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR).
On Friday, the DHHR reported a pandemic high of 632 hospitalizations in the state associated with COVID-19. Of those patients, 169 were in intensive care and 92 on ventilators. The agency also added 1,147 new cases bringing the total number of active cases to 17,716 statewide, another pandemic high.
As health officials are predicting the continuation of a surge due to Thanksgiving activity, Adams told the virtual crowd that they need to be patient and follow guidelines in the midst of the holiday season. He spoke about ‘virus fatigue’ but to focus on what works.
“Keep gathering in small groups, limited to immediate family members,” he said. “If you plan to gather with those people outside of your immediate family, try to hold events outdoors when you can, make sure you have proper ventilation when you can’t and always try to maintain social distancing and mask-wearing.”
On Friday, Gov. Jim Justice detailed more of the state’s plans for the COVID-19 vaccine distribution. The state targeted receipt date for the first doses of the Pfizer vaccine is Tuesday, Dec. 15. Justice noted that he’s hoping most West Virginians can be vaccinated by March.
Adams said during his presentation that he needs help to promote vaccine confidence.
“We have a high degree of confidence that these vaccines will be safe. I will get it as soon as they tell me I can get it,” Adams said.
“Given the preliminary results saying they are more than 90-percent effective, we can stop this virus in its tracks but only if people get vaccinated.”
Another aspect of the COVID-19 pandemic that Adams spoke about was the mental side. He said there is psychological harm in self-isolation, quarantines, and the force to change normal routines. He told the crowd to reach out to someone if they are struggling.
“It’s important that we get COVID under control. It’s important that we not forget about all the other things going on out there. They work together to really harm us and that’s why we need to work together to get through this,” Adams said.
WATCH: The entire presentation by Dr. Jerome Adams
Adams is the nation’s 20th surgeon general. He earned bachelor’s degrees in biochemistry and psychology from the University of Maryland and a master’s degree in public health from the University of California at Berkeley, a release said. Adams studied medicine and earned his medical degree from the Indiana University School of Medicine, and is a board-certified anesthesiologist.
He had been invited by the Dr. Carter G. Woodson Lyceum in February as part of a series of Black History Month events, but Adams could not attend because of flight problems.
He rounded out his appearance speaking on understanding and addressing the root causes of existing disparities and advancing health equities in communities of color. Adams spoke on what it means to be an African-American in his role.
Adams also mentioned his October call to action of bringing the nation’s blood pressure under control.