Thank you, Dr. Robert Citronberg, Executive Medical Director of Infectious Disease for Advocate Aurora Health, and Dr. Nkem Iroegbu, Chief Medical Officer of Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center, for sharing the most up-to-date information on flu and COVID-19 during a webinar for faith leaders on Nov. 10. A special thanks, also, to Michele Richardson, chair-elect of the Advocate Aurora Health Board of Directors, who facilitated, and to all those who participated and shared their questions.

Click here to view the recorded webinar.

By: Dr. Robert Citronberg, Executive Medical Director of Infectious Disease and Prevention for Advocate Aurora Health

As of today, more than 11 million cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the U.S. It took only six days to add the last 1 million cases.

These numbers were not even imaginable just a few weeks ago.

So, what went wrong?

Almost everything.

We were lulled into complacency over the summer, when warm, humid weather promoted outdoor gatherings in a climate less favorable for transmission of the virus. As a result, we let down our guard. Lower rates of transmission over the summer created a false impression that COVID-19 was gone. So now that the weather is cooler and drier (conditions that allow for more efficient transmission of the virus), and gatherings have moved back indoors, the perfect storm has been created that has facilitated the current surge in the pandemic.

By: Ben Hoekstra, public affairs coordinator with Advocate Aurora Health

A new study published in The Lancet suggests that COVID-19 patients are at greater risk for developing mental health disorders, with 1 in 5 receiving a mental health diagnosis within 90 days of infection. These have included conditions such as anxiety disorders, insomnia and dementia.

“This study is interesting, but we do have to take the results with a grain of salt due to the limitations mentioned,” said Dr. Munther Barakat, Director of Behavioral Therapy at Aurora Psychiatric Hospital.

“It shouldn’t be surprising to conclude patients develop mental health symptoms after experiencing a medical emergency. It’s common for patients to develop PTSD symptoms related to experiencing a medical trauma,” said Dr. Barakat. “ With COVID, the fear of its consequences are so high that just getting testing positive can bring about symptoms. Oftentimes, patients will be focused on healing and getting through it. Once the dust settles and they’ve healed, they begin to experience the mental health effects.”

By: Mike Riopell, media relations coordinator with Advocate Aurora Health

Now, the Centers for Disease Control reports that wearing a mask also protects the person wearing it.

Dr. Francis Collins, Director, National Institutes of Health, asks Americans to do the right thing and wear a mask in public to protect themselves and their communities from spreading the virus. He points to a “powerful new study that models just how critical this simple, low-cost step will be this winter and through the course of this pandemic.” Learn more.

Share the CDC’s “How to Select, Wear, and Clean Your Mask” with your community. 

By: Neda Veselinovic, a public affairs coordinator at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital

“Influenza is spread similarly to COVID-19, so wearing a mask during flu season, or whenever we have cold-like symptoms, is recommended,” says Dr. Kevin Koo, family medicine physician at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, IL. “This current pandemic has changed how we view our prevention of all respiratory diseases, of which influenza is a potentially deadly one.”

By: Dr. Robert Citronberg, Executive Medical Director of Infectious Disease for Advocate Aurora Health

MYTH: You don’t need to wear a mask because you already had COVID-19 and recovered.

TRUTH: We do not yet know if people who have recovered from COVID-19 are immune to getting infected again and if so for how long. Therefore, even if you have had COVID-19 you should still continue to wear a mask. Also, remember that flu season is coming up and wearing a mask will help you from spreading the flu to others.

Wearing a cloth mask over your nose and mouth can help people protect each other from the spread of COVID-19. And in some places, wearing a mask when you’re indoors or can’t keep distance from others is the law.

Watch this video to learn what to look for in a cloth mask.

With the news of contact tracing scams, and because contract tracing helps stop the spread of COVID-19, it’s important to recognize a real contact tracer from a fake one. Reporting scammers helps stop them, too. Report fake contact tracers to your state and at ftc.gov/complaint. 

Please share the 5 Things You Need To Know about contact tracing with your community:

While the influenza vaccine is generally accepted as being very safe, it is possible to have either localized or generalized side effects. Side effects you may experience occur within 12 hours to a few days of the vaccine administration and should improve within 48 hours.

Possible side effects to influenza vaccine include: (In BOLD are symptoms similar to symptoms of COVID-19)

Advocate Aurora Health and the State of Illinois have partnered to help people recover from COVID 19 safely at home. The program is available to all residents over 12 months of age with known exposure to COVID 19 or experiencing COVID like symptoms. The program is free and there are no insurance requirements.

“What’s Next?” is a weekly resilience program that combines evidence-based scientific studies with encouragement from faith-based resources. Participants will gain tools to:

Attend any or all sessions. LaShondria Purnell, RN, a faith community nurse with Advocate Aurora Health, facilitates "What's Next?" and looks forward to learning alongside you.

Tuesdays from 8:30-9:00 a.m.

The Prayer Support Line allows us to come together in unity to release our burdens, receive comfort and express our gratitude to God for holding us close during this pandemic. The Prayer Support Line is a place where we can join with others in prayer for health, healing and spiritual care with the expectation that God will meet us and provide us with encouragement.

Clinical Trials 101 for CHWs and Other Front-Line Health Communicators  

Families often look first to trusted individuals in their community for reliable information on how to respond to today’s critical health issues – including COVID-19 and a future vaccine. This webinar training, offered by The Partnership Center and taught by a leading expert in health literacy, will provide Community Health Workers, Faith Community Nurses, Promotoras de Salud, and other trusted front-line health communicators with the latest information on COVID-19 vaccine development and the clinical trials – and why it is so important that community members participate in this life saving process.

The world is experiencing COVID19, racial injustice, loss, and grief. Ministry leaders are on the front lines navigating these layers of suffering. What support do they need as they care for their congregation and communities? Join our conversation to learn from leading ministers and health practitioners who are currently serving during these pandemics.

We will also discuss the importance of caring well for one’s self amid these challenging times. We hope our conversation together will remind us that God has provided a community to share our burdens and to offer each other hope.

Panelists include Notable Chicago Civil rights leader Rev. Ira Acree (Greater St. John Bible Church), Rev. Ancy Post (Metro Church, Englewood, NJ), Dr. Alfonso Belmonte (Pediatric Hospitalist, New Mexico), and Rev. Dr. David Sutton (NPTS).

A workshop designed for all who are dealing with pandemic stress as well as those supporting them, including parents and guardians, community leaders, educators, and faith leaders of all religious faiths.

Download a flyer to share.

Are you or someone you know grieving the loss of a family member, partner, or friend? If so, find comfort and support in free virtual Exploring Grief Groups. The groups provide a confidential, educational and nonjudgmental environment. They encourage attendees to cope with their loss and continue to find meaning in their lives. These groups are facilitated by professional counselors.

To register for Lake Forest group, contact Denise Kitanovski at 847-446-6955, ext. 22 or dkitanovski@samaracarecounseling.org.

To register for North Shore group, contact Joellen at 847-446-6955, ext. 19 or jhosler@samaracarecounseling.org.

GriefShare is a special weekly seminar and support group designed to help you rebuild your life after losing a loved one. Our group is led by caring people who have experienced grief and want to help you through the difficult days ahead.

To register, call 708-366-6900 or email gracechurch@graceriverforest.org.

Faith and Health Partnerships | AdvocateAuroraHealth