OMA's Prescription for the Province: Balance in Reopening
TORONTO, June 11, 2020 /CNW/ - As some areas of the province move towards Phase 2 of reopening this Friday, the Ontario Medical Association (OMA) urges continued measures to lower the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
Reopening the economy is important for Ontarians' financial, social, psychological, and developmental needs. At the same time, a balanced approach is essential to ensure that safety remains a top priority.
There is a significant backlog of medical care from the 3 months of lockdown. Community doctors are still uncertain as to the availability of PPE. Extra care and precautions are needed for vulnerable populations to ensure they remain safe and healthy and have the support needed to continue isolating.
"Ontarians have done a great job staying home and physically distancing to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, but a continued state of lockdown for the entire province is neither realistic nor sustainable," said OMA President Dr. Samantha Hill. "We know that we aren't out of the woods yet so as the province reopens it is essential to continue measures like physical distancing, handwashing and wearing face coverings.
The safe reopening of Ontario is contingent upon:
Continuous and robust case and contact tracing.
Widespread testing.
Good hygiene practices such as handwashing.
Physical distancing where possible.
Wearing face coverings indoors in public places and outdoors when physical distancing is difficult.
Public trust in and compliance with what will certainly be evolving messages, with local differences
The government should ensure there is clear and consistent information available on the safe use of face coverings, recommendations on physical distancing, contract tracing technologies and testing criteria. This information should be accessible, easy to understand, readily available and regionally based.
Doctors have and will continue to provide this information through the OMA communications channels and through daily interactions with hundreds of thousands of patients.
"The OMA will continue to work closely with the government to provide our expertise and ensure that public health remains top of mind," said OMA CEO Allan O'Dette. "As we begin to resume more activities, we must be vigilant in protecting ourselves and others."
The Ontario Medical Association represents Ontario's 43,000 plus physicians, medical students and retired physicians, advocating for and supporting doctors while strengthening the leadership role of doctors in caring for patients. Our vision is to be the trusted voice in transforming Ontario's health-care system.
SOURCE Ontario Medical Association
Does Keto Boost Your Immune System?
By: Fresh n' Lean, the nation's #1 organic meal delivery company
SUMMARY
More and more people are adopting ketogenic diets. Does keto boost your immune system? Studies show it may help protect against certain viruses, and some keto foods can bolster immunity.
Fresh N’ Lean is the nation’s largest organic meal delivery service. Our tasty, chef-prepared cuisine is always fresh and never frozen, and we offer five convenient meal plans: Protein+, Keto, Paleo, Standard Vegan and Low-Carb Vegan. Choose Fresh N’ Lean for affordable nutrition, delivered to your doorstep.
Reaching your goals becomes a lot harder if you’re always out sick.
If you want to avoid falling victim to a cold or flu, you’ll have to maintain a healthy immune system. The keto diet is an eating plan that’s low in carbs and high in fat, and it’s been touted for its ability to foster weight loss and lower blood sugar. Does keto boost your immune system? Some studies suggest that it can.
Below, we’ll take a look at a keto diet’s effect on immune function. We’ll also suggest specific keto foods that work hard to ramp up immunity. Read on to learn how a keto eating plan can help your body fight off viruses and pathogens.
Keto and immunity
We’re living in the shadow of a global pandemic. ”Wash your hands,” we’re told, and toilet paper shortages are the order of the day.
Studies have shown that the keto diet is good for burning fat and lowering blood sugar, and it may improve the health of those who are at increased risk for conditions such as diabetes. Its benefits don’t end there: Keto may also be helpful in warding off certain viruses.
You may be wondering what impact keto has on the virus that’s on the tip of everyone’s tongue right now: COVID-19. To date, there hasn’t been any conclusive data presented on whether a ketogenic diet can mitigate the effects of this deadly illness.
Fighting the flu
However, the good news is that studies suggest a keto diet reduces the effect of another well-known virus: influenza. Research published in the journal Science Immunology shows that a keto eating plan may produce favorable outcomes for those who want to avoid catching the flu.
In this age of COVID-19, worrying about catching a cold or flu seems almost quaint. However, a common cold can knock you off your feet for days. Being out of commission for that long can slow down your productivity, setting you back as you work to further your career.
According to Science Immunology, mice fed a keto diet were shown to be less likely to contract the influenza A virus. The protective effect of this diet seems to stem from its ability to boost the production of gamma-delta T cells in the animals’ lungs. This encourages increased mucus production in the epithelial cells lining the airway. This mucus ultimately serves to contain the virus.
All this comes with one huge caveat: So far, these studies have been conducted solely on mice infected with influenza, not people. But researchers say these results provide a rationale for investigating whether humans on a keto diet are less likely to get the flu.
Now that we’ve looked at the keto diet’s effect on viruses, let’s examine the role certain keto foods have on the body’s immune response.
Keto immune booster #1: Poultry
In certain cultures, chicken soup is said to be worth its weight in gold when it comes to strengthening the immune system and protecting against colds and flu. Research suggests the healing power of this food isn’t just an old wives’ tale.
Chicken soup contains poultry. Poultry meat has a vitamin that improves immune response. That vitamin is B6.
Both animal and human studies show that B6 deficiency has a negative impact on the body’s immune response. Research also shows that adding B6 to your diet reduces inflammation, and this can bolster the body’s immunity.
Both chicken and turkey are rich sources of B6. Know that commercially raised poultry contains antibiotics that may harm your health. Choose organic poultry to experience maximum benefit from this immune-boosting food.
Organic poultry may be difficult to find in some places. Easily access this meat by subscribing to Fresh N’ Lean’s Keto meal plan. In that plan, you’ll find organic poultry in dishes such as our Roasted Turkey Breast and Cage-Free Chicken Parmesan.
Keto immune booster #2: Cod
Many of us grew up taking cod liver oil. As its name suggests, this is an oil extracted from the liver of the cod fish. For centuries, it’s been used to treat conditions such as joint pain and rickets.
It turns out that its oil isn’t the only valuable part of this fish. The flesh of the cod is also rich in healthy nutrients. Fatty fish such as cod are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids. These acids can help the body mount a powerful immune response against invading pathogens. They also support immunity by working hard to reduce inflammation.
Get your weekly serving of cod by subscribing to Fresh N’ Lean’s meal delivery service. You’ll find this nutritious fish in our Keto meals such as Wild Cod with Pesto.
Keto immune booster #3: Almonds
Fats play a key role in the keto diet. Almonds are one of the healthiest fat sources you can find, and these nuts work heroically to bolster the immune system.
Almonds are packed to the brim with vitamin E, an antioxidant that supports immunity. Vitamin E is fat-soluble, which means it requires the presence of a fat for effective digestion. In addition to vitamin E, almonds contain lots of beneficial fats. This combination works to help your body make the most of vitamin E’s immune-boosting powers.
Increase your almond intake by signing up for our Keto meal plan. You’ll find this nutrient-dense nut in dishes such as our Almond-Crusted Sustainable Cod.
Next steps
The keto foods listed above may support your body’s immune response. Add them to your diet to garner extra protection from colds and flu.
Get these nourishing foods delivered to your door by signing up for Fresh N’ Lean’s Keto meal plan. It includes dishes that contain ingredients such as cod, almonds and poultry.
If you would rather not receive future communications from Jacobson Strategy, let us know by clicking here. Jacobson Strategy, 6304 Vista Verde Drive East, Gulfport, FL 33707 United States
Nearly 1.5 Million North Carolinians Remain Jobless, But Tillis Won’t Support Extending Unemployment Benefits That Expire Next Month
Tillis Claims That He’s Fighting for NC’s Jobless, But His Record Tells a Different Story
Loss of Jobs Hurting Black Community, Minorities Particularly Hard
Raleigh, N.C. — Piedmont Rising Executive Director Casey Wilkinson released the following statement as the U.S. Department of Labor reports 44.2 million unemployment claims have been filed since mid-March and nearly 1.5 million North Carolinians remain jobless.
“The number of jobless claims filed last week are more than twice as high as the highest number of weekly claims filed during the Great Recession. Clearly, too many North Carolinians are out-of-work and still struggling. While Senators Tillis and Burr voted against expanded unemployment benefits that have served as a lifeline during this crisis, they have a chance to support extending this critical support ahead of their expiration next month. Not doing so would be cruel and bad for the economy. Instead of making life harder for working North Carolinians, like they have by voting consistently to raise health care costs, it’s time for Senators Tillis and Burr to support expanded unemployment benefits that help their constituents pay the bills and get by during this crisis. Especially as Black unemployment has risen, now is certainly not the time to leave North Carolinians to fend for themselves.”
Background
An estimated 44.2 million have filed for unemployment benefits due to the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, meaning millions will be left without health insurance.
A new report shows that fewer than half of Black people included in the labor force were employed in April, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, further illustrating their greater risk for job losses amid the economic upheaval on top of higher rates of COVID-19, which has now killed more than 100,000 people in the US.
Without the ACA, North Carolina would have entered this pandemic with 500,000 fewer residents insured, and thus 500,000 more who would have weighed seeking treatment for coronavirus-like symptoms against their ability to pay for it.
Piedmont Rising is a 501 (c)4 issue advocacy organization built by and for North Carolinians to advocate for lower insurance premiums and prescription drug costs and to ensure that more people have access to safe and affordable health care. Through grassroots organizing, education, and engagement, we are amplifying our health care stories and holding our elected officials accountable to the people, and issues they were elected to represent.www.piedmontrising.org
AmeriHealth Caritas Urges Americans to Reduce Coronavirus Risk by Quitting Smoking and Vaping
Behaviors compromise lung health, can increase vulnerability to COVID-19 infection
Philadelphia, Pa. —AmeriHealth Caritas, a national leader in Medicaid managed care and other health care solutions for those most in need, cautions that electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use can lead to poorer health outcomes for people living below the federal poverty level, who are disproportionately affected by smoking-related health issues.
Some health officials are becoming increasingly alarmed by the possibility that vaping could make COVID-19 worse. Vaping, the use of e-cigarettes, can cause dangerous lung and respiratory problems, which could aggravate the symptoms of COVID-19.
At a recent press briefing on COVID-19, Dr. Sharon Watkins of the Pennsylvania Department of Health cautioned, “We do know that vaping is related to lung injury and lung injury is one of the risk factors for more severe presentation in COVID-19.” Watkins, the PA State Epidemiologist, said smokers should reduce or stop vaping to avoid COVID-19 complications.
Smoking has been designated as an underlying medical condition by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) because it weakens the immune system, which increases the risk for severe illness from COVID-19.[i] The American Lung Association also believes smokers are a high-risk group.
“COVID-19 is a respiratory disease, it attacks the lungs. That means people who smoke regular cigarettes, marijuana or vape should take extra precautions and consider themselves at higher risk for complications from COVID-19,” said Deborah Brown, chief mission officer of the American Lung Association. “And that means that there has never been a better time to quit smoking — use this current disruption of your regular schedule to create a new tobacco and smoke-free plan.”
Even prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, vaping was deemed a growing public health issue, said Dr. Andrea Gelzer, senior vice president of medical affairs at AmeriHealth Caritas. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned the sale of fruit, dessert and mint-flavored e-cigarette pods which are popular with teenagers, but exempted menthol-flavored pods containing nicotine for adult users who may be trying to make a switch from traditional cigarettes.[ii]
“We are at risk of having a generation with significant respiratory problems caused by vaping,” Dr. Gelzer said. “People are becoming addicted to nicotine through vaping, which is not a safe or viable smoking cessation strategy.”
Through the first two months of the year there already were more than 2,800 lung injury cases and about 70 deaths in the United States and the District of Columbia associated with the use of e-cigarettes, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The aerosol created by e-cigarettes can contain harmful substances, including nicotine, heavy metals like lead, volatile organic compounds and cancer-causing agents.
Like traditional combustible cigarettes, e-cigarettes are being marketed and sold in retail locations concentrated in communities “at higher risk for adverse health outcomes, including communities whose residents have lower incomes, greater racial diversity, and lower educational attainment,” according to a recent report by the Public Health Law Center, a St. Paul, Minn.-based organization that provides legal and policy analysis to support efforts to reduce and eliminate commercial tobacco products.
Dr. Gelzer said e-cigarette use may worsen existing health disparities in vulnerable communities, especially those that have been disproportionately affected by smoking-related diseases and who have been historically targeted by tobacco marketers.
“We encourage and provide assistance to our members to quit smoking – including free cessation counseling and nicotine replacement products – because it is important to protect one’s health,” she said. “Nicotine is highly addictive and it can be very difficult to quit. There are safer and more effective methods for quitting smoking than e-cigarettes.”
About AmeriHealth Caritas AmeriHealth Caritas is one of the nation’s leaders in health care solutions for those most in need. Operating in 13 states and the District of Columbia, AmeriHealth Caritas serves approximately 4 million Medicaid, Medicare and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) members through its integrated managed care products, pharmaceutical benefit management and specialty pharmacy services, and behavioral health services. Headquartered in Philadelphia, AmeriHealth Caritas is a mission-driven organization with more than 35 years of experience serving low-income and chronically ill populations. For more information, visit www.amerihealthcaritas.com.
GOING TO A MED SPA OR A DOCTOR’S OFFICE FOR A PEEL IS SO PASSE
WHY NOT HAVE ONE CUSTOMIZED AND DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR ?
Peels are one of the most effective and least invasive paths to better skin. Specially formulated with gentle acids and other pure ingredients, they clarify and beautify by removing dead surface layers, enabling skin to heal and renew itself from within. In order to receive peels that are truly effective, skin care devotees must go to a physician’s office or med-spa to receive a peel with sufficient strength to deliver maximum results. With approximately $36.5 million Americans unemployed paying $125.00 or more a month for an in-office peel is a luxury most cannot afford. In addition, due to COVID there are many who do not feel comfortable having a procedure performed that entails being inside with no mask on with an aesthetician inches away from their face.
Although a plethora of skincare companies offer versions of peels in a pad form, most offer low concentrations of the active formulas and high PH’s that render the formulas less effective. What’s more, the method of applying these “peels” is not the same as what is done in a doctor’s office or med spa. Perfect Image is one of the first beauty companies, whose products were formulated by a chemist, to deliver custom peels to your doorstep that provide the same efficacy as in-office peels at a mere fraction of the price.
Cost: $29.95 for 30 ML or approximately 15-30 peel applications. Average use is 1-2 ML per treatment.
How does the process work? If customers have had professional peels performed and they are familiar with the strength used on their skin they can choose from 10%, 30% or 50% glycolic peels. If the process is new to them, or they have questions, they can chat online with a licensed aesthetician who they can send pictures to so that the aesthetician can recommend the strength best suited to their skin, as well as suggest pre-peel and post-peel products.
The product application- 99% of the peels that are available on the market come in a pad form and are meant to be swiped across the face.
Perfect Images does offer peels in a pad form as well, which are just as effective as their bottled formula. They are pads that are pre-soaked with the liquid gel peel. Just because they are in pad form, does not mean it lessens the effectiveness. The biggest difference from Perfect Image’s version compared to those on the market is the concentration of acid (most are 10% or lower concentration), and a higher pH typically 3.5 and higher which dilutes the formula. Perfect Image has a lower PH range from 2-2.5pH. to keep the integrity of the active ingredients.
Perfect Image products come in a liquid gel form in a “tincture” bottle and are left on the face for a maximum of 1 minute if it’s your first treatment. Then, users typically slowly increase the contact time on the skin and or number of layers on subsequent treatments. When layering the peel, it can be as effective or comparable to a peel in a spa or treatment center. Layers refer to how many times you wipe the peel over the same area in a single treatment. With each wipe, the peel intensifies and penetrates the skin a little deeper until neutralized or reaches a certain depth based on pH and skin type. Layering is only recommended for those who are comfortable with peels or have more experience, and have used the peel several times without complications. You can continue layering up to 2-5 layers depending on peel and skin tolerance. Perfect Image always recommends that its customers build up a tolerance before layering.
This is how peels are applied professionally. The products come with clear instructions to spot test on a small patch of skin such as under the chin or an area close to the treatment area, before applying to the face. Once it is determined that the skin reacts well to the product, it can be used on the face, shoulders, decollete, and tops of the hands.
Benefits:
Reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines
Improves skin hydration
Improves Scars
Reduces Pore Size
Helps to Reduce Acne
Reduces Hyperpigmentation
Stimulates collagen development for plumper, firmer skin
Increases cellular turnover for smoother skin
Each product is packed with natural plant/ botanical extracts.
The “beauty” of Perfect Image Products is how they are made
Paraben Free
Gluten Free
Phalate Free
Cruelty Free
Made in The USA
*** 70% peel is available for professional purchase only
Cornucopia Campaign Elevates the Country's Top-Rated Dairy Producers Empowering a consumer response to the “factory-farm takeover” of organic agriculture
Earl Ransom (above) and Amy Huyffer of Strafford Organic Creamery, one of Cornucopia’s top-rated dairies, are committed to the guiding principles of organic agriculture. They pay close attention to building soil fertility, protecting their watershed, and managing their beloved herd of Guernsey cows with animal welfare as a top priority. (Photo by Rachel Zegerius during a recent visit to top-rated dairies in Vermont)
The Cornucopia Institute is launching a new campaign to showcase dairy producers who use the most ethical, authentic organic farming practices.
The Organic Innovators: Top-Rated Farmers You Can Trust” Dairy Campaign will empower consumers and wholesale buyers to support hard-working farmers who are in danger of being washed off the land by a tidal wave of surplus organic milk, stemming from the rise of factory farms certified under the USDA organic label.
The campaign builds on Cornucopia’s Organic Dairy Scorecard, used by thousands of consumers monthly to make food shopping decisions that invest in responsible stewardship of environmental and human health. This consumer tool is based on up-to-date research of the organic dairy industry and rates over 160 organic dairy brands and private-label products.
“Authentic organic dairies lack the multimillion-dollar marketing budgets of their industrial competitors,” says Marie Burcham, Cornucopia’s director of domestic policy. “Cornucopia aims to elevate the critical role these dairies play in the marketplace and in our communities.”
The campaign will prioritize exemplary management practices that set top-rated farms apart from other organic dairy farms and provide a more nutritious, value-added product to consumers.
“Your food choices matter,” Burcham says. “If you have the access, buying from our top-rated brands serves as an investment in our collective health, decentralized food production, and the future of the planet while safeguarding the livelihoods of ethical, organic dairies.”
As the specter of food shortages hovers, local farms have been busier than ever and are not hobbled by the complicated supply chains of industrialized food production.
Cornucopia is committed to the preservation and protection of public health; access to clean, nutrient-dense food; and the livelihoods of authentic organic farmers who contribute to the health of their communities, animals, plants, and soil.
Read our profiles on Seven Stars Farm (Phoenixville, Pennsylvania), Thistle Hill (North Pomfret, Vermont), and Strafford Organic Creamery (Strafford, Vermont) on Cornucopia’s Farmer Spotlight page. Stay tuned to follow our ongoing “Organic Innovators” Dairy Campaign, which will include additional profiles and issue-specific research.
See how your favorite dairy brand rates on our mobile-friendly scorecard. If your favorite organic brand isn’t on this list, please let us know at cultivate@cornucopia.org.
COVID-19: An additional contribution to the testing landscape in Canada
Roche's Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 serology test authorized under Health Canada's Interim Order making it available to Canadian laboratories, healthcare professionals and patients.
LAVAL, QC, June 9, 2020 /CNW Telbec/ - The new Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody test now available in Canada is designed to help determine if a patient has been exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus and if the patient has developed antibodies against SARS-CoV-2.
The high specificity of this test is crucial to determine reliably if a patient has developed antibodies related to an infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
This serology test has a specificity greater than 99.8% and sensitivity of 99.5% (14 days post-PCR confirmation).
The Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 serology test has the largest clinical studies program with 10,453 samples tested.
The fully automated test offers a quick turnaround time and is available on all Roche's high throughput cobas e analyzers which are widely available across Canada.
Roche's extensive global manufacturing capabilities provide tests in the high double-digit millions since last May.
The tests which are manufactured in Germany and shipped directly to Canada will make a significant contribution in the country.
''We have worked closely with the regulatory authorities to accelerate access to the SARS-CoV-2 serology test in Canada. Laboratory tests are critical to support the Canadian healthcare system in the fight against COVID-19.'' said Andrew Plank, President and General Manager, Roche Diagnostics, division of Hoffmann-La Roche Limited. '' I am proud of the high specificity and sensitivity of the new Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody test, which is critically important and brings a reliable tool to better manage the COVID-19 health crisis.''
Mr. Plank added that with this announcement, Roche invites interested parties to participate in its Seroprevalence Study Program where several opportunities can be offered to those who qualify for the program.
Public Health, hospital and private laboratories will be able to run the Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 serology test on Roche's cobas e analyzers, which are already widely available across Canada, and in each province. These fully automated systems can provide Anti-SARS-CoV-2 test results in approximately 18 minutes, with a test throughput of up to 300 tests/hour, depending on the analyzer.
The Roche's Anti-SARS-CoV-2 test covers a wider span of the immune response against this virus from early on with IgM production to later with IgG with a detection design optimized to bind high affinity antibodies. It has a specificity greater than 99.8% and 99.5% sensitivity1 (14 Days post-PCR confirmation), which can help assess patients' immune response to the virus. Also, the Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 serology test has the largest clinical studies program with 10,453 samples tested2. As more is understood about immunity to SARS-CoV-2, this test may help to assess who has potentially developed immunity to the virus.
About Roche's contribution to the fight against COVID-19 in Canada We are fully committed to further support Canada's fight against COVID-19 with the launch of this new serology test. This test is a complement to our existing molecular cobas® SARS-CoV-2 test, authorized under Health Canada's Interim Order, which detects the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 with our automated, high-throughput cobas 6800/8800 platforms. We also supply other SARS-CoV-2 test solutions that are made available for lower volume testing on the MagNA Pure and LightCycler systems (Research Use Only) and we continue to work on expanding our portfolio of COVID-19 test solutions.
Patterns of typical abnormalities in routine laboratory testing have been identified in case series of hospitalized COVID-19 patients, which have been associated with poor clinical outcomes. Through our broad clinical biochemistry menu, we provide biomarkers such as D-Dimer, glucose, Interleukin-6 (IL-6), procalcitonin (PCT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and C-reactive protein (CRP). These biomarkers can help clinicians decide when more aggressive critical care support must be considered or on the contrary when stepping down of treatment may be an appropriate course of action.
In addition to testing, creative ideas have emerged with the collaboration of the community and industry partners. With the COVID-19 Open Innovation Challenge, we called the innovative minds in Canada to bring forward solutions to address the crisis, and with the support of the SCALE AI Supercluster, we are working with IVADO Labs on optimizing the distribution of diagnostic tests for COVID-19 with an AI-powered allocation optimization tool. We also believe that an important way in which we can win this fight is through the sharing of knowledge and healthcare data to better inform patient care and health system decision making. With the Roche Data Science Coalition, we aim to bring actionable COVID-19 intelligence to patients, frontline healthcare providers, institutions, supply chains, and governments.
With a majority of medical decisions being based on lab results, the importance of diagnostics testing within the healthcare system that exists under normal circumstances has been further reinforced during the pandemic.
It has also generated better collaboration between the private and public healthcare stakeholders and a faster adoption of new technologies for the benefit of the patient.
About antibody testing An antibody test, also called a serology test, is used to determine whether a person might have gained immunity against a pathogen or not. The human body makes antibodies in response to many illnesses. In the current situation of the COVID-19 pandemic, antibody tests need to be able to specifically detect antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 with no cross-reactivity to other similar coronaviruses, which could generate a false positive result and thus wrongly indicate potential immunity. A false positive result happens when a person receives a positive test result, when they should have received a negative result. False positives are particularly critical when we do not know how many people in a given population have been exposed to the virus. As of 24 April 2020, no study has evaluated whether the presence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 confers immunity to subsequent infection by this virus in humans3.
About Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 serology test4 Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 is an immunoassay for the in-vitro qualitative detection of antibodies (including IgG) to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in human serum and plasma. Through a blood sample, the test, which is based on an in-solution double-antigen sandwich format, can detect antibodies to the new coronavirus causing COVID-19, which could signal whether a person has already been infected and potentially developed immunity to the virus. Based on the measurement of a total of 10,453 samples, the Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 assay has 99.80% specificity and shows no cross-reactivity to the four human coronaviruses causing common cold. This means it can lower the chance of false positives due to the detection of similar antibodies that may be present in an individual, but are specific for coronaviruses other than SARS-CoV-2. Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 detected antibodies with 99.5% sensitivity in samples taken 14 days after a PCR-confirmed infection. The importance of specificity and sensitivity of a particular test will be dependent on its purpose and disease prevalence within a given population.
About Roche Roche is a global pioneer in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics focused on advancing science to improve people's lives. The combined strengths of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics under one roof have made Roche the leader in personalized healthcare – a strategy that aims to fit the right treatment to each patient in the best way possible. Roche is the world's largest biotech company, with truly differentiated medicines in oncology, immunology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology and diseases of the central nervous system. Roche is also the world leader in in vitro diagnostics and tissue-based cancer diagnostics, and a frontrunner in diabetes management.
Founded in 1896, Roche continues to search for better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat diseases and make a sustainable contribution to society. The company also aims to improve patient access to medical innovations by working with all relevant stakeholders. More than thirty medicines developed by Roche are included in the World Health Organization Model Lists of Essential Medicines, among them life-saving antibiotics, antimalarials and cancer medicines. Moreover, for the eleventh consecutive year, Roche has been recognized as one of the most sustainable companies in the Pharmaceuticals Industry by the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI).
The Roche Group, headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, is active in over 100 countries and in 2019 employed about 98,000 people worldwide. In 2019, Roche invested CHF 11.7 billion in R&D and posted sales of CHF 61.5 billion. Genentech, in the United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan. For more information, please visit www.roche.com.
All trademarks used or mentioned in this release are protected by law.
References
[1]
Full specifications of Roche's Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody test and immunoassay systems, including throughput, can be found on our diagnostics.roche website
[2]
For more information, please refer to Package insert of Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2
For more information, please refer to Package insert of Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2
SOURCE Roche Diagnostics
Smart.Vet joins forces with Merck Animal Health and Royal Canin to bring virtual care to Canadian veterinary hospitals
Thanks to a combined partnership between all three companies, a 50% discount off the base subscription price will be offered to all Canadian veterinary hospitals for a period of 60 days.
BURLINGTON, ON, June 9, 2020 /CNW/ - Smart.Vet announced today that they are partnering with Merck Animal Health and ROYAL CANIN®. This relationship will allow Smart.Vet to offer their virtual care platform to veterinary clinics at 50% of the regular cost for 2 months. Both Merck Animal Health and Royal Canin are dedicated to assisting veterinarians during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"During the pandemic, companies from the veterinary industry need to combine their efforts in order to better assist veterinarians, said Marylin Merit, Associate Marketing Director at Merck Animal Health Canada. That's why we have decided to work together with Royal Canin towards a common goal: facilitate clinic and pet owner access to a virtual care platform, thereby maintaining the level of care that pets deserve."
"What's particularly exciting," said David Brooks, Veterinary Marketing Director at Royal Canin Canada, "is that this technology makes it very simple for veterinary team members to stay connected with their patients. And it opens up all kinds of new opportunities such as feline medicine, nutrition or weight-loss consultations and follow-ups."
Together, Merck Animal Health, Royal Canin, and Smart.Vet Offer:
A world-class virtual care solution that allows veterinary clinics to schedule, perform, and accept payment for telehealth consultations.The Smart.Vet platform equips clinics with a fully clinic branded web application that includes online scheduling (directed by clinics and clients), communication (video, phone, and message) between veterinary staff and pet owners, and built-in eCommerce.
50% off Platform Base Subscription Price allows a clinic to join for only $49/month for the first 2 months. There are no implementation or consultation fees. This applies to all existing and new clinics paying the standard rate.
3 Virtual Care Webinars with industry professionals discussing the future of telehealth, it's implications for the industry and the benefits of a formal platform. Each session will conclude with a Q & A with our panelists. To register for a webinar, please see below.
"Our relationships with Merck Animal Health and Royal Canin constitute a major milestone in Smart.Vet's evolution as a worldwide virtual care provider for veterinary clinics", said Dr. Sharon Quinn, co-founder of Smart.Vet. "Partnering with Royal Canin and Merck Animal Health brings technology, pharmaceuticals, and pet nutrition into a single collaborative unit. Part of our mission moving forward is to work together on developing new innovative methods of delivering virtual care for pets that include nutrition and pharmaceuticals."
The collaboration between Smart.Vet, Merck AH, and Royal Canin will enable hundreds of clinics to provide virtual care to their clients at a reduced cost. This will allow most clinics to begin to achieve ROI using their Smart.Vet Online Health Centres after performing just one consultation.
The Smart.Vet platform has enabled clinics to perform over 10,000 telehealth consultations since April 1st and has client clinics in Canada, the United States, Europe, Singapore, and Australia.
Smart.Vet joins forces with Merck Animal Health and Royal Canin to bring virtual care to Canadian veterinary hospitals
Thanks to a combined partnership between all three companies, a 50% discount off the base subscription price will be offered to all Canadian veterinary hospitals for a period of 60 days.
BURLINGTON, ON, June 9, 2020 /CNW/ - Smart.Vet announced today that they are partnering with Merck Animal Health and ROYAL CANIN®. This relationship will allow Smart.Vet to offer their virtual care platform to veterinary clinics at 50% of the regular cost for 2 months. Both Merck Animal Health and Royal Canin are dedicated to assisting veterinarians during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"During the pandemic, companies from the veterinary industry need to combine their efforts in order to better assist veterinarians, said Marylin Merit, Associate Marketing Director at Merck Animal Health Canada. That's why we have decided to work together with Royal Canin towards a common goal: facilitate clinic and pet owner access to a virtual care platform, thereby maintaining the level of care that pets deserve."
"What's particularly exciting," said David Brooks, Veterinary Marketing Director at Royal Canin Canada, "is that this technology makes it very simple for veterinary team members to stay connected with their patients. And it opens up all kinds of new opportunities such as feline medicine, nutrition or weight-loss consultations and follow-ups."
Together, Merck Animal Health, Royal Canin, and Smart.Vet Offer:
A world-class virtual care solution that allows veterinary clinics to schedule, perform, and accept payment for telehealth consultations.The Smart.Vet platform equips clinics with a fully clinic branded web application that includes online scheduling (directed by clinics and clients), communication (video, phone, and message) between veterinary staff and pet owners, and built-in eCommerce.
50% off Platform Base Subscription Price allows a clinic to join for only $49/month for the first 2 months. There are no implementation or consultation fees. This applies to all existing and new clinics paying the standard rate.
3 Virtual Care Webinars with industry professionals discussing the future of telehealth, it's implications for the industry and the benefits of a formal platform. Each session will conclude with a Q & A with our panelists. To register for a webinar, please see below.
"Our relationships with Merck Animal Health and Royal Canin constitute a major milestone in Smart.Vet's evolution as a worldwide virtual care provider for veterinary clinics", said Dr. Sharon Quinn, co-founder of Smart.Vet. "Partnering with Royal Canin and Merck Animal Health brings technology, pharmaceuticals, and pet nutrition into a single collaborative unit. Part of our mission moving forward is to work together on developing new innovative methods of delivering virtual care for pets that include nutrition and pharmaceuticals."
The collaboration between Smart.Vet, Merck AH, and Royal Canin will enable hundreds of clinics to provide virtual care to their clients at a reduced cost. This will allow most clinics to begin to achieve ROI using their Smart.Vet Online Health Centres after performing just one consultation.
The Smart.Vet platform has enabled clinics to perform over 10,000 telehealth consultations since April 1st and has client clinics in Canada, the United States, Europe, Singapore, and Australia.
FACIT recognized with 2020 Venture Capital Regional Impact Award by the Canadian Venture Capital & Private Equity Association (CVCA)
Award acknowledges FACIT's commercialization impact in growing Ontario's life sciences industry
TORONTO, June 9, 2020 /CNW/ - FACIT, a commercialization venture firm, has been nationally recognized with CVCA's 2020 Venture Capital Regional Impact Award for Ontario. The CVCA helps to set the foundation for greater collaboration, innovation, growth and market intelligence for Canadian private capital professionals. The Venture Capital Regional Impact Award celebrates firms whose investments have positioned portfolio companies to make a meaningful mark within both their community as well as the broader niche sector. The award competition considers the most impactful private equity organizations across all sectors including IT, AgTech, Healthcare, and CleanTech.
FACIT's award was specifically related to the 2019 historic US$1B partnership between its portfolio companies, Propellon Therapeutics ("Propellon") and Triphase Accelerator ("Triphase"), and US pharma giant Celgene (acquired by Bristol-Myers Squibb Company). The partnership represents one of the largest oncology licensing transactions for a preclinical asset in Canadian history, and the largest biotech asset transaction worldwide for academia. Moreover, this deal helped to solidify a "made in Ontario" development pathway for commercialization of oncology innovations, as the asset at the heart of the transaction originated from FACIT's strategic partner, the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR). FACIT's strategic seed investment of $3M was critical in putting Ontario intellectual property (IP) in a position of strength to negotiate a transaction with maximum regional impact. The collaboration with Triphase anchors R&D jobs, clinical trials and industrial development in Ontario, benefiting both the economy and patients.
Through financial support from Ontario's Ministry of Colleges and Universities, FACIT has a mandate to translate Ontario's most promising cancer innovations and maximize the value of the province's investment in research and healthcare. With a portfolio that has attracted over $850 million in investment to Ontario, FACIT is actively building companies with entrepreneurs to accelerate healthcare innovation and retain IP value, jobs and industrial development in Canada. Its success in locally commercializing medical technology, health IT, imaging, and therapeutics is a direct result of the integration of outstanding science, Ontario First seed capital, and industry experience into a novel commercialization venture model. Not only have FACIT-supported ventures attracted remarkable life science financings, but every dollar invested by FACIT has attracted $20 dollars of private equity to the province.
"We are proud of the team's work to help demonstrate the value of seed-stage investing in the commercialization of Propellon and Triphase, and we thank CVCA for this honour and recognition by our industry peers," said Dr. David O'Neill, President of FACIT. "The rapid growth of our portfolio demonstrates the power of biotechnology to capitalize on Ontario's world-class cancer science, compete in the innovation economy and make a difference in the fight against cancer."
"This is a great achievement and recognition that FACIT is successfully driving significant benefits to the Ontario innovation economy, building on the research strength of OICR," said Dr. Laszlo Radvanyi, President and Scientific Director of OICR.
"Congratulations to FACIT on receiving the CVCA award for their leadership in Ontario's commercialization sector," said the Honourable Ross Romano, Minister of Colleges and Universities. "FACIT has made smart and strategic investments in Ontario's rapidly developing biotech sector. The firm is an important partner in ensuring that the province's intellectual property is captured, both for the local economy and patients living with cancer."
About FACIT FACIT is a commercialization venture firm that builds companies with entrepreneurs to accelerate oncology innovation, with a portfolio that has attracted over $850 million in investment to Ontario. Blending industry experience, capital and the unsurpassed clinician-scientist network of its strategic partner the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR), FACIT capitalizes on the province's investment in research and healthcare to the benefit of the local economy and patients worldwide. FACIT's commercialization portfolio includes Turnstone Biologics, Fusion Pharmaceuticals, Triphase Accelerator and other biotechnology organizations. Cancer Breakthroughs. Realized. facit.ca.
SOURCE FACIT Inc.
A CARDIAC SURGEON’S LIFE STORY SETS THE STAGE FORAN INSPIRATIONAL GUIDE TO UNLEASHING PEOPLE’S FULL POTENTIALIn HEART TO BEAT
, Dr. Brian Lima Challenges Readers To Strive For Greatness And Never Settle For Second Best College, medical school, and then ten years of grueling surgical training, that’s what it took for Brian Lima to become a leading heart transplant surgeon – literally able to breathe new life into critical ill patients. Not only has Lima never shied away from a challenge, he has spent his life actively seeking them in pursuit of seemingly near-impossible goals. In his insightful new book, HEART TO BEAT: A Cardiac Surgeon’s Inspiring Story of Success and Overcoming Adversity—The Heart Way (Clovercroft Publishing/February 18, 2020), Dr. Lima shares his story, giving everyone – not just aspiring physicians – the tools and encouragement needed to be their best selves.“We all have free will, and we all have a choice,” he writes. “You can choose to live aimlessly, halfheartedly going with the flow and suppressing that inner voice, the one beckoning you to unleash your full potential and to grab the world by storm. Or you can achieve success by committing to hard work and unceasing effort.”In HEART TO BEAT, Dr. Lima candidly shares, often with a wry sense of humor, how this approach enabled him to reach the pinnacle of success in all of his undertakings – whether it was building the strength and skill to become a varsity football player, becoming valedictorian of his high school class, earning a scholarship to Cornell University, or winning coveted residency opportunities as he trained to become a heart surgeon.“You don’t have to be the smartest or most talented person in the room to get ahead, just the one who wants it the most,” he writes. Indeed, Dr. Lima credits his own achievements purely to his intense effort. In his eminently readable, down-to-earth book, he breaks down the keys to advancing beyond your comfort zone and perceived limitations to unleash your full potential. Dr. Lima’s powerful lessons include:Heart Over Matter – “You, and you alone, are responsible for how much or how little you achieve in this life,” he writes. Only when you realize that you are master of your own destiny, and refuse to allow insecurities, past experiences, and fears to limit your potential, will you realize your dreams.Heart Of War – Complacency is your biggest adversary. You must never cease working and bettering yourself – if you do, you will surely slide off the top of your game. “The minute you rest on your laurels and kick your feet up, you’ve settled for defeat,” says Dr. Lima.Kickstart My Heart – Dr. Lima explains that the “propulsive power of ambition” has been one of the most impactful forces of his life. “Your eagerness to move ahead contributes more to your success than natural talent or being born with a silver spoon.” Ambition is what enables people to overcome the primary hurdle to success: self-doubt.Till Death With My Heart – If something is truly your calling – meaningful, bigger than you, and well-intended – it is likely not going to be easy to achieve, says Dr. Lima. For him, the rule must be “it’s all in or no win.” Being “well-rounded” is incompatible with true excellence, he contends.Not For the Faint of Heart – Fear of failure can disrupt the pursuit of any goal, and overcoming this fear is a monumental task that requires you to meet it head-on again and again, until you’re desensitized to its paralyzing influence. Dr. Lima urges readers to see every moment as just that – a moment – whether they’re going for a buzzer beater in basketball or performing heart surgery. This is what gives people the courage to take their shot at every opportunity.The Heart Sell on Entrepreneurship – “One way or another, you have to get the word out about how great your ‘brand’ is – in other words, how great you are,” says Dr. Lima, contending that the sales mantra “always be closing” is critical to success. He points to such key fundamentals as avoiding pigeonholes and being open to opportunities; never second-guessing yourself; continuing to invest in yourself; and using your time wisely.In addition to the author’s compelling personal story, HEART TO BEAT also includes a fascinating look at the current technologies and medical care available to treat heart disease, along with the basics about living a heart-healthy life – straight from the mouth of one of the country’s leading heart transplant surgeons.“There are those who choose to chase victory and to live life on their own terms, and there are those who don’t,” declares Dr. Lima. HEART TO BEAT will help you choose the path to victory, giving you the motivation you need to achieve your dreams, whatever they may be.# # #ABOUT THE AUTHORDr. Brian Lima is a cardiac surgeon, associate professor of surgery, and recognized authority in advanced heart failure. He has published nearly 80 articles in peer-reviewed medical journals and presented at numerous national and international medical conferences. As the surgical director of heart transplantation at North Shore University Hospital, Dr. Lima helped launch the first and only heart transplant program on Long Island. Dr. Lima completed his undergraduate studies at Cornell University and was awarded a Dean’s Full Tuition scholarship to attend Duke University School of Medicine. During medical school, Dr. Lima spent a year at Harvard Medical School’s Transplantation Biology Research Center as a Stanley Sarnoff cardiovascular research fellow. He then completed his general surgery residency training at Duke University Medical Center, and subsequent heart surgery training at The Cleveland Clinic, where he was awarded the prestigious Dr. Charles H. Bryan Annual Clinical Excellence Award in Cardiovascular Surgery
TRAIN IT RIGHT NEWSLETTER
Sign Up and get a free 7 day Train it Right HIIT Program!
The campaign builds on Cornucopia’s 
