coronavirus

MUSC Chosen for Phase III of Vaccine Trials

As the race to find a cure for Coronavirus continues, MUSC Health joins researches through a vaccine trial. Because one of MUSC’s potential vaccines has shown promising signs fighting the virus, they were selected as part of a Phase III trial.

In order for a vaccine to become safe and ready for mass manufacturing, it must first go through the three phases. Beginning with one, this phase is administered on small groups and geared toward the safety of the patients. They then collect data on the response to the vaccine. Phase two is typically administered on hundreds of people while fine-tuning the specific amount of regimen necessary. Phase three involves thousands of people while focusing on how it reacts to an entire population. Once all three have been successfully completed, the vaccine is on its way to becoming FDA approved.

At MUSC, emergency medicine physician Gary Headden, M.D., states that “the science behind [the vaccine] looks good, so I’d say I’m optimistic.”

In order to attract interested participants, MUSC is planning a webpage launch that will officially open the trial to new applicants. They’re seeking several hundred. Some patients within the trial will receive a placebo while others will receive the vaccine. Patients will remain overseen for a grand total of two years.

New In Charleston

Charleston County School District Hires 104 Full-Time Nurses

With the 2020 school year in full swing, the Charleston County School District (CCSD) has announced that every elementary, middle, and high school within their district will hire one full-time nurse. This comes as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 104 nurses will be placed in total.

The team at CCSD remains committed to the health and safety of the staff and students. Ellen Nitz, Director of Nursing Services at CCSD, explains that “the nurses took contract tracing courses to be versed in the procedures and can answer questions from parents and administrations.”

Protocols to reduce the spread of Coronavirus are also being put in place. CCSD has installed a plate of plexiglass in front of each nursing station, in addition to following social distancing guidelines. The clinics also feature an isolation area or bay with a cot and a curtain to act as protection. Nightly sanitation is in place as a means of following guidelines.

As their schools reopen and welcome students back in-person, CCSD is continuously working to keep all members safe and healthy.

Uncategorized

College of Charleston Suspends All Fall Sports Competitions

As of August 10th, the College of Charleston has suspended all fall 2020 sports competitions. This will include men’s soccer, women’s soccer, volleyball, men’s cross country, and women’s cross country. All of the above sports teams plan to continue practicing in preparation for a spring 2021 season.

Now, year-round sports of men’s golf, women’s golf, men’s tennis, women’s tennis, sailing, and equestrian will also be practicing in lieu of an actual competition season. They hope to resume come springtime.

The Director of Athletics, Matt Roberts, issued a statement regarding the matter. “We thank our local medical community and sports medicine staff for their tremendous efforts of implementing our current return-to-sport medical protocols and testing to get us back on campus safely… With the increased concern around the country and amongst the Colonial Athletic Association-member schools to postpone fall sports competition, we remain hopeful our fall student-athletes and coaches have the opportunity to pursue championships in the spring.”

Furthermore, the winter sports team season remains on the schedule. More information is sure to be announced as we near the season start date.

News

IOP Will Begin Implementing Public Parking Restrictions

The once free parking offered at Isle of Palms may no longer be available for beach go-ers come summer 2021. The choice to monetize parking came after COVID-19. IOP residents recently issued a temporary parking ban for non-residents along busy neighborhood streets. Now, public parking restrictions will impact weekday and weekend parking times.

Instead of the current 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., the city is looking to enforce 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. This time frame forces non-residents into a curfew.

While during the Coronavirus pandemic, chairs, coolers, and umbrellas were no longer allowed, it seems the city is making more strides toward seclusion from non-residents. Parking violation charges increased by double as of May 30th for municipal parking lots. These designated public parking zones are subject to change.

“The issue is the number of cars and parking, it’s not trying to restrict and limit people’s access to the beach,” said Councilmember Randy Bell. “We have an automobile problem. We don’t have the room to park as many that wish to come here.”

In order for next year’s changes to be made possible, a decision must be finalized no later than this August. For now, it seems things are headed toward stricter parking enforcement across the island.

Uncategorized

South Market Street Will Temporarily Stop Vehicle Traffic

In order to allow more outdoor social distancing space, a portion of South Market Street will temporarily stop vehicle traffic. Enforcement begins Saturday, August 15th between Church Street and State Street from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Because pedestrians convene at the downtown Charleston market, this sectioning off of streets better allows for social distancing.

“This project in the City Market, which was vetted by members of both the city’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Citizen’s Advisory Committee and City Council, will create a safer environment for pedestrians and allow for proper social distancing throughout the market area,” said Director of Traffic and Transportation, Keith Benjamin. “We are grateful to the City Market staff, vendors, and surrounding small businesses who worked on this project with us and look forward to continued collaboration.”

Come 5 p.m. each day, the South Market Street traffic lane re-opens for vehicles. This reconfiguration is set to remain throughout the 2020 calendar year. Loading zones are also impacted, as they’re now closed for pedestrian use only.

Charleston walkers can now enjoy the Market cobblestone streets with enough space to social distance during the coronavirus pandemic.

Health and Wellness

Charleston-Area Hospitals Launch New “Masks Saves Lives” Campaign

As a means of preventing the spread of Coronavirus throughout SC, five hospitals have come together to launch a new campaign. Titled “Masks Save Lives,” they’re pushing for Charlestonians to adhere to the statewide mask ordnance.

The five hospitals that make up the movement are Trident Health System, East Cooper Medical Center, Roper St. Francis Healthcare, the Medical University of South Carolina, and Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center. Each plays a critical role in enforcing cloth face coverings be worn.

“You wear a mask to protect others, and they wear masks to protect you,” Jeff Taylor, CEO of Trident’s Summerville Medical Center, stated in a press release.

Wearing a mask has become a polarized issue in recent weeks. Some community members believe wearing a mask limits their freedoms, while others find it necessary for the greater good. Regardless of your stance on the issue, case numbers in SC continue to climb. The grand total now reaches 78,607, while the fatality rate reaches 1,385. Charleston County surges ahead for the most amount of positive tests reported.

The new campaign will be featured on 32 billboards as well as television advertisements. It acts as a reminder to stay masked in public. You can expect to start seeing the “Masks Save Lives” movement roll out in the next few weeks.

Health and Wellness

Mount Pleasant Company Starts Vaccine Trials

The search for a Coronavirus vaccine has been well underway since the start of the pandemic. However, major strides are being made in the right direction. Mount Pleasant’s Coastal Carolina Research Center is beginning to test a COVID-19 vaccination. While things are still in the trial stages, this is huge progress in aiding those affected by the virus.

“We’re looking for men and women 18 and older who are at risk of getting COVID,” announced principal investigator Dr. Cynthia Strout. “Now if you’ve had the diagnosis of COVID, then you cannot participate. There’s a few medical conditions or medications that might exclude you from the study, if you have autoimmune disease or are on medicine that affects the immune system.”

The team dedicated to finding a vaccine has been performing clinical research in order to better understand the virus. Those opting to participate will receive $100 per visit and $30 for tasks that can be performed at home.

How can you join the study? Start by filling out their inquiry form on the Coastal Carolina Research website.

New In Charleston

College of Charleston Freezes Tuition for the 2020/2021 Calendar Year

As of June 9th, the College of Charleston Board of Trustees voted in favor of a tuition freeze. The 2020-21 academic year is the first semester set to be enforced. What this means for Charleston students is affordable and accessible academics. There won’t be any unexpected surges in tuition costs.

College of Charleston president Andrew T. Hsu comments, “I appreciate and applaud the Board of Trustees for not increasing tuition. While College administrators will need to be even more creative in dealing with rising costs, not raising tuition is the right thing to do.”

Undergraduate SC residents will continue to pay $6,259 per semester. Out-of-state undergraduates will still pay $16,424. This tuition freeze offers relief for those fearing a high increase in response to COVID-19.

In effect July 1st through Sept. 30, the board will enforce this change. Throughout the 2021 fiscal year, the board will regroup and discuss further changes. This could mean increases in the College’s dormitory halls or an increase in meal plan costs. Both budgets are subject to change in the coming August/September board meeting.