Dr. Payal Patel

As cases of the COVID-19 virus decline around the country, Michigan remains one of a handful of states continuing to see a surge in the number of cases.

WEMU's Lisa Barry talks with Michigan Medicine infectious disease specialist Dr. Payal Patel to get an update on how the pandemic continues to impact the Ann Arbor medical system and whether or not much has changed as to how we move through the world as the global health crisis drags on.

Although they are seeing fewer hospitalizations at Michigan Medicine in Ann Arbor, the positivity rate for the virus is increasing, and vaccinations are still seen as the solution to stop the COVID-19 virus in its tracks.

WEMU's Lisa Barry talks with Michigan Medicine infectious disease specialist Dr. Payal Patel, who shares the latest information about the virus variant and how we can stay safe and healthy as the pandemic continues.

Michigan Medicine infectious disease specialist Dr. Payal Patel remembers exactly what was happening one year ago as the coronavirus pandemic was beginning.  She was just returning to work from maternity leave and recalls how stressful it was as they made the necessary preparations to deal with what was yet to come.

WEMU's Lisa Barry talks with Dr. Patel about the impact of the pandemic on local health care providers and medical facilities and explains the differences in the now three available vaccines.

All one year later, since the pandemic began.

With the first batch of COVID-19 vaccines being distributed, several doctors at Michigan Medicine have already received a first dose.  WEMU's Lisa Barry talks with infectious disease specialist Dr. Payal Patel about her experience being among the very first to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

As we move closer to a vaccine to combat COVID-19, local hospitals continue to experience an increase in cases.  WEMU’s Lisa Barry talks to Michigan Medicine infectious disease specialist Dr. Payal Patel, who says public health precautions still need to be closely followed as they near capacity in the hospital with COVID cases.

As the seasons change, so will the ways we move around in our lives in order to stay healthy and avoid the COVID-19 virus. 

WEMU's Lisa Barry talks with Michigan Medicine infectious disease specialist Dr. Payal Patel about ways to stay healthy in colder weather and about whether or not any of the medical advice to avoid certain activities have really changed over the course of the pandemic.

It's what would typically be the busy summer travel season, but with COVID-19 continuing to spread and impact our lives, is it safe to do?

WEMU's Lisa Barry talks with Dr. Payal Patel, an infectious disease and internal medicine physician at Michigan Medicine, about the pros and cons of traveling during our current pandemic.