David Banach 
Associate Professor of Medicine Head of Infection Prevention Hospital Epidemiologist | University of Connecticut
Farmington, CT, UNITED STATES
Dr. David Banach is an expert in the field of infectious diseases and epidemiology.
Spotlight
Biography
Dr. David Banach is UConn School of Medicine alum who returns to UConn Health as a member of the clinical faculty. He is an infectious diseases physician who leads UConn Health's Infection Prevention Program and serves as hospital epidemiologist.
Areas of Expertise (6)
Coronavirus
Medicine
Health Care Associated Infections
Infectious Diseases
Infections in Immunocompromised Patients
COVID-19
Education (3)
University of Connecticut - Graduate School: M.P.H, Public Health
University of Connecticut - School of Medicine: M.D., Medicine
Mount Sinai School of Medicine - Graduate School: M.S., Clinical and Translational Research
Media
Publications:
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Audio/Podcasts:
Media Appearances (38)
Testing for HIV can be costly and time-consuming. A new device in development seeks to change that
WNPR radio
2023-03-23
“Current HIV virus testing involves a centralized laboratory system,” said Dr. David Banach, associate professor of medicine at UConn, and head of infection prevention. “This type of technology has the potential for point-of-care testing, which, for HIV virus, is very novel.” Research shows that HIV self-testing is a safe and effective way to test among remote and underserved populations who may otherwise lack access to laboratory tests. Banach said the next step is to determine how to provide access to viral monitoring and virus testing in remote and underserved communities.
Norovirus Cases Increase in Northeast This Winter
NBC Connecticut tv
2023-03-05
Banach tells us cases typically increase in the winter and that it’s important to watch out for clusters, which can happen in places like schools, healthcare facilities and group settings like cruise ships. “I think we have to be mindful in vulnerable populations, particularly like elderly or very young children that, you know, with serious diarrhea and vomiting, high risk of being a higher risk of being dehydrated,” said Banach. Banach says most people recover in two or three days and helping to prevent getting it really comes down to soap and water.
As COVID numbers decline in CT, experts optimistic about pandemic: 'Always going to be a cautious eye'
Hearst Connecticut Media print
2023-01-27
Though the state's COVID numbers remain a bit higher than last fall, experts say the trends offer strongly positive signs, especially following fears of a major surge similar to the one Connecticut experienced last winter. "We're still at a fairly high level of COVID transmission, but over the last couple weeks there seem to be signs of plateauing in transmission and maybe even signs of decreasing hospitalizations," said Dr. David Banach, hospital epidemiologist at UConn Health. "It's always going to be a cautious eye moving forward, but hopefully some optimism with the trend that we're seeing right now."
CT residents may be able to get omicron-specific COVID boosters by next week. Here’s what to know
Hearst Connecticut Media print
2022-08-31
The new COVID-19 booster shots are specifically designed to protect against the BA.4 and BA.5 omicron subvariants, which have caused a spike in cases this summer across much of the country, including in Connecticut. “These updated boosters are what we call ‘bivalent boosters,’ in that they contain mRNA from both the original SARS-CoV-2 strain, as well as the one shared by the BA.4 and BA.5 lineage,” said Dr. David Banach, chief epidemiologist at UConn Health. “So they’re more targeted towards the specific variants and subvariants that we’ve seen in recent months.”
After two years of COVID pandemic, where does Connecticut stand?
Fox 61 tv
2022-03-07
Dr. David Banach from UConn Health discusses where Connecticut is now after two full years of being in the COVID-19 pandemic.
11 Things To Know About Where To Get Free N95 Masks And How To Use Them
Buzzfeed online
2022-01-28
The main difference between nonsurgical and surgical N95s is that the latter are also fluid resistant to protect doctors and nurses from blood and other bodily fluid sprays, Dr. David Banach, an infectious disease physician and hospital epidemiologist at UConn Health of the University of Connecticut, told BuzzFeed News.
With a bite in the air will Covid-19 begin to bite back?
Fox 61 tv
2021-10-18
The Covid-19 surge we saw about a year ago as the temperatures went down is a concern in 2021, though the outlook seems to be more optimistic from the experts in the state. At UConn Health Center in Farmington, Dr. David Banach, an epidemiologist and doctor of infectious disease said the coming weeks and months pose a challenge when it comes to Covid-19. “The changing weather, people moving indoors -- those are the kinds of things that we think about when we predict what can happen in the Fall,” said Banach. “When you’re looking at indoor gatherings something to think about – are you gathering with small group? That would be a lower risk situation. And then the vaccinations of the group is really critical,” Banach added.
UConn Health doctor weighs in on COVID booster eligibility after FDA only approves for those over 65, at high risk
WTNH - Channel 8 tv
2021-09-19
Booster shots of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine may be administered as early as Friday, but who will get one is still up for discussion. “What the FDA review showed was in the general population, at this date and time, there wasn’t sufficient data to support booster doses,” said Dr. David Banach, hospital epidemiologist at UConn Health.
Can high school sports be played safely with COVID? Health experts express optimism for upcoming season
Hearst Connecticut Media print
2021-08-15
David Banach, a UConn Health epidemiologist and head of infection prevention, said there was reason for optimism around football. “With football, the contact periods are relatively brief during plays, and it’s outdoors which puts it at a lower risk compared to indoor sports,” Banach said this past week. “It’s difficult to make any definite conclusions about that, but the fact that it’s outdoors and players have transient contact on the field makes it lower risk.”
Vaccinations Rising Steadily in CT This Summer
NBC Connecticut tv
2021-08-13
Health officials said the increase in vaccinations during the summer will have an impact on the number of cases and hospitalizations that will arise in the fall. "Any opportunity to increase our vaccination coverage is going to help prevent that type of massive surge that is being seen in other parts of the country,” said Dr. David Banach, epidemiologist and infectious disease doctor at UConn Health. “I think as healthcare professionals, we're still encouraging our patients who are not yet vaccinated, to get vaccinated. We're trying to provide education and support them in doing so. In the end, that will help preserve the hospital workforce."
Do you need a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine? Medical experts say no, for now.
Hartford Courant print
2021-07-13
But experts say that vaccination remains the best protection against the Delta variant and other dangerous strains of the virus. “What the data is telling us is that for the general public, two doses of the vaccine is highly protective against the currently circulating variants, including the Delta variant. It seems like breakthrough infections are very rare and when they occur, symptoms are mild and they don’t result in hospitalizations,” said Dr. David Banach, an epidemiologist at UConn Health.
Here's why COVID vaccine passports are not likely in CT
Hearst Connecticut Media print
2021-05-23
“I think the challenges lie in the practical implementation of this type of system in the U.S.,” said Dr. David Banach, head of infection prevention at UConn Health. In order to evade forgery, Banach suggested the system might have to rely on biometrics in a user’s smartphone. That might make the system not accessible to some, he pointed out. Banach also raised concern that vaccine passports could worsen social inequities that already exist between those who are vaccinated and unvaccinated. It could also mean unvaccinated people will only gather with each other, he said. Some worry that scenario “may actually encourage virus transmission” and lead to more public health consequences, he said.
Experts: Completely eliminating COVID an 'unrealistic expectation'
Hearst Connecticut Media print
2021-04-19
“In the scientific community, there's a strong consensus that we won't be able to eradicate the virus entirely,” said David Banach, an infectious disease physician and hospital epidemiologist at UConn Health. Banach said that while the point of vaccines is to reach population immunity and stop transmission of the virus, global immunity may not actually be achievable.
Why CT health experts say COVID boosters will be the future
Hearst Connecticut Media print
2021-04-11
Vaccine boosters are not uncommon, according to David Banach, an infectious disease physician and hospital epidemiologist at UConn Health. “In terms of existing vaccines, like pneumonia vaccines, after five years or so, we get repeated pneumonia vaccines,” he said. “Even the childhood vaccines are multiple doses to be given over time. Very few of them are single-dose vaccines. The single dose for a lot of those vaccines can get short-term immunity. But if you really want to get longer lasting immunity, there's boosting involved.”
Infectious Disease Experts Explain Herd Immunity
NBC Connecticut tv
2021-03-30
With the demand for the vaccine increasing daily, it's presenting an opportunity for widespread immunity for the coronavirus. "It essentially prevents ongoing transmission of a virus or some other infection in the community," said Dr. David Banach, an infectious disease physician at UConn Health. "Herd immunity typically happens through natural infection or through vaccination to be able to prevent ongoing transmission of a virus or other infection in the community."
UConn Health's Dr. David Banach discusses being fully vaccinated
Fox 61 tv
2021-03-15
Watch Dr. David Banach from UConn Health discuss vaccination for COVID-19 with Connecticut's Fox 61.
Fully vaccinated? Here's what you can and can't do
WFSB CT tv
2021-03-09
The guidelines get tricky with traveling. "Travel is much more public facing. It’s going to involve vaccinated people interacting with unvaccinated individuals," said University of Connecticut Dr. David Banach, infectious disease physician and epidemiologist. Banach said although the vaccines have been effective, vaccinated people still need to cautiously approach public interactions.
With 3rd Vaccine Soon to Enter Mix, Experts Urge Public Not to ‘Shop' Vaccine Options
NBC Connecticut tv
2021-02-25
“I’m very enthusiastic about this Janssen Johnson & Johnson vaccine. I think it’s got a lot of advantages, and it’s really going to increase our ability to vaccinate as many people here in Connecticut as quickly as possible,” said UConn Health Infectious Disease Physician and Hospital Epidemiologist Dr. David Banach. Banach says they’ve got the systems in place to be able to administer a lot of vaccines, but what’s held them and everyone else back is supply.
Dr. Banach, of UConn Health answers your COVID vaccine questions
Fox 61 tv
2021-02-12
Watch as UConn Health's Dr. David Banach answers questions about the COVID-19 vaccine.
UConn Health epidemiologist breaks down what the discovery of multiple COVID-19 variants could mean
WTNH tv
2021-01-01
The fight against COVID-19 intensifies, as cases continue to climb and multiple variants are circulating globally. One new variant, which the CDC said emerged in the United Kingdom a few months ago, has been detected in the United States. “Not necessarily a reason to sound the alarm, but definitely something we have to watch,” said Dr. David Banach, hospital epidemiologist at UConn Health.
UConn doctor discusses COVID-19 vaccine after receiving it
Fox 61
2020-12-16
There is some hesitancy when it comes to the COVID-19 vaccine. Dr. David Banach from UConn health discusses what it was like receiving the vaccine
Five ways COVID-19 is different than the flu according to doctors
Hearst Connecticut Media print
2020-12-03
Flu has been around for longer, so people have built up immunity to it. “For COVID, we don’t have that, unfortunately, so it becomes extremely contagious,” said Dr. David Banach, of infectious diseases at UConn Health and hospital epidemiologist.
Coronavirus infections are going up as the holiday travel season is getting underway: Can Connecticut’s testing capacity handle the load?
Hartford Courant print
2020-10-26
But the advisory also covers other forms of transportation, including cars, trains and buses. Those are more difficult to track and have become so much a concern that last week, the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention issued new guidance for those forms of transportation. “You have to think of transportation really broadly, so that can range from things like airplanes, trains and buses but also ride shares — that’s a common way to travel — and using services like Uber and the potential there,” said Dr. David B. Banach, head of infection prevention at the UConn Health Center in Farmington. “It’s not just the actual time you are on the train or bus, but the time you are waiting around for the bus.”
Video: Dr. Banach, of UConn Health, discusses FDA's approval of remdesivir for COVID-19 treatment
Fox 61 tv
2020-10-23
The antiviral medicine given through an IV has been approved for people at least 12 years old who need hospitalization for their coronavirus infection.
Remdesivir Treatment Well Known To Area Infectious Disease Experts
NBC Connecticut tv
2020-10-03
Although Remdesivir has been described as an experimental medicine, it’s more common than some might expect. According to Dr. David Banach, an infectious disease expert and epidemiologist at UConn’s John Dempsey Hospital, it has been used for months. “It had been used in a clinical trial but more recently it had been approved through emergency use authorization by the FDA,” said Banach.
Trump’s age, health woes raise his risk for COVID-19 illness
Associated Press online
2020-10-03
Older age, being male and having any other health problems increase the chance of severe illness, and Trump has those. At 74, “his age would be the primary risk factor,” said Dr. David Banach, an infectious diseases physician at the University of Connecticut’s health system. People ages 65 to 74 are seven times more likely to be hospitalized for COVID-19 than those who are 18 to 29 years old, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The risks rise exponentially at older ages.
UConn Health's Dr. David Banach discusses Phase 3 of CT reopening
Fox 61 tv
2020-09-25
Interview with UConn Health's Dr. David Banach after Governor Ned Lamont's announcement that Phase 3 reopening will begin on October 8.
Is Connecticut ready for a second wave of COVID-19 this fall?
Hartford Courant print
2020-09-08
Now, with fall approaching, local experts warn that school reopenings, pandemic fatigue and indoor gatherings could contribute to a spike in Connecticut’s infections that coincides dangerously with flu season. “I anticipate that there will be increases in cases in the fall and moving into the winter,” said Dr. David Banach, an epidemiologist at UConn Health. “The trajectory is still unknown, whether it will be a slow increase or if it will be more rapid, similar to what we saw during the early months of COVID.”
Dr. David Banach of UConn Health answers your questions about sending your kids back to school during COVID-19
Fox 61 tv
2020-08-21
Interview with Dr. David Banach from UConn Health with Connecticut's Fox 61.
Who decides when schools close if students, staff contract coronavirus or cases spike locally? Superintendents seek guidance from state
Hartford Courant print
2020-07-31
Dr. David Banach, an epidemiologist at UConn Health, said there is not a standard “X number of cases” every school can use as a benchmark to shut down. He expects each school to have a different threshold. “A lot of people ask, ‘What’s the number that it’s going to take to close a school?‘ but I wouldn’t just hinge that decision on a single number. A lot of it is, what’s the context of that number?” he said. “Is it linked to an isolated area that can be rapidly managed and quarantined, or is it a number of cases spread throughout different areas of a school, which would imply that there is more widespread transmission occurring in the school?”
As coronavirus restrictions ease, where are people drawing the line between venturing out and staying safe?
Hartford Courant print
2020-07-19
Dr. David Banach, an infectious disease physician and the hospital epidemiologist at UConn Health, said the delaying of Phase 3 of reopening “is a reason to pause and heighten awareness of taking that extra layer of caution.” Careful socializing still can be safe, he said, especially outdoors. ”The outdoor environment is preferred. But if you need to do something indoors, the next step is to avoid close contact as the primary measure to prevent transmission. If you are in close contact, wearing a mask is the most important piece,” he said.
Will UConn play football this year? Public health experts unsure about fall sports during coronavirus pandemic
Hartford Courant print
2020-07-15
Some sports, of course, are more conducive to social distancing than others. Football, with its large rosters and constant physical contact, falls toward the bottom of that spectrum. “Whether or not we can do football as a traditional season, I’m not sure,” said Dr. David Banach, a UConn Health epidemiologist who has consulted with athletic department staff. “I think there are a lot of additional factors that come into play, particularly how much COVID is in the community.”
Connecticut has slowed the spread of coronavirus, but dramatic surges in Florida, California and elsewhere pose a growing risk; how safe are we?
Hartford Courant print
2020-06-26
Experts say surges in states such as Florida, Arizona and Texas pose clear risks for Connecticut, especially as the summer months bring increased travel and the local economy continues to reopen. “There are a lot of forces moving against us,” said Dr. David Banach, epidemiologist at UConn Health. “Notably what’s happening throughout the country and that travel is inevitable and that we’re going to be having people that are traveling to other areas where there are higher rates.”
Seasonal tickborne infections can have symptoms similar to COVID-19, doctors say
WTNH tv
2020-06-16
Doctors at UConn Health in Farmington are starting to treat seasonal tick bites and infections. The issue is that some tickborne infections have symptoms that are similar to coronavirus, so doctors now have to keep that in mind while diagnosing patients. According to Dr. David Banach, Head of Infection Prevention at UConn Health, Lyme disease most commonly has a bullseye rash, but two other infections, carried by the same deer ticks are different.
Connecticut could see an increase in the spread of COVID-19 after reopening this week, experts say
Hartford Courant print
2020-05-21
Dr. David Banach, an epidemiologist at UConn Health, said it’s not inevitable that the state’s numbers increase after reopening. What happens next, Banach said, will hinge on factors including weather, the speed of reopening, the spread within nursing homes and other vulnerable sites and the rate of travel in and out of the state.
Connecticut hospitals explore antibody testing for when coronavirus threat fades, but experts warn of limitations
Hartford Courant print
2020-04-21
Dr. David Banach, epidemiologist at UConn Health, said the hospital has no plans to use antibody testing for clinical purposes, at least for now. “We’re optimistic about it, but I don’t know if we have a good handle on exactly how it’s going to be implemented," Banach said. "I think we’ll know with time the best way to use that type of testing.”
More states push for tossing religious exemptions for vaccinations
Fox News online
2019-05-10
“For decades, we've had sufficient herd immunity so enough people in the community vaccinated that it hasn't led to these outbreaks,” said Dr. David Banach, head of infection prevention and hospital epidemiologist at the University of Connecticut Health. “As we have less and less children vaccinated within communities all it takes is one case to be introduced to spread throughout the community.” Dr. Banach likens vaccinations to a sort of civic duty. “There's a sort of public health obligation for individuals to consider when it comes to vaccination and herd immunity,” Banach said. “I think there is some responsibility that individuals have to the public in order to really reduce the occurrence of these infections.”
Experts Concerned About Potential 'Second Wave' of Flu
NBC Connecticut online
2018-04-09
“There is some concern about that but it’s a little difficult to predict,” Dr. David Banach, infectious disease physician at UConn Health, said. Banach confirms it’s a little unusual to be dealing with flu this late in the year.
Articles (5)
Challenges in identifying Candida auris in hospital clinical laboratories: a need for hospital and public health laboratory collaboration in rapid identification of an emerging pathogen
Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology2018 Challenges in identifying Candida auris in hospital clinical laboratories: a need for hospital and public health laboratory collaboration in rapid identification of an emerging pathogen.
Misidentification of Candida auris by RapID Yeast Plus, a Commercial, Biochemical Enzyme-Based Manual Rapid Identification System
Journal of Clinical Microbiology2018 The misidentification ofCandida aurisusing RapID Yeast Plus, a commercial, biochemical enzyme-based manual rapid identification system.
Duration of Contact Precautions for Acute-Care Settings
Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology2018 Duration of Contact Precautions for Acute-Care Settings. Banach, David B; Bearman, Gonzalo; Barnden, Marsha; Hanrahan, Jennifer A; Leekha, Surbhi; Morgan, Daniel J; Murthy, Rekha; Munoz-Price, L Silvia; Sullivan, Kaede V; Popovich, Kyle J; Wiemken, Timothy L Infection control and hospital epidemiology 2018 Feb;39(2):127-144
Outbreak Response and Incident Management: SHEA Guidance and Resources for Healthcare Epidemiologists in United States Acute-Care Hospitals
Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology2017 Outbreak Response and Incident Management: SHEA Guidance and Resources for Healthcare Epidemiologists in United States Acute-Care Hospitals.
Graft loss among renal-transplant recipients with early reduction of immunosuppression for BK viremia
World Journal of Transplant2017 To review the incidence of graft loss and acute rejection among renal transplant recipients with early reduction of immunosuppression for BK viremia.
