COVID-19 News and Updates

Hello all,

Nina Duggan here with the latest COVID-19 news and updates.

This week we will be discussing further information on the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency, a breakdown of the XBB sub-variant, and the importance of clean air when preventing COVID-19.

COVID Communication:

Information on the End of COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is maintaining an informational page on the end of expanded benefits granted by the COVID-19 public health emergency status. This page contains general information on what will be occurring with SNAP, WIC, and MaineCare status and eligibility.

They have further partnered with Consumers for Affordable Health Care (CAHC) to provide additional assistance and information for Maine residents.

The DHHS website can be accessed here.

The CAHC website can be accessed here, or you can call their helpline at 1-800-965-7476.

COVID in the News:

State of COVID-19 in Maine

Cases have decreased by 42% on average across the state as compared to two weeks ago, with test positivity at 10%. Hospitalizations and ICU admissions have also decreased slightly across the state, reducing by 10% and 1% respectively.

Breakdown of the XBB Variant

The XBB.1.5 variant is now the dominant COVID variant in the Northeastern United States. This variant is a sub-variant of Omicron, having likely formed from a recombination of other sub-variants.

The symptoms of XBB.1.5 are similar to that of previous COVID variants, but noticeably with less incidences of loss of taste and smell. This variant does show better ability to evade the immune system (including from previous infection), making the bivalent booster still our best bet at fending off the variant.

The treatments we have for COVID-19 are still effective against this variant (excluding Evusheld which was pulled earlier this year), and vaccination still provides effective protection against hospitalization and death. Additionally, all of the previous precautions we have taken against COVID-19 thus far are still effective against this variant (e.g. wearing a mask, avoiding poorly ventilated crowded areas, and staying home and testing if you feel sick).

For more information and answers to common questions: AMA “XBB.1.5 Omicron subvariant: Questions patients may have”

Ventilation for COVID Prevention

Proper ventilation and high-quality air filters have long been recommended by experts as means to mitigate the risks of a COVID-19 infection. Now, we are starting to realize just how effective this is as a prevention practice. In a recent post, Dr. Elizabeth Marnik broke down why ventilation and filtration are important, and how you can use these techniques at home.

In short, COVID-19 is an airborne virus, spreading predominantly through people inhaling the aerosolized virus particles. These particles can linger in the air even after an infected person has left the room. Bringing in fresh air from the outdoors, wearing a mask, and using a HEPA air filter are all good ways to protect yourself from these virus particles.

Means of ventilation at home:

·       Open windows and doors

·       Run fans (pointing away from people)

·       Turning on bathroom or kitchen fans

·       Turning on ceiling fans

Means of filtration:

·       Wearing a well-fitting mask with good filtration (such as a KN95 or N95)

·       Using a HEPA filter

·       Using HEPA or MERV-13 filters in HVAC systems

·       Using a DIY Corsi-Rosenthal Box (can be constructed using a box fan and a MERV filter)

Experts are requesting people help spread the word about ensuring cleaner air in public spaces. Spreading the word among friends and family, advocating for higher clean air standards in infrastructure, and encouraging local schools, businesses, and other community spaces are all ways to assist.

Ventilation and filtration are highly effective ways of reducing the spread of COVID-19 that are effective regardless of the variant and have other added health benefits like reducing similar airborne viruses and removing pollutants from the air we breathe.

To see the full post by Dr. Elizabeth Marnik, visit her social media page here.
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If you or anyone you know have questions or concerns about COVID-19 or the available vaccines please call or text our COVID-19 Peer Support Line at 207-271-6023, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.