COVID-19 News and Updates
Hello all,
Nina Duggan here with the latest COVID-19 news and updates.
This week we will be discussing the WHO statement on the end of the Public Health Emergency of International Concern and what it means, further resources for MaineCare’s Unwinding process, and some general questions from the community regarding COVID-19 vaccination and treatments.
COVID Communication:
WHO Statement on the “End of the Pandemic” Explained
On May 11th, the World Health Organization declared the end of the Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). But COVID-19 hasn’t gone away, thousands of people are still dying daily, so what does this mean in practice? The PHEIC is a legal definition calling for international cooperation to a significant public health threat. A pandemic is the widespread occurrence of infectious diseases across the globe at a particular point in time. The WHO does not declare the start nor the end of a pandemic, and further cautions that just because the PHEIC is over it does not mean the pandemic itself is.
This declaration simply means that:
· The level of coordinated international cooperation that has been used so far WHO does not believe is immediately required.
· Cross-border transmission can and won’t be stopped
· COVID-19 is no longer unusual or unexpected
COVID-19 is still a leading cause of death in many countries. The end of the PHEIC does not mean that we can go back to “normal” pre-pandemic behaviors yet. As it was so succinctly put by Dr. Katelyn Jetelina (Your Local Epidemiologist) in one of her more recent posts “This does not mean that some countries (like the U.S.) don’t have serious underlying problems that need to be addressed. We cannot keep living in a perpetual cycle of panic and neglect.”
Further links and sources: Your Local Epidemiologist “A Monumental Moment”; Unambiguous Science “WHO declares end to Covid global health emergency”
MaineCare Unwinding Resource
The Maine DHHS has been providing many useful materials to help explain the impacts of the Unwinding and changes to MaineCare currently being implemented following the end of the public health emergency status.
This includes a ten-minute video explanation of the process itself and the next steps moving forward linked here.
If you or anyone you know is confused about the Unwinding process and what it might mean for them, please do not hesitate to reach out to us by email at nina.duggan@healthyacadia.org or by call/text at 207-271-6023.
COVID in the News:
State of COVID-19 in Maine
As of May 16, 2023, there were an additional 227 new COVID-19 cases reported in Maine as compared to last week, with 12 new deaths due to COVID-19 infections. There are currently 63 people hospitalized with the virus in the state, with 9 of those people in critical care. Maine’s COVID-19 hospitalizations have fallen to a 21-month low.
Links and Sources: Bangor Daily News “Maine’s COVID-19 hospitalizations have fallen to a 21-month low”; Bangor Daily News “Tracking COVID-19 cases and vaccinations in Maine”
Q: Why is it Important for Older Adults to Stay Up to Date on Vaccines?
A: Following a common question from the community, the importance of those 50+ being up to date on their vaccinations should be highlighted. COVID-19 disproportionately affects older adults, with those over the age of 50 being more likely to experience severe illness, hospitalization, and death from the disease. This risk increases further with age. The bivalent booster is still one of the best tools we have for preventing severe disease and death.
Follow the COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project to get answers to their “Question of the Week”
Q: What COVID-19 Treatments Are Available?
A: Though we may have fewer treatments in our arsenal than we did last year (due to mutations in the COVID-19 virus), we still have many safe and effective treatments for use. Antivirals (such as Paxlovid) help to prevent more serious impacts from the virus, including hospitalization and death. It is very important to begin these treatments early on for their full efficacy (ideally within the first five days of infection). If you are at high risk of severe disease, speak with your healthcare provider before you get sick to make sure you will have access to these options and what treatments you can take in the event of an infection.
For more information on what treatments you can receive, speak to your primary care provider. For general information on the available treatments please email nina.duggan@healthyacadia.org.
Sign up here to receive Nina’s COVID-19 updates via email.
Follow Healthy Acadia on TikTok (@healthyacadia) for more updates!
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.