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 newest variant of interest, what the next era of COVID-19 will likely look like, and further ramifications of the “ending” of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.
COVID Communication:
The Latest COVID-19 Variant Explained: XBB.1.16 or “Arcturus”
The newest variant of prominence, XBB.1.16 is one of a handful of variants currently on the rise around the country. Many rumors have been going around about this particular variant (including that it causes pink eye as a leading symptom).
Thankfully, this variant is not wholly different from its predecessors, with no worse or different symptoms compared to previous variants. Furthermore, healthcare professionals believe it and the other variants on the rise are similar enough that a single updated booster this fall should protect from all of them.
But does it cause pink eye? The short answer is yes, but that is not a new symptom associated with COVID-19. Reports of conjunctivitis with a COVID-19 infection (or even preceding other more typical symptoms), have been around since 2020.
Though this variant is a variant of interest, the prevention practices for this variant are the same techniques we have been using for COVID-19 throughout the pandemic. Monitor COVID-19 levels in your community, get your vaccination (especially your booster shot), mask in crowded or indoor public areas, test if you feel ill or before gathering with high-risk family members, and make sure to quarantine if you feel ill.
Full article: “CBS News: Does the ‘Arcturus’ COVID variant cause pink eye? Here’s what scientists and health officials say about the new strain.”
COVID in the News:
State of COVID-19 in Maine
There are currently 69 hospitalizations from COVID-19 cases across the state, with 4 patients in critical care. There have been 2 new deaths attributed to COVID-19 directly. Hospitalizations, deaths, and wastewater testing remain the best metrics for determining actual levels of COVID-19 in the community, as many positive cases go unreported or undiagnosed (e.g. unreported home tests).
Sources: Bangor Daily News COVID-19 tracker; CDC COVID-19: Maine Data
The Next Era of COVID: Small Waves vs. Seasonal Infections
The COVID-19 pandemic has been marked by various surges, the most deadly of which was caused by the emergent Omicron variant. This has left many wondering whether or not COVID-19 will transition to a seasonal virus similar to influenza. According to an article recently published in Nature, the answer is: not likely, at least not yet.
The next era of COVID-19 is more likely to be marked by small waves rather than seasonal infections or catastrophic death tolls and hospitalizations. Most experts are hopeful that the “explosive, hospital-filling” waves are unlikely to come back. According to the article, we have made enough strides in prevention, treatment, and immunity that those numbers should be a thing of the past.
Unfortunately, the virus mutates too quickly and immunity wanes too fast for COVID-19 to be a seasonal virus only (though conditions during winter months are more optimal for spread due to gathering indoors and ubiquitous cold-dry air). To give a comparison, OCVID-19 evolves at twice the rate of seasonal flu strains and ten times the rate of seasonal “colds”.
Though deaths from Omicron still remain higher than we would hope (about ten times the death toll typically caused by the flu), we are seeing smaller amounts of hospitalizations even with the larger waves of infection. With the continued work being done on COVID vaccinations and treatments, experts are hopeful that in the coming years, COVID will become “comparable to influenza”.
To read the full article, see “Nature: ‘COVID’s future: mini-waves rather than seasonal surges’”.
COVID Vaccination Requirement for Federal Employees Ending
A recent move from the Biden administration has drawn criticism from some healthcare advocates. On May 11th, the same day that the public health emergency tied to the COVID-19 pandemic is set to “end”, the administration will also be lifting its requirement for federal employees and international air travelers to be fully vaccinated.
The administration has stated that “while vaccination remains one of the most important tools in advancing health and safety” they believe we are in a “different phase of the response where these measures are no longer necessary”. The vaccination requirement had already made exemptions for medical or religious reasons when first instituted in September 2021.
Additionally, the Department of Health and Human Services will no longer be required to have their HeadStart educators vaccinated and vaccination requirements will be ending for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Read the full article: “NBC News: ‘Covid vaccination requirement to end next week for federal employees and international travelers’”.
Read the statement from the White House: “The Biden-Harris Administration Will End COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements for Federal Employees, Contractors, International Travelers, HeadStart Educators and CMS-Certified Facilities”.
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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.