COVID-19 News and Updates

Hello all,

Nina Duggan here with the latest COVID-19 news and updates. This week brings a reminder about National Public Health Week, the state of COVID in Maine, and where local experts are regarding BA2 or “stealth Omicron.”

COVID Communication:

This Week: National Public Health Week

This upcoming week, the first week in April, is National Public Health Week here in the United States. Further, the theme “Public Health is Where You Are” was recently announced, with a focus on local social communities and marginalized communities.

Links and Sources: National Public Health Week Official Website

COVID in the News:

State of COVID-19 in Maine

As of composing this email, all counties within the state of Maine were considered to be “low transmission”. Cases, deaths, and hospitalizations remain low throughout the state. Presently, 78.4% of eligible Mainers are vaccinated, with no new deaths reported as of the end of the day April 3rd, and 93 patients currently hospitalized for COVID-19 across the state (17 people in critical care).

Local Health Professionals Keeping an Eye on BA2.

Featured in previous updates, variant BA2 or “stealth Omicron” is still being carefully watched by healthcare experts in the state of Maine. So named because it is better at evading natural immunity and vaccination than the original COVID strain. Contrary to popular rumor, testing is still quite effective to detect cases of the BA2 variant.

BA2 is currently the dominant variant in the state of Maine, making up more than 50% of cases. However, it should be noted that BA2 does not appear to have increased in severity, as hospitalizations and deaths have not changed. It is still unclear as to whether or not we will see a surge in the state of Maine and the country as a whole from the BA2 variant.

With the slew of variants that we have been combatting, it is important to communicate that natural immunity offers zero protection after 90 days, and that if you have had COVID previously this does not mean that you cannot get it again. Vaccination still remains our best line of defense against this disease. During this lull in cases, it is particularly important to communicate the necessity of vaccinating against COVID and being fully up to date on all boosters.

For further guidance on when to get boosted and which booster to receive, see the link below.

Links and Sources: CDC COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shot Informational Page

Featured in the Field:

This Week: Hot Science Summer

With a significant presence on both Instragram and Tiktok, the professional behind the account “Hot Science Summer” (who has not posted their actual name on their account) holds a BSc and an MSc in the field of professional healthcare. They have a fantastic linktree of resources on their account, as well as a large library of videos and informational posts across social media.

Find them here on Instagram or TikTok

Thanks again everyone for checking in this week. Stay safe, and remember to take care of each other. ~ Nina

Nina Duggan is Healthy Acadia’s COVID-19 Vaccine Equity Project Coordinator. They share weekly updates about COVID-19 in the state of Maine and beyond, along with resources you may find useful on testing, vaccination, and best practices in preventative measures. 

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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.