As the U.S. public health emergency for COVID-19 draws to a close, Hawaii’s coronavirus metrics seem to be holding steady. The expiration of the federal emergency signifies the end of several COVID-19-related initiatives. To help inform the public, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has released a fact sheet regarding what will or will not be impacted. Vaccinations and treatments for COVID-19, such as Paxlovid, will continue to be available at no cost due to the federal COVID-19 vaccination program provider agreement. However, when the federal supply runs out, vaccines and treatments are expected to transition to a “traditional healthcare market.” Despite this, the Biden administration has plans to maintain broad access to COVID-19 vaccines and treatments for uninsured Americans even after the transition.
Private insurance providers will no longer be required to cover COVID-19 tests without cost-sharing. Nevertheless, state Medicaid programs will cover COVID-19 testing until September 30, 2024, but coverage will vary by state after that. The state Department of Health has reported a seven-day average of new COVID-19 cases at 105, with the state’s average positivity rate remaining the same as the previous week at 8.0%.
The World Health Organization announced that COVID-19 is no longer a global health emergency, but WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus emphasized the virus is still a worldwide threat. Epidemiologists are monitoring several omicron subvariants, including XBB.1.16 or “Arcturus,” which has a growth advantage and is present worldwide, including in Hawaii’s wastewater samples and test specimens.
The AlohaSafe Alert app, a free COVID-19 exposure notification system approved by the state, is no longer operational. Health officials still urge those who have not done so to receive the updated bivalent booster, as DOH reported only around 27.8% of the eligible population has received it. The Hawaii residents aged 65 and above and the immunocompromised are now eligible for a second bivalent booster.
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