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The World Health Organization has decided that the COVID-19 pandemic is reaching a transition point, and President Joe Biden informed Congress on Monday that he would end dual national emergencies to combat COVID-19 on May 11.
But for Hawaii County, Mayor Mitch Roth said all of the county’s COVID-related emergency proclamations fell several months ago.
“We are already out of the response to the pandemic,” Roth said.
From March 2020, when COVID-19 declared a global pandemic, through January 25, 2023, the Hawaii Department of Health recorded 376,977 infections for the state, with an unknown number of infections not reported. Other people are believed to have died from the virus.
On the Big Island, the number of infections reported in the same era is 42,122 with 224 deaths. Click here to view COVID-19 data statewide.
While the reaction to the pandemic would likely be over, COVID-19 is still circulating on the island of Hawaii and the state, albeit at low levels, according to the local hospital and the Department of Health.
At this time, there are no COVID-19 outbreaks at either of Big Island’s two hospitals: Hilo Medical Center and Kona Community Hospital.
“We saw minimal accumulation in local COVID activity in the early part of January after the holidays,” Hilo Medical Center spokeswoman Elena Cabatu said.
The medical environment has lately five patients treated for the virus. There have been no deaths similar to COVID-19.
“The vast majority of COVID infections turn out to be fortuitous cases with a major reason for hospitalization,” Cabatu said. “It’s very rare for COVID patients to end up in intensive care. “
At Kona Community Hospital, there were two COVID-related deaths in January. As of Jan. 29, Anne Padilla, the hospital’s spokeswoman, said the Kona hospital treats one patient for the virus, but treats an average of two to 4 COVID patients on a daily basis.
“Our emergency branch has been facing capacity issues recently, the problem is COVID,” Padilla said. “What we’re seeing is partly the culmination of backlogged physical care in our network as a result of the pandemic. “
Because other people postponed medical care, their illnesses are ultimately more serious and require longer hospitalizations, Padilla said.
Hilo Medical Center spokeswoman Elena Cabatu said the way the state can get out of the pandemic is to have a strong public fitness policy and educational outreach through the Department of Health and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
The two Big Island hospitals are following CDC recommendations on COVID-19 lately.
CDC rules come with a five-day isolation after testing positive for COVID-19. Isolation may end depending on the severity of symptoms. Click here to see all CDC rules on COVID-19.
“The World Health Organization’s transient recommendations appear to be logical and based on public health,” said Hilo Medical Center spokeswoman Elena Cabatu.
These include:
Vaccines remain one of the tactics to prevent the spread of the virus and offer better outcomes for others who contract the virus. Cabatu said the hospital evaluates, recommends and administers vaccines to patients when they come for treatment.
Roth said the county is still distributing home COVID verification kits. The county provides data on where other people can get tested and vaccinated.
Leaders at Kona Community Hospital also agree that the pandemic is in transition, but COVID remains an issue.
“There are still millions of COVID cases worldwide and many countries are experiencing vaccine shortages,” said Judy Donovan, director of marketing and strategic plans at Kona Community Hospital. “We monitor CDC’s knowledge on a daily basis to perceive trends on the continent, as those are likely to have an effect on Hawai’i. “
Donovan said the hospital encourages everyone to take on a non-public duty for their health. Wear a mask if desired. People stay home if they feel unwell and have symptoms, and get tested right away. They want to be aware of vaccines and boosters.
As the pandemic put everyone on hold, Roth said there were some smart things that came out of it. In particular, he cited more virtual public meetings for counties and states.
“People are now testifying in the [state] legislature from nearby islands,” the mayor said.
In addition, Roth said it makes more sense to stay home when you’re sick, rather than going to work and infecting others. Hand washing and smart hygiene are recommended.
“It’s a bigger challenge for the company that’s been through this,” Roth said. “Our situational sense has been replaced and I don’t think it will change, at least for a while. “