Covid-19 in 2023: It's Still Here in American Samoa

 Two weeks ago, we received news that Alliance Staff had diagnosed positive for Covid-19.  It has been over a year and half since that happened, and my mind reeled, that Covid was still here in American Samoa. I immediately reviewed our policies and notified our Board.  Our policies require staff to work remotely for two weeks, and we all were to be tested.  Upon review, it is important to note CDC guidelines have changed.
CDC guidelines show as of May 11, 2023, the federal Covid-19 PHE ended.  This means CDC’s authorization to collect data will end. Vaccines continue to remain available, but certain covid-19 at home tests may not be covered by insurance, treatments will remain available, but national reporting of Covid-19 may change. Isolation and Precautions for People with COVID-19 have changed.  When you visit the CDC page you can find a tool that will help to determine if you need to isolate or take other steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The information and what we had in our current Policies and Procedures needed to be changed.  CDC has provided instructions on isolation, and count days, whether you had symptoms or did not have symptoms.  You are reminded to isolate at least five (5) days, not the 14 days we use in our policies. There are also recommendations on what to do if you have no symptoms, and are fever free, as well as when to remove your mask.
It is imperative that we all stay current in our information.  As Covid-19 is still on our island, but and staying current can help us to get better sooner.
To learn more visit:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/isolation.html

This article is funded through the Family Violence Prevention Services Administration American Response Program Treatment & Mitigation Grant. To read more press here.