HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) is in general agreement with today’s updated COVID-19 guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
DOH continuously reviews data on respiratory pathogens, including the virus that causes COVID-19.The new guidelines reflect the current level of risk, while still protecting the most vulnerable.
The advisement eases some restrictions and more closely aligns COVID-19 with the broader category of respiratory viruses, which include influenza and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus).The trend in Hawai‘i is similar to that nationally, in which significant declines in COVID-19 hospitalizations and mortality have been associated with the high degree of population immunity, availability of vaccinations, and access to treatment.
As the threat from COVID-19 more closely resembles other common respiratory viruses, CDC is issuing Respiratory Virus Guidance, rather than additional virus-specific guidance.