 County Health Department offers guidance on end of Public Health Emergency
PIMA COUNTY, May 10, 2023 - The Biden Administration is ending the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) on May 11. Here’s what the Pima County Health Department wants members of the public to know:
Just because the COVID-19 PHE is ending, DOES NOT mean COVID-19 is over.
Even though COVID-19 metrics are trending downward, older adults, immunocompromised individuals, and people with underlying medical conditions remain especially vulnerable. Pima County Health Department’s key recommendations stay the same:
- Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and boosters
- Get tested if you have symptoms or if you were exposed to COVID-19
- Stay home if you’re sick
COVID-19 vaccines will still be available and free.
The availability, access, and costs of COVID-19 vaccines, including boosters, are determined by the supply of federally purchased vaccines, not the PHE. As long as the federal government’s supply of vaccines lasts, COVID-19 vaccines will remain free to all people, regardless of insurance coverage.
Learn more: pima.gov/covid19vaccine
COVID-19 at-home tests will still be available, but they might not be free.
Insurance providers will no longer be required to cover costs or provide free COVID-19 tests. Access to and cost of testing will vary on whether individuals have public, private, or no health insurance.
- People with Medicaid coverage will have no costs for tests through Sept. 2024.
- For others, with or without coverage, test costs will be determined by individual providers.
Pima County Health Department still has free at-home tests available at libraries, PCHD clinics, and events as supply lasts.
Learn more: pima.gov/covid19testing
COVID-19 treatments purchased by the federal government will still be available and free.
COVID-19 treatments purchased by the federal government, such as Paxlovid, will continue to be free to the public, regardless of insurance coverage. After supply runs out, the price will be determined by the medication manufacturer and your health insurance coverage.
An electronic prescription for COVID-19 treatment is available for FREE from the health department. Call 520-724-7895 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Learn more: pima.gov/covid19treatment
National reporting of COVID-19 data will change.
The CDC will stop reporting its color-coded COVID-19 Community Levels as a way to track the spread of the infection due to limited ability to collect and share certain data. Weekly COVID-19 hospital admission levels and the percentage of all COVID-19–associated deaths will be the primary sources for tracking.
Pima County Health Department will remain dedicated to monitoring available data sources to guide prevention efforts and update local COVID-19 data reports.
Learn more: pima.gov/cv19data
Media Contact: HealthCommunications@pima.gov
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