News Flash

COVID-19 Data Update

Summary

Taken together, these data suggest that COVID-19 transmission is increasing in the community and that an increasing proportion of emergency department visits and hospital admissions for febrile respiratory disease over the past several weeks are attributable to COVID-19.  While long-term care residents and staff, other health care workers, and close contacts to known confirmed cases of COVID-19 are associated with increased risk of acquisition, most cases have no identifiable risk factor other than living in the community. Given that cases counted this week reflect transmission that occurred 1-2 weeks ago, it is still too soon to assess the extent to which recently implement social distancing measures have reduced transmission.  

Requested Actions:

• Hospitals should report COVID-19 cases to SHD by faxing patient information (including lab) to 425-339-8706.
• Be aware of updated guidance on 
  • return of hospitalized COVID-19 patients to long-term care
    https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/1600/coronavirus/InterimGuidanceLong-TermCareAdmittingResidentwithCOVID-19FromHospital.pdf
  • infection prevention for outpatient hemodialysis centers
    https://www.snohd.org/DocumentCenter/View/3562/COVID-19-Kidney-Centers-Final-SHD-202003123?bidId=
• Consider registering for the NIOSH-sponsored PPE conservation webinar, Reuse and  Decontamination of N95 Respirators. https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_WFaVzJ4XSE6UV8uTL0nCWA
• Deliver clear and consistent messaging with patients and community members regarding isolation, quarantine and adherence to social distancing recommendations and requirements. Your support in public health directives and education can make a difference.
  https://www.snohd.org/500/Info-for-people-with-COVID-19
  Stay Home, Stay Healthy proclamation
  https://coronavirus.wa.gov/whats-open-and-closed/essential-business

Background: 

Updated guidelines for return of patients to long-term care from the hospital:

• Acute care facilities are experiencing heavy volumes and limited bed availability.
• Hospitalization and use of inpatient resources must be reserved for severely ill patients.
• COVID-19 cases who are being discharged from acute care settings can and should be safely managed in the long-term care facility they originated from.  
• Release from droplet precautions should not be used a criterion for return to long-term care.
• https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/1600/coronavirus/InterimGuidanceLong-TermCareAdmittingResidentwithCOVID-19FromHospital.pdf

Interim COVID-19 Guidance for Outpatient Kidney Centers

• Acute care facilities are experiencing heavy volumes and limited bed availability.
• Hospitalization and use of inpatient resources must be reserved for severely ill patients.
• COVID-19 contacts and cases with end-stage renal disease who do not require inpatient acute care services or who are being discharged from acute care settings can and should be safely managed in routine outpatient kidney center settings.
• Return to outpatient hemodialysis should not require that the patient be already released from isolation
• Guidance for Kidney Centers document

COVID-19: Protecting Health Care Workers – Reuse and Decontamination of N95 Respirators

• April 3, 2020 12:00 PM EDT
• In this webinar, the speakers will review studies and guidance on decontamination of various types of respiratory protection and covering a respirator with a surgical mask. The presentations will be followed by live, moderated Q&A.
• To register visit: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_WFaVzJ4XSE6UV8uTL0nCWA

Other Resources:

• DOH website: https://www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/Coronavirus
• CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
• Infection control: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/infection-control/index.html 
• Long term care: https://www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/NovelCoronavirusOutbreak2020COVID19/LongTermCareFacilities