Health Officer Order for Reporting Hospitalizations and Deaths Due to RSV, COVID-19, and Influenza

| September 26, 2024
A doctors jacket with a stethoscope.

DATE: September 26, 2024

TO: Health care providers, health care facilities, medical examiners, and coroner’s office

FROM: Neil Barg, MD, Health Officer

RE: Health Officer Order for Reporting Hospitalizations and Deaths Due to RSV, COVID-19, and Influenza

Pursuant to WAC 246-101-505 Effective Date: October 1, 2024

Authority

Under the authority granted to the Local Health Officer pursuant to RCW 70.05.070 and WAC 246-101-505, which governs the reporting of notifiable conditions, this Health Officer Order mandates the reporting of all hospitalizations and deaths due to Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), and Influenza in Yakima County.

Purpose

This order is issued to ensure timely and accurate reporting of serious respiratory illnesses, specifically RSV, COVID-19, and Influenza, which pose a significant risk to public health. The data collected will support the ongoing monitoring of these diseases, guide public health interventions, and prevent the spread of these serious infections within the community.

Reporting Requirements

1.      Who Must Report:

  • Health care providers, health care facilities, medical examiners, and coroners are required to report all hospitalizations and deaths related to RSV, COVID-19, and Influenza.

2.      What Must Be Reported:

  • Hospitalizations: Any individual admitted to a hospital with a diagnosis of RSV, COVID-19, or Influenza, confirmed by appropriate laboratory testing.
    • Deaths: Any death where RSV, COVID-19, or Influenza is a confirmed or suspected cause, as indicated by medical records, laboratory tests, or post-mortem findings.

3.      Reporting Timeline:

  • All hospitalizations and deaths must be reported within 72 hours of diagnosis or identification.

4.      Reporting Method:

  • Reports, patient’s name, DOB, and admission date, should be faxed to the Yakima Health District at (509)381-3526.

Definitions

  • RSV: Respiratory Syncytial Virus, a common virus that causes respiratory infections, particularly severe in infants and the elderly.
  • COVID-19: Coronavirus Disease 2019, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, responsible for respiratory illness.
  • Influenza: A viral infection that attacks the respiratory system, commonly referred to as the flu.

Duration of the Order

This order will remain in effect until further notice. The Health Officer will regularly review the necessity of this order and may amend or revoke it based on public health conditions.

Conclusion

The reporting of hospitalizations and deaths due to RSV, COVID-19, and Influenza is essential for public health monitoring and response. The cooperation of all healthcare providers and facilities is critical in controlling the spread of these diseases and protecting the health of our community.

Neil Barg, MD, Health Officer

Contact Information for Reporting:

Yakima Health District

Confidential Fax: (509)381-3526

Confidential Reporting Line: 509-249-6541