Stephanie Badillo-Sanchez

COVID-19 Guidelines for Long-Term Care Facilities

Woman in blue scrubs with red stethoscope around her neck

Requested Actions Be aware, following COVID-19 guidelines for long-term care facilities will help minimize the spread of COVID-19 and protect residents and staff. All staff and visitors should be screened upon entry to the facility, provided a mask, hand hygiene performed, and information logged. Keep sign-in sheets for at least 30 days. Clean and disinfect COVID-19 Guidelines for Long-Term Care Facilities

Health Advisory: CDC endorses second booster dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine for certain groups

Requested Actions Be aware, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup endorsed Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) emergency use authorization (EUA) of a second booster dose of Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for specific groups. The EUA allows: A second booster dose of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at least Health Advisory: CDC endorses second booster dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine for certain groups

FDA Issued Emergency Use Authorization for Pfizer’s Paxlovid

Requested Actions Be aware, the S. Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for Pfizer’s Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir tablets and ritonavir tablets, co-packaged for oral use) for treatment of mild-to-moderate coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in adults and pediatric patients (12 years of age and older weighing at least 40 kilograms or about 88 pounds) FDA Issued Emergency Use Authorization for Pfizer’s Paxlovid

Health Advisory: Increase in Syphilis Cases in Yakima County

Requested Actions Be aware, Yakima County reported a 326% increase in syphilis cases in 2021 compared to 2020. Optimize syphilis surveillance in pregnancy to reduce the risk of congenital syphilis. Test all women in the first trimester or at presentation to care if presenting after the first trimester Test all high-risk women again in the Health Advisory: Increase in Syphilis Cases in Yakima County

Urgent Notice: New Communicable Disease Fax Line

desk with keyboard, pen, notepad and stethoscope

The Communicable Disease department at the Yakima Health District has a new fax line to report notifiable conditions and communicable diseases. The new fax line is (509) 381-3526. The Yakima Health District investigates approximately 100 communicable diseases and conditions that are reportable to the local health jurisdiction. To report a notifiable condition, use the Notifiable Urgent Notice: New Communicable Disease Fax Line

Uninsured Care Expansion Grant and Patient Resources for Individuals Experiencing Long COVID-19

desk with keyboard, pen, notepad and stethoscope

Requested Actions Be aware the Health Care Authority (HCA) has received $35 million in federal resources for the provision of health care services for uninsured and underinsured individuals under 200 percent of the federal poverty level, regardless of immigration status. Be aware the University of Washington Medicine has a Post-COVID-19 Rehabilitation and Recovery clinic to Uninsured Care Expansion Grant and Patient Resources for Individuals Experiencing Long COVID-19

Health Advisory: COVID-19 Isolation and Quarantine Update

01/05/2022 Requested actions Be aware the CDC has indicated the guidance released last week was intended for the general public, and they will be releasing additional I&Q guidance for some congregant settings soon. Be aware WA DOH recommends that people staying, working/learning in the following settings continue to follow existing DOH and CDC guidance until Health Advisory: COVID-19 Isolation and Quarantine Update

Ivermectin Should Not Be Used To Prevent or Treat COVID-19

doctor writing on chart

August 26, 2021 The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) warns people should not take ivermectin to prevent or treat COVID-19, following today’s Health Alert Network advisory released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Ivermectin is an antiparasitic drug used commonly in humans and animals. Although it is approved by the U.S. Food and Ivermectin Should Not Be Used To Prevent or Treat COVID-19

COVID-19 Vaccine Initiative Event With Gov. Inslee And Dr. Shah, Friday July 16

Closed metal laptop and white mouse sitting on top of a desk. Reading glasses on top of the computer.

July 15, 2021 Governor Jay Inslee, Secretary of Health Umair A. Shah, and the Washington State Department of Health are inviting all health care providers in the state to a virtual meeting on Friday, July 16th, from 7:30a.m. to 8:00a.m. The governor and the secretary will share the new Power of Providers initiative around COVID-19 COVID-19 Vaccine Initiative Event With Gov. Inslee And Dr. Shah, Friday July 16