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Health Advisory: Evaluating and Managing Patients Exposed to Birds and Other Animals (Cattle) Infected with Avian Influenza A Viruses of Public Health Concern
Requested Actions Background Avian influenza A viruses circulate among wild aquatic birds worldwide and can infect domestic poultry and other bird and animal species to cause disease referred to as avian influenza. Some avian influenza A viruses have caused rare, sporadic infections in people, resulting in human illness ranging from mild to severe respiratory disease. People who are…
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12/12/20 – Health Advisory: COVID-19 Updates for Providers
Requested actions Be aware, Governor Inslee extended proclamations 20-05 and 20-24 prohibiting certain medical and dental procedures. All Western Washington healthcare facilities should operate in a contingency care phase—provide appropriate clinical care so long as access to PPE is sufficient and, for hospitals, surge capacity is at least 20%. Be aware, due to rapidly increasing COVID-19 cases across…
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12/3/20 Provider Alert: CDC Updates COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation Guidelines and Influenza Testing
Emerging Diseases and Conditions, Health Advisory, Influenza, Notifiable Conditions, Novel Coronavirus**Clinical leadership is expected to schedule time to review guidelines with staff** Requested Actions Be aware CDC issued new guidelines to reduce quarantine for people who have been exposed to COVID-19 Ensure to continue to test for influenza when suspected Recommend influenza vaccine to all eligible people older than 6 months. Continue to counsel patients…
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12/2/20 Health Advisory: COVID-19 updates for providers
Emerging Diseases and Conditions, Health Advisory, Immunizations, Infection Control, News and Alerts, Notifiable Conditions, Novel Coronavirus, Provider ResourcesHealth Advisory: COVID-19 updates for providers Requested actions Be aware, because of the rapidly increasing cases across the state, heightened restrictions continue through Dec. 14. Counsel patients on how to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Test patients with new COVID-19 symptoms and those who had close contact with a person with COVID-19. Be aware, an increased demand for…
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Provider Alert 10/19/2020: State updates return to school guidance for COVID-19 cases, HIV clusters & Outbreaks, Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Adults (MIS-A)
Health Advisory, HIV & STDs, Infection Control, News and Alerts, Novel Coronavirus, Provider Resources, SchoolsOctober 19, 2020 Requested Actions Review updated guidance from The Washington State Department of Health (DOH)for allowing children to return to school or childcare and school staff to return to work following a positive COVID-19 symptom screening, as it pertains to potential impact on primary care and other healthcare providers. Be aware CDC issued…
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First Confirmed Case of West Nile Virus in Yakima County
First confirmed case of West Nile Virus reported in Yakima County Requested Actions Be aware that West Nile Virus (WNV) has been detected in mosquitos in Yakima, Benton, and Franklin counties. Yakima County has reported the first human case of WNV in Washington this year. Be aware of signs and symptoms of WNV infection. Fax…
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Situation Update 9/03/2020
Situation Update 09/03/2020 Contact: Melissa Sixberry, Director of Disease Control 509-249-6509 Requested actions No community-based testing will be occurring for the next three weeks. Providers urged to increase COVID-19 testing capacity to support additional people seeking testing. Reduce barriers to testing such as scheduling appointments several days out, or requiring symptoms to get tested, etc.…
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8/28/2020 Health Advisory: Influenza and COVID-19 Updates for Providers
Health Advisory, Influenza, Influenza Update, News and Alerts, Novel Coronavirus, Provider ResourcesRequested actions Be aware CDC released new guidance on preventing influenza with vaccines during the 2020-2021 season. Reinforce masking and social distancing recommendations with patients. DOH survey of Yakima County residents who have utilized community testing locations show that 76% trust their doctor to inform them about COVID-19 recommendations. Washington State Department of Health guidance has…
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8/24/20 Health Advisory: Immunization Updates for Providers
Requested actions Support families in meeting school and childcare-related immunization requirements. Be aware of the State Board of Health immunization rule change. Anticipate increased requests and demand. Be aware of the new guidelines regarding Tdap in schools. Provide students with medically verified immunization records for schools. Students must have their records by the first day of school. Follow CDC guidance to…
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8/4/20 – Health Advisory: COVID-19 Updates for Providers
Health Advisory, News and Alerts, Notifiable Conditions, Novel Coronavirus, Provider Resources, UncategorizedRequested actions Be aware CDC updated its COVID-19 isolation duration guidance. Test all patients with new onset of COVID-19 symptoms as well as close contacts to confirmed cases, regardless of age or health status. Testing should be completed within 24 hours of symptom onset. Ensure your facility is able to provide COVID-19 testing to your patients…
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Update #14: Interim COVID-19 Guidance
**Clinical leadership is expected to schedule time to review guidelines with staff** Requested Actions Be aware Washington State Department of Health (DOH) updated its COVID-19 testing guidance. Test all patients with COVID-19 symptoms and asymptomatic people from a priority population including close contacts of confirmed cases (see details below). Be aware of additional laboratories that can…
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7/7/20 – Health Advisory: COVID-19 Updates for Providers
Emerging Diseases and Conditions, Health Advisory, Infection Control, News and Alerts, Notifiable Conditions, Novel Coronavirus, Provider ResourcesRequested actions Be aware Washington State Department of Health (DOH) updated its COVID-19 testing guidance. Test all patients with COVID-19 symptoms. Test asymptomatic people from a priority population (see details below). Reporting Providers must fax positive lab results with demographic information to 509-249-6628. Background Last week, DOH updated its COVID-19 testing guidance for healthcare providers. The updates include:…
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Update #12 & Interim Guidance on Outbreak of COVID-19
Health Advisory, Infection Control, News and Alerts, Notifiable Conditions, Novel Coronavirus, Provider Resources**Clinical leadership is expected to schedule time to review guidelines with staff** Test all patients with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 Healthcare providers should test all patients with new onset of symptoms consistent with COVID-19, regardless of their age of health status. COVID-19 patients may present with: Cough or Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing OR…