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07/01/25 Health Advisory: Screening guidance for Candida auris in light of new local cases
Summary: Upgrade screening and preparation for Candida auris. Two facilities in Seattle have known transmission of Candida auris (C. auris). We have limited information about how much transmission is occurring in Washington. We recommend that you: Early screening is critical for rapid identification so you can quickly implement infection control measures and prevent spread at your facility. Background As of…
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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…
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Needlestick Injury or Other Blood Exposure Procedures – Training Document
Needlestick Injury or Other Blood Exposure Procedure Purpose: Prevent transmission of bloodborne pathogens. Definition of substantial exposure to potentially infectious body fluids: Any percutaneous, mucosal, or non-intact skin contact with the blood or other potentially infectious bodily fluids of another person. In some instances, the Health Department may consider gross exposure of intact skin to…
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Update #11 & Interim Guidance on Outbreak of COVID-19
Emerging Diseases and Conditions, Health Advisory, News and Alerts, Notifiable Conditions, Novel Coronavirus, Provider ResourcesContact: Melissa Sixberry, Director of Disease Control 509-249-650 **Clinical leadership is expected to schedule time to review guidelines with staff** BACKGROUND In the United Kingdom and Europe, a possible link has been reported between COVID-19 and a serious inflammatory disease recently termed “Pediatric Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome Temporally Associated with COVID-19.” As of…
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Health Advisory: Update #10 & Interim Guidance on Outbreak of COVID-19
Emerging Diseases and Conditions, Health Advisory, News and Alerts, Notifiable Conditions, Novel Coronavirus, Provider ResourcesContact: Melissa Sixberry, Director of Disease Control 509-249-6509 **Clinical leadership is expected to schedule time to review guidelines with staff** REQUESTED ACTIONS Be aware that DOH’s new COVID-19 testing guidelines expand testing to all symptomatic and certain asymptomatic people Be aware that CDC guidelines now require 10 days before COVID-19 positive workers…
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North Mason Prevention Summit – Wednesday May 6th, 6:00pm
NORTH MASON PREVENTION SUMMIT All are welcome to join in! Wednesday, May 6, 2020 6:00-pm Virtual Presentation The Science of Alcohol and Cannabis: Highlights and What These Findings Mean for Prevention Featuring Dr. Jason Kilmer University of WA Associate Professor in Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences Dr. Jason Kilmer is an Associate Professor in Psychiatry and…
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Health Advisory: Update #9 & Interim Guidance on Outbreak of COVID-19
Emerging Diseases and Conditions, Health Advisory, Notifiable Conditions, Novel Coronavirus, Provider ResourcesContact: Melissa Sixberry, Director of Disease Control 509-249-6509 **Clinical leadership is expected to schedule time to review guidelines with staff** REQUESTED ACTIONS Be aware that DOH’s new COVID-19 testing guidelines expand testing to all symptomatic and certain asymptomatic people.See below for specifics. Become familiar with CDC’s instructions for collecting specimens and which…
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Health Advisory: Update #8 & Interim Guidance On Outbreak Of COVID-19
Emerging Diseases and Conditions, Health Advisory, Infection Control, News and Alerts, Notifiable Conditions, Novel Coronavirus, Provider ResourcesThis is an evolving situation. The guidance is subject to change frequently. Please ensure you are reviewing the information as it comes out. Contact: Melissa Sixberry, Director of Disease Control 509-249-6509 Requested Action: Review the below changes in sections: (1) Limit Risk of Exposure at Healthcare Facilities (2) PPE: Universal masking is now recommended in…
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Guidance for COVID-19 Infection Prevention in First Responders and Healthcare Workers
Testing Sites for First Responders and Healthcare Workers Only
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Health Advisory: Update #7 & Interim Guidance on Outbreak of COVID-19
Emerging Diseases and Conditions, Health Advisory, Infection Control, News and Alerts, Notifiable Conditions, Novel Coronavirus, Provider ResourcesThis is an evolving situation. The guidance is subject to change frequently. Please ensure you are reviewing the information as it comes out. Contact: Melissa Sixberry, Director of Disease Control 509-249-6509 Requested Action: Review the below changes in recommendations regarding liberalized testing for individuals symptomatic for COVID-19 illness, and regarding prioritized testing for symptomatic close…
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Health Advisory: Update #6 & Interim Guidance on Outbreak of COVID-19
Emerging Diseases and Conditions, Health Advisory, Infection Control, News and Alerts, Notifiable Conditions, Novel CoronavirusThis is an evolving situation. The guidance is subject to change frequently. Please ensure you are reviewing the information as it comes out. Contact: Melissa Sixberry, Director of Disease Control 509-249-6509 Requested Action: Be aware of current guidance from CDC and WA-DOH for COVID-19 including PPE, isolation, quarantine, and testing PPE – Personal Protective Equipment…
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Health Advisory: Update #5 & Interim Guidance on Outbreak of COVID-19
Emerging Diseases and Conditions, Health Advisory, Infection Control, News and Alerts, Notifiable Conditions, Provider ResourcesThis is an evolving situation. The guidance is subject to change frequently. Please ensure you are reviewing the information as it comes out. For immediate release: March 11, 2020 Contact: Melissa Sixberry, Director of Disease Control 509-249-6509 Washington state is responding to an outbreak of COVID-19. As of this morning there are 366 confirmed cases…
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Health Advisory: Update #4 & Interim Guidance on Outbreak of COVID-19
Emerging Diseases and Conditions, Health Advisory, Infection Control, News and Alerts, Notifiable Conditions, Novel Coronavirus, Provider ResourcesThis is an evolving situation. The guidance is subject to change frequently. Please ensure you are reviewing the information as it comes out. Washington state is responding to an outbreak of COVID-19. As of this morning there are 102 confirmed cases in Washington State. Currently, there are no confirmed cases in Yakima County. This alert…