Health Update: COVID-19 Outbreak
Grays Harbor County Public Health & Social Services Department
Updated PPE Recommendations/New Testing Guidance
As of March 16, 2020 – New updated interim infection prevention and control recommendations for patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 in Health care setting can be located at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/infection-control/control-recommendations.html
Highlights include:
· Facemasks are an acceptable alternative when the supply chain of respirators cannot meet the demand
· Facemasks protect the wearer from splashes and sprays
· Respirators which filter inspired air, offer respiratory protection
· Eye protection, gown, and gloves continue to be recommended
Grays Harbor County Health Officer, Dr. Bausher, will not order quarantine of first responders and health care professionals caring for persons known to be infected with COVID-19 if they have practiced standard use of PPE and procedures to limit the spread of respiratory illnesses.
COVID-19 Testing Information for Health Care Providers
There are currently no restrictions on who can be tested for COVID-19 and commercial testing is becoming more available. Healthcare providers may test any patient with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 (e.g., fever, cough, shortness of breath) but until testing supplies and laboratory capacity are widely available, public health is asking providers to follow the below recommendations.
The following patients with COVID-19 symptoms should be tested for COVID-19:
· Patients hospitalized with severe lower respiratory illness
· Staff that work in any setting where healthcare services are delivered (e.g., clinics, hospitals, behavioral health care clinics).
· Patients in other public safety occupations (e.g., law enforcement, fire fighter, EMS)
· Patients who live or work in in an institutional setting (e.g., corrections, long term care facility, homeless/shelters)
The following patients with COVID-19 symptoms should contact their healthcare provider and be tested for COVID-19 if their symptoms worsen or their healthcare provider recommends testing:
· Patients older than 60 years
· Patients with underlying medical conditions
· Pregnant women
Younger, healthy individuals with mild illness do not need to be tested and testing is not recommended in persons who are asymptomatic. A negative test result does not rule out an infection.
Many commercial labs are testing for COVID-19 and more are being added. Please see each laboratory’s test menu for specimen collection instructions, submission forms, and shipping requirements. As of 3/16/20, the following labs are providing testing. Many more labs will become available as FDA approves testing facilities.
· University of Washington Virology Lab
· Laboratory Corporation of America
· Quest Diagnositcs
· Virginia Mason Medical Center
Testing at the Public Health Laboratories
Specimens from the following patients only can be sent to the Washington State Public Health Laboratories:
· Healthcare workers
· Patients in other public safety occupations (e.g., law enforcement, fire fighter, EMS)
· Patients involved in an illness cluster in a facility or group (e.g., healthcare, school, corrections, business)
· Patients with no health insurance
If seeking testing at the Public Health Laboratories, call Grays Harbor Public Health with the above information to discuss the case. If possible, please call 8 AM – 4:30 PM. Public Health Lab will fax its results to the submitter and Grays Harbor Public Health.
Additional information
· Washington State Department of Health: https://www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/NovelCoronavirusOutbreak2020/HealthcareProviders
· CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/guidance-hcp.html
· WA State Department of Health - Healthcare Provider Resources and Recommendations: https://www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/NovelCoronavirusOutbreak2020/HealthcareProviders