Whatcom County

1/25/23 Measles Activity in Washington State

Background Local public health officials in King County are investigating a confirmed measles case in a King County resident, an adult female. The individual was at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and Providence Swedish First Hill while infectious. Anyone who was at these locations within the time span that this person passed through may have been exposed to 1/25/23 Measles Activity in Washington State

11/16/22 Health Advisory: Increased Pertussis Activity

Background: Whatcom County is experiencing an increase in pertussis (whooping cough) activity. We are asking providers to consider pertussis in the differential for patients with a respiratory tract infection and a known pertussis exposure and/or for patients with paroxysmal cough. IDENTIFY Symptoms usually develop within 7-10 days after exposure but onset can range from 5-21 11/16/22 Health Advisory: Increased Pertussis Activity

WCHD Provider Advisory: Secretary of Health Mask order for Healthcare Settings continues

Be Aware The Statewide Face Covering Order issues by the Washington State Secretary of Health will remain in place for health care and long term-care settings as well as correctional facilities after the state of emergency ends Oct 31. Background Order 20-03.9 requires face masks in health care and long-term care settings regardless of the county’s WCHD Provider Advisory: Secretary of Health Mask order for Healthcare Settings continues

4.1.22 WCHD Provider Advisory~ COVID Therapeutics

Requested Actions Be aware, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup have endorsed the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) emergency use authorization of a second booster dose of either the Pfizer-BioNTech (Pfizer) or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for specific groups. These second boosters are particularly important for people 4.1.22 WCHD Provider Advisory~ COVID Therapeutics

Provider Alert: DOH Delayed in processing reports from Clinical Laboratories

Action requested:• Be aware of a delay since Tuesday 7/27/21 of DOH processing reports from clinical laboratories and routing these to local health departments.• Call the WCHD 24-hour Communicable Disease Report Line (360-778-6150) to notify the health department of new COVID-19 and other reportable conditions this weekend.• Local laboratories should call the CD report line Provider Alert: DOH Delayed in processing reports from Clinical Laboratories

12/28/20 Provider Advisory: Proclamations 20-05 and 20-24 prohibit certain medical and dental procedures unless specific procedures and criteria are met

Man in blue scrubs with a clipboard

Notice: This document replaces the WCHD Health Alert of the same name that was posted 12/24/20. Requested Actions Be aware, Governor Inslee extended proclamations 20-05 and 20-24 prohibiting certain medical and dental procedures unless certain specific procedures and criteria are met. All Western Washington healthcare facilities should operate in a contingency care phase—provide appropriate clinical care so 12/28/20 Provider Advisory: Proclamations 20-05 and 20-24 prohibit certain medical and dental procedures unless specific procedures and criteria are met

TB Screening for Healthcare Personnel – Updated CDC Guidelines

stethoscope around lungs with medical chart

CDC updated its guidelines for TB screening among healthcare personnel in 2019. Here’s what you need to know: *A companion document to these recommendations was put out in July 2020 by a task force comprised of the National Tuberculosis Controllers Association and the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. In it you will find TB Screening for Healthcare Personnel – Updated CDC Guidelines

5/16/20 WCHD Influenza Report

needle inserted into vaccine vial

Whatcom County 2019-20 Influenza Report Weeks 19-20: May 3-16, 2020   Click here for the full Influenza Report for 2019-20 Weeks 19-20. Summary The current 2019 Novel Coronavirus Outbreak (COVID-19) has likely impacted data. During weeks 19-20 there were no positive influenza tests reported by Family Care Network, PeaceHealth Medical Group Pediatric Clinic, or Sea 5/16/20 WCHD Influenza Report

5/2/20 WCHD Influenza Report

doctors gathering around charts

Whatcom County 2019-20 Influenza Report Weeks 17-18, April 19-May 2, 2020   Click here for the full Influenza Report for 2019-20 Weeks 17-18. Summary: The current 2019 Novel Coronavirus Outbreak (COVID-19) has likely impacted data. During weeks 17-18 there were no positive influenza tests reported by Family Care Network, PeaceHealth Medical Group Pediatric Clinic, or 5/2/20 WCHD Influenza Report

5/01/20: WCHD Health Alert COVID-19 Update – COVID-19 Testing Update

medical professional working on a computer

Outdated Content – please see most recent alerts. Whatcom County Health Department Communicable Disease & Epidemiology Division Update on COVID-19 testing Requested actions: Test all patients with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 regardless of age or health status. COVID-19 can present with symptoms other than cough or dyspnea and may include fever, chills, rigors, myalgia, headache, 5/01/20: WCHD Health Alert COVID-19 Update – COVID-19 Testing Update