Requested Actions
- Be aware, Washington State is currently experiencing a shortage of anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). Adhere to National Institutes of Health (NIH) guidelineson the use and prioritization of MAbs.
- Do not administer or prescribe Ivermectin for prevention or treatment of COVID-19. CDC issued a health alertabout the rapid increase in Ivermectin prescriptions and reports of severe illness associated with the use of Ivermectin to prevent or treat COVID-19. The evidence suggesting Ivermectin is safe or effective at treating or preventing COVID-19 is of very low- to low-certainty.
- Help families navigate the K-12 testing requirements to return to schoolfor students with COVID-19-like illness (CLI). Although rapid antigen tests are increasingly used for screening and quarantine, children with CLI still need a negative molecular test before returning to school. Over-the-counter antigen tests done at home do not meet the requirements.
Background: Monoclonal antibody shortage
A recent change in allocation policy and supply chain management of anti-SARS-CoV-2 MAbs has contributed to a supply shortage. We await further guidance from Washington State Department of Health (DOH) on how to prioritize and optimize use of the limited available supply. While we await guidance, prioritize administration of MAbs when available in accordance with NIH guidelines:
- Prioritize the treatment of COVID-19 over post-exposure prophylaxis of SARS-CoV-2 infection while these therapies are in short supply.
- Among fully vaccinated COVID-19 cases, limit use to those who are ≥70 years of age OR who are moderately-to-severely immunosuppressed.
- Among partially immunized or unimmunized COVID-19 cases, prioritize administration to the following groups:
- Older age (e.g., ≥65 years).
- Obesity (BMI ≥35 kg/m2, or if age 12-17, BMI ≥85thpercentile).
- Pregnancy
- Chronic kidney disease.
- Diabetes
- Immunosuppression
- Cardiovascular disease.
- Hypertension
- Chronic lung diseases.
- Sickle cell disease.
- Neurodevelopmental disorders.
- Complex genetic or metabolic syndromes.
- Severe congenital anomalies.
- Medical-related technological dependence.
- Administration within ≤7 days of onset offers the greatest yield in preventing severe disease.
DOH has not changed its clinical recommendations for monoclonal antibodies.
Monoclonal antibody treatment is available through EUA to people in Washington who are 12 years or older and weigh at least 39 kg and are at high risk for progressing to severe COVID-19 or hospitalization. Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-made proteins that bind to the spike protein of SARS-COV-2 and block the virus’ attachment and entry into human cells. Research demonstrating the benefits of monoclonal antibodies for treatment of COVID-19 is growing.
To order monoclonal antibodies, send your request form to mcm@doh.wa.gov on Wednesdays by 9 pm. Orders will be confirmed by DOH by the end of the week. Establish a WA HEALTH or HHSProtect (tele-tracking) account, in order to show a utilization history.
When supplies are no longer short, direct ordering of monoclonal antibodies will resume. For more information on this transition, visit the Public Health Emergency (PHE) website. We will provide more information as we learn more about this transition. Email the HHS Therapeutics Team at COVID19Therapeutics@hhs.gov for support during this transition.
During the COVID-19 public health emergency, Medicare will cover the cost of infusions. Healthcare providers administering monoclonal antibody products in Washington are required to follow the manufacturer and EUA guidance:
Additional information
- Monoclonal antibody playbooks (with updated post-exposure prophylaxis).
- Resources for clinicians.
- Administering monoclonal antibodies at your facility.
- Emergency use authorizations for monoclonal antibodies.
- Communication resources.
- COVID-19 treatment guidelines, NIH.
Background: COVID-19 testing IN SCHOOLS
As in-person learning resumes at schools, families need help navigating the K-12 testing requirements to return to school when a student has CLI. Although rapid antigen tests are increasingly used for screening and quarantine, children with CLI still need a negative molecular test before returning to school. Over-the-counter antigen tests done at home do not meet the requirements.
- If a person with COVID-19 symptoms tests negative for SARS-CoV-2 with a molecular test, they may return to school following existing school illness management policies as long as they are not a close contact of someone with COVID-19 and subject to quarantine.
-
- A DOH modified quarantine program called Test to Stay for in-school close contacts is being used by some schools.
- If a person with COVID-19 symptoms tests negative for SARS-CoV-2 with an antigen test, per CDC antigen testing guidance, a confirmatory lab-based molecular test is recommended.
Abbott Laboratories extended all BinaxNOW tests’ shelf life to 12 months. See Abbott’s BinaxNOW COVID-19 ag card product expiry update for new expiration dates by lot number.
Additional information
COVID-19 test supply shortage
The U.S. is experiencing a shortage of BinaxNOW antigen test kits, straining the entire testing system. DOH is working with the manufacturer, Abbott, and the federal government to increase the supply to Washington. However, supplies will likely remain low over the next month or two. If you need test kits, there are alternative options to BinaxNOW.
Abbott Laboratories extended all BinaxNOW tests’ shelf life to 12 months. See Abbott’s BinaxNOW COVID-19 ag card product expiry update for new expiration dates by lot number.
COVID-19 Test Processing
Labs report varying amounts of time to process COVID-19 tests. To support faster turnaround, we encourage providers to use in-state labs. The table below shows COVID-19 test processing times for in-state private labs.
| LAB | TIME TO PROCESS TEST | TESTS PROCESSED DAILY |
| FidaLab | 24-72 hours | 800-1,200 |
| Kaiser | 24-72 hours | 800-1,200 |
| LabCorp | 24-48 hours | Unknown |
| Northwest Pathology | 24-48 hours | 20,000 |
| Quest | 24-48 hours | 1,300 |
| UW Virology | 24-48 hours | 7,000-9,000 |
| Atlas Genomic | 24-48 hours | 10,000 |
Patient Education
Share the following materials with patients.
- What to do if you have COVID-19.
- What to do if you may have been exposed to COVID-19.
- What to do if you have COVID-19 symptoms and have not been tested or exposed.
- Testing Flyer
Additional Resources
- Our COVID-19 page for healthcare providers.
- Washington COVID-19 risk assessment dashboard.
- CDC guidance for healthcare providers and facilities.
- DOH COVID-19 data dashboard.
- DOH COVID-19 page.
- CDC COVID-19 page.
- SARS-CoV-2 sequencing and variants in Washington.
Contacting the Health Department
360-778-6100 Main Call Line – available M-F 8:30am to 4:30pm
360-715-2588 Afterhours Answering Service – available after 4:30pm and weekends
360-778-6150 Communicable Disease Report Line – 24 hours a day 7 days a week
360-778-6103 Confidential Communicable Disease Fax – 24 hours a day 7 days a week
1500 N State Street, Bellingham WA 98225