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2/28/25 Health Advisory: Measles Case in King County
Background Public Health – Seattle & King County was notified on February 26, 2025 of a confirmed measles case in a King County infant. The infant may have been exposed to measles during recent travel abroad. Exposed individuals should check to make sure they have been vaccinated against measles. Anyone who was at the following…
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8/6/20 Health Advisory: Immunizations and COVID-19 Updates for Providers
Communicable Disease and Immunization Update, COVID-19, Health Advisory, Immunizations, News and Alerts, Provider Resources, SchoolsAugust 6, 2020 Requested actions Start planning for school-related immunizations. 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…
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7/24/20: Health Advisory – COVID-19 Updates for Providers
Published July 24, 2020. Requested actions Be aware CDC updated its COVID-19 isolation duration guidance. Test all patients with new onset of COVID-19 symptoms, regardless of age or health status. Background Last week, CDC updated its guidance on the discontinuation of transmission-based precautions and disposition of patients with COVID-19 in healthcare settings. DOH updated its patient education to reflect…
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TB Screening For Healthcare Personnel – Updated CDC Guidelines
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 expanded…
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7/17/20: Health Advisory – COVID-19 Updates for Providers
COVID-19 Surveillance and Reporting All lab-confirmed COVID-19 infections are reported to the Washington Disease Reporting System whether tested through public health or commercial labs. Whatcom County Health Department then receives and reports the test results. Fax the COVID-19 Report Form to 360-778-6103 or you can leave us a non-urgent confidential report on our 24-hour Communicable…
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TB Screening for Healthcare Personnel – Updated CDC Guidelines
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…
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6/15/20: WCHD Health Alert COVID-19 Update – COVID-19 associated with recent large gatherings
June 15, 2020 Whatcom County Health Department Communicable Disease & Epidemiology Division COVID-19 associated with recent large gatherings At least 15 COVID-19 cases have been diagnosed in Whatcom County over the past week linked to several large gatherings around Memorial Day and the first week of June, with secondary spread within households, among close friends,…
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5/31/20: WCHD Health Alert COVID-19 Update – COVID-19 Reporting and Testing Update
[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column_text]May 31, 2020 Whatcom County Health Department Communicable Disease & Epidemiology Division Update on COVID-19 Reporting and Testing Requested actions: Report all…
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5/16/20 WCHD Influenza Report
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…
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5/2/20 WCHD Influenza Report
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…
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5/01/20: WCHD Health Alert COVID-19 Update – COVID-19 Testing Update
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,…
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3/28/20 WCHD Health Alert: COVID-19 Update
Outdated Content – please see most recent alerts. Whatcom County Health Department Communicable Disease & Epidemiology Division Practice Advisory for Community Testing: Whatcom County Health Department has expanded a drive-through testing site for COVID-19 and is accepting referrals from local providers at its State Street office on a scheduled basis. We have partnered with Northwest…
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Infection Control: Resources and links
Infection Control: Resources and Links – Guide to infection prevention for outpatient settings—Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Guideline for disinfection and sterilization in healthcare facilities—CDC Guidelines for environmental infection control in healthcare facilities —CDC Guideline for hand hygiene in healthcare settings —CDC Guideline for isolation precautions—CDC Guideline for the prevention of surgical site…