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1/16/26 Health Update: Measles Outbreak Declared in Snohomish County
Advisory or Update, Health Advisory, Measles, News and Update, Notifiable Conditions, Provider ResourcesAdditional measles cases confirmed in Snohomish County. See Snohomish County Health Department’s latest announcement here. All known public exposure locations are listed on the measles map tracker. Requested Actions for Healthcare Providers Immediately report suspected measles cases Remain alert for measles in patients presenting with: Consider proactive measures to protect patients and staff in your…
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Health Advisory: Influenza Updates for Providers
Published Aug. 27, 2020 Requested actions Be aware CDC released new guidance on preventing influenza with vaccines during the 2020-2021 season. Background On Aug. 21, CDC released recommendations for immunization practices of seasonal influenza during the 2020-2021 season. Given the concurrent COVID-19 pandemic, widespread use of Influenza vaccine is more important than ever.. In addition…
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8/13/20 Health Advisory: COVID-19 Updates for Providers
Published by DOH Aug. 11, 2020. Requested actions Be aware Washington State Board of Health adopted an emergency rule on COVID-19 notification and reporting. Be aware of Washington State Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS’) Safe Start for Long-Term Care (LTC) recommendations and requirements for: Nursing homes and intermediate care facilities for people with…
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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,…