UW Medicine’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) reports on our ability to maintain normal operations using a scale from “monitoring” to “high level of activation” based on information about community transmission rates, hospital admissions, staffing capacity, space availability, PPE supplies and other impacts on the health system.
This update provides a quick look at some of the key data used by the EOC to determine UW Medicine’s current level of activation. For more detailed information, you can review the EOC’s situation status reports.
EOC Level of Activation
April 26, 2022: The EOC is at a Low-Mid Level of Activation based on current numbers for COVID-19 admissions and community transmission. COVID-19 patients represent 1.76% of hospital admissions. UW Medicine hospitals are caring for 21 patients with COVID-19. As of yesterday, 248 employees were on leave due to COVID-19 isolation and quarantine.
UW Medicine COVID-19 Inpatients
Daily Capacity Data Report
The Daily Capacity Data Report shows the total occupancy and the number of COVID-19 patients at each hospital.
King County and Washington State Epidemiology
King County: Public Health – Seattle & King County is reporting 391,840 cases and 2,733 deaths as of April 25. The number of new cases over the last seven days is currently at 216.9 per 100,000 people.
Washington: The Department of Health reports 1,489,316 total cases and 12,668 deaths as of April 24.
EOC Priorities
Quarantine and Isolation Policy (New): UW Medicine has returned to contingency status for staffing due to the number of healthcare workers who are currently in quarantine due to exposure or in isolation due to infection. As a result, Employee Health teams have moved to the CDC contingency level for isolation, shortening the standard 10 days to 5 days with improved symptoms and no fever. See the updated policy for details.
Respirator Use Policy (Continuing): All healthcare workers in UW Medicine clinical facilities (including shared office spaces) are required to wear respirators (N95, PAPR, or CAPR) in place of medical masks. This requirement has been reinstated due to the higher rates of COVID-19 transmission in King County and the increasing number of employees who are in isolation and quarantine for COVID-19 infection or exposure. It will be in effect while needed for the safety of staff, patients and visitors. See the policy for details.
Community Transmission Rates (Continuing): The EOC is monitoring transmission rates for potential impacts on hospitalizations. The number of COVID-19 inpatients, while still low, has increased over the past couple of weeks. The seven-day rate of new cases per 100,000 people in King County has increased from 50.5 on March 21 to 216.9 today.
COVID-19 Therapeutics (Continuing): UW Medicine is assessing demand and adjusting capacity for COVID-19 therapeutics. A self-attestation process has been implemented for eligible patients to request an appointment for Evusheld, a monoclonal antibody therapy for pre-exposure prevention. Workflows are being developed to proactively educate patients about oral antivirals and how eligible patients and healthcare workers can access them following a COVID-19 diagnosis. Providers, watch the COVID-19 therapeutics webinar recording for more information on oral antivirals and IV therapies for COVID-19 and UW Medicine resources.
Stay Informed
Employee News:
- Provider Webinar Recording: COVID-19 Therapeutics (April 25)
- Dr. John Lynch COVID-19 Update (April 21)
In the Media:
- UW Medicine-developed COVID vaccine effective in test, Drs. Neil King and David Veesler, Biochemistry, UW Medicine Newsroom
- Ethicists appeal for a more global COVID-19 care model, Dr. Nancy Jecker, Bioethics and Humanities, UW Medicine Newsroom
- COVID shots still work but researchers hunt new improvements, Dr. Beth Bell, Global Health, AP News
Ongoing communications:
- Emergency Operations Updates: Scheduled for Tuesdays.
- Dr. John Lynch COVID-19 Update: Scheduled for Thursdays every two weeks.
- Town Halls: Generally scheduled for 3 p.m. on Fridays; Check your email for announcements (recordings available).
- Community Conversations: Check you email for dates and times (recordings available).
- EOC Situation Reports: Posted on the UW Medicine intranet (AMC login required).
- Leadership Messages and Employee Resources: Posted on The Huddle.
Sincerely,
UW Medicine Leadership
