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
Feb. 1, 2022: EOC level of activation is high. COVID-19 patients represent 12.25% of hospital admissions. UW Medicine hospitals are caring for 138 patients with COVID-19. As of yesterday, 206 employees were on leave due to COVID-19 isolation and quarantine.
UW Medicine COVID-19 Inpatients
King County and Washington State Epidemiology
King County: Public Health – Seattle & King County is reporting 346,075 total confirmed cases and 2,328 deaths as of Jan. 31. The number of new positive tests over the last seven days is currently at 981 per 100,000 people (community transmission level = high).
Washington: The Department of Health reports 1,339,743 total cases and 10,776 deaths as of Jan. 30.
Employees Out of Office Due to COVID-19
EOC Priorities
- Visitor Policy: Starting tomorrow, February 2, UW Medical Center will be allowing one visitor per day for inpatients on both campuses during visiting hours. In addition to our current COVID-19 screening and vaccination/testing requirements, visitors must also wear a Level 3 surgical mask (to be provided at entrances) or higher level respirator (available on the units). Harborview Medical Center continues to suspend routine visitation. The policy will be emailed to UWMC staff today and updated online tomorrow.
- Work-Related Travel Restrictions Lifted on Jan. 31, 2022: UW Medicine is following UW policies for work-related travel.
- COVID-19 Return to Work Policy: UW Medicine has revised the policy for returning to work after isolation or quarantine, effective January 19.
- N95 Respirators: UW Medicine Supply Chain is increasing inventory to support masking guidelines in clinical care spaces; work is also underway to increase resources for fit testing.
- Surgeries and Procedures: In alignment with Gov. Jay Inslee’s emergency order, UW Medicine is postponing all outpatient and inpatient non-urgent surgeries and procedures through February 17.
- Precautions for Aerosol Generating Procedures After Recovery From COVID-19: UW Medicine patients no longer require aerosol/contact (COVID-19) precautions between 10 -20 days of diagnosis if they have otherwise been cleared of precautions. See the policy for details.
Stay Informed
Updates this week:
- Effective Immediately: Work-Related Travel Now Permitted (Jan. 31)
- UW Medicine Town Hall Recording (Jan. 28)
In the Media:
- Covid predictions? These experts are done with them, Dr. Pavitra Roychoudhury, Laboratory Medicine, NBC
- Washington residents can soon pick up free N95 masks, Jason Doff, Harborview Medical Center, KIRO
Ongoing communications:
- Emergency Operations Updates: Scheduled for Tuesdays and Fridays.
- Dr. John Lynch COVID-19 Update: Scheduled for Thursdays
- Town Halls: Generally scheduled for 3 p.m. on Fridays; Check your email for updates (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
