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. 22, 2022: The EOC has moved to a Mid Level of Activation (from Mid-High) based on declining numbers for COVID-19 admissions, community transmission and staff in isolation or quarantine. COVID-19 patients represent 2.54% of hospital admissions. UW Medicine hospitals are caring for 27 patients with COVID-19. As of Feb. 17, 54 employees were on leave due to COVID-19 isolation and quarantine.
Daily Capacity Data Report
The Daily Capacity Data Report shows the total occupancy and the number of COVID-19 patients at each hospital.
UW Medicine COVID-19 Inpatients
King County and Washington State Epidemiology
King County: Public Health – Seattle & King County is reporting 364,443 cases and 2,530 deaths as of Feb. 22. The total number of cases over the last seven days is currently at 153.3 per 100,000 people (community transmission level = high).
Washington: The Department of Health reports 1,409,253 total cases and 11,615 deaths as of Feb. 17.
Employees Out of Office Due to COVID-19
EOC Priorities
- Visitor Policy: UW Medicine hospitals are currently allowing one visitor per day for inpatients during visiting hours. All visitors are screened for COVID-19 symptoms and for compliance with vaccination/testing requirements. They must also wear a Level 3 surgical mask (to be provided at entrances) or higher level respirator (available on the units). The visitor vaccination and testing requirements were expanded on February 15 to all outpatient clinics. See visitor policy for details.
- Work-Related Travel Restrictions: 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: Gov. Jay Inslee’s emergency order postponing outpatient and inpatient non-urgent surgeries and procedures ended on February 17. UW Medicine is resuming scheduling and contacting patients whose surgeries and procedures were delayed.
- Employee Daily Health Attestation: As of February 4, the daily health attestation is no longer required. Staff should stay home if they experience symptoms, notify their supervisor and get tested. For a new exposure, contact Employee Health for guidance.
Stay Informed
Med Tech Update:
In the Media:
- King County’s vaccine verification rule will end March 1, Dr. Shireesha Dhanireddy, Infectious Diseases, KUOW
- As BA.2 subvariant of Omicron rises, lab studies point to signs of severity, Deborah Fuller, Microbiology, CNN
- Estimated 73% of US now immune to omicron: Is that enough? Ali Mokdad, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, The Associated Press
- COVID cases falling in Washington, but hospitals remain packed, Dr. John Lynch, Infectious Diseases, KCPQ-TV
Ongoing communications:
- Emergency Operations Updates: Scheduled for Tuesdays.
- 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
