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. 4, 2022: EOC level of activation is mid-high due to the continued downward trend of COVID-19 admissions to our hospitals and the decrease in new cases, hospitalizations and deaths across King County. COVID-19 patients represent 9.09% of hospital admissions. UW Medicine hospitals are caring for 108 patients with COVID-19. As of today, 206 employees are 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 351,930 total cases and 2,399 deaths as of Feb. 4. The number of new positive tests over the last seven days is currently at 636.6 per 100,000 people (community transmission level = high).
Washington: The Department of Health reports 1,355,428 total cases and 10,845 deaths as of Feb. 1.
Employees Out of Office Due to COVID-19
EOC Priorities
- Visitor Policy: As of Wednesday, UW Medical Center is 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 due to its architecture and the increased risks that come with congregate spaces. Starting Feb. 15, the visitor vaccination and testing requirements will expand to include all clinics. It is currently in effect for inpatient, procedure areas and clinics on hospital campuses.
- 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 Jan. 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 nonurgent surgeries and procedures through Feb. 17.
- Employee Daily Health Attestation: Starting Feb. 4, the daily health attestation is no longer required. Staff should continue to monitor symptoms and if they experience any new symptoms, stay home, notify their supervisor, and get tested. If they have a new exposure, contact employee health for further guidance.
Stay Informed
Updates this week:
- Dr. John Lynch COVID-19 Update (Feb. 3)
- Effective Immediately: Work-Related Travel Now Permitted (Jan. 31)
- COVID-19 Community Conversations Recording (Jan. 28)
In the Media:
- U.S. Has Far Higher Covid Death Rate Than Other Wealthy Countries, Dr. Joseph Dieleman, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, The New York Times
- At-home Covid test, check. Adequate telehealth response, not yet, Dr. Helen Chu, Allergy and Infectious Diseases, KUOW
- Those COVID tests the government sent you might not work. Cold weather could be to blame., Dr. Geoffrey Baird, Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Yahoo Life
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 your 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
