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
March 8, 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 2.05% of hospital admissions. UW Medicine hospitals are caring for 24 patients with COVID-19.
UW Medicine COVID-19 Inpatients
King County and Washington State Epidemiology
King County: Public Health – Seattle & King County is reporting 367,805 cases and 2,591 deaths as of March 7. The number of new positive tests over the last seven days is currently at 90.2 per 100,000 people.
Washington: The Department of Health reports 1,432,321 total cases and 12,076 deaths as of March 6.
Daily Capacity Data Report
The Daily Capacity Data Report shows the total occupancy and the number of COVID-19 patients at each hospital.
EOC Priorities
- Masking Requirements: Starting today, March 8, patient-facing staff, students, and faculty may choose to wear procedure masks instead of respirators for usual care. Respirators are still required in cases where staff are doing procedures that are aerosol-producing, working with patients who are known or suspected of having COVID-19, in emergency departments or urgent care where a patient’s respiratory health status is often unknown, or in our operating rooms. If you wish to continue wearing a respirator, you should feel free to do so, and one will be provided. Procedure masks, however, are required at a minimum at this time. If you have questions, please review the UW Medicine masking policy.
- Eye Protection: Starting today, March 8, staff may discontinue the use of eye protection except whenever respirators are required as outlined in masking requirements or when patients are in precautions that require eye protection. We continue to encourage use of eye protection as part of standard precautions to protect you from other bloodborne pathogens and other infectious materials.
- Staff Quarantine and Isolation Policy: Starting today, March 8, UW Medicine has returned to a 10-day isolation period (or after 7 days following a negative antigen test) for all employees who test positive for COVID-19. See the policy for details.
- Booster Requirement Deadline Extended to March 31: All employees except those working in non-clinical roles in the School of Medicine are required to get a COVID-19 vaccine booster and show proof of meeting that requirement. For more information, please see COVID-19 Booster Campaign.
- 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 and continue at UW Medicine despite the lifting of these requirements for businesses in King County. Masks will also still be required of visitors when the state and local mandates lift on March 12. See visitor policy for details. Please note: changes to the current hours and restrictions are under consideration and will be announced separately.
- Work-Related Travel Restrictions: UW Medicine is following UW policies for work-related travel.
Stay Informed
Recent Messages:
- As pandemic numbers improve, new stressors and challenges arise (March 4)
- Dr. John Lynch COVID-19 Update (March 3)
In the Media:
- Learning to live with COVID-19, Dr. Larry Corey, Virology, The Seattle Times
- What health experts say about the ‘natural experiment’ of ditching mask mandates in WA, Drs. Seth Cohen and Joshua Schiffer, Infectious Diseases, The Seattle Times
- White House must go further on new pandemic response, say former Biden advisers, outside experts, Trevor Bedford, Genomics, The Washington Post
- For those who are immunocompromised, ‘normal’ isn’t even close, Dr. Gary Lyman, Oncology, Huffington Post
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
