Covid 19 Seattle

My Hero is You – How Kids Can Fight COVID-19 (English)

This book was a project developed by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee Reference Group on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings (IASC MHPSS RG). The project was supported by global, regional and country based experts from Member Agencies of the IASC MHPSS RG, in addition to parents, caregivers, teachers and children in 104 countries. A global survey was distributed …

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Reduce the Spread of COVID-19 with Exposure Notifications through WA Notify

Knowing when you’ve been exposed to someone with COVID-19 allows you to test, isolate and protect those around you, ultimately reducing the spread of COVID-19.   The Department of Health (DOH) developed WA Notify, a tool that allows users to anonymously report and receive exposure notifications. WA Notify is free, completely private and does not track your personal information or location. …

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Phone-Accessible COVID-19 Updates, Information and Resources Available Daily

The Washington State Department of Health COVID-19 Information Hotline can provide general COVID-19 information to callers throughout Washington. The call center operates from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Mondays and 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and on observed state holidays. This hotline may be used to request Care Connect services, a program that provides food and other …

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Several Washington Counties Reach High-Risk COVID-19 Community Level, According to CDC

Based on data from June 23, 2022, The Seattle Times reported that six Washington counties—Lewis, Pacific, Thurston, Grays Harbor, Garfield and Spokane counties—had reached a COVID-19 community risk level considered “high.” Counties with a “high” risk level have 200 or more cases or 20 new COVID-19 hospital admissions per 100,000 people over a seven-day period.   According to the Centers for Disease …

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As We Learn to Coexist With COVID-19, the CDC and DOH Offer Resources to Help Navigate Risk

With the launch of ForWArd—Washington’s long-term COVID-19 response plan—and the lifting of certain COVID-19 related mandates at the state and federal level, communities are evaluating what coexisting with COVID-19 looks like. Many tools are available to support the public in tracking COVID-19 and navigating life in the next season of the pandemic.   The Department of Health’s (DOH) COVID-19 Data Dashboard is a …

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Physical, Digital and Photocopies of Vaccination Cards Are All Accepted as Proof of Vaccination in Washington State

Several types of proof of COVID-19 vaccination are accepted in Washington State.   First is the vaccination card, which is specific to the COVID-19 vaccine and given to a patient when they receive their first dose. This is different than a vaccine record, which is a more comprehensive record of all immunizations a person has received.   A vaccine card is filled …

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Washington State Insurance Commissioner Extends COVID-19 Testing and Surprise Billing Emergency Orders to May 28

Mike Kreidler, Washington State’s Insurance Commissioner, has extended two emergency orders related to COVID-19 testing. The first order states that health insurers must waive copays and deductibles for any individual requiring COVID-19 testing. The second order protects those who require testing from any unexpected bills related to lab fees associated with COVID-19 diagnostic testing. Both orders have been extended to May 28.  According to …

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Antiviral medications are a method of treating infections that reduces viral load, increases immunity, and reduces symptoms. There are currently three antiviral drugs available to symptomatic adults with confirmed cases of COVID-19—two are oral and one is intravenous.  

Earlier in 2022, the two oral antiviral treatments were given Emergency Use Authorization for treating mild to moderate outpatient cases of COVID-19. These antiviral treatments—Paxlovid and molnupiravir—must be taken within 5 days of symptoms starting and a person must have a confirmed COVID-19 infection to be prescribed. The NIH notes that “Because viral replication may be particularly active early in …

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On April 13, the Washington State Board of Health (SBOH) voted not to include the COVID-19 vaccine in schools’ immunization requirements. Since 1979, Washington state law has required school children to receive certain vaccines before attending school or day care. The SBOH uses a careful review process before deciding which vaccines are required. Currently vaccines against hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox (varicella) are required for all students. 

The Board worked with immunization stakeholders from public health, schools, childcare, medicine, epidemiology, child advocacy, medical ethics, and families to develop standards for decisions on vaccine mandates. In general, the Board concluded that vaccine requirements for schoolchildren are justified if not having them:  Compromises the state’s obligation to protect public health and safety Means individual decisions jeopardize others’ health  Threatens the …

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Research Shows That the COVID-19 Vaccine Does Not Impact Pregnancy — But a COVID-19 Infection Might.

According to experts at Johns Hopkins Medicine, no evidence has been found to suggest COVID-19 vaccine affects fertility. In a Boston University study of 2,000 couples examining the effects of COVID-19 on fertility, scientists found that the vaccine has no impact on the ability to conceive. Additionally, scientists found no difference in the likelihood of conception between couples in which either partner …

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