02/25/22 Health Advisory: COVID-19 Updates for Providers

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Background

In people 18–39 years old, myocarditis occurs in an estimated 23–33 per million people following a second dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. Nearly all cases are transient and can be treated on an outpatient basis. Recent research shows increasing the interval between first and second doses of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine from 3–4 weeks to 8 weeks can reduce the risk of myocarditis by over half while also substantially improving efficacy.

CDC guidance allows clinicians to decide when the benefits of the extended interval exceed the increased risk of COVID‑19 infection. Regardless of the interval between first and second doses, a booster dose should be delivered no sooner than 5 months after the second dose. These changes do not affect people with compromised immune systems or people over 65 years old, as the risk of COVID-19 infection outweighs the benefit of reduced myocarditis incidence.

Additional COVID-19 vaccine information

COVID-19 testing

COVID-19 test processing

Labs report varying amounts of time to process COVID-19 tests. To support faster turnaround, we encourage providers to use in-state labs. The table below shows COVID-19 test processing times for in-state private labs. If you have questions about Health Department-facilitated antigen tests, contact epitesting@tpchd.org.

LabTime to process testTests processed daily
FidaLab24 hours500
Kaiser24-48 hours600
LabCorp24–48 hoursUnknown
Northwest Pathology24 hours3,000
Quest24–48 hours700
UW Virology12–24 hours10,000–11,000
Atlas Genomic24–48 hours10,000

COVID-19 therapies

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) allocates monoclonal antibodies and oral antivirals to each state. DOH distributes doses to enrolled providers. Providers must enroll in Healthcare Partner Ordering Portal (HPoP) to manage COVID-19 therapies. Email mcm@doh.wa.gov for support enrolling.

Once enrolled, to request a supply of monoclonal antibodies or therapeutics, complete a smart sheet.

Supplies of all therapies are currently limited. Commercial and independent pharmacies may have oral antivirals. Hospital-associated systems may have monoclonal antibodies. All therapies must be dispensed by prescription. Therapies from pharmacies may be intended for home delivery. Patients with questions about accessing their medication should call the pharmacy.

Additional information

COVID-19 prevention

Share with patients:

Immediately report COVID-19

  • Cases in the following people—call (253) 649-1412.
    • Healthcare workers (e.g., EMS, medical, nursing, any healthcare facility employee).
    • Public safety workers (e.g., law enforcement, firefighter).
    • Live or work in a long-term care facility, senior living center, permanent supportive housing or similar congregate setting (e.g., shelter, correctional facility) housing people at high risk of severe outcomes.
    • Anyone who dies with COVID-19.
    • Anyone with suspected MIS-C.
  • All other cases—fax the following to (253) 649-1357 or call (253) 649-1413.
    • Patient—first name, last name, date of birth, gender, race, ethnicity, preferred language, phone number, address and zip code.
    • Specimen—collection date and type (NP, nasal swab, blood, etc.).
    • Test—type (PCR, NAAT, antigen, antibody/serology) and result (detected, not detected, inconclusive).
    • Ordering facility.
  • For all cases, report the person’s race, ethnicity and preferred language.

Contacting the Health Department

Questions?
  • For urgent issues, call (253) 649-1412.
  • For non-urgent issues, call (253) 649-1413 and leave a message.
    • Includes reporting notifiable conditions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
    • Leave the patient’s name, date of birth and disease.

Additional resources