Hello folks!

 

Here are some updates from TPCHD that may be beneficial to you or those you serve: 

 

  1. Second COVID-19 booster shot available for those 50+ or immunocompromised 12+
    1. Use this chart to see if you’re eligible for a booster and which one
    2. Find all our vaccine information here or contact our call center at (253)649-1412 (8am – 430pm, M-F)

 

  1. Get tested for COVID-19 if you have symptoms or may have been exposed
    1. Find your nearest testing site here or call us at (253)649-1412 (8am – 430pm, M-F)
    2. Your local library system may have home test kits. Call them to check:

                                                               i.      Tacoma Public Library (253)280-2800

                                                             ii.      Puyallup Public Library (253)841-5454

                                                           iii.      Pierce County Public Library (253)548-3300

    1. Request free delivery of a home test:

                                                               i.      SCAN Study

                                                             ii.      Federal Health and Human Services test kits

                                                           iii.      WA Dept. of Health Say Yes! COVID Test

        1. See guidance for testing at home
    1. Businesses and organizations may request testing by filling out this form  

 

  1. Test to Treat program expanded to all of Pierce County
    1. Free program connects high-risk patients who test positive for COVID-19, and lack insurance or timely access to a primary care provider, to a healthcare provider for treatment

                                                               i.      Ages 65+ or immunocompromised 12+

    1. If test positive, schedule a virtual appointment by calling (360) 688-7044 or scan QR code on flyer (English, Khmer, Korean, Russian, Samoan, Spanish, Tagalog, Ukrainian, Vietnamese)

                                                               i.      They’ll ask your age, medical history, and risks

                                                             ii.      If you’ll benefit from treatment, a nurse practitioner will help decide which is right for you

                                                           iii.      You’ll receive a prescription for oral treatment or referral to a clinic to receive an injection

 

  1. Quarantine and Isolation
    1. Unsure when you should quarantine or isolate?

                                                               i.      Clients and staff in congregate settings should isolate for 10 days if test positive or have symptoms of COVID-19

                                                             ii.      Clients in congregate settings should quarantine for 10 days after their last contact with person with COVID-19 regardless of vaccination status or recovered from COVID-19 infection in past 90 days

                                                           iii.      Staff in congregate settings excluded from work for 10 days after their last contact, but can otherwise follow isolation/quarantine guidance for the general population

    1. Healthcare and human services providers can refer patients for quarantine and isolation at (253) 820-4684 (8am – 10pm, 7 days a week)

 

  1. What should you do if there is a possible COVID outbreak at your facility?
    1. If you discover positive COVID cases amongst your staff and/or guests, contact TPCHD as soon as possible (253) 649-1412 (8am – 430pm, M-F)
    2. See our updated toolkit for homeless service providers. It contains a section on outbreaks to help guide you

 

  1. COVID-19 Data – Cases and hospitalizations are both up for this data analysis period, compared to the last 7-day period. Our CDC Community Level remains low.
    1. On May 16, our current 14-day case rate per 100,000 is 168.2  for May 1-7, which is:

                                                               i.      23.1% higher than the last 7-day period (date rage: April 24-30).

    1. Our current 7-day hospitalization rate per 100,000 is 4.2 for May 1-7, which is:

                                                               i.      13.5% higher than the previously reported 7-day period (date range March 20-26)

    1. You can find the latest data on our data page

 

  1. May is Hepatitis Awareness Month. Here’s a blog about what you need to know about Hepatitis.

 

  1. There is an increase in cases of congenital syphilis in Pierce County among people who are pregnant and experiencing homelessness. Please see attached flyer for more information.

 

  1. Free Positive Parenting Program (Triple P) Classes! Complete all 8 sessions and get a $50 gift card!
    1. Learn practical strategies to strengthen your family and connect with parents in similar situations
    2. Each group meets for 8 sessions, 1-2 hours per week on Zoom
      1. Spanish and English classes available
    3. Open to all families with children birth-17
      1. Group for families with children birth-12, or group for families with teens
    4. Direct questions to the Family Support Partnership fspartnership@tpchd.org or (253)649-1011

 

Please contact me if you have any questions. Thank you for all the work you do for our unhoused neighbors!

 

Jennie

 

Jennie Schoeppe, MSPT, MPH

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Public Health Consultant

Communicable Disease Control

(253) 753-4887 c • jschoeppe@tpchd.org

 

COVID-19 is affecting our work.
Your health and our staff’s health are our top priorities. Many of our staff are responding to the outbreak and others are working remotely to serve your needs. You will likely experience slower-than-normal response times for requests not related to COVID-19.

Many of our services are available online.

For more information, please read our blog or visit tpchd.org.  

 

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