Hello,

Here are my weekly updates. I have highlighted important links in yellow below. Topic areas included here:

1. Keep Cool

2. COVID

3. Monkeypox

4. Family Support Partnership

I hope you all have a safe weekend! See TPCHD “Keep Cool” page.

Jennie

1. KEEP COOL RESOURCES

Beat the Heat blog post, 7/22/2022

Keep Cool | Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department (tpchd.org)

For cooling center info, see pchomeless.org

2. COVID RELATED NEWS & RESOURCES

General news:

· We have new variants of Omicron, called BA.4 and BA.5, which are driving the recent infections in the U.S. Transmission across the U.S. is high.

· 80% of new cases are these variants and estimates are that 10-15% of Americans will be infected.

· The CDC tells us that these sub-variants are "more transmissible and more immune evading." It spreads faster in communities with low vaccine rates.

· Symptoms:

· Cold-like symptoms are still the most common, so: cough, runny nose, congestion, fatigue.

· Fevers, sore throat, headache, & muscle pain also occur.

· Loss of taste and smell may be less common.

• Vaccination remains our best tool against several illness and hospitalization.

Locally:

• We have higher than “normal” transmission levels but thankfully our hospitalizations and deaths are low.
• We do have shelter outbreaks right now and are working on setting up vaccine clinics.
• Please encourage those in crowded settings to wear masks.
• If you need masks at your shelter or day center, please let me know.

HERE ARE 5 WAYS TO RIDE THE NEW WAVE (summarized from the work of Dr. Katelyn Jetelina, “Your Local Epidemiologist”):

(1). Get vaccinated!

· Less than 25% of Pierce County residents are up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines. [68% have their primary series].

· "Up to date" means you have received all doses in the primary series and all boosters recommended for you, when eligible.

· The uptake of the vaccine for 6m-5y olds has been very low as well.

· If you're 50+ get a booster!

· If you don't have your first booster, it's beyond time; but you also can get a second booster.

· If you have questions about your eligibility, check out this CDC link: COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters | CDC

· If you're under 50 but are immunocompromised you are also eligible.

· Boosters REALLY MATTER: Adults 50+ with two booster doses are at 4 times lower risk of dying from COVID compared to those with only 1 booster!

· The reason boosters are so important is that immunity from vaccines AND from infection wanes or lessens over time.

· Research shows that the COVID-19 vaccines used in the U.S. may not be as effective in preventing infection from new variants but continue to protect against severe disease, hospitalization, and death from known circulating variants.  

· We expect that in October or November, vaccines with better matching to new variants will be available. But I want to stress that anyone eligible now should get a booster. You can still get a booster in the fall if you need one.

(2). Those at high risk who contract COVID can be treated with a drug called Paxlovid.

· You can get a Rx from your PCP, directly from a pharmacist, or through the Test to Treat program, which connects those at high risk with the treatment. [See attached flyer].

(3). Wear a mask in crowded in indoor spaces.

· Don't rely on the CDC community levels to advise on whether you should mask up or not.

· Our Safe Practices page includes information on masking and several flyers you can download, print, and post.

(4). Increase ventilation whenever possible.

· CDC guidance on increasing ventilation in buildings: Ventilation in Buildings | CDC

(5). Use at-home tests to help stop spread:

· Antigen tests are great at detecting highly infectious people (they catch 78% to 97% of cases in the first week of symptoms).

· If you have symptoms but get a negative test, re-test after 24-48 hours.

· There are very few false positives with these tests, which means if you get a positive test you can be pretty sure you're able to spread the disease. IF you can isolate until you get a neg test, you should.

· See CDC guidance for isolation and quarantine. This link includes guidance for the general population as well as “high risk settings.”

How to get tests:

· COVID Home Tests | USPS

· The Say Yes! COVID Test — Washington State Commission on Hispanic Affairs

· Pick up a test (or two!) from a local library – Tacoma Public Library and Pierce County Library Systems both stock at-home tests.

· If you’re a shelter or social service agency in need of testing (or just have questions), you can always reach out to our team at: epitesting@tpchd.org

Additional resources for homeless service providers:

· Sanitation & Hygiene Guide for Homeless Service Providers from Public Health Seattle King County.

· Review Washington State Department of Health’s Guidance for Homeless Service Settings during COVID-19, updated June 2022.

· We are working with our contractor, Discovery Health, to start up COVID vaccine clinics at some shelters again. Reach out to me if interested.

· Share our vaccine locator page: https://tpchd.org/vaxtothefuture.org

Changes to TPCHD isolation and quarantine capacity and processes:

• Updated link to info about I&Q: 10666 (tpchd.org)
• Updated link to info about outbreak: 10664 (tpchd.org)

3. OTHER COMMUNICABLE DISEASE NEWS – MPV (“monkeypox”):

Monkeypox | Washington State Department of Health

Excellent 1-pager to read, share, and post: Monkeypox Facts for People Who are Sexually Active (cdc.gov)

What is monkeypox?

• MPV or monkeypox is a rare viral disease.
• It is spread from animals to humans and between humans.
• The virus causes a rash of sores and flu-like symptoms.

Should I be concerned?

• MPV/monkeypox is a growing concern across the country.
• We only have 2 suspected cases in Pierce County.
• The virus is rare, not life threatening, and usually resolves without treatment.
• A medical provider can help to treat the pain associated with the rash/sores.
• Monkeypox is spread through:
• direct contact with the skin or body fluids of an infected person (including sexual contact), or 
• contact with virus-contaminated objects (such as bedding or clothing), or 
• respiratory droplets during direct and prolonged face-to-face contact. 

What should I do if I encounter suspected MPV/monkeypox infection?

• Refer anyone with a new rash to a primary care provider.
• If you are a provider and you suspect a patient has monkeypox, please notify TPCHD: 253-649-1412. Monkeypox is a “notifiable condition” and must be reported to WA State DOH. We will help you do that.

What is TPCHD doing about it?

• We are tracking the spread of this disease closely.
• We are working with WA State DOH to plan vaccine distribution when it is needed.
• If and when we get vaccine, it will be distributed through our community partners, not TPCHD.

My ask to you is:

· Please educate yourself and help make others aware of this issue.

· Share and post the info from the CDC (see link above).

· Keep up good hygiene practices with linens, towels, etc.

· Help folks who have a new rash get to a healthcare provider.

4. OTHER resources:

Resources from our Maternal Child Outreach Team (MCOT):

1. How to make a referral: https://www.tpchd.org/healthy-people/family-health/phn-referral
2. Triple P (the Positive Parenting Program) https://www.tpchd.org/healthy-people/family-support-partnership/triple-p
3. Baby Lounges offer virtual and in-person support groups for expecting and new parents. Here is a link with more information about Baby Lounges. https://www.familyconnectswa.org/baby-lounge
4. Black Infant Health/Health Ministers | Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department (tpchd.org)

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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