December 8, 2020
In today’s update, you will find important information, including:
- Get the Latest Updates from Our Regional Command Center Leaders,
- Seeking Answers from KPNW Employee Health?, and
- Weekly KPNW COVID-19 Trends.
Words from Our Members
“The staff was wonderful, very warm and caring, as well as knowledgeable. I also very much appreciated how seriously each staff member that I dealt with was towards preventing the spread of COVID-19.”
Situation Update
Get the Latest Updates from Our Regional Command Center Leaders
During yesterday’s live audiocast, leaders provided important updates on KPNW’s COVID-19 surge planning—space, stuff, and staff; vaccine preparations; and, PPE. Jeff Collins, Dr. John Snyder, and Dr. Imelda Dacones also addressed our employees, dentists, and physicians.
Mark your calendar for the next live audiocast: Tuesday, December 15, 12:10 p.m. If you have questions or suggestions for future topics, click here.
Seeking Answers from KPNW Employee Health?
The Employee Health team is fielding many calls and wants to remind everyone that information is readily available on the Employee Health SharePoint site. This includes vital information about what to do if you have COVID-19-like symptoms and/or were exposed to a COVID-19 positive person.
Weekly KPNW COVID-19 Trends
This week’s COVID-19 trends from KPNW researchers, scientists, and physicians, presented on Friday, December 4:
- Anticipated Surge Timing: Based on observed data patterns, we expect multiple surges through late January (with higher hospitalization census possibly into mid-Feb. 2021).
- Recent OR & WA state restrictions had appeared to be working; transmission rate, case rates, and hospitalization rates increased at lower rates this week than previous weeks.
- Latest news is showing the increase worried about from holiday behavior. December holidays, travel, and college student returns may still lead to further increases in coming weeks.
- Internal hospital census (ADC) weekly average was up 14% from last week to this week (41.7 to 47.6). ADC forecast for this week is 48 by Dec 10 (w. error). KPNW experienced a short run of higher-than-expected ADC Nov 24-26. Pattern reverted to less-steep but increasing trend from early Nov.
- COVID hospital patients 75 and older up from 21% to 27% (Oct to Nov). ICU use is still low relative to hospital census; 17% v. 9% (Oct to Nov). Patients under 55 in ICU up; 0% to 33% (Oct to Nov).
- KPNW COVID+ cases weekly average was down 22% from last week to this week (256 to 199). Forecast for this week is 279 cases by Dec 10 (w. error). Fluctuation was likely due to increased testing during the week prior to Thanksgiving.
Get Your Flu Shot at a Designated Retail Pharmacy
Your health is important to us. Visit a designated retail pharmacy, by December 31, and KP will cover the cost of the vaccination. Visit Kp.org to find a retail pharmacy location near you. View more employee flu vaccination options.