February 23, 2021
In today’s update, you will find important information, including:
- Live Audio Broadcast Today
- Changes to Vaccination Quick Facts
- KPNW COVID-19 Trends
- Weekly Testing Turnaround Times
- Words from Our Members
Live Audio Broadcast Today – Vaccinating Special Populations
Tune in today for our LIVE audio broadcast, starting at 12:10 p.m. Topics on the agenda include:
- Welcome | Dr. Eric Warshaw
- Vaccinating our home bound members | Anna Riedel
- Addressing vaccine hesitancy in special populations | Dan Field
- Oregon Latino Health Coalition | Olivia Quiroz
- Oregon Pacific Islander Coalition | Malo Ala’ilima
- KP North Lancaster Pacific Islander Vaccine Event | Shannon Surber
- Closing remarks | Michelle Teeples
https://sparkstreetdigital.zoom.us/j/91660184663 (Audio only) Dial In: +1 669 900 9128 Webinar ID: 916 6018 4663. If you’re unable to join, a recording will be provided on Wednesday.
New! Changes to Vaccination Quick Facts
We’re enhancing the COVID-19 Quick Facts Dashboard to bring you the most up-to-date, key data. Some of the changes you’ll see, starting today:
- The main page shows Health Plan/Hospital, NW Permanente and – for the first time – Permanente Dental Associates.
- Vaccination rate calculations excludes members < 16 years old, since they are not eligible for vaccine at this time.
- Vaccination rates by age band and race/ethnic group have been added. This data is critical as we focus on equity and future targeted outreach.
- New views will include prime and booster doses by geographic area based on a member’s residence.
- As of yesterday (2/22), this was the most current data on total vaccinations administered:
KPNW COVID-19 Trends
From KPNW researchers, scientists, and physicians, presented February 18. Based on review of internal trends and external considerations our findings are:
- Anticipated Surge: OR/WA still in a good position in the short-term with a decreasing outbreak.
- Longer term forecasts have much uncertainty due to new variants, slow rollout of vaccines, and potential re-opening of society, schools, economy.
- In the medium-term, after accounting for uncertainty in spread of new variants, vaccine rollout, and adherence to COVID restrictions, we could see a range of impacts. Estimates for the start of the surge range from late March to late April, with an anticipated peak for both scenarios around June 1.
- Internal hospital census (ADC) weekly average was down 29% from last week to this week (25 to 17). Census was 18 on February 17. ADC forecast for this week is 13 by February 24 (w. error).
- Internal ICU use rate was down. Last week’s rate was 0%. Monthly averages were 13% in Jan. and 8% for Feb. There were no patients in the ICU internally on February 17.
- KPNW COVID+ weekly average of daily cases was down 11% from last week to this week (45 to 40). Forecast is 44 daily cases by February 24 (w. error). The most recent daily case count was 59 on February 17.
Weekly Testing Turnaround Times
The average routine COVID-19 testing turnaround time (TAT) for the week of February 15 to 21 is 15 hours. Member communications, including kp.org and call center scripts, will continue to inform members that TAT could be 48 to 72 hours so they can plan accordingly for travel.
Words from Our Members
“I cannot begin to thank you guys who are dealing with this disease daily enough. I know that there are still way too many folks who aren’t taking this seriously, and you must bear the brunt of it. In the face of all that, though, everyone I dealt with throughout the process of getting this test was cheerful, efficient, thorough, and professional. Thank you so much.”