March 23, 2021
In today’s update, you will find important information, including:
- Live Audio Broadcast Today
- Oregon Health Authority Update
- Reminder: How Can Eligible KP Employees Get a Vaccination Appointment?
- KPNW COVID-19 Trends
- Words from Our Members
Live Audio Broadcast Today
Tune in today for our LIVE audio broadcast, starting at 12:10 p.m. Topics on the agenda include:
- Community update, including vaccine allocation projections in OR and SW WA
- Vaccine surge plan update – All4Oregon/Oregon Convention Center, MOBs, hospitals
- Clinical update, including COVID-19 variants, AstraZeneca, vaccine boosters, and clinical trials
https://sparkstreetdigital.zoom.us/j/91660184663 (Audio only)
Dial In: +1 669 900 9128 Webinar ID: 916 6018 4663
Or iPhone one-tap: +16699009128,,91660184663#
Oregon Health Authority Update: Eligible Counties to Begin Vaccinating Phase 1B, Group 6
Counties will have the opportunity to attest that they are ready to begin vaccinating individuals in Phase 1B, Group 6. Many counties have already done so. Refer to OHA’s Vaccine Information by County page to see if your county has submitted an attestation letter. Migrant and seasonal farmworkers who are currently out in the fields working are eligible.
Reminder: How Can Eligible KP Employees Get a Vaccination Appointment?
We want to make it as easy as possible for all eligible KP employees to get a vaccination appointment. The updated workflow below applies ONLY to eligible KP employees, clinicians, and dentists. (Volunteers go to Oregon COVID19 or Washington COVID19.)
- If you are a KP employee living in Oregon, click this link to request your vaccination at theOregon Convention Center.
- If you live in Washington and you have a health record number and a kp.org account, go to KP Member vaccination request. If you do not have a health record number and no kp.org account, go to Non-KP member vaccination request.
Note: Schedule your vaccine appointment(s) during non-work time.
KPNW COVID-19 Trends
From KPNW researchers, scientists, and physicians, effective March 18. Based on review of internal trends and external considerations our findings are:
- Anticipated Surge: OR/WA outbreak still decreasing (R<1), but rate of decrease is slowing.
- We don’t see/anticipate any major changes in the short term, but leading indicators, transmission rate, and relaxed restrictions are consistent with stabilization rather than continued decrease.
- Longer-term forecasts have much uncertainty due to new variants, slow rollout of vaccines, and potential re-opening of society, schools, economy.
- Current modeling forecasts of future surges beginning later this Spring currently show low/moderate impact on hospitalizations, due to rapidly increasing vaccination of high-risk age groups.
- Internal hospital census (ADC) weekly average was down 5% from last week to this week (11.0 to 10.4). Census was 10 on Mar 17. ADC forecast for this week is 8 by Mar 24 (w. error).
- For internal hospitals the age distribution for admits and census shows a slightly lower average age in March compared to Jan and Feb. When we remove outliers, LOS is reasonably steady across Jan to March. We will continue to monitor.
- Internal ICU use low but not zero. Last week’s rate was 11% (prior week was 13%). Rate based on 1 to 2 ICU patients and low COVID inpatient numbers. Internal ICU had 1 patient on Mar 17.
- KPNW COVID+ weekly average of daily cases down 4% from last week to this week (30 to 29). Forecast is 6 daily cases by Mar 24 (w. error). The most recent daily case count was 21 on Mar 17.
Weekly Testing Turnaround Times
The average routine COVID-19 testing turnaround time (TAT) for the week of March 15 to 21 is 16.8 hours. Member communications, including kp.org and call center scripts, have been updated to inform members that TAT is usually within 24-48 hours so they can plan accordingly for travel.
Vaccination Quick Facts
Here is a snapshot of the most current vaccination data as of March 22. For more information on vaccination rates by age and race/ethnic group and prime and booster doses by geographic service areas, visit the COVID-19 Quick Facts Dashboard.
Words from Our Members
“I had an excellent experience. The Tualatin location was great from getting tested for COVID-19 at the front door, to using the pharmacy. The nurse, my doctor and even getting blood drawn was exceptional.”