Happy New Year!
Thanks for all you do to keep our most vulnerable, at-risk populations safe and healthy.
Program spotlight
Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) assists low-income seniors 55 and older who struggle to age at home. A dedicated team provides personalized care to these seniors, ensuring they do not fall through the gaps that often occur in traditional healthcare systems.
To learn more, contact PNW PACE Partners' outreach coordinator, Kara Jovag at Kara.jovag@multicare.org or (253) 459-7270.
Respiratory virus season
It’s winter, and respiratory illnesses are rising in our communities. Colds, flu, COVID-19, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) are more common this time of year. Hospitals and clinics are changing masking rules and visitor policies to keep everyone safe.
We track visits to emergency departments for COVID-19, Influenza, and RSV. Our Respiratory Illness Information for Provider dashboard shows the current alert levels for each virus during the 2024-2025 respiratory illness season. If the percentage exceeds the set level, it means the virus is spreading widely in Pierce County. Click on each tab in the dashboard for more details.
Read more in a blog from Tacoma-Pierce County Health Officer, Dr. James (Jay) Miller.
Protect your health and others this season
It can be hard to determine flu, COVID-19, or RSV because the symptoms can be similar. Testing is a tool to find out for sure. Healthcare providers can test for flu, RSV, and COVID-19 and over-the-counter tests for COVID-19 are available.
COVID-19 testing resources
Visit our COVID-19 testing page for info and free testing locations.
- You can still order free test kits from the federal government. Learn more and order kits at covidtests.gov.
- Long-term care (LTC) facilities can request test kits from the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS).
- Nursing homes, assisted living facilities, adult family homes, home health, and hospice agencies are eligible to request kits at no cost.
- LTC providers can ask to join the weekly distribution by emailing TDX@hhs.gov with their shipping info.
- By accepting delivery, a LTC provider agrees to provide tests for free to at-risk or vulnerable populations. You cannot sell them or charge fees.
- The minimum distribution is 45 tests per week. You can order in bulk for a minimum of 300 tests.
- Send all changes to your request—whether to increase, decrease, pause, or restart shipping—to TDX@hhs.gov.
- HHS usually processes requests within a couple of weeks. Contact TDX@hhs.gov with questions.
Vaccination
During the 2023-24 respiratory season, a recent Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) showed that less than 1 in 6 healthcare workers in hospitals and nursing homes received the COVID-19 vaccine, and less than half received the flu vaccine.
CDC reported on Nov. 21, 2024 that:
- 7% of adults 18 and older received a flu vaccine.
- 9% received an updated COVID-19 vaccine for the 2024-25 season.
- 7% of adults 75+ and 31.6% of those 60–74 who are at higher risk, never received an RSV vaccine.
You still have time to get vaccinated. Help prevent severe illness and hospital stays by getting up to date with flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccination. Vaccination is the best way to prevent severe illness from respiratory viruses.
Many local pharmacies provide vaccine services at LTCFs. If you are still looking for a vaccine partner for your facility/home, contact them to see what works best for you.
LTC resources and free vaccination info for adults and children
Healthy habits
In addition to getting vaccinated, maintaining healthy habits can reduce the spread of germs and keep everyone safe. Simple preventive measures include washing your hands regularly, staying home when you are sick, and cleaning surfaces often. Visit our Respiratory Illness webpage to explore additional resources.
Antiviral treatments
If someone tests positive for the flu or COVID-19, it is important to connect with a healthcare provider. They may qualify for treatments that can help reduce the severity of the illness and prevent hospitalization.
Certain patients with underlying health conditions are still at a higher risk for severe disease, hospitalization, and death.
Use the COVID-19 and Flu Treatments Locator to find pharmacies, clinics, and other places that provide these treatments. These medications require a prescription from a healthcare provider. Remember other locations not listed here, may also have these medications.
COVID-19 treatments
COVID-19 treatments can help prevent or treat eligible non-hospitalized patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms. Getting treatment early can help patients recover better and ease the burden on healthcare facilities.
Patient Assistance Programs (PAP) help ensure access to COVID-19 treatments at little or no cost to patients.
To learn more, visit:
Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir co-packaged with ritonavir)
Paxcess Patient Support Program
Lagevrio (molnupiravir)
Merck Patient Assistance Program
Veklury (remdesivir)
Gilead’s Advancing Access Program
Power outage safety
For tips on dealing with power outages, refer to our page: Power Outages in Your Home and read our recent blog about the importance of properly storing life-saving medical devices and medicine during outages.
Questions?
Contact our team at longtermcare@tpchd.org or view our Long-Term Care Facility Toolkit.
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