Submitted by Grays Harbor Community Hospital
Grays Harbor Community Hospital continues working on many fronts to combat COVID-19 in our region. Thankfully COVID-related hospitalizations have reduced this week. This has allowed some of our staff to catch their breath, but we anticipate a return to increased volumes as we see fallout from holiday gatherings.
Vaccinations: Phase 1A was expanded and vaccinations continue. As of Friday January 8 we have given approximately 500 1st doses. We have begun 2nd doses of the Pfizer vaccine. The state has issued guidance for Phase 1B. Broken into 4 tiers, 1B includes: all people 70 years and older, high risk critical workers 50 years and older who work in certain congregate settings, people 16 years or older with two or more co-morbidities or underlying conditions, as well as others. Details can be found at Department of Health website.
We have also started detailed conversations with county officials on how to structure mass vaccination in our community. Details will be released as confirmed.
Work continues at the state level through the Washington State Hospital Association to get a consistent, reliable supply of vaccine and to make sure it is getting where it needs to be. As an organization we have to be very careful how much we administer as we do not have a clear understanding of when our supply of vaccine may be replenished.
More information available on the Gray’s Harbor Community Hospital website.
Testing: GHCH is happy that Grays Harbor County Public Health has begun offering community testing in Hoquiam through the rest of the month. Our drive-up testing continues. We have tested around 5300 people for COVID-19 through the GHCH drive-up. Please call 360-537-5100 to make an appointment or go to our website here to learn more about COVID-19.
P.S. There has been no flu so far in Grays Harbor.
