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COVID-19 Update for Virginia<\/strong><\/p>\n July 13, 2020<\/p>\n Dear Colleague:<\/p>\n COVID-19 continues to evolve.\u00a0 Please visit the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) website<\/a> for current clinical guidance and epidemiologic data.\u00a0 I want to highlight the following updates:<\/p>\n COVID-19 Reporting<\/strong><\/p>\n Clinicians should report all suspected cases to the VDH Online Morbidity Reporting Portal<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0 Rapid reporting allows VDH to immediately initiate a case investigation and conduct contact tracing, with the ultimate goal of containing the spread of COVID-19.<\/p>\n On June 4, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released new laboratory data reporting guidance for COVID-19 testing<\/a>.\u00a0 In addition to test results, certain demographic data (e.g., race, ethnicity, age, and sex) are now required and reports should be transmitted to VDH electronically.\u00a0 This reporting should start no later than August 1, 2020.\u00a0 Providers are strongly encouraged to report complete demographic information when ordering testing.<\/strong><\/p>\n COVID-19 Testing<\/strong><\/p>\n VDH recommendations for prioritizing testing are here<\/a>.\u00a0 If testing in the private sector is not available, clinicians may request testing at Virginia\u2019s Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS) by contacting their local health department<\/a>.<\/p>\n VDH is aware of extended testing turnaround times both here in the Commonwealth and nationwide as a result of increased demand.\u00a0 Adherence to VDH guidelines to ensure testing of priority groups is encouraged as the Commonwealth works with public and private partners to address gaps in resources.<\/p>\n VDH recently launched a new webpage for healthcare providers<\/a> that includes a one-page testing algorithm<\/a> and information on the types of COVID-19 tests, how to test patients safely, and tips for interpreting test results.<\/p>\n Healthcare providers should offer evaluation and diagnostic testing (e.g., PCR) for any patient who meets the definition of a close contact<\/a> of a confirmed or probable COVID-19 patient.\u00a0 All close contacts should self-quarantine<\/a> and monitor their health for 14 days from their last exposure, even if they are asymptomatic or test negative.\u00a0 Close contacts who are symptomatic or test positive should self-isolate<\/a>.\u00a0 This resource<\/a> describes the difference between isolation and quarantine.<\/p>\n VDH updated guidance<\/a> for assessing and managing healthcare personnel exposed in healthcare settings other than nursing homes, based on the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations<\/a>.<\/u><\/p>\n Vaccinations<\/strong><\/p>\n Vaccination rates have decreased across all ages during the COVID-19 pandemic.\u00a0 Initially, CDC recommended prioritizing vaccines for children under 24 months of age.\u00a0 As a result, vaccines typically given to children older than 24 months and adults have seen the steepest decline.\u00a0 As of May 31, vaccines entered in the Virginia Immunization Information System (VIIS) were 23% lower compared to previous years.\u00a0 However, there are signs of improvement.\u00a0 In June, Virginia saw vaccine orders increasing and community pediatricians stepping up outreach to parents.\u00a0 Please continue to ensure your patients get back on track and incorporate the ACIP Recommended Catch-Up Immunization Schedule for Children and Adolescents<\/a> and Adults<\/a>.<\/p>\n I want to draw special attention to the importance of influenza vaccination this season.\u00a0 It will be crucial to decrease the incidence of influenza in the community to ease the stress on the healthcare system when both viruses are likely to be circulating.\u00a0 VDH has pre-ordered additional influenza vaccines to ensure access for underserved populations through local health departments, community health centers, and free clinics.\u00a0 I ask you to champion the influenza vaccine this season.\u00a0 We need to work together to overcome barriers, including common vaccine myths<\/a>.<\/u><\/p>\n Regarding the anticipated COVID-19 vaccine, at this time VDH does not have definitive information on which or when vaccines may be available.\u00a0 However, VDH is working closely with CDC to prepare.\u00a0 VDH routinely practices mass vaccination events and is incorporating lessons learned during the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic into our planning.\u00a0 This includes identifying additional staff that need to be trained, ordering supplies, and upgrading the VIIS platform, software, and hardware.\u00a0 All COVID-19 vaccines administered will need to be entered into VIIS, as was done during the previous pandemic.\u00a0 If your practice is not already using VIIS, please contact our team today at viisinfo@vdh.virginia.gov<\/a>.<\/p>\n As states move to reopen their economy, people are faced with difficult and personal decisions about returning to work, seeing family and friends, or traveling away from home.\u00a0 Clinicians should engage with their patients to provide support and insight for individualized risk assessments.\u00a0 Consider referring to, and expanding upon, the framework proposed by Dr. Larochelle<\/a> based on the person\u2019s occupational risk of contracting COVID-19 and the person\u2019s risk of severe illness if infected.<\/p>\n