COVID-19 UPDATE #191
September 24, 2021
GOVERNOR EXTENDS EVICTION MORATORIUM BRIDGE PROGRAM
On September 23, 2021, Governor Jay Inslee announced that he is extending his "bridge" proclamation—which replaced Washington's moratorium on evictions—by 30 days. The proclamation was scheduled to expire on September 30. Inslee granted the brief extension to allow counties more time to distribute the hundreds of millions of state and federal dollars earmarked to go toward rental assistance.

It should be noted that licensed long term care facilities continue to be exempt from the order, thanks to the legislative carve-out found in Section 18 of E2SSB 5160. The exclusion of licensed long term care from the original extension was explained in the Department’s Dear Provider letter of June 17, 2021, which can be found here. This exclusion was the result of continued pressure by WHCA and its members. However, unlicensed senior housing/independent living and rooms/apartments rented to nonresident individuals (“independent residents”) within an assisted living facility will continue to be covered by the Governor’s new “bridge” provisions. Rental increases are permitted for these individuals as provided under state law (RCW 59.18.140)

Implemented in June, the original proclamation made it difficult for landlords to evict tenants for any missed rent payments between February 29, 2020, and July 31, 2021. Since August 1, renters have been expected to pay full rent or an agreed-upon reduced rent. However, landlords are still prohibited from evicting tenants as long as they’re actively seeking rental assistance. With the extension, that protection now expires on October 31, 2021, at 11:59 PM.
DOH VOLUNTEER HEALTH PRACTITIONER PROGRAM AVAILABLE TO PROVIDERS
Given the challenges providers continue to face with regard to staffing during this pandemic, we wish to remind providers that the Department of Health (DOH) has been enrolling and activating emergency volunteer health practitioners for the COVID-19 response. While an emergency proclamation of the Governor is in effect, health practitioners licensed in other states may practice in Washington State without obtaining a Washington license. Volunteers must be in good standing in all states of licensure and registered in the volunteer health practitioner system, WAserv.

Requesting volunteers begins with submitting a request to your local emergency management organization. See the DOH fact sheet for instructions and details. Tribal nations have the sovereign authority to set and follow their own processes for request, and may reach out directly to the state, local authorities, or local health care coalitions.

Health care facilities who want to request approved volunteers need to complete a health care facilities request form. Facilities requesting to activate specific volunteers should follow the guidance document, Health Care Facility Options for Requesting Health Care Providers.

Volunteers may be paid. Those volunteers requested through the Department of Health may expect market rate for services; additionally, travel and other expenses such as lodging and meal per diem may be expected.

From the FAQs related to the program:
  • An out-of-state licensed health practitioner may provide services for compensation to a host entity in Washington and qualify as a volunteer health practitioner under chapter 70.15 RCW as long as he or she does not have a preexisting employment relationship with the Washington host entity or an affiliate that requires the practitioner to provide health services in Washington. Practitioners should review the terms of their employment relationships to determine whether they are required to provide services in Washington.
  • A practitioner does not qualify under chapter 70.15 RCW if the practitioner is compensated under a preexisting employment relationship with a host entity or affiliate which requires the practitioner to provide health services in Washington, unless the practitioner is a non-Washington resident employed by a disaster relief organization. RCW 70.15.010(16).
  • A practitioner who is licensed in another state and is contracted to provide services at a facility in another state may practice without a Washington license at a facility in Washington that owns, is owned by, or is affiliated with the out-of-state facility where they normally work, provided that his or her employment relationship does not require him or her to provide services in Washington. For example, a health system with a hospital in Washington and a hospital in Idaho may bring Idaho-licensed practitioners whose contracts do not require them to provide services in Washington from its Idaho hospital to provide services in its Washington hospital and those practitioners would qualify as volunteer health practitioners under chapter 70.15 RCW.

These volunteers must also be in good standing in all states of licensure and registered in the volunteer health practitioner system, WAserv.
WESTERN STATES SCIENTIFIC SAFETY REVIEW WORKGROUP RECOMMENDS PFIZER-BIONTECH VACCINE BOOSTER SHOT AFTER SIX MONTHS
The Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup today completed its review of the federal process and has recommended a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at least six months after their primary vaccination series for people older than 65 and people at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

The Workgroup provided its confirmation to the governors of Washington, Oregon, California, and Nevada today. The Workgroup recommended the following groups of people who received the Pfizer vaccine should receive a booster dose of the Pfizer vaccine after six months:
  • People 65 and older,
  • People living in a long-term care facility, and
  • People 50-64 with underlying medical conditions.

In addition, the Workgroup recommended that the following groups of people ages 18-64 who received the Pfizer vaccine may also receive a booster dose of the Pfizer vaccine after six months:
  • People with underlying medical conditions, and
  • People who are at higher risk of COVID-19 exposure and transmission due to occupational or institutional setting.

The full article here includes comments from western states' governors. WHCA is working with DOH and will get more information out to our members regarding boosters as it becomes available.
DSHS ISSUES COVID-19, INFLUENZA, AND PNEUMOCOCCAL REMINDER TO ALL PROVIDERS
In a Dear Administrator letter dated September 17, 2021, all providers are reminded of the importance, now more than ever, to protect residents/clients and staff from COVID-19, flu, and pneumonia during the ongoing pandemic. The letter provides steps to take to minimize the impact of COVID-19, flu, and pneumonia in your facility/community:
  1. Encourage ALL residents/clients and staff to get the COVID-19 vaccine, the flu vaccine by the end of October, AND encourage residents/clients and staff to get the pneumococcal vaccine as needed.
  2. Wash your hands and use alcohol-based hand sanitizer frequently.
  3. Wear a face mask.
  4. Call your local health department whenever a resident/client tests positive for COVID-19 or flu. Also call if you see a sudden increase in acute respiratory illness (two or more ill residents/clients within 72 hours).
  5. Report a suspected outbreak of COVID-19, flu, or any other communicable disease to the Department of Social and Health Services online or by calling the hotline at (800) 562-6078.
  6. Review your facility/home's ability to implement infection prevention standards and meet the health care needs of residents/clients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 or flu.

For each of the these steps, the letter provides expanded information and instructions. Providers are also encouraged to adhere to the Standards for Adult Immunizations.
PUBLIC HEALTH CONNECTION PROVIDES PROOF OF VACCINATION | VERIFY FROM ANYWHERE
As businesses, schools, and other facilities reopen, many are requiring proof of vaccination for entry. Perhaps you’ve already experienced this when going to certain events, or your favorite restaurant. Many businesses, event planners, and local governments are also making the decision to require proof of vaccination to keep everyone as safe as possible.

Washington State also offers some different ways to show proof of vaccination if you don’t want to carry your card, or in case you misplaced or destroyed it.

These options include:
  • MyIR Mobile Certificate of COVID-19 Vaccination (printed or screenshot)
  • MyIR Mobile QR code, or QR code displayed on an endorsed partner mobile app
  • Washington State Immunization Information System printout
  • Verified electronic medical record printout from your medical provider

These options are available to anyone who got the COVID-19 vaccine, including children. Parents can use any of these methods to access and show their children’s vaccination records.

Some locations may only accept one specific type of vaccine proof. Make sure to check what kind of proof you need ahead of time, so you can be ready when you arrive. Read more.
TOWN HALL EVENT TO DISCUSS IMPLICATIONS FOR PROTECTING HEALTH OF SENIORS
The Washington Department of Health (DOH) Nursing Commission, UW Bothell School of Nursing and Health Studies, and Northwest Neighbors Network are featuring a virtual town hall aimed at protecting and preparing people – particularly seniors – from ill effects of COVID-19 as we head into the fall and winter months. The Town Hall will be held October 15, 2021, from 12:30 - 1:30 PM. Dr. Vin Gupta will be speaking and
Dr. Robin Fleming will moderate.

The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on everyone’s lives, and seniors were profoundly affected. What have we learned so far? How have we adjusted, and how can we best prepare to protect our health and safety as winter approaches?

Dr. Robin Fleming, assistant teaching professor at the University of Washington Bothell and board member of Northwest Neighbors Network, will have a conversation with
Dr. Vin Gupta, affiliate assistant professor of Health Metrics Sciences at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington, about how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the landscape of health care and public health communications — and the implications this has for seniors. RSVP online or contact Frannie Jordan at francj4@uw.edu or via phone (425) 352-3554 for more information on the event, including how to send questions in advance. There is additional information on the event registration page. 
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
WHCA continues to post resources and information as it becomes available on our website. If you have questions or need additional information, please call the WHCA office at (800) 562-6170.