Public health officials described a local ventilator capacity of up to 10 patients as well as plans to roll out a high-volume testing program at Washington State University among the details in the county’s recent Phase 2 variance request.
The state Secretary of Health approved Whitman County’s request this morning to move to Phase 2 business and recreation restrictions (Approval letter and guidelines). County officials also this morning reported the second confirmed new COVID-19 case in two days, the first new cases since late April.
The county’s 19-page variance request includes letters from local hospitals and public health representatives affirming the community’s adequate testing capacity, personal protective equipment inventory and staffing availability.
A description of local testing capabilities indicated that “anyone experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19” can currently get tested. Pullman Regional Hospital has a drive-up testing clinic and Public Health can also administer field tests to people at their homes if needed.
The variance request shows the county has run about 80 tests a week since late April.
Public Health officials reported they hope to partner with WSU’s Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab to process up to 2,000 test samples a day with a turnaround time of less than 24 hours. That program could start by June 1.
Pullman Radio News today reported WSU officials made brief comments on the rapid testing effort in today’s online town hall discussion.
Scott Adams, CEO of Pullman Regional Hospital, wrote the facility has prepared its six-bed ICU to serve as an isolation wing for any surge in COVID-19 cases. He estimated their “long-term ventilator capacity” at two to four patients.
“We have modified the physical [space] to limit exposure to infection for both staff and patients,” he wrote. “These modifications include physical barriers, alternative entrances, exits, patient routes and support space.”
Adams also wrote the hospital has a sufficient inventory of critical PPE beyond the required seven-day minimum. Though the hospital publicly asked for help assembling additional masks earlier this week.
“PRH has adequate bed capacity to serve our communities,” he wrote, “and adequate personal protective equipment to keep our workers safe.”
Whitman Hospital and Medical Center reported the ability to put six patients on ventilators, but did not clarify long-term capacity. CEO Hank Hanigan wrote the facility could treat patients more than 40 patients if they opened surge capacity in their Emergency Department.
The request also outlines general protocols for tracing and isolating potential outbreaks as the community reopens. Read the entire document below.
Good reporting!