COVID-19 and Health News
August Health Updates
COVID-19 test positivity and hospitalizations are increasing. COVID-19 can increase during any season of the year, including summer. To protect yourself and others from COVID-19 this summer:
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Get the COVID-19 vaccine (2023-2024 is the latest vaccine)
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Maintain good hygiene -- washing hands, keeping surfaces clean
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Treatment (e.g., Paxlovid) -- must be started within 5-7 days after developing symptoms
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Wearing masks and social distancing
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Staying home and preventing spread of disease
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Getting tested often
The multi-state outbreak of H5N1 bird flu in dairy cows, poultry, and other animals continues to be a public health challenge.
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It is recommended to avoid exposures to sick animals, including wild and domesticated birds, poultry, cows, and other farm animals.
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People should not drink raw milk-- opt for pasteurized milk, which is safe to drink.
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People who have job-related contact to potentially infected animals should wear personal protected equipment.
Monkeypox Phoneline and Updates
Have any questions related to the Monkeypox Virus (MPV)? People across Washington can now call 1-833-829-HELP to get their questions answered! Language assistance is available in 240 languages. Please see more details about the resource here.
For additional information about the Monkeypox virus, to access frequently asked questions (FAQS) and to keep up to date with case count, please visit the DOH MPV webpage available in English or Spanish. The webpage will soon be available in Russian, Vietnamese, Ukrainian, Somali, Korean, Tagalog, Arabic, Punjabi, Cambodian and Chinese (Simplified and Traditional).
The CDC website on Monkeypox also lists ways that it can be spread, signs and symptoms, and what to do if you are sick. Visit the site here.
Getting Our Booster Shots for Better Health
COVID-19 Updates
For the latest information on the available COVID vaccine clinics for Thurston County visit:
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The Department of Health's website to sign up for a vaccine appointment
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The Thurston County Public Health's website
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The Thurston County Public Health's Facebook
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The Department of Health's Covid-19 website
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The American Dept. of Health and Human Services' Test to Treat program
For the latest in general mask wearing guidelines visit:
AANHPI language vaccine videos presented by Crossing TV
APIC 2023 COVID-19
Updates
Read our informational pamphlet for
updated information about COVID-19
and how to stay safe!
Oral Therapeutics
Swipe through for more languages!
Language Based Covid Resources and Recommendations
As COVID-19 guidance changes, the DOH is actively working to translate updated content into 40 languages (including many AANHPI).
To access translated versions:
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Visit https://doh.wa.gov/emergencies/covid-19/resources-and-recommendations
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Locate the brown rectangle in the top right corner of your screen that features the page’s current language and has an arrow indicating a drop-down menu.
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Select the arrow and your preferred language from the dropdown menu.
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Translated COVID-19 guidance available in the selected language will populate the page.
The DOH released translated versions of the following documents this week, which are available on the DOH website:
Language Based COVID Pediatric Vaccine Resources for Parents & Guardians
Resources are available in the following languages:
English, Spanish, Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Hmong, Japanese, Korean,Lao,Somali, Vietnamese, Hindi, Nepali, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Thai
This is a community generated list of information on COVID Pediatric Vaccines and some general COVID vaccine info. Please note the links are shared by community members and not vetted for translation accuracy, use care in selecting which resources to give to families.
Resources for Our Community
COVID-19 Utility Moratorium
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The COVID-19 Utility Moratorium ends September 30th. The Department of Commerce has a webpage dedicated to FAQs in 36 different languages to ensure your community has the information they need to call their utilities provider, make a plan and keep their service: https://www.commerce.wa.gov/utility-assistance/.
Vaccine-related resources
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Updated pregnancy recommendation for the vaccine: https://www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/COVID19/VaccineInformation/FrequentlyAskedQuestions
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Resource page for guidance on youth vaccinations: https://www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/COVID19/HealthcareProviders/VaccineInformationforHealthcareProviders/VaccinatingYouth
Testing guidance: Rapid Testing vs. PCR Testing
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Learn about the difference between these two tests: https://www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/COVID19/TestingforCOVID19
Like to receive the Department of Health’s newsletters? We encourage you to subscribe at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WADOH/subscriber/new and choose the kind of information you would like to receive.
COVID-19 Impact and Considerations for Asians
Asian American COVID-19 Experience Report by NYU Center for the Study of Asian American Health (CSAAH)
Education, Communication, and Outreach Resources
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Washington State Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs COVID-19 Resources
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COVID-19 Resources in Vietnamese by PIVOT: Viet Fact Check and VietCOVID.org.
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SEARAC COVID-19 Resources in Vietnamese compiled by Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC).
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Asian Pacific Islander Coalition Advocating Together Resources
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COVID-19 Vaccine PSA Nepal Seattle Society. video public service announcement from the Nepal Seattle Society encourages getting vaccinated
For Refugees and Immigrant Communities
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Discussion Guide for Building Confidence in COVID-19 Vaccines for Immigrants and Refugees (PDF)
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Kanon Magazine View the Russian Q&A addressing COVID-19-related vaccine topics and hesitancy on pages 50-51 with trusted religious community leader and PhD candidate in Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of Washington, Andrey Shuvarikov.
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Titre Avval article from a respected community member, Dr. Tara Jones | Farsi | English
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Recommendations and Resource page (filtered by 36+ languages)
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Washington Solidarity Immigrant Network COVID-19 Vaccine Know Your Rights One-Pager (PDF) | Spanish
Hand Sanitizer Distribution
One of our APIC Family, the chapter from the Snohomish APIC, or Refugee and Immigrant Services NW, has coordinated and shared a donation of hand sanitizers with all the chapters around the state to distribute hand sanitizers to our local community organizations, churches, and businesses. APIC SPS was able to distribute more than 600 bottles of hand sanitizers this week! More could be available, but we need to hear from you. If your organization is in the South Sound area and are in need of hand sanitizers for your operations please contact us at apic.southpugetsound@gmail.com. Let me know if you may need more information.
Thanks to all of these who already responded and received their supplies. Thank you for sharing the hand sanitizers with the many organizations around this area. You are appreciated! We want to express our sincere appreciation to Mr. Yan and Mr. Hoang for helping us with bringing back the sanitizers from Kent's distribution center to Olympia for this effort. Thank you!
