Final VAPAHCS Weekly COVID-19 Update
The COVID-19 information normally shared in this newsletter will now be consolidated into the Weekly Compass and this will be the final edition.
Message from the Director

After the recent pause in providing the Janssen vaccine, CDC and FDA experts carefully studied the issue by reviewing the cases and examining all available data. Based on this review, they're confident that this vaccine is safe for use and works well to prevent COVID-19. The available data shows the vaccine's benefits outweigh its risks and the chance of blood clots after getting this vaccine is very low.

We are working on plans to resume offering this vaccine, but as safety is our number one priority, we will be providing updated documentation that explains the potential risks, including the rare risk of blood clots.

Another update from CDC, that you may have seen in the news, provides guidance for wearing a mask in outdoor settings when you are fully vaccinated. It is important to remember there is still a federal mask mandate as well as local health department mandates, for which this guidance does not replace. As changes are made, we will make sure to share the information and assess our own policies.

The last information I wanted to share is that this will be our last COVID-19 newsletter. We will integrate all new COVID-19 updates into the Weekly Compass, so please make sure to review the newsletter each Monday. As these changes are implemented, we will continue our efforts to care for our Veterans and offer the vaccines that are available.

Keep up the great work and I urge you to take time for yourself, check on each other, and continue monitoring the evolving information about this pandemic.

Thank you,
Lisa
Director
Latest COVID-19 Safety Updates and Reminders

Safety remains our top priority as we continue our fight against this pandemic. It is important to follow standard work, follow safety procedures and most of all, do not let our guard down. Here are the latest precautions to remember:

UPDATED: VAPAHCS Discontinuation of Transmission - Based Isolation Precautions For Recovered COVID-19 Patients
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  1. Align inpatient duration of isolation to outpatient and CDC guidance (10 or 20 days after onset of symptoms, not “20 days for all” as previously done for uniformity)
  2. Updates guidance to reflect current recommendations for discontinuing precautions on severely immunocompromised (consult with ID, 20 days, may be indication for test-based discontinuation)
  3. Recommends exclusion from routine surveillance/monitoring screening tests for 6 months (vs 3 months) after initial infection in asymptomatic people with recovered COVID
  4. Rationale: Given low risk of reinfection and frequent findings of residual PCR positivity that tend to be barrier to care and cause confusion, there is an exceedingly low risk of these patients being infectious, and a higher chance they will be found to be residual-PCR positive, potentially leading to negative outcomes (unnecessary isolation, delay of procedures, patient and provider concern/alarm).
  5. Similar guidance for surgical procedure and admissions screening already aligned/approved last week. 

Changes to visitor policy still underway
We continue to evaluate the results of our piloted changes in our visitor policy. Visitors are allowed in our inpatient units in a limited capacity. Visitors should reach out to the Veteran's social worker to setup visits.
Updated CDC Masking Guidance for fully vaccinated people
The CDC has updated guidance for wearing masks in various activity settings, especially for people who have been fully vaccinated. You can find the full guidance information on the CDC's Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People.

Please remember, while you are on our campuses, you still have to wear masks at all times on our campus. Any policy changes will be shared when available.

101 parking lot reopening
Effective April 29, 2021, parking lot 101 at the Palo Alto Division was reopened for staff and public use, except for Wednesdays, where the lot will remain closed for the COVID-19 vaccine clinics.
Volunteer
Volunteer for vaccine clinic and labor pool

We are still in need of employees to volunteer for our vaccine clinics and other labor pool duties. With supervisor approval, this is your chance to gain some overtime when you work afterhours or on weekends. Sign up using the following forms:
COVID-19 Vaccine Updates

Thank you to everyone who has helped to make these clinics run smoothly. We look forward to vaccinating even more Veterans (and staff!) this coming week.

Find more information and frequently asked questions about receiving the vaccine on our COVID-19 Information for Staff.
Vaccine Hesitancy materials available

Here are a few documents that may help in talking to your patients about vaccines:
VAPAHCS COVID-19 Response

This week’s photos highlight staff who volunteered at our Palo Alto and Livermore vaccine clinics.
Upcoming Events

COVID-19 Weekly Seminar
Every Thursday, from 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Experts from Infection Control, Human Resources, and Occupational Health will be on-hand to answer your questions about COVID-19 and the vaccine. All staff are welcome to join on Microsoft Teams Meeting or by phone: (213) 282-6316, conference ID: 752 985 472#. Submit your questions ahead of time here and find previous recordings of the seminar on SharePoint!
Important Resources

These resources are available to aid in your COVID-19 response efforts.
“Code 95” - This is an emergency code that was created to respond to COVID-19 positive and patients under investigation.

Media inquiries - If contacted by the media for any reason, please refer them to the Public Affairs Office main line at (650) 858-3925 or VAPaloAltoPublicAffairs@va.gov.
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