NEWS RELEASE
January 11, 2022
Update on Okanogan County Healthcare Resources
The demand on County healthcare resources remains high for COVID and non-COVID related care in Emergency Departments, hospitals and clinics
OKANOGAN – The Omicron variant has arrived in Okanogan County and COVID-19 cases are rising. While illness from the Omicron variant is not as severe as from previous variants, the much larger number of cases is stressing our county healthcare resources. The increased demand for services such as COVID-19 testing, emergency department visits (COVID and non-COVID related), and routine medical care, is occurring in the midst of staff shortages, inclement weather, and longer wait times for patients who need to be transferred to more intensive care hospitals.
Okanogan County Healthcare Partners are once again asking residents:
- if you are seeking COVID-19 testing (and you are asymptomatic, were exposed to someone with confirmed COVID-19, or need testing for travel purposes) please do not visit the hospital or emergency department. Please use a home test kit, or visit LifeLine Ambulance in Omak, AeroMethow in Twisp, or Fire District 15 in Brewster where testing is offered daily. All county testing location information is posted here: https://okanogancountycovid19.org/symptoms-testing/
- please assess your symptoms and only go to the Emergency Department in an emergency. If possible, residents should call their healthcare provider to make an appointment and receive guidance on how to manage their health condition. If you are experiencing an emergency, call 9-1-1. First responders and EMS personnel can offer support and provide care.
- Avoid risky behaviors and activities that could result in a trip to the hospital
- Get routine care from your primary care provider for any conditions you know you have
- Protect yourself from severe illness from COVID-19 by getting vaccinated, boosted, and wearing a high-quality (N95) mask in public spaces
Whether or not you are vaccinated, if you test positive for COVID-19 and your symptoms can be managed at home, please isolate away from others for five days and stay at home until your fever has gone away. Detailed isolation and quarantine guidance can be found here: https://okanogancountycovid19.org/tracing-isolation-quarantine/
Our healthcare organizations and first responders appreciate your efforts to stay safe, to seek out non-urgent COVID-19 testing at locations other than hospitals and emergency departments, and to keep medical services available for those who need them most during this time.