From: Berkley Sykes [mailto:berkley.sykes@hhsys.org]
Sent: Friday, July 30, 2021 4:28 PM
To: Pharmacy Department
Subject: COVID-19 updates

Employee COVID testing decision tree (Google link accessible from home - opens in new window/tab)

Employee Exposure Form (Wufoo Form)

As you're all aware, COVID is resurging and as of today we have 71 COVID positive patients in our Madison County hospitals. I've attached the Employee Health/HR decision tree and a memo from Jeff Samz. The attachments are also available on the Pulse page. 

A few stats:

- 90% of our COVID positive patients are unvaccinated. 

- Delta variant accounts for 80% of recent COVID positive cases. It's very contagious and infects entire families. 

- Average age for COVID + patients in our hospital is now 57. We're seeing patients in their late 20's. 

- Only about 30% of Alabamians are vaccinated
- About 50% of Madison county is vaccinated

What we know today:

- The plans are to place COVID + patients in isolation rooms rather than convert an entire unit. This could change as numbers increase, but that's the plan for now. 

- New isolation signs are being developed to indicate which are COVID patients.

- Vaccine clinic will be moving out of 120 Governors in the near future to allow for increased monoclonal antibody patients. 

- We're watching our COVID drug levels very carefully to help ensure we don't run out of important medication. 

Decision tree (attached):

- Please note that these guidelines are for everyone whether vaccinated or not.

- Quarantine is three days now instead of seven because a positive result is detected much quicker with the Delta variant.

- Employee Health (5-8046) is available 24/7. Call them at any time if you have symptoms or feel that you've been exposed. 

- It's very important that if you are going to be tested, you go to the Fever and Flu Clinic (120 Governors Dr SE, Huntsville, AL 35801) as the results will come back quicker and you won't have to retest if you received an antigen test elsewhere. 

Masking:

- The CDC recommends masking when inside. Please continue to wear your mask at work even if you're working with other vaccinated employees. 

We pulled together and made it through before, and we'll do it again if necessary. Thank you all for your hard work and for taking care of our patients and each other so well. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me or your manager/supervisor. Decisions are still being made and I'm sure there will be more news next week. 

Lastly: If you and yours aren't vaccinated, I encourage you all to do so. That's the best way to stop the spread of this virus. 

Berkley Sykes, Pharm.D.
Pharmacy Operations Manager
Huntsville Hospital
Office phone: (256) 265-2282
Cell phone: (256) 426-1289