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PLEASE VISIT: VA PUGET SOUND HEALTH CARE SYSTEM UPDATE

https://www.pugetsound.va.gov/

EMERGENCY NOTIFICATIONS

Situation Update – VA Puget Sound Health Care System
04/08/2020 08:04 PM EDT

New Coronavirus (COVID-19) updates/facility changes called out in blue below. Updates are not generated if there are no additional changes. The last update reflects our active operational status. No need to look at earlier versions as each update summarizes all active changes underway. For the latest information about VA’s overall response to COVID-19, visit the VA’s website.

If you have a fever, coughing, and shortness of breath, call your VA medical center before going to a clinic, urgent care, or emergency room. You can also send your doctor a secure message through My HealtheVet. Contacting us first helps us protect you, medical staff, and other patients. Visit the CDC to learn more about the symptoms of COVID-19 and steps you should take if you are sick. To reschedule or convert a clinic appointment to a virtual one, call us at 1-800-329-8387 extension 71234, call your primary care team or use My HealtheVet.

For routine and non-urgent questions with links to helpful online resources, please read “Coronavirus FAQs: What Veterans need to know.” We appreciate your ongoing support and understanding as we continue to plan, prepare and respond to this public health threat. Thank you!

COVID-19 Update

(April 8, 2020)
All Health Care Sites
Screening of Veterans, visitors and staff with symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath who meet the CDC criteria for evaluation of COVID-19 infection continues across are VA Puget Sound sites of care. All patients should allow for extra time to get to appointments with the required screening.
Visits by guests and Veterans without appointments or valid medical needs suspended until the transmission of COVID-19 is no longer a threat to our Veterans and staff. We are committed to working with family members and friends to support those exceptions, while minimizing risk. For more details: https://www.pugetsound.va.gov/features/COVID_19_Notice_restricted_visitation.asp
Canceled elective surgery cases in which a delay will not negatively impact patient outcomes (both inpatient and outpatient) March 16 through April 15, 2020.

Primary care shifting to virtual visits only (no face-to-face). We continue to proactively contacting patients to offer options to convert clinic appointments to virtual ones.
Children 12 and under not permitted at this time, with one exception: American Lake’s Child Care Center.

Voluntary Service has suspended all Volunteer participation.
Facility-specific changes:
American Lake & Seattle Campus:
Gyms and barber shops closed.

No in-person dining at Veteran Canteen Service PatriotCafé Food Court — only take-out services.
Seattle:
NEW: Centralized employee screening at South Entrance (Building 1) now Monday to Friday 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; after hours and on weekend staff must use Main Entrance. South entrances remains a staff-only entrance Monday to Friday; closed on weekends.

Staff shuttle service to/from Federal Center South parking lot is suspended due to lack of ridership.
Patient/visitor screening/entrances: Radiation Oncology, Women’s Health, Building 100 main entrance, Building 101.

Patients and visitors are being asked to park in the multi-level Veteran’s parking garage.
Patient Shuttle from South Entrance (Building 1) to Main Entrance (Building 100) available every 5-10 minutes.

Fisher House will be limiting guest check-ins at night and weekends. All referrals for Fisher House will be reviewed on a case by case basis.

Veteran Canteen Services PatriotBrew Coffee Shop open 6 to 10 a.m. Monday-Friday; closed on the weekends.

American Lake (Lakewood):
Centralized, drive-thru Veteran/employee screening Monday to Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Employee testing (by appointment only) now available.
Limited clinical services (appointments only) during weekends.
Veteran Canteen Services (food and retail) closed on weekends.
Community Based Outpatient Clinics & Other Facilities:
Mobile Medical Unit outpatient visits suspended. The MMU fleet (two) will be available to expand COVID-19 testing when lab and logistics capacity are available.

For more information about COVID-19 visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html

COVID-19 Update
(April 2, 2020)
All Health Care Sites

Screening of Veterans, visitors and staff with symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath who meet the CDC criteria for evaluation of COVID-19 infection continues across are VA Puget Sound sites of care. All patients should allow for extra time to get to appointments with the required screening.
Visits by guests and Veterans without appointments or valid medical needs suspended until the transmission of COVID-19 is no longer a threat to our Veterans and staff. We are committed to working with family members and friends to support those exceptions, while minimizing risk. For more details: https://www.pugetsound.va.gov/features/COVID_19_Notice_restricted_visitation.asp
Canceled elective surgery cases in which a delay will not negatively impact patient outcomes (both inpatient and outpatient) March 16 through April 15, 2020.

Voluntary Service has suspended all Volunteer participation.
Facility-specific changes:
American Lake & Seattle Campus:
Gyms and barber shops closed.
No in-person dining at Veteran Canteen Service PatriotCafé Food Court — only take-out services.
Seattle:

NEW: Beginning April 3, staff shuttle service to/from Federal Center South parking lot is suspended due to lack of ridership.

Patient/visitor screening/entrances: Radiation Oncology, Women’s Health, Building 100 main entrance, Building 101.

Centralized employee screening at South Entrance (Building 1).
Patients and visitors are being asked to park in the multi-level Veteran’s parking garage.
Patient Shuttle from South Entrance (Building 1) to Main Entrance (Building 100) available every 5-10 minutes.

Fisher House will be limiting guest check-ins at night and weekends. All referrals for Fisher House will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
Veteran Canteen Services PatriotBrew Coffee Shop open 6 to 10 a.m. Monday-Friday; closed on the weekends.

South Entrance for staff-only Monday-Friday; closed on weekends.
American Lake (Lakewood):
Centralized, drive-thru Veteran/employee screening Monday to Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Employee testing (by appointment only) now available.
Limited clinical services (appointments only) during weekends.
Veteran Canteen Services (food and retail) closed on weekends.
Community Based Outpatient Clinics & Other Facilities:
Mobile Medical Unit outpatient visits suspended. The MMU fleet (two) will be available to expand COVID-19 testing when lab and logistics capacity are available.

For more information about COVID-19 visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html

COVID-19 Update

(March 27, 2020)
All Health Care Sites
NEW: Effective today, Voluntary Service is suspending all Volunteer participation.
Screening of Veterans, visitors and staff with symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath who meet the CDC criteria for evaluation of COVID-19 infection continues across are VA Puget Sound sites of care. All patients should allow for extra time to get to appointments with the required screening.
Visits by guests and Veterans without appointments or valid medical needs suspended until the transmission of COVID-19 is no longer a threat to our Veterans and staff. We are committed to working with family members and friends to support those exceptions, while minimizing risk. For more details: https://www.pugetsound.va.gov/features/COVID_19_Notice_restricted_visitation.asp
Canceled elective surgery cases in which a delay will not negatively impact patient outcomes (both inpatient and outpatient) March 16 through April 15, 2020.

Facility-specific changes:
American Lake & Seattle Campus:
Gyms and barber shops closed.
No in-person dining at Veteran Canteen Service PatriotCafé Food Court — only take-out services.
Seattle:
Patient/visitor screening/entrances: Radiation Oncology, Women’s Health, Building 100 main entrance, Building 101.

For more information about COVID-19 visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html

COVID-19 Update
(March 24, 2020)
All Health Care Sites
NEW: Primary care shifting to virtual visits only (no face-to-face).
Screening of Veterans and visitors with symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath who meet the CDC criteria for evaluation of COVID-19 infection continues across are VA Puget Sound sites of care. All patients should allow for extra time to get to appointments with the required screening.
Visits by guests and Veterans without appointments or valid medical needs suspended until the transmission of COVID-19 is no longer a threat to our Veterans and staff. We are committed to working with family members and friends to support those exceptions, while minimizing risk. For more details: https://www.pugetsound.va.gov/features/COVID_19_Notice_restricted_visitation.asp
Cancelling elective surgery cases in which a delay will not negatively impact patient outcomes (both inpatient and outpatient) March 16 through April 15, 2020.
Proactively contacting patients to offer options to convert clinic appointments to virtual ones.
Children 12 and under not permitted at this time, with one exception: American Lake’s Child Care Center.
Screening of symptomatic employees underway.
Facility-specific changes:
American Lake & Seattle Campus:
NEW: Barber shops closed.
Gyms closed.
Veteran Canteen Service PatriotCafé Food Courts will only provide take-out services, no in-person dining.
Seattle:
Patient/visitor screening/entrances: Radiation Oncology, Women’s Health, Building 100 main entrance, Building 101.
Centralized employee screening at South Entrance (Building 1).
Patients and visitors are being asked to park in the multi-level Veteran’s parking garage.
Patient Shuttle from South Entrance (Building 1) to Main Entrance (Building 100) available every 5-10 minutes.
Fisher House will be limiting guest check-ins at night and weekends. All referrals for Fisher House will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
Veteran Canteen Services PatriotBrew Coffee Shop open 6 to 10 a.m. Monday-Friday; closed on the weekends.

South Entrance for staff-only Monday-Friday; closed on weekends.
American Lake (Lakewood):
Centralized, drive-thru Veteran/employee screening Monday to Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Employee testing (by appointment only) now available.
Limited clinical services (appointments only) during weekends.
Audiology Clinic cancelled on Saturdays.
Veteran Canteen Services (food and retail) closed on weekends.
Community Based Outpatient Clinics & Other Facilities:
Mobile Medical Unit outpatient visits suspended. The MMU fleet (two) will be available to expand COVID-19 testing when lab and logistics capacity are available.

For more information about COVID-19 visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html

COVID-19 Update
(March 23, 2020)

All Health Care Sites
Screening of Veterans and visitors with symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath who meet the CDC criteria for evaluation of COVID-19 infection continues across are VA Puget Sound sites of care. All patients should allow for extra time to get to appointments with the required screening.
Visits by guests and Veterans without appointments or valid medical needs suspended until the transmission of COVID-19 is no longer a threat to our Veterans and staff. We are committed to working with family members and friends to support those exceptions, while minimizing risk. For more details: https://www.pugetsound.va.gov/features/COVID_19_Notice_restricted_visitation.asp
Cancelling elective surgery cases in which a delay will not negatively impact patient outcomes (both inpatient and outpatient) March 16 through April 15, 2020.
Proactively contacting patients to offer options to convert clinic appointments to virtual ones.
Screening of symptomatic employees underway.
Children 12 and under not permitted at this time, with one exception: American Lake’s Child Care Center.
Facility-specific changes:
American Lake & Seattle Campus:
Gyms closed.
Veteran Canteen Service PatriotCafé Food Courts will only provide take-out services, no in-person dining.
Seattle:
NEW: Centralized employee screening begins March 24 at South Entrance (Building 1).
NEW: Veteran Canteen Services PatriotBrew Coffee Shop open 6 to 10 a.m. Monday-Friday; closed on the weekends.
Patient/visitor screening/entrances: Radiation Oncology, Women’s Health, Building 100 main entrance, Building 101.
South for staff-only entrance Monday-Friday; closed on weekends.
Patient Shuttle from South Entrance (Building 1) to Main Entrance (Building 100) available every 5-10 minutes.
Fisher House will be limiting guest check-ins at night and weekends. All referrals for Fisher House will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
Patients and visitors are being asked to park in the multi-level Veteran’s parking garage.
American Lake (Lakewood):
NEW: Employee testing (by appointment only) now available.
Centralized, drive-thru Veteran/employee screening Monday to Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Limited clinical services (appointments only) during weekends.
Audiology Clinic cancelled on Saturdays.
Veteran Canteen Services (food and retail) closed on weekends.
Community Based Outpatient Clinics & Other Facilities:
NEW: Mobile Medical Unit outpatient visits suspended. The MMU fleet (two) will be available to expand COVID-19 testing when lab and logistics capacity are available.

For more information about COVID-19 visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html

COVID-19 Update
(March 17, 2020)
All Health Care Sites
Elective surgery cases in which a delay will not negatively impact patient outcomes (both inpatient and outpatient) are being cancelled through April 15, 2020.
Proactively contacting patients to offer options to convert clinic appointments to virtual ones.
All routine visiting suspended until transmission of COVID-19 is no longer a threat to Veterans, staff and the community. Exceptions will be made in extreme cases and for hospice and palliative care. We are committed to working with family members and friends to support those exceptions, while minimizing risk.
Screening of symptomatic employees underway.
Screening of Veterans and visitors with symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath who meet the CDC criteria for evaluation of COVID-19 infection continues across are VA Puget Sound sites of care.
All patients should allow for extra time to get to appointments with the required screening.
Children 12 and under not permitted at this time, with one exception: American Lake’s Child Care Center.
Easy steps to take to help reduce the risk for getting infections such as COVID-19:
Regularly wash your hands or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer (60% + alcohol)
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
Stay home if you are sick or becoming sick
If coughing, cough into the inside of your elbow or sleeve
In group settings, maintain a degree of space between others (3 feet)
Reduce unnecessary social interaction
If you have a clinic appointment and have a fever and cough, please call the VA first before arrival
If you have a cough and fever and would like to be seen, please please call your health care team or send a secure message using My HealtheVet first for instruction or screening location
Facility-specific changes:
American Lake & Seattle Campus:
Veteran Canteen Service PatriotCafé Food Courts will only provide take-out services, no in-person dining.
Seattle:
NEW: Fisher House will be limiting guest check-ins at night and weekends. All referrals for Fisher House will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
NEW: Staff gym closed.
Veteran Canteen Services PatriotBrew Coffee Shop closed on the weekends.
Patient/visitor entrances: Radiation Oncology, Women’s Health, Building 100 main entrance, Building 101.
Patient Shuttle from South Entrance (Building 1) to Main Entrance (Building 100) available every 5-10 minutes.
Patients and visitors are being asked to park in the multi-level Veteran’s parking garage.
South entrance staff only (closed to patients) Monday to Friday, and closed on weekends.
American Lake (Lakewood):
Centralized screening (Monday to Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.) of patients and staff.
Limited clinical services (appointments only) during weekends.
Audiology Clinic cancelled on Saturdays.
Gym is closed to Veterans and staff.
Community Living Center closed to volunteers and visitors (except in extreme cases). Please contact the health team in advance of visit.
Veteran Canteen Services (food and retail) closed on Saturdays.
Community Based Outpatient Clinics & Other Facilities:
No additional changes aside from those listed above that apply to all health care sites.
For more information about COVID-19 visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html

COVID-19 Update
(March 16, 2020)
All Health Care Sites
Cancelling elective surgery cases in which a delay will not negatively impact patient outcomes (both inpatient and outpatient) starting on Monday, March 16 through April 15, 2020.
Proactively contacting patients to offer options to convert clinic appointments to virtual ones.
All routine visiting is being suspended until transmission of COVID-19 is no longer a threat to Veterans, staff and the community. Exceptions will be made In extreme cases and for hospice and palliative care. We are committed to working with family members and friends to support those exceptions, while minimizing risk.

Screening of symptomatic employees underway.
Screening of Veterans and visitors with symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath who meet the CDC criteria for evaluation of COVID-19 infection continues across are VA Puget Sound sites of care.
All patients should allow for extra time to get to appointments with the required screening.
Children 12 and under not permitted at this time, with one exception: American Lake’s Child Care Center.

Easy steps to take to help reduce the risk for getting infections such as COVID-19:
Regularly wash your hands or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer (60% + alcohol)
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
Stay home if you are sick or becoming sick
If coughing, cough into the inside of your elbow or sleeve
In group settings, maintain a degree of space between others (3 feet)
Reduce unnecessary social interaction
If you have a clinic appointment and have a fever and cough, please call the VA first before arrival
If you have a cough and fever and would like to be seen, please please call your health care team or send a secure message using My HealtheVet first for instruction or screening location
Facility-specific changes:
American Lake & Seattle Campus:
NEW: Beginning March 16, Veteran Canteen Service PatriotCafé Food Courts will only provide take-out services, no in-person dining.
Seattle:
Veteran Canteen Services PatriotBrew Coffee Shop closed on the weekends.
South entrance closed on weekends.
Patient/visitor entrances: Radiation Oncology, Women’s Health, Building 100 main entrance, Building 101.
South entrance closed to patients and visitors entering the building.
Patient Shuttle from South Entrance (Building 1) to Main Entrance (Building 100) available every 5-10 minutes.
Patients and visitors are being asked to park in the multi-level Veteran’s parking garage.
Community Living Center, Spinal Cord Injury and Rehabilitation Care Services closed to volunteers and visitors (except in extreme cases). Visitors with extreme cases, please contact the health team in advance of visit.

American Lake (Lakewood):
NEW: Beginning March 17, centralized screening (Monday to Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.) expanded to include employees along with patients.
Limited clinical services (appointments only) during weekends.
Centralized, drive-thru screening begins March 13.
Audiology Clinic cancelled on Saturdays.
Gym is closed to avoid Veterans being exposed to crowds.
Community Living Center closed to volunteers and visitors (except in extreme cases). Please contact the health team in advance of visit.
Veteran Canteen Services (food and retail) closed on Saturdays.
Community Based Outpatient Clinics & Other Facilities:
No additional changes aside from those listed above that apply to all health care sites.
For more information about COVID-19 visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html

COVID-19 Update
(March 14, 2020)
All Health Care Sites
Cancelling elective surgery cases in which a delay will not negatively impact patient outcomes (both inpatient and outpatient) starting on Monday, March 16 through April 15, 2020.
Proactively contacting patients to offer options to convert clinic appointments to virtual ones.
All routine visiting is being suspended until transmission of COVID-19 is no longer a threat to Veterans, staff and the community. Exceptions will be made In extreme cases and for hospice and palliative care. We are committed to working with family members and friends to support those exceptions, while minimizing risk.
Screening of symptomatic employees underway.
Screening of Veterans and visitors with symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath who meet the CDC criteria for evaluation of COVID-19 infection continues across are VA Puget Sound sites of care.
All patients should allow for extra time to get to appointments with the required screening.
Children 12 and under not permitted at this time, with one exception: American Lake’s Child Care Center.

NEW: Veteran Canteen Services PatriotBrew Coffee Shop closed on the weekends.
South entrance closed on weekends.
Patient/visitor entrances: Radiation Oncology, Women’s Health, Building 100 main entrance, Building 101.
South entrance closed to patients and visitors entering the building.
Patient Shuttle from South Entrance (Building 1) to Main Entrance (Building 100) available every 5-10 minutes.
Patients and visitors are being asked to park in the multi-level Veteran’s parking garage.
Community Living Center, Spinal Cord Injury and Rehabilitation Care Services closed to volunteers and visitors (except in extreme cases). Visitors with extreme cases, please contact the health team in advance of visit.
American Lake (Lakewood):
Limited clinical services (appointments only) during weekends.
Centralized, drive-thru screening begins March 13.
Audiology Clinic cancelled on Saturdays.
Gym is closed to avoid Veterans being exposed to crowds.
Community Living Center closed to volunteers and visitors (except in extreme cases). Please contact the health team in advance of visit.
Veteran Canteen Services (food and retail) closed on Saturdays.
Community Based Outpatient Clinics & Other Facilities:
No additional changes aside from those listed above that apply to all health care sites.
For more information about COVID-19 visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html

COVID-19 Update (March 13, 2020)
All Health Care Sites
New: Cancelling elective surgery cases in which a delay will not negatively impact patient outcomes (both inpatient and outpatient) starting on Monday, March 16 through April 15, 2020.
New: Proactively contacting patients to offer options to convert clinic appointments to virtual ones.
All routine visiting is being suspended until transmission of COVID-19 is no longer a threat to Veterans, staff and the community. Exceptions will be made In extreme cases and for hospice and palliative care. We are committed to working with family members and friends to support those exceptions, while minimizing risk.

Easy steps to take to help reduce the risk for getting infections such as COVID-19:
Regularly wash your hands or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer (60% + alcohol)
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
Stay home if you are sick or becoming sick
If coughing, cough into the inside of your elbow or sleeve
In group settings, maintain a degree of space between others (3 feet)
Reduce unnecessary social interaction
If you have a clinic appointment and have a fever and cough, please call the VA first before arrival
If you have a cough and fever and would like to be seen, please please call your health care team or send a secure message using My HealtheVet first for instruction or screening location
New facility-specific changes:
Seattle:
New: South entrance closed on weekends.
Patient/visitor entrances: Radiation Oncology, Women’s Health, Building 100 main entrance, Building 101.
South entrance closed to patients and visitors entering the building.
Patient Shuttle from South Entrance (Building 1) to Main Entrance (Building 100) available every 5-10 minutes.
Patients and visitors are being asked to park in the multi-level Veteran’s parking garage.
Patient visitation ends at 6 p.m. (subject to change).
Community Living Center, Spinal Cord Injury and Rehabilitation Care Services closed to volunteers and visitors (except in extreme cases). Visitors with extreme cases, please contact the health team in advance of visit.

American Lake (Lakewood):
New: Limited clinical services during weekends.
Centralized, drive-thru screening begins March 13.
Audiology Clinic cancelled on Saturdays.
Gym is closed to avoid Veterans being exposed to crowds.
Community Living Center closed to volunteers and visitors (except in extreme cases). Please contact the health team in advance of visit.
Veteran Canteen Services (food and retail) closed on Saturdays.
Community Based Outpatient Clinics & Other Facilities:
No additional changes aside from those listed above that apply to all health care sites.
For more information about COVID-19 visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html

COVID-19 Update (March 12, 2020)
All Health Care Sites
New: All routine visiting is being suspended until transmission of COVID-19 is no longer a threat to Veterans, staff and the community. Exceptions will be made In extreme cases and for hospice and palliative care. We are committed to working with family members and friends to support those exceptions, while minimizing risk.

New: Screening of symptomatic employees underway.
Screening of Veterans and visitors with symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath who meet the CDC criteria for evaluation of COVID-19 infection continues across are VA Puget Sound sites of care.
All patients should allow for extra time to get to appointments with the required screening.
Children 12 and under not permitted at this time, with one exception: American Lake’s Child Care Center.

New facility-specific changes:

Seattle:
Patient/visitor entrances: Radiation Oncology, Women’s Health, Building 100 main entrance, Building 101.
South entrance closed to patients and visitors entering the building.
Patient Shuttle from South Entrance (Building 1) to Main Entrance (Building 100) available every 5-10 minutes.

Patients and visitors are being asked to park in the multi-level Veteran’s parking garage.
Patient visitation ends at 6 p.m. (subject to change).
Community Living Center, Spinal Cord Injury and Rehabilitation Care Services closed to volunteers and visitors (except in extreme cases). Visitors with extreme cases, please contact the health team in advance of visit.
American Lake (Lakewood):
New: Centralized, drive-thru screening begins March 13.
New: Audiology Clinic cancelled on Saturdays.
Gym is closed to avoid Veterans being exposed to crowds.
Community Living Center closed to volunteers and visitors (except in extreme cases). Please contact the health team in advance of visit.

Veteran Canteen Services (food and retail) closed on Saturdays.
Community Based Outpatient Clinics & Other Facilities:
No additional changes aside from those listed above that apply to all health care sites.

For more information about COVID-19 visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html

If you have any questions about your appointment or want to reschedule call 1-800-329-83887 extension 71234.

COVID-19 Update (March 10, 2020)
All Health Care Sites
Our screening of Veterans and visitors with symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath who meet the CDC criteria for evaluation of COVID-19 infection continues across are VA Puget Sound sites of care.

If you have a clinic appointment and have a fever and cough, please call the VA first before arrival
If you have a cough and fever and would like to be seen, please please call your health care team or send a secure message using My HealtheVet first for instruction or screening location
All patients should allow for extra time to get to appointments with the required screening.
Children 12 and under not permitted at this time, with one exception, American Lake’s Child Care Center.

We appreciate the support and understanding we’ve received as we continue to plan, prepare and respond to this public health threat. Thank you!

Facility-specific
No additional updates.

For more information about COVID-19 visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html

If you have any questions about your appointment or want to reschedule call 1-800-329-83887 extension 71234.

COVID-19 Update (March 6, 2020)

The VA Puget Sound team continues to proactively plan, prepare and respond to this emerging public health threat, with COVID-19 screening areas at its Seattle and American Lake campuses as well as all seven of its community based outpatients clinics across Western Washington.Veterans and staff are encouraged to take every day preventative actions to avoid being exposed to the virus:

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Stay home if you are sick or becoming sick.
Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
If you have symptoms or have been exposed to someone with symptoms, call the VA before going to the facility.

General patient and visitors reminders:
Children under 12 are not allowed on any campus, with one exception. Children under 12 are allowed in the American Lake campus Child Care Center (not allowed in other areas).
Visitor hours at our Seattle campus end at 6 p.m. (subject to change).
Community Living Centers (Seattle and American Lake), Spinal Cord Injury and Rehabilitation Care Services closed to visitors (except in extreme cases) and closed to volunteers. For visitors with extreme cases, please contact the health team in advance of visit.
New facility-specific changes:
American Lake campus: Veteran Canteen Services (food and retail) now closed on Saturdays
For more information about the Coronavirus, please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

COVID-19 Update (March 5, 2020)
Screening has started at VA Puget Sound care facilities to protect our Veterans, their families, visitors and our staff. Please call ahead if you have symptoms (fever, cold symptoms, flu symptoms). We appreciate all support and understanding as we plan, prepare and respond to this emerging public health threat. We encourage all patients to allow for extra time to get to appointments with the required screening.

Seeking medical care:
If you would not otherwise seek medical care for a respiratory illness (cold), this is not a reason to seek care now. And if you think you have been exposed to the virus and are experiencing non-life threatening respiratory symptoms, please contact your primary care team by phone or MyHealtheVet as a first step, before coming into one of our clinics or to a local emergency department. Our care team can give you instructions for seeking care, which you can do without exposing others. To reschedule an appointment, call 1-800-329-83887 extension 71234. There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19.
The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus and wash your hands. And if you see someone – staff, patients, visitors – with respiratory symptoms (coughing/sneezing) ask them to put on a mask. You are more likely to get the flu. So remember, it’s not too late to get that flu vaccine!

FACILITY SPECIFIC INFO:

SEATTLE CAMPUS:
South entrance has been closed to patients and visitors entering the building.
Patient Shuttle service from South Entrance (Building 1) to Main Entrance (Building 100) is available every 10 to 15 minutes.
Patient/visitor entrances: Radiation Oncology, Women’s Health, Building 100 main entrance and Building 101.
Patients and visitors are being asked to park in the multi-level Veteran’s parking garage to support convenient access to the main entrance of the hospital.

Patients visitation ends at 6 p.m. (subject to change).
Children 12 and under not permitted at this time.

Community Living Center, Spinal Cord Injury and Rehabilitation Care Services closed to visitors (except in extreme cases) and closed to volunteers. For visitors with extreme cases, please contact the health team in advance of visit.

AMERICAN LAKE CAMPUS:
Screening is occurring at every building.
Gym is closed to avoid Veterans being exposed to crowds.
Community Living Center closed to volunteers. It is also closed to visitors (except in extreme cases). Please contact the health team in advance of visit.

CBOC BASED OUTPATIENT CLINICS:

Screening is occurring at every site.
Children 12 and under not permitted at this time.
OTHER SITES (Home Based Primary Care, Community Resource and Referral Center, Renton Housing Services):
No updates currently.

Novel Coronavirus Update (March 3, 2020)

VA Puget Sound Health Care System is closely following and responding to the outbreak of COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) and are aware of the cases in the Seattle area. We continue to work closely with our VA, CDC and local Public Health partners to plan, prepare and respond to this emerging public health threat. We are also meeting daily to ensure our staff receive necessary training and resources so they can safely and properly care for potential patients with the virus.

Public health is currently NOT recommending COVID-19 testing for people without symptoms. To better protect patients, families, visitors and staff, we are expected to start screening all patients and visitors entering our care facilities. Those identified with fever and cough will be given masks and will receive further screening.

Additional strategies are being deployed to make good use of our tele-care abilities, limiting the need for Veterans to come in who may be unnecessarily exposed to viruses. Additional precautionary steps we are considering limiting general patient visitation in certain areas.

Remember to practice these routine actions that help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including COVID-19. These include:
Stay home at the first sign of illness.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, throw the tissue in the trash and do hand hygiene.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Wash your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Avoid unnecessary contact with people who have symptoms of respiratory illness.
We will update this information as we learn more about the situation.

For more information about COVID-19 visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html

If you have any questions about your appointment or want to reschedule call 1-800-329-83887 extension 71234.
You can also get updates on social media: https://www.facebook.com/vapugetsound and https://twitter.com/VAPugetSound. If you would like to receive automated updates via email, please sign up with your email address on our website – https://www.pugetsound.va.gov/index.asp – look under the social media icons on right for “Subscribe to Receive Email Updates.”