18 Mar COVID-19 Update March 18, 2020
The Coronavirus, COVID-19 situation is rapidly evolving, and we want to share what Olalla Recovery Centers (ORC) is doing now and will continue to do to ensure the safety of our patients and staff.
We are committed to serving our patients throughout this time; however, we are taking an abundance of caution to protect our patients and staff. ORC has implemented screening protocols for all residential and outpatient patients, staff and contractors. We are following the guidelines for screening and infection prevention as listed on the following websites:
- Washington State Health Department
- Centers for Disease Control
- World Health Organization
- Kitsap County Health Department
- Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department
We are screening for fevers, cough, respiratory symptoms, travel to affected areas, and/or exposure to COVID-19. These screening measures allow us to continue delivering care to our patients, while safeguarding the health of our patients and staff.
Staff continue to use our internal housekeeping protocols. In addition, staff are doing extra sanitation activities to help keep our facilities clean and disinfected, especially high touch point areas. Everyone is reminded via signage as well as verbal reminders to wash their hands often and thoroughly and to refrain from touching their face. Everyone is reminded to report any health symptoms immediately, such as fever, cold/flu-like symptoms, cough, body aches, etc.
Although there are no reports of the novel Coronavirus at any of our facilities, our staff is prepared to address any potential cases. We are monitoring the directives and guidelines put forth by the Washington State Health Authority, Washington State Department of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and our local health officials. In the unlikely event someone is diagnosed with COVID-19, staff are aware of the protocols to get the individual proper care.
In addition to the screening and sanitation measures, we are suspending outside visitation at our facilities. Our clinical team has protocols to help residential patients remain connected to family and loved ones while staying engaged in their recovery work.
We thank you for your patience as we all navigate uncharted waters as it relates to this virus. Information is changing by the hour, but rest assured that ORC leadership is monitoring the situation closely and implementing suggested protocols in an effort to keep us all safe.
Updated March 18, 2020