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Alerts & UpdatesCOVID 5 Day AlertThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced in its Updated Respiratory Virus Guidance on March 1, 2024, that while COVID-19 remains an important public health threat, it’s no longer the emergency that it once was, and its health impacts increasingly resemble those of other respiratory viral illnesses, including influenza and RSV. Based on “key drivers and indicators”, the Center determined that its isolation-time guidelines of 5 days, adopted in 2021 for asymptomatic cases, are no longer applicable for COVID patients “…if they have been fever free for at least 24 hours without the aid of medications and if their symptoms are improving”. With that qualifying statement, individuals with COVID-19 need not isolate for five days before returning to work or school. According to its release, far fewer people are currently getting seriously ill from COVID-19 due to the use and implementation of widely available “protective tools”, like vaccination and treatment, that have resulted in decreasing the risks of COVID-19 disease. Current data indicate rates of hospitalizations and deaths are down substantially, and that clinically COVID-19 has become similar to, or even less severe in hospitalized people, than influenza and RSV. Key drivers and indicators of the reduction in threat from Covid-19 include:
NOTE: COVID-19 remains a greater cause of severe illness and death than other respiratory viruses, but the differences between these rates are much smaller than they were earlier in the pandemic. For additional information call CDC-INFO.
English, Spanish, and other languages are available. Download COVID 5 Day Alert Healthcare ransomware attacks increase by 278%Ransomware attacks increased 278% in the five-year period from 2018 to 2023. Download Healthcare Ransomware Attacks Maximum OSHA penalties Increase in JanuaryOSHA’s maximum penalty for willful or repeated violations increased from $156,259 per violation to $161,323 per violation. Download OSHA penalties Increase U. S, Treasury implements Corporate Transparency Act (CTA)The CTA became effective in January, 2024, to enhance transparency in entity structures and ownership to combat money laundering, tax fraud, and other illicit activities. Download Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) Administration of Anesthetic Agents for Dental ProceduresThe Dental Quality Assurance Commission amended the administration of anesthetic agents for dental procedures rules January 1, 2024. Washington State Department of Health, Dental Quality Assurance Commission requires licensed dentists who administer moderate sedation with enteral agents, parenteral agents, or general anesthesia to perform a minimum of twelve emergency drill scenarios at least two times per year. The following guides can be used as you perform each drill. For questions, please contact us! Washington State - Quick Reference Guide Download DQAC Anesthesia Q&A Download Emergency Drill Kit Smart Hubs – OK in the Dental Office?Download “Smart Hubs – OK in the Dental Office?” Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announces it will increase investigations for small breaches of Protected Health InforationDownload “HIPAA Increases Investigations of Small PHI Breaches” Stolen Laptops Lead to HIPAA Citations/Penalties"These major enforcement actions underscore the significant risk to the security of patient information posed by unencrypted laptop computers and other mobile devices." -U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Download "Stolen Laptops Lead to HIPAA Citations/Penalties" |
