Program to support those in quarantine and isolation is saving liveS

OLYMPIA—A program created by the state Department of Health (DOH) and partners to support people who have been exposed to or tested positive for COVID-19 has reached almost 13,500 people and played a role in saving lives. Working with local health jurisdictions and their partners, DOH launched Care Connect Washington in December to get services and support to people who need them to quarantine or isolate at home.

Through the program, regional networks of community-based partners connect clients to services they are eligible for, including medication delivery, health care, help to apply for unemployment, local housing agencies, food banks, and childcare providers.

Care Connect also provides kits with crucial food and personal care items needed during isolation or quarantine at home. To date, Care Connect has distributed 25,000 food kits and 23,000 care kits to clients. Care kits include disposable masks, protective gloves, thermometers, hand soap, and hand sanitizer, and other needed items during isolation.

“Many people simply don’t have the resources needed to isolate or quarantine at home after testing positive or being exposed to COVID-19,” said COVID-19 Division Response Director Pama Joyner. “Through Care Connect, we can get those resources to the communities and individuals who need them. When we make it possible for people to stay home, we’re not only helping them—we’re slowing the spread of the virus in our communities.”

In addition to preventing new COVID-19 infections, the program has saved lives by providing pulse oximeters to clients who tested positive. Several clients told staff that using the device to monitor their oxygen levels and pulse helped them identify severe or life-threatening symptoms to get medical care in time.

Care Connect services are available by referral only. Referrals come from various sources, including case investigators and contact tracers, who ask about each person’s ability to isolate successfully or quarantine. Help is made available based on need.

You can learn more about Care Connect services and partners on their website and watch a new video interview with Yakima Neighborhood Health Services on the pulse oximeter program.