A Message to our Community
COVID-19 vaccination information
Jan. 14, 2021: This week, HHS and Operation Warp Speed (OWS) released a verbal message stating they will immediately broaden the population of those eligible to be vaccinated from COVID-19. This includes vaccinating patients over the age of 65 and those with underlying health conditions that place them at risk for COVID-19. We are awaiting official written guidance from CDC to understand if this will override current state prioritization guidance.
We are moving as quickly as possible in coordination with the distribution and allocation of the vaccine from federal and state resources. Everyone will have their opportunity to get their vaccine and we ask for your continued patience.
Jan. 13, 2021: Providence is now operating in Phase 1A: vaccinating our own employees, community health care providers and EMS, as defined by the CDC and Washington State DOH. The vaccine is not being offered to the general public at this time.
We encourage everyone to get vaccinated when they become eligible, because it is a key step in saving lives and ending the pandemic. We continue to urge everyone to wear a mask, practice social distancing and wash your hands frequently.
More information about the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine is available on the state DOH COVID-19 vaccination website, including definitions of the Phase 1A groups and beyond. We encourage everyone to view the state DOH vaccination plan, and send the state feedback on its plan.
The vaccination of community health care providers and long-term care facility residents in the 1A category is being coordinated by (Thurston/Lewis) County Public Health Departments. If you are in Phase 1A, work directly with your employer/long-term care facility to contact the county to be added to the 1A vaccination list through the county links below:
Washington State Department of Health and County Public Health Departments will coordinate vaccine distribution for Phases 1B and beyond. Providence will proactively communicate to the public when we are at the state-prescribed phase to administer the vaccine to our patients via email, on our websites, Facebook pages and in the media. Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine at coronavirus.providence.org.
Thank you for doing your part and for trusting us as your community partner in health.
Hospital patient/visitor COVID-19 updates
In order to protect the health of our communities, and as a safety precaution to prevent the risk of spreading COVID-19, Providence St. Peter and Providence Centralia hospitals are limiting some services and instituting additional visitor restrictions in accordance with recommendations from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In addition, some hospital access points will be consolidated at our hospital campus locations.
Providence understands the importance of patients having access to their loved ones while receiving care in the hospital. At this time, we ask patients and their families to consider communication through phone and video chat as their primary means of communication. We know the value visitors bring to our patients.
Please see our Letter to Patients.
Exceptions may be made for the following:
- Children
- Maternity units
- Patients at end-of-life
For these very limited exceptions, one visitor per patient will be allowed and must be 18 years or older and be immediate family (or powers of attorney, guardians, or patient representative) and they will be asked to return home if they exhibit cold or flu-like symptoms, or have a fever.
Providence continues to monitor the risk of COVID-19 closely and will make adjustments to visitor restrictions, as necessary. We appreciate your help in keeping our patients, visitors and caregivers safe.
Providence Medical Group – Hawks Prairie to collect swabs for COVID-19 testing
Providence Medical Group’s Hawks Prairie Clinic, located at 2555 Marvin Road NE in Lacey is now offering drive thru triage, and if needed, swab collection for COVID-19 testing for ALL symptomatic patients. Any “worried well” patients will not be tested, and given education on how to monitor symptoms.
No appointment is necessary. Drive-thru hours are:
- Monday-Friday 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Weekends: Closed
If you have COVID-19 questions, please call 1-877-338-0748, option 1.
Patients and members of the community who wish to contact Providence SW facilities with the assistance of a qualified interpreter free of cost may dial 833-640-1418.
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