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COVID-19 Information

May 26, 2023

COVID-19 Testing and Vaccinations

With the end of the federal Public Health Emergency for COVID-19, Washington Hospital Healthcare System is no longer administering COVID tests or vaccinations in the tent at Washington West. Community members can obtain COVID tests or vaccinations at Haller’s Pharmacy. COVID tests are by appointment and vaccinations for those 3 years and older, on a walk-in basis. Haller’s is open every day. Please call Haller’s at 510-797-2772 for more information.

For additional information on Covid testing and vaccinations, please visit Alameda County Health Care Services Agency COVID-19 page or https://myturn.ca.gov/

Pediatric Vaccinations

For patients 6 months to 4-years-old, we recommend contacting your pediatrician’s office to schedule their next Covid vaccine.

More Information About COVID-19?

The CDC has general COVID information available on their website, including a fact sheet on COVID vaccination.

The California Department of Public Health also offers COVID-related information on their website.

For COVID information specific to Alameda County, go to the Alameda County Health Care Services Agency website.

Masking Update

As of April 3, face masks are optional for patients, visitors and workers not performing clinical procedures in health care settings in California per new guidance from the state Department of Public Health.

Masking is required in areas where high-risk patients receive care, such as Infusion, Radiation Oncology, UCSF-Washington Cancer Center and inpatient rooms with immunocompromised patients.

Masks remain available at our main entrances.

Self-Screening & Sanitizing Prior to Entry

Everyone entering any Hospital building or clinic is required to self-screen for symptoms prior to entering.

We also encourage that you sanitize your hands before you enter. Hand sanitizer is conveniently available at all entrances and throughout our buildings and clinics.

CDC Coronavirus Self-Checker

Worried that you may have COVID-19? When should you seek medical care? The Coronavirus Self-Checker will ask you questions to establish illness and location, and recommendations for next steps, which could include calling 9-1-1 or staying home and contacting your doctor.

Try the CDC Coronavirus Self-Checker by clicking here and then clicking on the “Coronavirus Self-Checker” button.

Recommendations to Help Prevent Illness:

  • Wash hands with soap and water. If soap and water not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands
  • If you are sick, stay home
  • Test for COVID-19 and seek treatment right away if positive with symptoms.
  • Get vaccinated to prevent severe illness

For more on coronavirus, we encourage you to visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html. Also, the Alameda County Public Health Department is an excellent local resource, and they have coronavirus information at http://www.acphd.org/2019-ncov.aspx.

If you have questions or concerns about coronavirus, call your primary care physician. For all life-threatening emergencies, call 9-1-1 or go to your nearest emergency department.

Convalescent Plasma Donation

Washington Hospital has joined more than 2,200 hospitals across the country in a government-supported program to administer convalescent plasma as a therapy for those who are severely ill with COVID-19. This is part of an investigational study led by the Mayo Clinic, which recently posted a report showing that this promising approach appears to be safe for COVID-19 patients.

The treatment entails harvesting antibody-rich plasma from people who have recovered from COVID-19, then transfusing it into those who are newly infected with the virus. The hope is the convalescent plasma will help speed recovery and increase the odds of survival for those fighting COVID-19.

“The issue right now is there are not enough donors to meet the current need for convalescent plasma,” said Dr. Azizirad. “We encourage people who have recovered from COVID-19 to register with the Red Cross to donate plasma so they can benefit others in their community who are currently fighting the illness. We also hope local physicians will remind their patients who have had the virus to help in this way.” For more information on plasma donation, visit the Red Cross website at: https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/dlp/plasma-donations-from-recovered-covid-19-patients.html

Hours of Operation

Outpatient Lab Hours: Open Monday - Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.; Sunday closed.

Women's Center Hours: Open Monday - Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Outpatient Imaging: Open Monday - Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Donating to Washington Hospital

We thank the community for reaching out to inquire about how they can help Washington Hospital Healthcare System with the fight against COVID-19. Across the nation, hospitals both big and small, are facing an unprecedented challenge in a number of areas including hospital-grade personal protective equipment, cleaning supplies and hand sanitizers. The Hospital is constantly monitoring supply levels while continuing to aggressively investigate new vendor sources.

Anyone interested in donating to the Hospital can do so by contacting Washington Hospital Healthcare Foundation at 510.818.7350. We ask that items not be delivered to the Emergency Department or any other area of the Hospital without first contacting the Foundation.

These are difficult times for everyone, but we will continue to be here for the community. Patient, staff and physician safety is the number one priority and we thank you all for coming together to help.