Omicron Update and Planned Closing of COVID-19 Triage Center

East Wenatchee, WA – As the number of COVID cases continues to decrease in Chelan and Douglas Counties, community partners will begin to scale back their Omicron surge resources accordingly. The COVID-19 Triage Center, a partnership between the Chelan-Douglas Health District (CDHD) and Confluence Health, will have its final day of operation on Friday, February 11, closing at 5:00 PM.

CDHD Health Administrator, Luke Davies, explained, “Though we are coming out of the Omicron surge, it is important that people continue to exercise caution and not let their guard down. As we stand down resources like the Triage Center, it will become crucial that community members do everything they can to stay healthy as COVID-19 infrastructure is reduced.”

The Triage center opened on Monday, January 11. Roughly thirty people were visiting a day and is now averaging around ten people a day, with approximately one person a day sent to the Emergency Department (ED) for further care. Prior to the opening of the Triage Center, community members would have gone to the ED for evaluation, causing long wait times for all patients.

With the number of people seeking medical evaluation now closer to ten people a day, Confluence Health Administration feels they can handle this smaller volume through their Walk-In Clinics and Emergency Departments.

“Although we will be closing the COVID Triage Center, we want to ensure you know where to receive the care you need. If you are experiencing mild respiratory infection symptoms and feel you need to be evaluated, contact your primary care provider, or visit your local Walk-In Clinic. If you are having trouble breathing, chest discomfort, increased heart rate, or severe weakness, you should report to your local Emergency Department or call 9-1-1 for severe symptoms,” explained Dr. Jason Lake, Chief Medical Officer for Confluence Health.

Community members needing a COVID-19 test are encouraged to visit the CDHD testing site at the Town Toyota Center. This testing site will continue to operate Monday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pre-registration is available at www.cdhd.wa.gov. CDHD partnered with the Community for the Advancement for Family Education (CAF ) to offer bi-lingual assistance for anyone that has technological barriers. Call 509-903-3900 for pre-registration assistance.