DAYTON-Over one-third of Columbia County residents have received at least the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to Shane McGuire, CEO of Columbia County Health System (CCHS) at the monthly Board meeting on February 21.

McGuire indicated the State is overrun by demand. "After two weeks of low- to no-dose delivery, we have received enough vaccine to cover secondary or booster doses," he said. "The State of Washington released a statement on February 7 stating: 'We also had more requests for second dose allocations than our allocation from the federal government. Our total state allocation for second doses was 58,725, and providers requested 14,000 more than that.'"

During this time of limited vaccine distribution, Whitman County offered Columbia County their excess Phizer vaccines totaling 95. They guaranteed they would give Columbia County the second doses as well.

Last week, the first Phizer vaccine clinic was held at the Fairgrounds, administering the first dose.

Also last week, the County finally received 700 doses of the Moderna vaccine which after being administered brought the total of vaccines given to 1511 with 444 fully vaccinated having had the second dose booster.

McGuire reported the progress of the Dental Clinic project construction stating the "foundation has been poured and backfilled, wall framing is ongoing with trusses scheduled for delivery within a week." Job descriptions for a dentist, as well as a dental hygienist and an aide have been created.

Generally, CCHS is also looking to hire various care professionals. Traditionally, they have sought applicants who can cross over from clinic, to hospital, to emergency department. But the trend is medical professionals have become more specialized in each area and are not always experienced or comfortable in all three settings.

Kyle Terry, M.D., in his Chief of Staff report indicated that hiring with the focus on one area provides the hospital better prospects for applicants. CCHS wants to attract qualified candidates for positions in each of the three areas.

According to the financial report given by Tom Meyers, because the open positions have not been filled, CCHS came out below budget in Salaries and Benefits by $164,000.

Meyers stated that filling care professional positions is challenging because of COVID.

However, this part of the budget is experiencing hard hits due to paying out the high cost of temporary contracts to fill the needs of CCHS. These types of contracts often have to pay a higher hourly rate, provide a housing allowance or accommodation and sometimes offer bonus pay.

Dr. Terry also reported that CCHS is making changes to their COVID-19 protocols as of March 1.

Now one designated visitor is allowed per patient in the clinic, hospital and emergency department. This excludes Booker residents because the State has a different set of guidelines for nursing homes.

Also, employee COVID protocols will be less meticulous for screening for symptoms. Terry said employees are well educated about what to look for and know to stay home if they have COVID-like symptoms.

Patients, visitors and vendors will no longer have their temperature taken before being admitted entrance to the clinic or hospital, but other screening with remain in place including questions related to COVID.

Terry says they are making the changes because cases are going down as reflected in the region moving into Phase 2 of the Governor's Roadmap to Recovery plan and these practices are similar to those of other rural hospitals.