WHS understands that you and your family may be anxious during this pandemic. We want to assure you that it is safe to seek care in all of our facilities. WHS Washington Hospital, WHS-Greene Hospital and all outpatient locations have rigorous infection-prevention protocols in place. In addition to requiring patients to wear masks and requiring staff to wear appropriate PPE, we have implemented a number of new safety measures to ensure the protection of you and your family. The health and well-being of our patients, staff, students, and the community remains our top priority. Click to learn about our safe care commitment to you.

Please note: We currently have limited visitation at WHS Washington Hospital and WHS-Greene. See the FAQ below for details.

Video Updates

Donate to our COVID-19 Assistance Fund

Your donation will be put to immediate use to help the WHS team respond to the COVID-19 situation. WHS has needed donor support in the past and will going forward as we address, manage and improve the safety of our communities.

Donate Now

Questions & Answers

Donations

Looking for a way to help our patients, doctors, nurses and staff now? Please donate to our COVID-19 Assistance Fund at https://3207.thankyou4caring.org/GiveNow or mail checks to:

ATTN: WHS Foundation
155 Wilson Avenue
Washington, PA 15301

Your donation will be put to immediate use to help the WHS team respond to the COVID-19 situation. Your monetary donation allows us to address our most pressing needs in a cost effective and efficient manner.

WHS has trusted in the generous support of our donors in the past, and will continue to do so as we move forward to address, manage and improve the safety of our communities in this unprecedented pandemic.

Thank you for your generosity and support.

If you have questions regarding monetary donations please contact Natalie or Carolyn at 724-223-3875 or foundation@whs.org.

WHS Washington and WHS Greene are gratefully accepting donations of the following Personal Protective Equipment:

  • N 95 masks
  • Bunny suits (protective suits or clothing)
  • Safety goggles
  • Face shields/visors
  • Latex gloves

To schedule a drop-off or delivery please contact Manager of Materials Management, Doug Rohrer, at 724-223-3591 or drohrer@whs.org.

Thank you for your generosity and support.

WHS Washington and WHS Greene are gratefully accepting donations of fabric masks from our community.

According to the CDC, in settings where facemasks are not available, HCP might use homemade masks (e.g., bandana, scarf) for care of patients with COVID-19 as a last resort. However, homemade masks are not considered PPE, since their capability to protect HCP is unknown. Caution should be exercised when considering this option. Homemade masks should ideally be used in combination with a face shield that covers the entire front (that extends to the chin or below) and sides of the face.

When your masks are complete, please contact Shelly at the WHS Foundation at 724-223-3875 or foundation@whs.org to arrange for delivery. (You will be met out front of the School of Nursing.)

*Any surplus masks will be distributed to other organizations in need.

Thank you for your generosity and support.

WHS Washington and WHS Greene are gratefully accepting care package donations for our medical staff.

At this time we cannot accept any homemade items, items that require preparation, items that require refrigeration or items that require the use of silverware. We are accepting pre-packaged individually-sized snack food items.

Samples of snacks in individual sized containers:

  • JIF to go
  • Cookies
  • Candy / chocolate
  • Chips, Chex Mix, pretzels, etc.
  • Peanut butter or cheese crackers
  • Peanuts and/or other nuts
  • Trail mix or granola bars
  • Protein bars
  • Fruit snacks or raisins
  • Pudding cups
  • Fruit/applesauce cups
  • Cans of Spaghettios, Beefaroni, soup (pop top only)
  • Tuna/chicken boxes with crackers (no cans)
  • Beef Jerky / Slim Jim’s

To schedule delivery of your donation, please contact Ken at the WHS Foundation at 724-223-3875 or foundation@whs.org to arrange for delivery. (Go to receiving at either WHS Washington or WHS Greene).

Thank you for your generosity and support.

WHS Washington and WHS Greene are gratefully accepting meal donations for our medical staff.

Before having food delivered to any WHS location we ask that you please contact Sara at the WHS Foundation at 724-223-3875 or foundation@whs.org. Sara will work with you to coordinate planning a meal for our team.

Thank you for your generosity and support.

Testing

COVID-19 Testing At WHS

Testing for COVID-19 must be ordered by a licensed medical provider. Currently, testing cannot be performed at the request of the public without an order.

All tests must be scheduled by calling 724‐579‐1684. WHS will no longer take patients on a “walk-in” basis.

Only COVID-19 testing is done at these sites – other lab tests can be done at these locations: click here

Testing will only be done if you can provide a script from a medical professional. Please also bring a government issued photo ID (such as a Driver’s License) and your insurance information to your scheduled appointment.

Your lab test results are available ONLY through your ordering physician. Please note that testing time varies and in some cases takes approx. a week or more to receive your results. Keep in-mind that if your lab test comes back positive, your doctor will call you immediately.

The WHS lab cannot release lab test results to patients. If you have questions concerning the test or your results, please contact your ordering physician directly.

Your cost of testing will vary depending on what types of insurance you have. Washington Health System has a charge of $86.25 for this test, but depending on your insurance, you may not have an out of pocket cost. Some insurances are waiving the out-of-pocket amount. It is always best to check with your individual insurance company to obtain the most accurate information.

The name of the test that you would tell your insurance company that you are asking about is “SARS-CoV2 RNA (COVID19), Qualitative NAAT”.

For those individuals who wish to be self-pay or do not have insurance, the charge would be $25.88.

Seeking Treatment

A statewide Mental Health Support and Referral Line has been developed as part of Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 response. This support line is operated by the Center for Community Resources.

Those experiencing anxiety, depression, or any other difficult emotion during this time are encouraged to call the support line which operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Callers will be able to speak with trained staff who will listen, assess individual needs, triage situations, as well as refer to other local supports and professionals as needed.

The Mental Health Support Line can be reached toll-free at 1.855.284.2494.

We currently have limited visitation at WHS Washington Hospital and WHS Greene. For more details and updates click here 

Beware of fraudulent Coronavirus tests, vaccines and treatments.  Beware of companies trying to profit from this pandemic by selling unproven and illegally marketed products that make false claims, such as being effective against the coronavirus.

We suggest that you obtain the most up to date information by visiting www.CDC.gov or www.health.pa.gov. If you have additional questions contact your primary care office.

Vaccines

No, it does not contain a live virus. You will not test positive from receiving the vaccine.

While COVID-19 vaccines are being developed as quickly as possible, routine processes and procedures remain in place to ensure the safety of any vaccine that is authorized or approved for use. Learn how federal partners are working together to ensure the safety of COVID-19 vaccines.

According to FDA, the double-blinded, placebo-controlled study of about 44,000 people revealed that the vaccine is 95% effective at preventing Covid-19, with no serious side effects—although many vaccine recipients reported moderate, flu-like symptoms after their second dose.

We recommend reading the article “Is Pfizer’s vaccine safe and effective? Our 8 biggest questions, answered.”

The vaccine does not contain a live virus. These symptoms are normal and do not mean you have contracted COVID. They are a sign that the body is building protection against the virus that causes COVID-19.

You’ll be monitored for approx. 15 minutes after getting a COVID-19 vaccine to see if you have an immediate reaction. Most side effects are mild and happen within the first three days after vaccination and typically last only one to two days.

These side effects include:

  • Pain, redness or swelling where the shot was given
  • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Muscle pain
  • Chills
  • Joint pain

The COVID-19 vaccine may cause side effects similar to signs and symptoms of COVID-19.

If you’ve been exposed to COVID-19 and you develop symptoms more than three days after getting vaccinated or the symptoms last more than two days, self-isolate and get tested.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends obtaining duplicate vaccination cards through the provider who administered the vaccine. If that was a pharmacy chain or health clinic, try contacting that facility. If you received your COVID-19 vaccine in Pennsylvania (outside of Philadelphia) and you are unable to get a replacement card from the provider where you received your vaccine, you may request a copy of your immunization records, which will include your COVID-19 vaccination and other immunizations, from the Pennsylvania Department of Health.  This is not a replacement CDC COVID-19 vaccination card. It is a report generated from the Pennsylvania Statewide Immunization Information System (PA-SIIS) that will be sent to you by email or postal mail.

It is important to note that the PA DOH vaccination record, as well as the CDC vaccination card that individuals receive at the time of their vaccination, are both official proofs of vaccination.

Please visit the SIIS page for more information.  You may also call 877-774-4748 or email RA-DHVaxRecords@pa.gov if you have questions or need assistance.

If you need a vaccine card replacement though WHS – Please email your full name, date of birth and phone number to covidvaccine@whs.org. You will receive instruction on how to pick up your card. Do not show up to your provider’s office. You must pick up the vaccine card in-person.  We will not mail a copy to you and we will not release it to any other individuals other than yourself. Please bring your ID with you.

If you received your COVID-19 vaccine in Philadelphia, please contact Philly’s COVID Call Center at 215-685-5488 or by email at covid@phila.gov. If you received your COVID-19 vaccine in another state, please visit the CDC’s website for contact information.

This is required to make sure the person requesting immunizations records is who they say they are and that they are authorized to receive the records.

At this time it is unclear how long the immunity from natural infection last and there have been cases of reinfection reported. It is currently believed that immunity from vaccination last longer than natural infection. It is therefore recommended that even people with prior COVID-19 infection should receive the vaccination when offered to them.

No. Influenza viruses and coronaviruses are different, so the flu vaccine does not protect against coronavirus.

Visit the CDC website for a breakdown of each vaccine:

Pfizer: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/Pfizer-BioNTech.html

Moderna: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/Moderna.html

Booster Recommendations from the CDC include:

  • people 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series,
  • people aged 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series,
  • people aged 18–49 years with underlying medical conditions may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks, and
  • people aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks.

Additional details on underlying medical conditions can be found on the CDC’s website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html

Please speak with your primary care provider to determine if the booster is right for you.

The CDC recommends that people who are moderate to severely immunocompromised receive an additional dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) at least 28 days after completion of the initial mRNA COVID-19 vaccine series. The third dose is the same dose as the 1st/2nd vaccinations.

Note – This is not a booster but a third shot in the initial series. Studies suggest some people with moderately to severely compromised immune systems don’t always build the same level of immunity after vaccination the way non-immunocompromised people do. Therefore, they may benefit from an additional dose to make sure they have enough protection against COVID-19.

The additional vaccine should be considered for individuals that fall into one or more of the following:

  • Active treatment for solid tumor and hematologic malignancies
  • Receipt of a solid-organ transplant and taking immunosuppressive therapy
  • Receipt of CAR-T-cell or hematopoietic stem cell transplant (within 2 years of transplantation or taking immunosuppressive therapy)
  • Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
  • Advanced or untreated HIV infection
  • Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids (≥20mg prednisone or equivalent per day), alkylating agents, antimetabolites, transplant-related immunosuppressive drugs, cancer chemotherapeutic agents classified as severely immunosuppressive, tumor-necrosis (TNF) blockers, and other biologic agents that are immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory
  • OR are moderate to severely immunocompromised as determined by the individual’s health care provider

The additional dose should be the same vaccine product as the initial two-dose mRNA COVID-19 vaccine series (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna). If the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine product given for the first two doses is not available, then the other mRNA COVID-19 vaccine product may be administered. A person should not receive more than three mRNA COVID-19 vaccine doses.

If you feel that you fall into one of these categories, please contact your primary care provider. If your health care provider is not at a site administering vaccines, you will need to self-attest and receive the additional vaccine dose wherever vaccines are being offered – vaccines.gov.

Yes. They can receive the 3rd (additional) dose to complete their original  series,  if their pediatrician or primary care provider suggests they do so.

“Third dose” and “Boosters” are different in terms of timing and eligibility.

Only those 18-64 (those that are not immune compromised but have conditions that make them susceptible to COVID) and those 65+ are eligible to receive the booster. 12-18 are not eligible for a booster.

Boosters and the primary series are similar.

  1. Wait until you have completed isolation (10 days from diagnosis)

And

  1. You are clinically free of symptoms

It is very important that you bring the following items with you:

  • Anyone over 18 – Driver’s license or other legal form of I.D.
  • Anyone under the age of 18 will need to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
  • Reading glasses if you need them. You will need to sign papers.
  • A mask! All WHS facilities require you to wear a mask inside.
  • If you are getting a second shot, a third immunocompromised shot or a 6 month booster, you will need your original vaccination card. We will not accept a photo of it.

Anyone under the age of 18 will need to have a parent or guardian with them to sign the consent. They can provide verification of demographics.

According to the CDC, if your child gets the pediatric dose as their first shot ( at 11 years old) and then had a birthday before their second shot, their second does could be either the pediatric dose or the 12 and over dose.   Dosing is based off of age not weight because they are basing it off the immunologic maturity of the child.