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Coronavirus Toolkit

Resources, links, and suggested best practices for a thoughtful approach to COVID-19 preparation and response in senior living communities.

Please note, the information included here is updated often as we learn about new resources, guidelines, and public health directives.

What’s New?

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Additional Resources

The CDC has shared that you can get a COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines at the same visit. You no longer need to wait 14 days between vaccinations. Learn more about the timing of other vaccines.
The CDC has posted some suggested newsletter or announcement content that can be used to address the current COVID-19 situation and how to stay safe.
The CDC has published a study showing “portable HEPA air cleaners can reduce exposure to simulated SARS-CoV-2 aerosols in indoor environments, especially when combined with universal masking.”
The FDA issued a Drug Safety Communication for hand sanitizers, warning that symptoms such as headache, nausea, and dizziness can occur after applying alcohol-based hand sanitizers to the skin and inhaling the vapors that linger.
COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and increasing vaccination rates has presented a health challenge in several at-risk communities. The CDC Emergency Partners Information Connection (EPIC) offers these resources to help:
- CDC has published a Special COVID-19 State of Vaccine Confidence Insights Report which focuses on the perceptions of parents and adolescents aged 12 through 15 years old. The report details threats to COVID-19 vaccine confidence, content gaps and information voids, circulating mis- and disinformation, and action steps.
- The Public Health Institute’s page Achieving Vaccine Equity: Resources & Best Practices to Bringing Down Barriers offers tools, resources, and best practices supporting vaccine efforts in various communities.
The FDA updated Pfizer vaccine instructions in various languages here.
The CDC has added a new frequently asked question on ventilation and barriers to its Ventilation in Buildings page.
The FDA is recommending health care personnel and facilities transition away from crisis capacity conservation strategies, such as using non-NIOSH-approved disposable respirators, including imported respirators such as KN95s.
Because the availability of NIOSH-approved respirators has increased, the CDC recommends healthcare facilities return to using only NIOSH-approved respirators when needed and to stop storing any decontaminated respirators. Check the NIOSH Certified Equipment List to identify all NIOSH-approved respirators.

The FDA issued a safety communication to warn the public to stop using the Lepu Medical Technology SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Test Kit and the Leccurate SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Rapid Test Kit (Colloidal Gold Immunochromatography) because the FDA has serious concerns about the performance of the tests and believes there is likely a high risk of false results when using these tests. Neither test has been authorized, cleared, or approved by the FDA.
The FDA is recommending health care personnel and facilities transition away from crisis capacity conservation strategies, such as using non-NIOSH-approved disposable respirators, including imported respirators such as KN95s.
The U.S. government said this week it is halting distribution of the combination Bamlanivimab-Etesevimab monoclonal antibody treatment in eight states. This treatment has shown to be ineffective in treating the P.1 and B.1.135 variants of COVID-19 first identified in Brazil and South Africa, respectively. The six states impacted are Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Oregon and Washington. The FDA recommends use of the REGEN-COV in these states, an alternate that is approved for the same use and is likely to retain activity against the P.1 and B.1.135 variants. For more information visit Public Health Emergency: Bamlanivimab/Etesevimab.
The CDC has posted a Clinical Care Quick Reference to COVID-19, with instructions or links to the latest guidance on people at risk, isolation requirements, post-COVID issues, and more.
The CDC has information on what to do if you’ve lost your vaccination card.
The NAACP has launched a COVID-19 information resource curated for Black Americans: the COVID. KNOW MORE site offers up-to-date research, guidance, print and social media materials, and shared experiences from the community.
The CDC has updated its social media toolkit for COVID-19 vaccinations.

The CDC has issued new guidance changing mask and activity recommendations for fully vaccinated people on its When You’ve Been Fully Vaccinated and Choosing Safer Activities pages for the public and on its Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People page for professionals. For easier public understanding of the new guidance, the CDC has posted an infographic ranking the safety of indoor and outdoor activities for people who are vaccinated and unvaccinated.
The CDC has updated its page of recommendations for those Living in or Visiting Retirement Communities or Independent Living Facilities.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs reports that all of its facilities and clinics that administer COVID-19 vaccines are accepting walk-ins for eligible veterans, spouses and caregivers.
CMS has announced a new rule requiring education and reporting on COVID-19 vaccination in skilled nursing facilities and encouraging it in assisted living. A blog post by ACL Acting Administrator gives details and explanation.
The CDC has posted Updated Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations in Response to COVID-19 Vaccination. It includes the new guidelines for visitation, dining, and activities in nursing homes and assisted living, among other health care settings.
The CDC has posted Guidance for Organizing Large Events and Gatherings to define the differences in large and small gatherings and to reflect post-vaccination practices.
The FDA has added and updated material on its Frequently Asked Questions page for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
HHS has launched We Can Do This, a national initiative to increase public confidence in and uptake of COVID-19 vaccines while reinforcing basic prevention measures such as mask wearing and social distancing. It includes a new Older Adults Toolkit and one for health care workers and nurses.
Following a thorough safety review, including two meetings of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the FDA and CDC have recommended use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine should resume.
A study by a team including NIH scientists indicates that saliva could play more of a role than previously thought in transmission of COVID-19 between people and in spreading virus into the throat, lungs, or digestive system.
The CDC has posted a very simple and easy-to-read page about possible vaccine experiences, COVID-19 Vaccines May Make You Feel Sick.
Because cases are currently high, the CDC has updated its guidance on personal and social activities, such as going to restaurants or holding gatherings.
The CDC has published a page of information on vaccine breakthrough cases, or the small amount of people who get COVID-19 despite vaccination.
Abbott has announced to BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card test users that the tests may have a shelf life beyond their expiration date. Learn more.
The FDA revoked the emergency use authorization (EUA) that allowed the investigational monoclonal antibody therapy bamlanivimab to be used alone in COVID-19 treatment, because of resistant variants. Other combination treatments, some using bamlanivimab, are still covered under the EUA.
The Administration for Community Living has developed safe activities and guidance on holding distanced and outdoor events to observe Older Americans Month, which is held in May.
The CDC’s new Health Equity in Action page has information and resources on CDC’s collaborative efforts to address health disparities among populations at higher risk for COVID-19.
The Administration for Community Living has reorganized and relaunched its COVID-19 resources website. New pages include: Resources for Older Adults, People with Disabilities, Families, and Caregivers; Resources for the Aging and Disability Networks; Ensuring Equity and Inclusion; and COVID-19 Webinars.

Senior Living Needs Support for Relief & Resources: Help us tell the administration to equitably distribute Provider Relief Fund dollars to senior living providers.
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About the CDC’s Resources

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a dedicated site for COVID-19 and has posted guidance. Here are some direct links you may find useful:

As new information emerges, the CDC continually updates several special topic pages that may be useful:

Post Vaccine Considerations for Residents
Post Vaccine Considerations for Healthcare Personnel
What Every Clinician Should Know about COVID-19 Vaccine Safety
Living in or Visiting Retirement Communities or Independent Living Facilities
The Importance of COVID-19 Vaccination for Healthcare Personnel
How to Select, Wear, and Clean Your Mask
How COVID-19 Spreads
Optimizing Supply of PPE and Other Equipment During Shortages
Guidance for people with medical conditions that can put them at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19, including cancer, COPD, heart conditions, and obesity.
When You Can be Around Others After You Had or Likely Had COVID-19
Duration of Isolation and Precautions for Adults
Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of Eye Protection
When to Wear Gloves
Correct Practice of Social Distancing

Read an updated a situation summary from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

About the FDA’s Resources

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s FAQs continually provides updates on COVID-19 testing, treatments, and fraud warnings. It has uncovered hundreds of fraudulent and unproven products under its Operation Quack Hack campaign. Here are direct links to some important lists:

Tests that should no longer be used or distributed
Hand sanitizers that should not be used
Companies that have received warning letters, names of fraudulent products, and a click-through photo gallery of their labels
How to report a suspected fraudulent product or company
Face Masks, Including Surgical Masks, and Respirators for COVID-19, a comprehensive page with answers to frequently asked questions about face masks, surgical masks, and respirators. It has also released issued guidance on the use of dry heat to help support the single-user reuse of some N95 respirators.

About Monoclonal Antibody (mAbs) Treatments

The FDA authorized monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatments for COVID-19 in November 2020 after these treatments were shown to be effective at combatting the disease. Since then, a pilot program was established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to increase access to bamlanivimab (Eli Lilly) for COVID-19 in high-risk, eligible individuals residing or working in long-term care facilities, including assisted living. The program utilizes home infusion providers – in partnership with community staff – to identify, assess, coordinate, dispense, and administer monoclonal antibody therapies in these healthcare settings.

We encourage interested senior living communities to have a protocol mapped out ahead of time, as these treatments must be administered ASAP upon confirmation of COVID-19 symptoms. Without a plan in place, treatment will be delayed.

Assisted living communities and skilled nursing facilities experiencing an outbreak of COVID-19 can locate a home infusion provider from the National Home Infusion Association’s HHS Bamlanivimab Pilot Provider List. Infusion providers are available in most states and can be located using this map.

Once a physician’s order has been issued following a positive COVID-19 test, these providers:

Secure the mAb treatments
Secure consent for the treatment
Administer the treatment in the community using the infusion provider’s PPE
Monitor the infusion recipient for one hour following treatment, per protocol

Address any adverse reactions to the treatment using an emergency kit the infusion provider brings to the community
Handle billing and reimbursement following treatment

Learn more about seeking support for monoclonal antibody treatments

Learn More

Additional Resources:

American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT): Use of Neutralizing Antibodies as a Treatment for COVID-19
American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT): COVID-19 Webinar Series
Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers: Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) of Bamlanivimab
FDA Press Release: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: FDA Authorizes Monoclonal Antibody for Treatment of COVID-19

Argentum COVID-19 Publications

Published May 2021

Pre-Planning Guidance for OSHA Regulatory Compliance

Support for compliance with OSHA workplace safety regulations

Published March 2021

Model Visitation Protocols for Vaccinated Senior Living Communities

Protocols, considerations, and general practices

Resident Engagement and Socialization During COVID-19

Guidance in preventing resident social isolation

Published November 2020

Argentum Guidance for Infection Prevention and Control

IPC guidance designed for assisted living communities

Updated November 2020

COVID-19 Community Access and Infection Control

FAQs, Sample Screening Checklist

Published October 2020

Essential Caregiver Toolkit

Regulatory model and guidance

Published June 2020

Managing COVID-19 Restrictions

White paper

Published May 2020

The Need for a "Smart" Testing Strategy

White paper

Argentum, its executive staff and consultants, have attempted to provide the best possible information as a service to the association’s membership in a situation that is very quickly evolving and about which so much is unknown. Therefore, Argentum can provide no assurances nor even make any representations about the reliability or accuracy of this information. Each senior living company and each community must make decisions that each regards as in the best interests of the health and safety of the residents. Argentum specifically disclaims responsibility or liability for the information it is providing from any legal, regulatory, medical, or compliance point of view.

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Coronavirus Toolkit

What’s New?

About the CDC’s Resources

About the FDA’s Resources

About Monoclonal Antibody (mAbs) Treatments

Secure the mAb treatments

Secure consent for the treatment

Administer the treatment in the community using the infusion provider’s PPE

Monitor the infusion recipient for one hour following treatment, per protocol

Address any adverse reactions to the treatment using an emergency kit the infusion provider brings to the community

Handle billing and reimbursement following treatment