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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.
Last Updated: October 23

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Additional Resources

The FDA October 22 approved the antiviral drug Veklury (remdesivir) for use for the treatment of COVID-19 requiring hospitalization. Veklury should only be administered in a hospital or in a healthcare setting capable of providing acute care comparable to inpatient hospital care, the FDA stipulated.
The CDC October 21 revised its definition of close contact: “Someone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period starting from 2 days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, 2 days prior to test specimen collection) until the time the patient is isolated.” This definition includes “Individual exposures added together over a 24-hour period (e.g., three 5-minute exposures for a total of 15 minutes).” The change is based on new study evidence, and the CDC has updated multiple pages of the COVID-19 section of its website to reflect this.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has added to its Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) entry guidance on using N95 respirators.
CDC has posted two useful pages as vaccination issues get closer: 10 Things Healthcare Professionals Need to Know about U.S. COVID-19 Vaccination Plans, and 8 Things to Know about Vaccine Planning
The CDC October 5 issued updated guidance to its How COVID-19 Spreads page, which includes information about the potential for airborne spread of the virus that causes COVID-19.

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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, in order of recency. 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:

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 more than 700 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

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Argentum COVID-19 Publications

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

Published March 2020

COVID-19 Community Access and Infection Control

FAQs, Sample Screening Checklist

Member Only

Argentum State Partner COVID-19 Toolkit

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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