Coronavirus Toolkit

Additional Resources

• The CDC has updated its page on Considerations for Owners and Operators of Multifamily Housing Including Populations at Increased Risk for Complications from COVID-19, which can also apply to communities for older adults.
• On December 28, HHS updated its FAQ on Provider Relief Funds and State Medicaid Funds:
  My state or territorial Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) agency has directed providers to use Provider Relief Fund dollars before applying Medicaid or CHIP reimbursement, as well as Medicaid COVID-19 supplemental payments, to cover health care-related expenses or lost revenues attributable to coronavirus. Is this permissible? 
  No. As it relates to expenses, providers identify their health care-related expenses, and then apply any amounts received through other sources (e.g., direct patient billing, commercial insurance, Medicare/Medicaid/CHIP, reimbursement from the Provider Relief Fund COVID-19 Claims Reimbursement to Health Care Providers and Facilities for Testing, Treatment, and Vaccine Administration for the Uninsured, or funds received from FEMA or SBA/Department of Treasury’s Paycheck Protection Program) that offset the health care-related expenses. Provider Relief Fund payments may be applied to the remaining expenses or cost, after netting the other funds received or obligated to be received which offset those expenses.
• The U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services and Defense announced that the administration has purchased 100 million additional doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine.
• The CDC Foundation has launched the website and program How Right Now to address people’s feelings of grief, loss, and worry during COVID-19.
• The CDC has posted the basic information on the new variant of COVID-19 detected.
• The FDA issued a new emergency use authorization (EUA) for the BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card Home Test, which is authorized for use by patients at home with a prescription.
• After the vaccine: The CDC has released guidance on what to do and watch for post vaccine:
• Post Vaccine Considerations for Residents: Infection prevention and control considerations for residents of long-term care facilities with systemic signs and symptoms following COVID-19 vaccination
• Post Vaccine Considerations for Healthcare Personnel: Infection prevention and control considerations for healthcare personnel with systemic signs and symptoms following COVID-19 vaccination
• What Every Clinician Should Know about COVID-19 Vaccine Safety: Use this link to download information for clinicians to use in educating patients/residents about what to expect after COVID-19 vaccination
• The CDC has updated the following pages:
  • 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
• The CDC December 9 issued a Toolkit for Retirement Communities and a Toolkit for Older Adults and People at Higher Risk. Each contain links to guidance, FAQs, and messaging such as posters and videos to communicate accurate COVID-19 information.
• For those using ventilation techniques among their mitigation strategies, the CDC has posted a page on ventilation interventions that can help reduce the concentration of virus particles in the air.
• The CDC is recommending “universal mask use” indoors if not at your own residence.
• The CDC currently recommends a quarantine period of 14 days. However, December 2 it offered options in special cases only to shorten quarantine to 7 or 10 days.
• The CDC has updated its page on Older Adults with the latest links and information.
• The FDA has published Face Masks, Including Surgical Masks, and Respirators for COVID-19, a comprehensive new page on FDA.gov 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.
• Knowing your state plan is the first step for COVID-19 vaccination prep. Find your state plan in this resource prepared by Holland & Knight, LLP, and contact the appropriate state leadership as soon as possible.
• How CDC Is Making COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations gives insights and information on the evidence behind decisions
• The CDC’s Nov. 20 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report is publishing Characterization of COVID-19 in Assisted Living Facilities—39 States, October 2020. “With ongoing community transmission, ALFs should take actions to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in their facilities, including rapid identification and response to residents and staff members with suspected or confirmed COVID-19,” the authors recommend.
• The FDA has published two new pieces of consumer information that can help in understanding the vaccine situation and getting the facts: Vaccine Development 101 and Emergency Use Authorization for Vaccines Explained.
• The FDA published a new webpage, A Closer Look at COVID-19 Diagnostic Testing, to provide health care providers and other public health professionals, including those who might purchase COVID-19 tests, more technical information and resources.
• The FDA is alerting clinical laboratory staff and health care providers that false positive results can occur with antigen tests and has posted recommendations and further information.
• While there is not yet an authorized or approved vaccine against the COVID-19 virus, communities and health care are preparing for its release. The CDC has posted three pages for the general public that can be helpful to share with staff and families: Benefits of Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine, Busting Myths and Misconceptions about COVID-19 Vaccination, and Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Vaccination.