Most current information

• Centers for Medicare and Medicare Services (CMS)
  • Guidance for Infection Control and Prevention of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Nursing Homes (REVISED)
    CMS has issued new guidance based on the newest recommendations from the CDC. It directs nursing homes to significantly restrict visitors and nonessential personnel, as well as restrict communal activities inside nursing homes. (March 13, 2020)
  • Guidance for use of Certain Industrial Respirators by Health Care Personnel
    Recent CDC and FDA guidance expands the types of face masks healthcare workers may use in situations involving COVID-19 and other respiratory infections. (March 10, 2020)
  • Suspension of Survey Activities
    CMS will re-prioritize surveys to conduct focus surveys about infection control for facilities that have had an infection control deficiency in the past. (March 4, 2020)

• Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH)
  • DPH Circular Letter DHCQ 03-20-702
    DPH updates policies and procedures for restricting resident visitors in nursing homes and rest homes and PPE recommendation. (March 11, 2020)
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
    DPH updated guidance on strategies to optimize the use of PPE for health care facilities. (March 4, 2020)
  • DPH Update for Long-Term Care Facilities
    New guidance assists facilities to prepare for the possibility of COVID-19 and prevent its potential spread in LTCFs. (March 3, 2020)

• Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA)
  • Assisted Living Residence Operators Guidance and Policies and Procedures to Protect Residents, Facilities, and Services during the COVID-19 Outbreak
    EOEA issued guidance for Assisted Living Residences (March 12, 2020)

• Mass Senior Care Updates
  • COVID-19 Update – Communal Dining Guidance (March 16, 2020)
  • COVID-19 Update – Command Center, Visitors, 3-Day Rule, Medicaid Funding (March 15, 2020)
  • CMS Restricts All Visits to Nursing Homes (March 13, 2020)
  • Additional Guidance on Visitation During the COVID-19 Outbreak: What Facilities Need to Know (March 12, 2020)
  • COVID-19 Update – DPH Limitation on Visitors, Face Masks, and Isolation Policies (March 11, 2020)
  • Mass Senior Care shared updated guidance from CMS on limiting visitors and individuals in nursing facilities. (March 10, 2020)
  • Mass Senior Care provides information on how to stay informed through the DPH NH Listserv ad Health and Homeland Alert Network (HHAN). (March 5, 2020)
  • Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information for Mass Senior Care Members (March 3, 2020)

Additional Resources

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers clinical guidance, situation updates, and more.
  • Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in LTC Facilities
• The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) has information for the public and providers on efforts within the Commonwealth.
• American Health Care Association (AHCA/NCAL) has information and resources for long term care providers.
  • How You Can Help Prevent the Spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Long Term Care Facilities — Resources for Providers, Residents & Patients, and Families & Friends
  • ?Webinar for Long Term Care Providers with the CDC and Slides? (March 3, 2020)

• The World Health Organization (WHO) provides rolling updates from around the globe.