Nursing homes will be required to report starting May 8^th.

The new COVID-19-related "return to work" restrictions extend to 14 days the required duration of an employee's exclusion from work based on a positive COVID-19 test or symptoms. A second set of directives includes a requirement to cohort residents based on COVID-19-positive, negative, and unknown status and assign dedicated staff to COVID-19-positive and "non-positive" residents.

In a letter to Commissioner Zucker, LeadingAge NY called for a collaborative, multi-pronged effort to contain COVID-19 in nursing homes that includes on-site testing and re-testing of all residents and staff, sufficient PPE consistent with sound infection control practices, and financial assistance and other supports to enable adequate staffing.

LeadingAge NY has developed a compendium of federal and state COVID-19 guidance specific to nursing homes or of a general nature, arrayed by topic in reverse chronological order.

New York State has opened up its Health Professional Portal to all nursing homes and by invitation to other providers. The Surge Staffing Cell provides assistance to New York City nursing homes in need of nurses and CNAs as a result of the COVID-19 emergency.

LeadingAge is partnering with major national employers to connect displaced workers from fields such as dining, retail, and hospitality with available jobs in aging services.

DOH is developing a process to streamline collection of data needed for CMI calculation.

CMS has granted flexibility on several federal reporting requirements; the State has not.