Training slides, notes now available.

The CDC streamlines nursing home COVID-19 reporting modules, although several new questions have been added.

The CDC revised the definition of "up to date" with COVID-19 vaccinations on its web page for the general public, which is referenced as the source of the "up to date" definition in the CMS nursing home testing guidance. Nursing homes are now required to conduct routine testing of staff over age 50 who are eligible for the second booster shot, but have not received it.

The CDC now recommends a second booster for adults age 50 and over, when 4 months has elapsed after the first booster. The stronger recommendation was accompanied by a new definition of "up to date" with vaccinations.  Under the new definition, adults age 50 and over are "up to date" when they have received a second booster if eligible.

Updates seek to streamline guidance by linking to previously updated guidance on how testing is used in determining work restrictions and mitigating staffing shortages among health care personnel, clarify when and how to conduct confirmatory testing following use of antigen tests in LTC.

Members urged to review guidance documents in their entirety.

Clarification on CDC outbreak testing recommendations when an outbreak occurs in the nursing home setting.