Aug. 10th COVID-19 Update
New COVID-19-related updates for providers of long-term/post-acute care (LTPAC) and senior services continue to be shared on a regular basis by both state and federal authorities. The latest developments are described below.
As a reminder, LeadingAge NY continues to convene weekly webinars on Mondays at 11 a.m. to address emerging questions on COVID-19. A recording of our most recent webinar, held on Aug. 9th, is available here. If you have questions for next week’s update, please send them to Ami Schnauber, and be sure to check your email for the access information, or contact Jeff Diamond.
Cross-Sector Updates
Sample Mandatory Vaccination Policies and Communication Materials
LeadingAge NY and LeadingAge National are collecting sample vaccination mandate policies and making them available to members. Members are advised that these policies have not been endorsed or approved by the Department of Health (DOH) or by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Policies such as these may also be subject to collective bargaining agreements. Before adopting a mandatory vaccination policy in your facility, we recommend that you review it with your counsel and ensure that it addresses your specific circumstances. As COVID-19-related requirements and research are frequently changing, we recommend that members frequently check the LeadingAge NY website for updates. Click here to review the policies.
CDC Data Reveal Effectiveness of COVID-19 Vaccines in Preventing Hospitalization Among Older Adults
Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued new data indicating that the three COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized for use in the United States are highly effective in preventing COVID-19-associated hospitalizations among older adults. According to the data, among adults between ages 65 and 74, effectiveness of full vaccination in preventing hospitalization was 96 percent for Pfizer-BioNTech, 96 percent for Moderna, and 84 percent for Janssen/Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccines. For those in the 75-and-over age group, vaccination effectiveness against hospitalization was 91, 96, and 85 percent for Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and J&J, respectively. Click here for more information.
Amid Delta Surge and Slowed Vaccination Uptake, CDC Calls for Implementation of Layered COVID-19 Prevention Strategies
On July 27th, amid the rapid spread of the Delta variant and stagnating vaccination rates across the United States, the CDC issued a report calling on public health practitioners, schools, businesses, and institutions to implement short-term, layered prevention strategies to minimize preventable morbidity and mortality from COVID-19. Per the report, the CDC is recommending that five critical factors be considered to inform local decision-making: (1) level of COVID-19 community transmission; (2) health system capacity; (3) COVID-19 vaccination coverage; (4) capacity for early detection of increases in COVID-19 cases; and (5) populations at increased risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19. Click here for more information.
Increasing Infection Rates Trigger Implementation of Requirements in Some Counties
Unfortunately, we are seeing increases in COVID-19 infection rates across the state. Members are encouraged to monitor their community infection rates not only to inform general infection prevention measures, but also to ensure compliance with guidance. Click here for more information.
Nursing Home Updates
DOH Provides Guidance on New Nursing Home PPE Stockpile Requirements
DOH provided information about the new personal protective equipment (PPE) stockpile requirements for nursing homes via webinar last week and distributed facility-specific reports on the required amounts of each type of PPE. The webinar explained the methodology for calculating the required amounts of PPE set forth in a new emergency regulation published on July 30th. The new stockpile requirements take effect on Aug. 31st. Click here for more information.
DOH Issues Revised FAQs on Cohorting
On Aug. 6th, DOH issued an Advisory updating the May 13, 2020 guidance on cohorting of nursing home residents as a result of COVID-19 infection. The new guidance, in the form of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), touches on issues such as vaccination status and cohorting during an outbreak, issues not addressed in the earlier guidance. Click here for more information.