Clarification and Resources for Nursing Homes Asked by Wadsworth Labs to Submit Specimens

Some nursing home providers received a communication from the NYS Department of Health's (DOH) Wadsworth labs on Oct. 4, 2023 entitled Enhanced COVID-19 New York State Surveillance. The directive is a follow-up from the initial communication on Sept. 5, 2023, also directed to selected nursing homes. Both communications relate to the State’s efforts to collect specimens for sequencing to assist in the detection of and tracking of the spread of COVID strain BA.2.86. The State asked nursing homes that had positive COVID cases to submit COVID-positive clinical samples. The second communication provided more detail regarding the specimen collection and shipping and alerted that supplies would be arriving shortly. LeadingAge NY is uncertain how long this effort will be, and we are unsure if additional nursing homes will be invited to participate at this time. Nursing homes that did not receive this communication do not need to do anything at this time.

We heard from several members regarding the requirement that specimens be packed in accordance with International Air Transport Association (IATA) regulations. We have been in conversations with DOH regarding this requirement. For those who do not have staff who are IATA-trained for specimen packing and shipping, the Department recommends first reaching out to your local health department (LHD). LHDs have staff who are IATA-trained who may be able to assist. If the LHD is unable to assist, DOH has pointed us to training available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website. Each individual would have to create an account and answer some brief demographic questions. The course is free and shorter than some others. Supervisors would need to certify that their staff took the training.

We have also received some clarifications in response to member questions:

• Facilities can send fewer than six specimens; each specimen is useful.
• Participation in the process is not mandatory, but again is appreciated, as it is useful to the State's efforts.

Questions regarding the process can be directed to DOH at COVIDstrain@health.ny.gov. Members should also keep us apprised of any challenges they encounter in this process so we can assist.

Contact: Diane Darbyshire, ddarbyshire@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8828