Nov. 29th 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 Nov. 28th, is available here, and a list of the items shared by LeadingAge NY staff in the webinar chat can be accessed here. If you have questions for next week’s update or would like the access information, please contact Jeff Diamond.
Cross-Sector Updates
White House Campaign to Increase Rates of COVID-19 Vaccination and What It Means for You
On Nov. 22nd, the White House released a fact sheet outlining its “Six-Week Campaign to Get More Americans their Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Before End of the Year.” Click here for more information.
CMS Urges Providers to Ensure Timely Availability of COVID-19 Therapeutics
“Every patient who tests positive for COVID-19 should be evaluated to determine whether the use of a therapeutic is appropriate,” stresses a Nov. 22nd Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) memo to state survey agencies overseeing all CMS-regulated provider types. The memo highlights the ability of two antiviral treatments – Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir) and Lagevrio (molnupiravir) – as well as monoclonal antibody treatments to prevent serious illness and save lives. Click here for more information.
Nursing Home and Adult Care Facility (ACF)/Assisted Living (AL) Updates
Key Visitation and Communal Activity Reminders for Nursing Homes
With winter holidays fast approaching, LeadingAge NY has developed a refresher for nursing home members on some key visitation and communal activities recommendations and requirements. Click here for more information.
COVID-19 Vaccination Rates in Nursing Homes
In light of new federal initiatives to increase COVID-19 vaccination rates, especially in nursing homes, LeadingAge NY recommends that members ensure that their weekly National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) reporting accurately reflects their vaccination efforts. Click here to review the latest statewide and facility-specific data on nursing home resident and staff vaccinations.
NYC DOHMH Invites Nursing Home Providers to Webinar on Flu and COVID-19
With cases of both COVID-19 and flu on the rise, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH) is urging NYC nursing home providers to get your residents and staff vaccinated ahead of the winter season. As you know, residents are at especially high risk for severe illness. The new COVID-19 bivalent boosters, which are designed to protect against Omicron subvariants, are recommended for everyone ages 5 years and older who has received a COVID-19 vaccine primary series, regardless of whether they received previous COVID-19 vaccine booster doses.
NYC DOHMH is inviting NYC nursing home providers to join a webinar for updates on COVID-19, the new bivalent boosters, and the flu on Tues., Dec. 6th from 12 to 1 p.m. Click here for the access information.
Affordable Housing/Independent Living Updates
Reminder: Register for LeadingAge National Office Hours on HUD CSPs
The Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) fifth round of COVID-19 Supplemental Payments (CSPs) are currently open for request. CSPs can help HUD-assisted multifamily housing providers cover unbudgeted COVID-19 costs at properties, including staffing, security, and cleaning costs, as well as some capital costs such as internet or backup generator installation. To be eligible for this round of funding, projects must be completed by Jan. 31, 2023, and requests for reimbursement must be submitted to HUD by Feb. 21, 2023.
To help answer members’ questions as they prepare to request funds, LeadingAge National will host CSP “Office Hours” on Wed., Nov. 30th from 12 to 1:30 p.m. Members can register for the call here.