Virginia COVID-19 Long-Term Care Task Force

In response to increasing cases of COVID-19 in Virginia's long-term care facilities, Governor Northam established the Virginia COVID-19 Long-Term Care Task Force on April 10 to:

Ensure long-term care facilities have the resources they need to combat the virus;
Strengthen staffing, testing and infection control measures at long-term care facilities; and
Keep stakeholders informed about the impact of COVID-19 on long-term care facilities.

Issue areas being reviewed by the Task Force include facility staffing and financing, infection control, personal protective equipment and supplies, COVID-19 testing, communications, and discharge planning.

Vaccine Guidance for LTCFs

COVID-19

Influenza

Testing Guidance for LTCFs

VDH Interim COVID-19 Antigen Testing Recommendations(10/28/20)
VDH Portal for Reporting Point-of-Care COVID-19 Lab Results (9/16/20)
- Instructions: This portal will assist testing sites in meeting the requirement of the CARES Act to report every diagnostic and screening test performed to detect SARS-CoV-2 or to diagnose a possible case of COVID-19. This portal allows the rapid entry of person-level test results for positive and negative point-of-care results, and provides the ability to enter aggregate negative results as necessary for high-volume testing sites. All COVID-19 test results should be reported to VDH within 24 hours. Testing sites that are not conducting POC tests, should report results per standard protocols.
- Nursing Homes - Reporting POC results into VDH Portal versus NHSN (12/7/2020)
  - HHS updated its reporting guidance on October 19, 2020 to indicate that CMS-certified nursing homes are required to use NHSN to report SARS-CoV-2 POC test data. CMS-certified nursing homes should continue to use the VDH Portal to report COVID-19 POC test results to VDH until more information from CMS regarding compliance is released. In order to not duplicate reporting efforts, facilities in Virginia should only report POC test results to the VDH portal at this time. While waiting for additional federal guidance, these facilities should be upgrading their SAMS access to Level 3. All other facility types, including assisted living facilities and licensed but not CMS-certified nursing homes, should continue to use the VDH Portal and report COVID-19 POC test results (positive and negative) within 24 hours.
Nursing Home Notification Form to Health Department Regarding Inability to Perform Routine Staff Testing (9/16/20)
- Instructions: Nursing homes can use this form to notify the local health department that your facility is unable to perform routine staff testing according to CMS requirements (i.e., access to point-of-care testing or a private/commercial lab with a turnaround time < 48 hours).
CMS Nursing Home Testing Requirements(8/26/20)
VDH Guidance for Public Health Prioritization of COVID-19 Point Prevalence Surveys (8/19/20)
CDC Considerations for Interpreting Antigen Test Results in Nursing Homes (8/28/20)
CDC – Testing for Coronavirus in Nursing Homes

Guidance for all LTCFs

(New) Closing a Healthcare Facility to New Admissions or Readmissions during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Interim Guidance (1/11/21)
Considerations for PPE and Cohorting during COVID-19 Response in LTC (12/21/2020)
Infection Prevention & Control FAQs for Nursing Homes (12/17/20)
VDH Interim Recommendations for Duration of Quarantine for Healthcare Personnel (12/15/20)
Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Influenza and COVID-19 in LTCFs (12/7/20)
Holiday Considerations for Long-Term Care Facility Residents and their Families (11/11/20)
For more information on registering a facility for COVID-19 vaccine pharmacy partnerships, visit the VDH COVID-19 Vaccination Response Website
Management of Hemodialysis Patients Residing in Long Term Care Facilities (10/1/20)
Recommendations for Hospitalized Patients Being Discharged to a Long-Term Care Facility During the COVID-19 Pandemic (8/25/20)
Department of Medical Assistance Services CARES Act Enrollment and Reimbursement
(Under Revision) Virginia COVID-19 Long-Term Care Facility Task Force Playbook (7/10/20)
VDH Facility Employee Daily Screening Form
VDH Optimization Strategies for PPE
VDH Role of Public Health and LTCFs in Preparedness and Response Efforts (6/15/20)
VDH Guidelines for Cleaning and Disinfection
VDH Line List for COVID-19 Outbreaks
OSHA COVID-19 Guidance for Nursing Home and Long Term Care Facility Workers
- English
- Spanish

Nursing Homes/Skilled Nursing Facilities

Infection Prevention & Control FAQs for Nursing Homes (12/17/20)
CMS Holiday Recommendations (11/18/20)
VDH COVID-19 Guidance for Nursing Homes (10/22/20)
CMS Visitation Guidance for Nursing Homes (9/18/20)

*All references to phase reopening in nursing homes have been retired

Assisted Living Facilities

The Task Force understands the critical impact social interactions and mental well-being have on all Virginians, especially those residing in long-term care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Virginia's Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program can assist in resolving concerns about the quality of life or care services provided in long-term care settings.

On September 18, 2020, CMS released CMS Visitation Guidance for Nursing Home

Holiday Considerations for Long-Term Care Facility Residents and their Families

Limited Visitation in an Assisted Living Community

Limited visitation in an assisted living community is based on the facility's specific circumstances and available resources. Please refer to the Tips and Best Practices for Reopening to Visitors in Assisted Living Facilities provided by the Virginia Department of Social Services for additional guidance and considerations.

Resources

Below are some resources available to assist with coping with the stress of social isolation and social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.