The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is spreading globally and there have been instances of COVID-19 community spread in the United States. The general strategies the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Long Term Care Facilites are the same strategies these facilities use every day to detect and prevent the spread of other respiratory viruses like influenza. Additional information from the CDC can be found on there webiste.
Guidance on implementing recommended infection prevention practices is available in the CDC’s free online course — The Nursing Home Infection Preventionist Training — which includes resources checklists for facilities and employees to use.
Long-term care facilities concerned that a resident, visitor, or employee may be a COVID-2019 patient under investigation should contact their local or state health department immediately for consultation and guidance.
