New CMS guidance dictates nursing homes must report COVID-19 cases to CDC, residents and families
By
Liza Berger
Apr 20, 2020
In new but anticipated guidance released Sunday night, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is requiring nursing homes to report any COVID-19 cases directly to the Centers for Disease Control and...
Health officials urge public to consider wearing N95, KN95 respirators
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 19, 2022
The CDC has updated its consumer information on wearing face masks during the pandemic. The changes clarify levels of mask protection and emphasize that the public can choose to wear N95 and KN95 respirators...
CDC releases guidance for COVID-19 rapid antigen testing
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 21, 2020
The guidance arrives on the heels of a federal campaign to issue on-site COVID-19 testing equipment to nursing homes. AHCA/NCAL has summarized key points relevant to operators.
CDC director calls for agency’s overhaul, citing pandemic performance
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 17, 2022
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will reorganize, with a new, action-oriented culture that better serves public health, Director Rochelle Walensky told her staff Wednesday.
CDC debuts injury prevention campaign for elders, says most ED visits due to falls
By
Alicia Lasek
May 10, 2021
More than 90% of seniors’ emergency department visits are due to falls — and rates are increasing, the CDC says. The agency’s new Still Going Strong campaign offers prevention information...
Most seniors support virus mitigation efforts, national survey finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 15, 2020
Seniors reported feeling safer with COVID-19 public health measures in place. They’re also more likely to adhere to guidelines meant to reduce transmission, such as avoiding large gatherings.
Feds shrink Pfizer booster interval to 5 months as omicron surges
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 05, 2022
The decision is part of an effort to increase the number of booster shot recipients and build up Americans’ immunity in response to skyrocketing COVID-19 cases, officials said.
Opt-in COVID vaccine program kicks off; Feds partner with CVS, Walgreens
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 19, 2020
Long-term care facilities nationwide can voluntarily opt in to a free pharmacy partnership program that will provide and administer future COVID-19 vaccines on site, federal officials announced Friday.
New CDC vaccine access info covers COVID booster shots, ‘safety net’ support
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 23, 2021
With assurances to provide help as needed, the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention is sharing vaccine access information ahead of the federal COVID-19 vaccine booster shot approvals expected to come...
Norovirus outbreaks trouble LTCFs; prevention needed, CDC researchers say
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 17, 2021
During the study period, 50 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico reported more than 13,000 norovirus outbreaks and upwards of 410,000 outbreak-associated cases in long-term care facilities.