Complete Story
05/02/2022
You asked... We Answered
You Asked:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) webpage has information on both the COVID-19 county level and community transmission level. Which one should I be following to determine universal source control, relaxing of restrictions, and testing?
We Answered:
The CDC recommends use of COVID-19 Community Levels to determine the impact of COVID-19 on communities and take action. Community Transmission levels are provided for healthcare facility use only. Healthcare facilities need to monitor the community transmission levels on the CDC COVID Data Tracker webpage. The webpage begins with the COVID-19 Integrated County View. Healthcare facilities need to scroll further down on the webpage then select Ohio in the drop down. The data-type drop down should be set to community transmission.
Healthcare settings should use the CDC’s Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Healthcare Personnel During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic guidance for relaxing of restrictions of distancing and masking when the community transmission levels are moderate to low. When the community transmission level increases to substantial to high, healthcare facilities should implement universal source control of eye protection in addition to masking. Facility policies should define the frequency of how often they will monitor this webpage and adjust source control measures and operational practices accordingly. Nursing homes are to conduct routine staff testing according to the community transmission levels outlined in the CMS QSO-20-38-NH memo.
LeadingAge Ohio encourages members to explain to stakeholders the difference between the community guidance and the guidance for healthcare settings. A best practice is to have a routine update for staff to keep them abreast of the changing community transmission levels and reminders of how universal source control changes as the community level changes to high and substantial levels. We encourage members to continue to submit questions to COVID19@leadingageohio.org.