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Reopening Guidance from Hodes & Landy: September 29, 2020

Argentum New York Letter to the Editor

Extended Deadline for Federal Funding

Argentum Webinar: Eligibility and Application for Assisted Living Distribution from CARES Act Provider Relief Fund

This week Argentum held an informative webinar on the eligibility and the application process for the distribution of federal funds for private pay assisted living providers from the CARES Act Provider Relief Fund. FAQs can be found here.

The application deadline has been EXTENDED TO SEPTEMBER 21. If you have any questions, please send them to dbrasse@argentum.org or HHSproviderfund@argentum.org.

COVID-19 Resources

Wadsworth Center Lists Labs With Excess Testing Capacity

Labs with the greatest excess capacity, and a current reported average turn-around time of less than 4 days, are listed each week on the Wadsworth Center website here. Please check back frequently as the list is updated regularly.

DOH Advisories and Directives

New Health Advisory September 9, 2020: Visitation in Adult Care Facilities

Please follow this link for the publication which provides healthcare providers in New York State, including ACFs and ALRs, with a consolidated update of guidance released by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) related to the COVID-19 pandemic response. This will show the current guidance for any given topic and will be updated to reflect new guidance. Here is the updated Return to Work Policy.

DAL C20-01 re-iterates the recent Executive Orders regarding reporting COVID-19 positive cases and COVID-19 related deaths to family members and next of kin and also highlights best practices for keeping residents and families engaged during the pandemic.

Here are Updated Criteria for Discontinuing Isolation for Residents with COVID-19. Follow this link for the requirements for new admissions and re-admissions to ACFs/ALRs after hospitalization. The Advisory specifically states that no resident shall be denied re-admission or admission to the ACF solely based on a confirmed or suspected diagnosis of COVID-19.

Please click here to access the COVID-19 Infection Control checklist for ACFs/ALRs and here for the accompanying guidance document.

Executive Orders

The Governor has issued Executive Order 202.40, which modifies E.O. 202.30 by mandating that staff of ACFs/ALRs in regions that have entered Phase 2 only need to be tested once per week. Read the DAL and FAQs on staff testing requirements and and the Hospital Discharge Directive.

Mandatory Reporting

COVID-19 HERDS Survey responses will be required daily throughout the pandemic. DOH reminds all providers to be as accurate as possible with respect to resident and census information.

NYS DOH is requiring all assisted living providers to enter and update data on their residents for the COVID-19 HERDS survey on the Health Commerce System needs each day no later than 3 p.m.

All demographic information is pre-populated. Please remind staff that roles on the Health Commerce System need to be up to date and all fields should be completed in order for the survey to be submitted.

The following roles on the HCS can complete the Survey: Administrators, Data Reporter, Emergency Response Coordinator, HPN Coordinator, Director of Resident Services.

Argentum Coronavirus Preparation and Response Toolkit

Argentum has created a Coronavirus Toolkit that contains excellent information and additional resources for providers of assisted living.

Some highlights from the Toolkit include the use of personal protective equipment, best practices for cleaning major touchpoints, monitoring and surveillance, communication plans and a “What to do Now” checklist.