Answers to FAQ on Recent COVID-19 Guidance Changes

Posted on October 13, 2022 by Kari Everson

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released several changes to COVID-19 guidance over the past two weeks. Members have several questions about the nursing home vaccine mandate, source control and eye protection use, antigen testing of asymptomatic individuals, and resident screening.

FAQ #1: Does wearing eye protection depend upon the county transmission rate?

No. Eye protection is optional regardless of the county transmission rate. Organizations may choose to continue eye protection use, and individual staff may continue wearing eye protection. Eye protection is required when caring for a resident with known or suspected COVID-19, and eye protection should be considered carefully during outbreaks within the organization. Eye protection does continue to be an intervention the CDC encourages but is not required.

FAQ#2: Should source control masks be worn in counties with high transmission rates?

Yes. According to the CDC and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), source control masks should be worn in counties with high transmission rates. When transmission rates are not high, organizations and individual staff may choose to wear source control masks, but it is not required. There remain questions about whether a two-week waiting period is needed when moving from high transmission to reduced transmission rates. A two-week wait is something providers should consider. Throughout the pandemic, a recommendation is considered the standard of practice and is the standard to which regulatory teams will survey. The CDC guidance uses the word "consider" here, and does not use the word "recommended."

FAQ #3: Do unvaccinated staff in the nursing home require weekly testing?

Not necessarily. Nursing home staff exempt from the vaccine mandate need extra mitigation strategies. It is up to the organization to choose what that intervention is, and it may be weekly testing, but there are other options, too. Please see QSO-22-07 Attachment A for additional information.

FAQ #4: Do residents still require daily screening?

No. Resident screening is no longer required. Long-term care settings, both assisted living and nursing homes, must monitor residents and implement appropriate interventions if there is reason to believe a resident has suspected or confirmed COVID-19. However, daily screening is no longer required. 

Staff and visitors no longer require screening either. Organizations are required to post signs indicating expected infection prevention and control practices and notice to those entering the building regarding when to postpone a visit. The CDC provides an infection prevention and control posting on its website, and LeadingAge Minnesota has developed a simple posting for visitors and staff entering the building for those who would like it.

FAQ #5: Can we use antigen tests on asymptomatic individuals?

Yes. We can use antigen tests on asymptomatic individuals. CMS rescinded the QSO memo regarding antigen tests and asymptomatic individuals last Friday. Therefore, you may continue to use your usual practices for testing individuals with antigen tests regardless of whether they are symptomatic.

If you have additional questions, please contact Kari Everson.