MDH Issues New Recommendations on Protective Actions for Adult Day Services

Posted on August 11, 2021 by Roni Falck

On Aug. 4, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) posted a document communicating recommended protective actions in residential and non-residential settings licensed by DHS in light of the Delta variant. The new guidance provides recommendations on testing, masking, and other protective actions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Testing
Following notification of an exposure, MDH recommends all staff and clients seek testing immediately and again three to seven days after exposure, regardless of vaccination status. Fully vaccinated people do not need to quarantine while awaiting their test results if they are not showing symptoms. Unvaccinated people should quarantine after having close contact with someone with COVID-19. Close contact means being less than six feet from a known case for 15 minutes or more in 24 hours.

Masks and Eye Protection
MDH recommends that all vaccinated and unvaccinated staff wear a well-fitting face mask throughout their shift when indoors or in a crowded setting outdoors. Staff should wear a face mask during meetings and breaks unless actively eating or drinking. Physical distancing, limiting the number of staff in a break area, or eating lunch outside are other recommended actions providers should consider to reduce the risk of transmission. MDH also recommends all DHS-licensed settings direct care staff wear eye protection according to COVID-19 Universal Eye Protection Risk Assessment for Long-term Care and Assisted Living-type Settings.

Providers should familiarize themselves with the MDH recommendations for wearing masks. The document highlights various considerations when contemplating the implementation of client mask requirements.  

Reporting Positive Cases
Providers should use the following tool to report cases of COVID-19: Submitting Clinical Information On Long Term Care and Adult Day COVID-19 Cases and Reporting Discrepant Laboratory Results.

As always, please contact us with any questions you may have. We are here to support you.