[High Priority] Measures to Protect Staff and Residents from COVID-19 in LTCFs

Dear LA County Skilled Nursing Facilities,

As you know, as in the previous few years, we are in the midst of a COVID-19, Influenza and RSV surge at the moment that is significantly impacting residents and staff in our long-term care facilities (LTCF).  The highly infectious variants currently circulating are leading to large numbers of infections in LTCFs, causing widespread illness which results in disruption of clinical operations.  While the mortality rates due to COVID-19 are down significantly compared to previous years, vulnerable people within LTCFs are still being admitted to the hospital and are still dying of COVID-19.

To address the continued risk of COVID-19 to the vulnerable residents of LTCFs, we are sending this guidance to help remind you of some important steps you can take within your facilities to protect your residents from respiratory viruses and COVID-19.  We have many resources on our SNF webpage that you may find helpful, in addition to the guidance already available for SNFs in the Guidelines for Prevention & Managing COVID-19 in SNFs:

Test all visitors prior to entry in the facility. LACDPH highly recommends that all visitors be tested for COVID-19 prior to entering the LTCF to visit their loved ones.

LACDPH is making COVID-19 tests available, free of charge, through our online ordering portal.

All staff are required to wear respiratory masks in patient care areas per recent Health Officer Order.  LACDPH sent a reminder on 1/3/24, that the County is currently in the medium according to the Los Angeles County CDC COVID-19 Hospital Admission Level.

Increase ventilation during times of high COVID-19 transmission. LACDPH recommends opening windows when possible, keeping HVAC system fans turned to “on”, using portable HEPA filters and using MERV 13 filters on HVAC systems to disinfect recirculating air.

Vaccinate residents and staff with the updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine.  Vaccination is the best way to protect residents from severe COVID-19 disease.  LTCFs can request LACDPH assistance with vaccination by emailing COVID-LTC-Test@ph.lacounty.gov.  A best practices document and webinars are available from LACDPH that discuss strategies to increase vaccination rates.

It is required to offer treatment to all residents who test positive for COVID-19. Treatments for COVID-19 significantly decrease hospitalization and death related to COVID-19 and all residents who meet criteria should be offered treatment.

In addition , please feel free to review/rewatch the information from our past webinars on vaccination uptake and management of respiratory viruses:

• Winter Vaccine Champions slides recording (12-15-23)  (New!)
• Building Trust and Effective Vaccination Programs in Nursing Homes slides recording (10-23-23)
• COVID-19 Vaccine Updates and Preparing for the Virus Respiratory Season slides  recording (9-22-23)
• Fall 2023 Immunizations: RSV, Influenza and Building Vaccine Confidence slides recording (08-04-23)

You can also find more information here: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/acd/SNF/index.htm