coronavirus

Helpful information to keep you and your agency prepared!

OHA officials continue to recommend people in Oregon take everyday precautions to prevent the spread of many respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19 and influenza:

Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Clean and disinfect surfaces that are often touched.
Take care of your health overall. Staying current on your vaccinations, including flu vaccine, eating well and exercising all help your body stay resilient.
Consult CDC’s travel website for any travel advisories and steps to protect yourself if you plan to travel outside of the US

CMS Updates & Resources

Summary of Emergency Declaration Waivers & Flexibilities for Health Care Providers (See pages 20-26 for home health/hospice specific waivers) 6/5/20
Price Transparency: Requirements for Providers to Make Public Cash Prices for COVID-19 Diagnostic Testing (PDF) 5/12/20
Home Health Agency Waivers and Flexibilities 4/29/20
Provider Burden Relief FAQs April 2020
Telehealth Expansion Waiver which was originally expanded in the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental (1.0) , was further expanded in the CARES Act. The full details of the latest changes are discussed in this A&B advisory (3/31/20).
Guidance for Infection Control and Prevention Concerning Coronavirus
Guidance for Use of Certain Industrial Respirators by Health Care Personnel
Guidance documents for providers and State surveyors related to COVID-19: Home health agencies | Hospice providers
Coronavirus Partner Toolkit
Guidance for Infection Control and Prevention Concerning Coronavirus
Guidance for Use of Certain Industrial Respirators by Health Care Personnel
Guidance documents for providers and State surveyors related to COVID-19: Home health agencies | Hospice providers
Coronavirus Partner Toolkit
Upcoming Stakeholder Calls

CDC Updates!

COVID-19 Testing

OHA Guidance for Clinicians Regarding COVID-19 Testing Updated 6/2/2020
Criteria for COVID-19 Testing at the Oregon State Public Health Laboratory 5/1/2020
Ordering and Reporting COVID-19 Laboratory Tests 3/26/2020
Guidelines for Emergency Testing Authorization for Oregon CLIA Certified Laboratories 4/9/2020

NOTE: Clinicians throughout the community can order COVID-19 testing at their discretion through commercial labs WITHOUT approval by public health.

To Get Approval for Testing through the Oregon State Public Health Laboratory

Use the Confidential Oregon Morbidity Report form to request testing through OSPHL.
How To Submit Online Morbidity Reports for COVID-19 4/20/2020
See OHA Testing Guidance above for details.

Elective and Non-Urgent Procedures

Governor's Executive Order 20-22

Framework for Restarting

Guidance on Resumption of Non-Emergent and Elective Procedure

Guidance for Hospitals 4/30/2020

Complete and save the Hospital Attestation Form and submit online here.

Guidance for Ambulatory Surgical Centers 4/29/2020

Complete and save the Ambulatory Surgical Center Attestation Form and submit online here.

Guidance for Medical and Dental Offices, and Other Health Care Settings 4/29/2020
FAQ about this Guidance 5/6/2020

Clinical and Infection Control Guidance

Guidance for Clinics and Hospitals

Guidance for Long-Term Care Facilities

Guidance for Home Care

Guidance for in-person interpreters and health care providers who work with them

COVID-19 infection control guidance for in-person interpreters and health care providers who work with them 3/29/2020

Entry into Acute Health Care Facilities

Guidance for Entry into Acute Health Care Facilities Updated 4/23/2020

Submitting Specimens to OSPHL

Obtain approval for testing through the Oregon State Public Health Laboratory by submitting a Confidential Oregon Morbidity Report (see Provisional Guidance for details).

Specimens approved for testing should be shipped refrigerated (2-8°C) to the Oregon State Public Health Laboratory (OSPHL) following appropriate shipping regulations.

Virology/Immunology Test Request Form (one form per specimen)

In the “OTHER/MOLECULAR” section, mark the checkbox indicating “Other” and type or write in “2019-nCoV” or “COVID-19” on the line provided.

Please refer to the OSPHL Lab Test Menu and the CDC Interim Guidance for Collecting, Handling, and Testing Clinical Specimens from PUIs for complete specimen collection guidance.

COVID-19 Training: TRAIN Learning Network

CDC TRAIN provides access to courses developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) programs, grantees, and other funded partners. Courses offered by CDC course providers have been approved and verified by CDC.