BACKGROUND
According to the
CDC website, as of March 2, 2020, there have been 16 confirmed positive cases and 27 presumptive positive cases of the coronavirus in the United States. Additional cases have been confirmed in a growing number of international locations.
Prudent providers across all healthcare settings are currently reviewing historical experiences, state guidance, and operational plans relative to infection control and best practices relative to care, staffing, food, power, and medication. As the outbreak of 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) further develops, we can expect additional federal and state guidance.
We recommend that members stay on alert for family members, staff, and other visitors who have recently traveled internationally AND have symptoms such as fever, cough, and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Facilities should report such individuals to their local or state health department.
Long-term and post-acute care centers should act now to help reduce the potential for spread, which will also minimize the spread of other circulating viruses that can impact residents and staff.
The
2019-nCoV spreads mainly between people who are in close contact with one another via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Some spread might be possible before people show symptoms; there have been reports of this with the coronavirus, but it is not thought to be the main way that the virus spreads. Centers should review their infection prevention and control policies and procedures to take precautions among residents and staff.
We will continue to monitor the outbreak and keep members informed with updates. Additional information for healthcare professionals can be found on the
CDC and on the
MDH websites.
