A September 14 clinician's letter from State Health Commissioner Dr. Norman Oliver highlights numerous updates from the agency including the launch of the portal for reporting testing results and updated guidance on testing. The letter also includes reminders and information about the CDC interim guidance for rapid antigen testing snf point prevalence surveys.

The VDH Point-of-Care (POC) Reporting Portal for COVID-19 test results is online. The portal will allow the rapid entry of person-level test results for positive and negative results and provides the ability to enter aggregate negative results as necessary for high-volume testing sites. Remember, all testing results should be reported to VDH withing 24-hours.

Sites conducting POC testing will need to first register to utilize the reporting portal. During this one-time registration, facilities will provide site information and select the types of testing equipment utilized. When reporting results, sites will need to provide individual patient information, including demographic information, and the test result. Additionally, specific questions requested by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) can be answered if the information is known.

Currently, the VDH POC Reporting Portal is configured to accept results for the following tests:

You will first need to register to use the reporting portal. If you were reporting positive POC results through the Confidential Morbidity Portal, you will no longer need to do so once you are reporting through the POC Reporting Portal. For other reports not involving POC testing, healthcare providers should continue to report patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 through the Confidential Morbidity Portal.

VDH released updated guidance for COVID-19 testing on September 14, 2020. The guidance provides recommendations on testing prioritization through public health and through private and commercial laboratories. Public health molecular testing continues to be prioritized for outbreak investigations, public health surveillance, community testing events organized by the local health department, testing for un- or under-insured persons with COVID-19 symptoms, and other special situations approved by the local health department. The use of private/commercial laboratories for testing should be prioritized for other scenarios.

VDH updated the algorithm for COVID-19 molecular testing on September 9 and added an algorithm for COVID-19 antigen testing to assist healthcare personnel navigate testing options, considerations, and what recommendations to provide based on the results.

If you have a unique situation (like CHOWs, for example) that has not yet been resolved in accessing the CARES Act direct provider relief, please email Steve Ford describing the issue as soon as possible (no later than Friday, September 18).

AHCA is trying to coordinate resolution of these unique issues. In order to facilitate that Steve will need to collect some specific information from you.

The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has extended the deadline for assisted living providers to submit their taxpayer ID numbers for validation as part of the application process for the Phase 2 Provider Relief Fund Distribution to September 21. Eligible assisted living communities will receive 2 percent of their annual revenue from patient care.

Please visit the Provider Relief Fund webpage for more information or view the Tip Sheet on Keys to Successful Application Submissions.

If you have specific questions, please contact the CARES Act Fund Hotline at (866) 569-3522 (for TTY dial 711) or review the Frequently Asked Questions from HHS. Questions can also be emailed to [email protected]​.

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