Update #9                                                                                        May 8, 2020
As nurses and health care professionals, we know you are on the front lines in the fight against COVID-19. We want to make sure you have access to reliable, accurate information and resources that help you better serve your patients and community. 

Each Friday, we will share an update with the most helpful resources we have found to-date, specifically for HIV/AIDS health care teams and PLWHIV. Thank you for all you are doing to care for your communities.

Please take our survey: We would like your input on the content, format and usefulness of ANAC's COVID-19 campaign. Currently, we provide frequent Facebook updates, weekly resource emails and weekly webinars. They are archived on the ANAC website. We anticipate some form of COVID-19 education and services will continue for the foreseeable future. Please share your thoughts by completing this quick six-question survey.


Relevant Resources
  • The Johns Hopkins coronavirus resource center remains a helpful, regularly updated source for U.S. and global case reporting and critical trends and insights. Recent additions include racial breakdowns, mortality differences across countries and updates on the spread of the pandemic: Click here
  • The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) shares a weekly surveillance summary of U.S. COVID-19 activity called COVIDView. According to last week's update, mortality attributed to COVID-19 decreased compared to the week before, but remains significantly elevated and may increase as additional death certificates are counted. 
    Based on death certificate data, the percentage of deaths attributed to pneumonia, influenza or COVID-19 (PIC) decreased from 23.6% during week 16 to 14.6% during week 17 but remained significantly above baseline. This is the second week of declines in this indicator, but this percentage may change as death certificates representing recent deaths are processed. Rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection remain high in the NE and NW sections of the country. For more information: Click here
  • A National Institutes of Health (NIH) panel developed COVID-19 treatment guidelines to inform clinicians on how to care for patients with COVID-19. Because clinical information about the optimal management of COVID-19 is evolving quickly, these guidelines will be updated frequently as published data and other authoritative information becomes available. They include critical care, infection control, therapies under investigation, pregnancy and pediatrics. For more information: Click here
  • The Patient Provider Communication (PPC) Forum created a tip sheet on bedside communication with COVID-19 patients. PPC is a national and international effort to promote information sharing, cooperation and collaboration among individuals who are committed to seeking improvements in patient-provider communication: Click here
  • The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Partners in Health created contact tracing resources and materials. The downloadable materials are available for free and include information on developing contact tracing programs, community involvement, staff development, training and more: Click here
  • The CDC updated its website with information for healthcare professionals about COVID-19. It includes updates on equipment, procedures, PPE usage rates, guidance for facilities and first responders and more: Click here
  • A new study from amfAR, the Foundation for AIDS Research, finds that black counties disproportionately account for 52% and 58% of COVID-19 cases and deaths, respectively. amfAR has also created animated national maps of COVID-19 cases and deaths that show day-to-day increases and the impact on jurisdictions that are the focus of the Plan to End HIV Epidemic. The maps are updated every morning: Click here
  • COVID-19 has now reached every country and the peak of the disease in the world's poorest countries is not expected until some point over the next three to six months. However, there is already evidence of incomes plummeting and jobs disappearing, food supplies falling and prices soaring, and children missing vaccinations and meals. The U.N. has called for swift and determined action to avoid the most destabilizing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including an economic appeal and an updated global plan to fight coronavirus in fragile countries: Click here
  • UNAIDS has urged countries to stay focused on HIV prevention during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the global progress made in HIV prevention, with new HIV infections falling by 40% since the peak in 1997, hard-won gains are in danger of being reversed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Overstretched health systems, lockdowns, loss of livelihoods and fewer employment opportunities could increase unprotected sex, sexual violence and exploitation, transactional sex and sex work, leading to an increase in new HIV infections: Click here
  • UNAIDS recently released a report, "Rights in the time of COVID-19 - Lessons from HIV for an effective, community-led response." The report acknowledges the response must focus on solidarity, trust and kindness instead of fear and stigma. The global response to COVID-19 must be grounded in the realities of people's lives and focused on eliminating the barriers people face in being able to protect themselves and their communities: Click here
  • COVID-19 will disproportionately affect the most vulnerable as it continues to spread globally. Immediate action is needed to contain the pandemic and ensure that care is available for everyone, regardless of where they live. Read Partners in Health's plan to address this: Click here
Association of Nurses in AIDS Care | 800.260.6780 | [email protected]
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