CDC Updates Guidance for Nursing Home Residents with Respiratory Illness Symptoms

• By: Maureen Carland
• On: 11/28/2023 10:53:26
• In: COVID-19

With several respiratory viral illnesses in circulation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued updated recommendations for the testing and management of nursing home residents showing symptoms of acute respiratory illness.

The CDC advises the following practices:

• Isolate symptomatic residents in Transmission-Based Precautions, utilizing the full complement of recommended personal protective equipment (PPE) for suspected SARS-CoV-2 infections.
• Test all residents displaying symptoms of either COVID-19 or influenza for both viruses.
• Collect respiratory samples for both influenza and SARS-CoV-2 testing.
• Maintain communication with the healthcare-associated infection program within your state health department and adhere to local health department notification requirements.
• Notify local public health and state health departments of any suspected or confirmed influenza or SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks within long-term care facilities, particularly if a resident develops influenza symptoms while on or after receiving antiviral chemoprophylaxis.

Furthermore, the CDC guidance delineates placement decisions for residents with confirmed co-infection of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza, those with influenza infection alone, or those exhibiting symptoms of acute respiratory illness without either infection. Additionally, the CDC emphasizes the importance of keeping residents and healthcare professionals informed about the recommended COVID-19 and influenza vaccines.
 
Staff contact: mcarland@mehca.org