The New York State Department of Health today announces new guidance which fully aligns the Department with the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) nursing home visitation guidance for COVID-19. The new guidance supersedes all previous Department guidance related to nursing home screening and visitor testing including, but not limited to, DAL NH 21-30, issued on Jan. 4, 2022, and Health Advisory: Nursing Home Testing, Cohorting and Visitation Guidance, issued on October 13, 2022.
The Department also recommends that facilities use other applicable practices such as use of a face covering or mask; specified entries, exits, and routes to designated areas; and hand hygiene. Facilities may choose to continue visitor testing and/or active screening at their discretion. Active screening refers to requiring anyone entering the facility to complete a symptom screening questionnaire or an in-person interview and/or have their temperature taken before being allowed entry into the facility. In addition, facilities in counties with high levels of community transmission are encouraged to offer testing to visitors, if feasible.
Read the Department’s nursing home guidance letter here. Nursing homes are advised that all staff and visitors should continue to adhere to the core principles of COVID-19 infection prevention. For more information on establishing a process to identify and manage individuals with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infections, please see to the CDC guidance here.
