Saline media ordered from the Missouri State Public Health Laboratory (MSPHL) with labeling of Fillakit should not be used for sample collection until further notice. Facilities should place an order for replacement from the Online Order form on the SPHL’s website at https://health.mo.gov/lab/index.php or https://health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/communicable/novel-coronavirus/specimen-collection-supplies.php.
See the memo for additional information.
The 13 out-state drop-off/pick-up armory sites and the Jefferson City processing site will be closing as of June 30. The decontamination site will continue to operate for the foreseeable future and healthcare providers may ship masks to the decontamination site via FedEx free of charge. Battelle will provide shipping labels for use to ship labelled N95 respirators free of charge. Healthcare providers may contact Battelle at https://www.battelle.org/ to request labels.
Please see the attachment below for more information.
Battelle Shipping Email
Since Feb. 3, Missouri hospitals have been reporting daily data to establish situational awareness of hospital capacity while preparing for and responding to the spring outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Using these data, the Missouri Hospital Association has distributed a daily statewide dashboard of the current impact and capacity of COVID-19 in Missouri hospitals. A copy of today’s dashboard is included.
Information from the daily dashboard has supported local, state and federal officials in gaining day-to-day awareness of Missouri’s hospital capacity. The reports also have been used by the media to keep the public updated on hospital response.
Throughout the spring, more data that offer additional detail and trends have become available. To keep the report current, it has been modified several times to capture these new data elements. However, as we move from our initial response to the surge to our current status of recovery, it is critical we look at data trends in different ways to help us better understand the impact of the pandemic on our state and individual communities, and detect possible future trends. Today, MHA and the Hospital Industry Data Institute are pleased to introduce new, weekly COVID-19 dashboards providing regional trends and models of predicted cases. Concurrently, the aforementioned daily, situational awareness dashboard will be phased out. Daily situational awareness will remain available on the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services’ website.
These regional dashboards have been developed in partnership with Missouri state agencies, hospital leaders and researchers at the Institute for Public Health at Washington University, and are included below for your review.
The new dashboards were designed with the intent to serve a larger audience. As Gov. Parson continues to lead the Show Me Strong Recovery plan, government officials at all levels, along with local businesses, schools, churches and other organizations, will need access to innovative monitoring tools to help manage their reopening efforts. These dashboards – with state and regional focus, along with the element of predictive understanding – will serve as a tool to help you and the leaders in your organization have better awareness of the pandemic. Further, the regional dashboards will complement other information currently used for COVID-19 planning and decision-making.
Facility-wide testing for all residents and staff is included in the most recent DHSS guidance (https://health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/communicable/novel-coronavirus/ltcf.php) for communities that have a positive COVID-19 case. We are encouraging all communities to be prepared for this possibility so that should this occur, there will be no delay in testing implementation.
There are several coordination points that are necessary in order to have a successful testing plan. This includes having access to testing kits (both swabs and media – must have both), the ability to collect the specimens onsite, and establishing an agreement with a lab to process the specimens. To assist in this preparation, testing kits may be ordered through the state public health laboratory at https://health.mo.gov/lab/index.php or https://health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/communicable/novel-coronavirus/specimen-collection-supplies.php. The state public health laboratory recently received testing combination kits that contain both the swabs and media. These kits are listed as “Swab/Media Combo – Remel MicroTest M4RT Transport 3ml vial with Nasopharyngeal swab” and are available for any long-term care community. We encourage all to take advantage of this current testing kit supply and to order enough supply to complete two rounds of facility-wide testing. The test kits do not expire until April 2021, so they are acceptable for use for several months.
**UPDATE – The specific kits referenced above are now out of stock. There are other testing supplies available to any long-term care community. Please ensure when ordering testing supplies, both swabs and media are needed for a complete testing kit. Please do not order every item on the list of supplies and keep in mind the number of testing kits needed for your community.
Long Term Care facilities, including Assisted Living facilities, Residential Care facilities, Intermediate Care facilities, and Skilled Nursing Facilities (LTCs) that experience an outbreak (one or more positive case) of COVID-19 are working with the state to conduct base-line facility testing and some immediate follow-up testing in order to contain the outbreaks. In order to furnish immediate aid and relief in response to the state of emergency due to the spread of COVID-19, the state is making some funds from the Coronavirus Relief Fund available to LTCs, so that cost is not a barrier to this important testing. Questions regarding this process should be submitted to COVID19invoice@dss.mo.gov.
Pending expiration of Phase 1 on June 15, Governor Mike Parson announced yesterday that Missouri will fully reopen and enter Phase 2 of its “Show Me Strong Recovery” Plan on Tuesday, June 16, 2020. During Phase 2, there will be no statewide health order. All statewide restrictions will be lifted, though local officials will still have the authority to put further rules, regulations, or ordinances in place. While Missouri will fully reopen on June 16, Governor Parson emphasized the importance of continuing social distancing and practicing proper hygiene to prevent the spread of COVID-19. For more on the announcement, see the press release here – https://governor.mo.gov/press-releases/archive/governor-parson-announces-missouri-will-fully-reopen-enter-phase-2-recovery.
Community testing events serve the residents of Missouri. DHSS is partnering with the Missouri National Guard, local health departments, health care providers to offer these events, and different communities will be reached at different times. If you do not see any community testing events in your area, you can continue to check back with this page https://dcphdo02redcap.azurewebsites.net/redcap/surveys/?s=DEX3J7THHM as new sites will be added as events are planned. Below is a list of currently planned events.
|
Peculiar, Cass County |
June 11-12 |
7am-7pm |
|
Washington, Franklin County |
June 13-15 |
7am-3pm |
|
Warrensburg, Johnson County |
June 14 |
7am-3pm |
|
Sedalia, Pettis County |
June 15 |
10am-6pm |
|
Higginsville, Lafayette County |
June 16 |
12pm-6pm |
|
Richmond, Ray County |
June 16 |
12pm-6pm |
|
Wright City, Warren County |
June 17 |
7am-3pm |
|
Carrollton, Carroll County |
June 17 |
2pm-6pm |
|
Keytesville, Chariton County |
June 17 |
2pm-6pm |
|
Troy, Lincoln County |
June 18-19 |
7am-3pm |
|
Lewistown, Lewis County |
June 19 |
7am-2pm |
|
California, Moniteau County |
June 19 |
7am-2pm |
|
California, Moniteau County |
June 20 |
12pm-4pm |
|
Bowling Green, Pike County |
June 19 |
10am-4pm |
|
Memphis, Scotland County |
June 20 |
12pm-4pm |
|
Montgomery City, Montgomery County |
June 20 |
12pm-6pm |
|
Linn, Osage County |
June 20 |
12pm-6pm |
|
Salem, Dent County |
June 20 |
8am-8pm |
Thank you to everyone that has worked to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our communities. Our efforts have prevented countless infections and saved lives. Unfortunately, this virus is relentless and remains present in our communities. As we continue reopening our economy and communities, we too must be relentless in our prevention efforts.
Prevention and testing will be key to a safe reopening. As activities resume, it is critical that we continue with prevention efforts both at work and at home. The following preventions should continue to be diligently followed:
June 16, 2020: Applying COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control Strategies in Nursing Homes
Presenters: LCDR Kara M. Jacobs Slifka, MD, MPH (USPHS), Infection Prevention and Control Team, COVID-19 Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Nimalie D. Stone, MD, Infection Prevention and Control Team, COVID-19 Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
During this COCA call, presenters will use case-based scenarios to discuss how to apply infection prevention and control guidance for nursing homes and other long-term care facilities that are preparing for and responding to COVID-19.
If you are unable to attend the live COCA Call, the recording will be available for viewing on the COCA Call webpage a few hours after the live event ends.
The slide set will be available under “Call Materials” on the COCA Call webpage.
Please click this link to join the webinar: https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1615543668.
Families are facing many new issues as they support and care for their loved ones in long-term care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Join Consumer Voice for a webinar on Thursday, June 18 at 2:00pm ET to gain information and tips on how to advocate for quality care individually and through family councils.
The webinar will also cover topics of particular concern to family members, including visitation, facility transparency and reporting requirements, transfers and discharges, COVID-19 testing and more. Register here »
Community sampling gives the state a better sense of COVID-19 prevalence in a given area, which will help guide its response and ease uncertainty for Missourians. If prevalence is low, this will help reassure citizens that it is safe to begin re-engaging in the community and returning to somewhat normal operations. If prevalence is higher, quick and proactive steps will be taken to keep the virus from spreading further in the community.
Any Missouri residents who wish to be tested with a nasal swab to see if they have an active COVID-19 infection can do so at the specified sites in each region at no cost to the individual. Missouri residency is the only requirement; individuals do not have to live in the county in which they are tested, and they do not have to be experiencing symptoms.
Location selection for this period of community sampling is based on inadequate testing according to the number of confirmed cases and the number of total tests conducted prior to these events. Counties hosting upcoming community testing events are Scott, Platte, Stoddard, Carter, Ripley, Cass, Franklin, Johnson, Pettis, Lafayette, Ray, Warren, Carroll, Chariton, Lincoln, Lewis, Moniteau, Pike, Scotland, Montgomery and Osage.
Appointments can now be made online for events June 8-12 on the DHSS registration site. Events scheduled from June 13-20 will continue to be added over the next few days.
For more from this press release go to https://health.mo.gov/news/newsitem/uuid/9fe780c4-ee40-438d-ade1-d3e57126add7/community-covid-19-testing-events-continue-throughout-missouri.
Upcoming Testing Locations:
Use this link to register and remember check back as more testing locations will be added next week.
https://dcphdo02redcap.azurewebsites.net/redcap/surveys/?s=FAMNRL3LF7
The Department of Health and Senior Services posted a State of Missouri COVID-19 analytics update on June 3. The link is here: https://health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/communicable/novel-coronavirus/pdf/analytics-update060320.pdf.
This analytics updated includes multiple data points inform Missouri’s COVID-19 response. Check the update to find out more about:
Upcoming Testing Locations:
|
County |
Location |
Testing Dates |
|
Greene County |
Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, Springfield |
June 4 & 5 |
|
Cape Girardeau County |
Arena Park, Cape Girardeau |
June 5 |
|
Buchanan |
St. Joseph 4th Street & Francis Parking Garage |
June 9 |
More community testing sites are being developed and will be added, please check this link to stay up-to-date on community testing options.
https://dcphdo02redcap.azurewebsites.net/redcap/surveys/?s=FAMNRL3LF7
Governor Parson extends Phase 1 of “Show Me Strong Recovery” plan through June 15.
See the press release here – https://governor.mo.gov/press-releases/archive/governor-parson-extends-phase-1-show-me-strong-recovery-plan-through-june-15.
Also, this link will take you to local public health orders. Check here to see what is going on in your county or town – https://governor.mo.gov/press-releases/archive/governor-parson-extends-phase-1-show-me-strong-recovery-plan-through-june-15.
Missouri continues to announce community testing events across the state. Several communities will be conducting COVID-19 testing over the next two weeks. For these testing events, participants will not be required to have a doctor’s authorization and there will be no charge to participants. Anyone who wants to be tested may participate – you will not be required to have a known exposure or be experiencing symptoms. If you are experiencing symptoms and have struggled to be tested, you can register for one of these testing events. Many of these testing events do not require you to be a resident of the county conducting testing. You must, however, be a resident of Missouri.
Pre-registration for each event is strongly encouraged – https://dcphdo02redcap.azurewebsites.net/redcap/surveys/?s=FAMNRL3LF7. Check this site often as new testing locations will be added as they are finalized.
Upcoming Testing Locations:
|
County |
Location |
Testing Dates |
|
Jackson |
Silverstein Eye Center Arena-Independence |
May 26-30 |
|
Andrew County |
Savannah Fire Department |
May 29 |
|
Pemiscot County |
Pemiscot Memorial Hospital, Hayti |
May 29-30 |
|
St. Charles County |
Youth Activity Park, Dardene Prairie |
May 29 & 30 |
|
Grundy County |
First Christian Church, Trenton |
May 30 |
|
Boone County |
Hickman High School, Columbia |
June 1 & 2 |
|
Jefferson County |
Faith Community Church, House Springs |
June 1 & 2 |
|
Jefferson County |
Hillsboro Civic Center, Hillsboro |
June 3 |
|
Greene County |
Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, Springfield |
June 4 & 5 |
|
Cape Girardeau County |
Arena Park, Cape Girardeau |
June 5 |
Several counties throughout Missouri have already participated in community sampling efforts in order for public health officials to learn more about the prevalence of COVID-19 transmission. As part of Gov. Mike Parson’s plan announced on May 21 to rapidly increase COVID-19 testing volume to 7,500 tests per day in Missouri, six additional counties will host testing events. The goal is to test nearly 10,000 people over a 10-day period at events in Boone, Cape Girardeau, Greene, Jackson, Jefferson and St. Charles Counties.
Community sampling gives the state a better sense of COVID-19 prevalence in a given area, which will help guide its response and ease uncertainty for Missourians. If prevalence is low, this will help reassure citizens that it is safe to begin re-engaging in the community and returning to somewhat normal operations. If prevalence is higher, quick and proactive steps will be taken to keep the virus from spreading further in the community.
Any Missouri residents who wish to be tested with a nasal swab to see if they have an active COVID-19 infection can do so at the specified sites in each region at no cost to the individual. Missouri residency is the only requirement; individuals do not have to live in the county in which they are tested, and they do not have to be experiencing symptoms.
Online pre-registration is highly encouraged and will allow for the testing event to run efficiently for patients. Those without access to online pre-registration can call the Missouri COVID-19 hotline for registration assistance at 877-435-8411.
Selection for community sampling is based on locations with the ability to draw participants from a broader region as well as locations that have expressed a need for additional testing resources. It is not based on the number of COVID-19 cases in these counties. CARES Act funding will be used for community sampling. Some counties have also elected to provide community sampling using local funding.
The community-based testing will be operated by the Department of Health and Senior Services and Missouri National Guard in coordination with the hosting local public health agencies.
Over the next two weeks, the state will aggressively execute on this testing strategy, as well as the box-in strategy for outbreaks within facilities and sentinel testing of vulnerable populations. With these strategies in place in addition to the testing already occurring each day, Department of Health and Senior Services Director Dr. Randall Williams believes the state will reach its goal of 7,500 tests per day. “We have worked hard to determine how to best utilize the testing capacity we now have in our state in order to protect the health of Missourians,” he said.
Once Missouri’s overall testing numbers have increased, the state will reevaluate and determine next steps.
“I cannot emphasize enough how important testing is to our overall recovery plan. All four pillars of our recovery plan are important, but testing will be the key,” Gov. Parson said. “The more testing we do, the more knowledge we have on what the situation in Missouri actually looks like, and the better-equipped we are to move forward.”
Those who would like to be tested can pre-register for the site nearest them at http://health.mo.gov/communitytest. More information can be found at http://health.mo.gov/coronavirus.
Community testing events serve the residents of the county where the event is being held. DHSS is partnering with local health departments and health care providers to offer these events, and different communities will be reached at different times. Also, some events may not require you to be a resident of the county where an event is taking place. If you are not a resident of a county currently holding a community testing event, you can continue to check back at the link as new sites will be added as events are planned. Please review the information or check your local health departments social messaging for more information.
Click this link to access the information: https://dcphdo02redcap.azurewebsites.net/redcap/surveys/?s=FAMNRL3LF7.
Here is list of currently scheduled community testing opportunities.
This NEW dashboard contains tons of COVID-19 data that the public can review at will. Cases by county info is still included and is expanded to show daily % increase in cases, 7-day % increase in cases and number of new cases over the last 14-days. In addition, the dashboard includes information on testing, demographics, deaths and hospitalizations.
The link to the dashboard is http://mophep.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=8e01a5d8d8bd4b4f85add006f9e14a9d.
Please see the FEMA Fact Sheet regarding PPE packages for nursing homes.
These guidelines describe implementation steps to help limit the spread of infection when a staff member or resident develops COVID-19 in your facility. The guidance can be found under the Long Term Care Facilities Link at https://health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/communicable/novel-coronavirus/professionals.php#collapseSix. The title of document is COVID-19 LTCF Guidance.
** Please review the document as there are important changes to the guidance, including facility-wide testing upon identification of a positive case and routine follow-up testing.
The Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council (MODDC) is excited to announce the COVID-19 Scholarship Fund, which will provide opportunities for individuals and/or family members to apply for one-time funding to use technology as a way to address todays unique barriers. Please share this opportunity with those that might be interested and encourage them to check out our website for a link to the application – https://moddcouncil.org/.
Funds must be used to meet the needs of people with disabilities and/or their families by doing one or several of the following: make informed health choices to live a healthy lifestyle; receive best practice, quality health care; leadership development through self-advocacy; increase access and connection to one’s social network while being social distant compliant.
Activity categories that will be considered for funding:
Funding will be based on a review of applications. Priority is given to Missourians with disabilities and family members, especially those in rural communities.
Approved amounts are based on general funding levels approved for the Scholarship Fund – $500 per individual or $1,000 per family.
Missouri Assistive Technology (MoAT) will process awarded scholarships by ordering and distributing approved purchases while offering technical support if needed.
Submit applications to moddc@moddcouncil.org by May 30, 2020. MODDC will notify applicants if funds are expended by that date. Those awarded scholarship funds will be contacted by MODDC and MoAT no later than June 30, 2020.
In an effort to expand the PPE reserves and simplify the PPE process, the state has created a new COVID-19 webpage dedicated to be a one-stop shop for all information related to PPE. The PPE webpage will provide Missouri’s latest information and resources in three categories including how to access PPE, guidance for use and optimization for maintaining your PPE supply for the duration of the COVID-19 epidemic.
You can use this website to access the PPE marketplace, too.
Also, NEW to this website and to the state is the State PPE Reserves option.
Missouri has limited PPE reserves to assist in filling these critical needs and will prioritize healthcare providers providing direct care to confirmed or suspected COVID patients. Note requests should only be submitted after all normal supply chains, including the Missouri COVID Supply Solution (aka Missouri PPE Marketplace), have been exhausted and you have a supply of fourteen days or less on hand as the quantities and types of PPE available through the state are limited. Use this link https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/35c0d11050b04a809028d2caf9fd45fd?portalUrl=http://mophep.maps.arcgis.com to access the PPE Request Form. You will receive an automatically generated email notifying you of receipt of your request. Requests will be evaluated in the order in which they are received. If your request is approved, either in full or partially, you will receive an electronic notification upon shipment. If denied, you will receive an electronic verification of the decision.
PPE options for Non-profits and Governmental Entities
Because we know many of you continue to struggle with obtaining PPE items, we wanted to make sure you are aware that not-for-profit entities may purchase items from Missouri Vocational Enterprises (MVE). MVE operates through Missouri’s Department of Corrections and produces and sells a number of items. MVE may sell these items to any state agency, local government entities, or any not-for-profit agency.
MVE has a variety of janitorial supplies, personal products (soap, toilet tissue, etc.), laundry supplies, and disinfectant supplies. Most of these items can be found on the MVE website (https://docservices.mo.gov/mve/products/consumables/consumable.html). In addition, MVE has recently begun selling certain PPE items including cloth face coverings, isolation gowns, and hand sanitizer (gallon jugs). These items are not listed on their website at this time but information is attached or below. PPE items are being prioritized to state agencies but may also be purchased by local government and not-for-profit entities as supplies are available. For awareness, DMH has received cloth face coverings and hand sanitizer but have not yet received our order for isolation gowns. As with all PPE, some items are more readily available then others.
If you have a need for these items, we would encourage not-for-profit providers to explore all avenues to obtain needed items, including those available through MVE. You can visit their website to see items available and details for the ordering process. To order cloth face masks, isolation gowns, or sanitizer, you may need to call and speak with their customer service staff, they are very helpful – contact numbers can be found on the website. Again, only not-for-profit entities, state agencies, and local government entities may purchase items from MVE.
Finally, in regards to hand sanitizer, it is available in one gallon jugs only. The price per gallon is $20. Orders are limited to 100 gallons per order and no more than one order per week. The product number is F-617 Hand Sanitizer.
We hope this information is helpful to you. Thank you so much for all you do and are doing to provide care and services to our vulnerable populations.
The Department of Health and Senior Services would like to notify Missouri health care providers of changes in guidance due to expanded COVID-19 testing availability within the state. The testing landscape has shifted significantly in the past eight weeks, and through partnerships with private laboratories, we encourage testing of both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. DHSS does not need to approve testing when performed outside of the State Public Health Laboratory.
See the attachment or visit this link to read this full guidance: https://health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/communicable/novel-coronavirus/pdf/mo-pcr-testing-update-providers.pdf.
See the attachment or visit this link to read this in full: https://health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/communicable/novel-coronavirus/pdf/serological-testing-quick-facts-providers.pdf.
Interim Final Rule Updating Requirements for Notification of Confirmed and Suspected COVID-19 Cases Among Residents and Staff in Nursing Homes
Please see the full details of the memo.