Category: COVID

Submission Deadline for SNF COVID-19 Related Expenses – Extended through 12/30/20

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The submission deadline for SNF “other” necessary COVID 19 related expenditure invoices has been extended through 12/30/2020.  There has been no change testing invoices – the deadline for all facility types to send testing invoices to the state is still 12/30/2020.

Beginning December 18, 2020, the following will appear on the main web application page:

Important update: Please read!

All long term care facilities (SNF, RCF, ALF, ICF) have until 12/30 to submit “testing” invoices.

Skilled Nursing Facilities may resume submitting “other” necessary COVID-19 related expenditures until 12/30.

If you represent a SNF and you already submitted items that were not approved because you were over your allocated cost cap, please do not resubmit those items. Those are being re-reviewed at this time. Only submit new expenses since 12/01 and/or items not previously submitted.

In order to process all LTC invoices in a timely fashion and meet deadlines, it is imperative that facilities submit complete invoices with all the required information and documentation. This includes:

    • The federal tax ID number
    • Invoice to the State with a unique invoice number not already used
    • Invoice/bill from the vendor who provided services/supplies
    • Full address of the facility
    • Signatures on all forms requiring signature
    • Detailed explanation of how the expenditure is COVID-related
    • Signed attestation if one has not already been uploaded to the State

If required documentation is not submitted, your invoice may not be approved.

Free COVID-19 Testing Opportunities

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Community testing events serve the residents of Missouri. DHSS is partnering with the Missouri Community Health Centers and MAKO Medical Laboratories to offer these free testing events. There is no eligibility other than to have a Missouri address. If you do not see any community testing events in your area, you can continue to check back with this page as new sites will be added as events are planned.

The test is a PCR test done by an anterior nares or midnasal swab to determine the presence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. This is not an antigen or antibody test.

Registration Strongly Recommended:

Please register for an event by clicking on the registration link associated with each event. If you need assistance, you may call 919-351-MAKO (6256). Please double-check the spelling of your name and your date of birth. This information must be exactly correct to receive your results. Upon completing the registration, you will receive an email with your QR Code and booking ID number. Show this QR Code and booking ID number to the site attendant in order to proceed with your test.

Please allow at least 30 minutes for completion of testing upon arrival to the testing site. Delays may occur in the event of inclement weather. Walk-ins to the event without prior registration cannot be guaranteed a test.

Date

Times

City

County

Location

December 23, 2020

9AM – 6PM

Kansas city

Clay County

Worlds of Fun

December 28, 2020

9AM – Noon
1PM- 4PM

St. Louis

St. Louis County

CareSTL

December 29, 2020

Noon – 3PM

St. Louis

St. Louis County

Affinia

December 30, 2020

9AM – 6PM

Kansas city

Clay County

Worlds of Fun

December 31, 2020

11AM – 2PM

St. Louis

St. Louis County

Affinia

January 4, 2021

10AM – 4PM

Potosi

Washington

Great Mines Health Center

January 5, 2021

10AM – 4PM

Farmington

St. Francois

Christian Life Church

January 5, 2021

1PM – 6PM

Warsaw

Benton

Katy Trail Clinic

January 6, 2021

1PM – 6PM

Camdenton

Camden

Central Ozarks Medical Center

January 7, 2021

1PM – 7PM

Warrensburg

Johnson

Johnson County Fairgrounds

January 13, 2021

11AM-2PM

Kimberling City

Stone

First Baptist Church

January 14, 2021

9AM – 5PM

Hermitage

Hickory

Ozarks Community Health Center

More information regarding COVID-19 in Missouri can be found at health.mo.gov/coronavirus.

CDC COCA Call: Making Practical Decisions for Crisis Standards of Care at the Bedside During the COVID-19 Pandemic

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Date: Thursday, December 17, 2020
Time: 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm (ET)

A few minutes before the webinar starts, please click on the Zoom link below to join:

https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1613403966

Healthcare operations and healthcare services delivery change due to scarcity of required resources under pervasive (e.g., pandemic influence, COVID-19) and catastrophic disaster (e.g., earthquake, hurricane) conditions. The standards of care proposed under these unique and challenging conditions must be a reasonable approach to healthcare service delivery that merges public health, ethical, and medical care demands.

During this COCA Call, experts from Hennepin Healthcare and Bellevue Hospital will present background on the Institute of Medicine (IOM) framework, Guidance for Establishing Crisis Standards of Care for Use in Disaster Situations (IOM, 2009), and identify how Crisis Standards of Care apply to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Presenters will also highlight systems-level information sharing and coalition-level coordination activities to help clinicians plan for these potential situations and make medical decision during a crisis.

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.

Federal Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program – IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM CVS AND WALGREENS

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For those communities that chose CVS or Walgreens for the Federal Pharmacy Partnership for COVID-19 Vaccine Program, CVS and Walgreens have started communicating with communities about the program. The information from both pharmacies can be found below. It is imperative that you follow the guidance and direction from CVS or Walgreens when your community receives this information. This will be key to your vaccination clinics running smoothly.

CVS

Walgreens COVID19 Vaccine – What To Expect Guide
Walgreens Facility Tip Sheet
Walgreens LTCF Welcome Email Body

If you have not been contacted, communication will likely continue over the next week. If your facility DID indicate CVS or Walgreens but have not heard from them yet, they you should go to the CVS or Walgreens website and fill out the contact information for your facility. CVS and Walgreens are still working through contacting all the communities assigned to them.

Please make sure the point of contact listed when you registered for the vaccine program is aware the call and/or email from the pharmacies will be coming.  Also, please continue to check your junk or spam folders if you have not been contacted by a pharmacy.

Information regarding this program is developing rapidly.  Please watch for further messages as information is available.

Infection Control Assessment and Response Project

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INFECTION CONTROL ASSESSMENT AND RESPONSE PROJECT: A COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SENIOR SERVICES AND THE QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR MISSOURI NURSING HOMES

The Quality Improvement Program for Missouri’s Nursing Homes (QIPMO) is partnering with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) in response to the novel Coronavirus known as COVID-19. In doing so, QIPMO has formed a new Infection Control Assessment and Response (ICAR) team with a primary goal of assisting Missouri Long-Term Care Facilities to navigate the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and other infectious diseases.

See the New Release for more information.

Free COVID-19 Testing Opportunities Available Throughout Missouri

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The State of Missouri continues to host community testing events throughout the state each week.

Missourians can register for these events currently scheduled at health.mo.gov/communitytest and also continue to check back for future opportunities to be tested at an event nearby.

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. Any Missouri residents who wish to be tested with a self-administered nasal swab to determine if they have an active COVID-19 infection can do so at the specified sites in each region at no cost to the individual.

County

Location

City

Dates

Times

Greene

Ozark Empire Fairgrounds

Springfield

December 3-4

Dec. 3: 9AM – 7PM
Dec. 4: 7AM – 4PM

Gentry

Stanberry City Hall

Stanberry

December 4

11AM – 5PM

Jasper

Ozark Christian College

Joplin

December 5

10AM – 4PM

Buchanan

Aquatic Center

St. Joseph

December 5

8AM – 4PM

Webster

Webster County Fairgrounds

Marshfield

December 7

12PM – 6PM

Adair

NEMO Fairgrounds 4-H FFA Building

Kirksville

December 7

8AM – 3PM

Henry

Henry County Fairgrounds

Clinton

December 8

12PM – 6PM

Clark

Kahoka Christian Church

Kahoka

December 8

12PM – 6PM

Cooper

Cooper County Fairgrounds

Boonville

December 9

12PM – 6PM

Pike

Pike County Fairgrounds

Bowling Green

December 9

12PM – 6PM

Cole

American Legion

Jefferson City

December 10

10AM – 6PM

St. Charles

The Family Arena

St. Charles

December 10-11

Dec. 10: 10AM – 4PM
Dec. 11: 8AM – 4PM

Warren

Warren County Fairgrounds

Warrenton

December 11

12PM – 6PM

Jefferson

Hillsboro Civic Club

Hillsboro

December 12

9AM – 3PM

Perry

Perryville City Park

Perryville

December 12

11AM – 5PM

Ozark

Gainesville Saddle Club

Gainesville

December 14

10AM – 2PM

Platte

Platte County Resource Center

Kansas City

December 14-15

Dec. 14: 12PM – 6PM
Dec. 15: 10AM – 4PM

McDonald

First Baptist Church

Anderson

December 15

12PM – 5PM

Register for testing at:
www.health.mo.gov/communitytest
or call (877) 435-8411

 

Surge Testing

Additionally, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has also announced free COVID-19 surge testing that will continue each week in the following:

Columbia (Mondays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.)
Branson (Tuesdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.)
St. Louis (Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.)
Cape Girardeau (Thursdays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.)
Lee’s Summit (Thursdays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and Fridays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.)

Testing at these locations is available to individuals 5 years and older – including those experiencing symptoms; those who believe they may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 coronavirus; and anyone who is worried about possibly having the virus. Individuals seeking testing do not need to be a resident of the community where these testing sites are located. Individuals under 18 years old must have a parent or legal guardian present to consent to testing.

Testing is expected to continue at the following locations for the remainder of this year. Individuals are encouraged to pre-register online at DoINeedaCovid19Test.com.

More information regarding COVID-19 in Missouri can be found at health.mo.gov/coronavirus.

 

COVID-19 Reporting

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As testing in long-term care (LTC) facilities has expanded with the addition of point-of-care testing kits in recent months, the state has likewise expanded the avenues through which data is collected. Given the additional modes of entry for COVID-19 data, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services wants to offer clear guidelines for facilities so they can correctly and accurately submit data regarding their residents and staff.

Please see the Reporting Memo for long-term care facilities, adult day care programs, and ICF-IIDs.

COVID-19 LTC Bed Availability Portal

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Reminder: After submitting your initial survey, you should have received a confirmation email which provided you a link to update your survey each day (instead of submitting a new survey). Multiple surveys for your facility show up twice on the map with different bed numbers. This makes it difficult to know which totals are current. Please use the link emailed to you after your initial submission to edit your facility bed availability. Please do not submit an “initial” submission more than once.

The healthcare continuum is increasingly becoming strained with the number of positive cases across the state. This portal has been established to improve communication across the care continuum to assist in ensuring Missourians have access to the right care in the right setting. We are asking all long-term care communities to complete this brief survey each day by 9:00 AM beginning Wednesday, November 25th in order to identify available beds for potential admissions. Participation in the bed availability survey is voluntary. The survey may be accessed at https://arcg.is/1rjKy8. Once the initial submission is completed, each submitter will receive a link in order to update the bed availability information. If information does not change from day to day, the submitter can simply update the date and submit – the prior day’s information will populate.

The survey information will populate an accompanying dashboard that will be available to hospitals to use as a tool in finding placement for those patients who would be best served in a long-term care setting. This dashboard may be accessed at https://mophep.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/f1e0745f93fe46b482d8ff4585f821bf.

To view instructions on utilizing the dashboard, click on ‘Instructions’ under the map for information.

AHRQ ECHO National Nursing Home Covid-19 Action Network

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Missouri Nursing Homes-
Don’t miss out on your opportunity to earn $6,000 for your organization, while gaining practical, useful information, skills, and resources regarding Covid-19 in nursing homes. Join the AHRQ ECHO National Nursing Home COVID-19 Action Network, and connect with both specialists and peers to ask and answer immediate challenges your organization is facing during this challenging time.

Key Points:

  • Three cohorts of 35-40 organizations will be offered. You will select your preferred time slot upon registering your organization:
    • Session times will be:
      • Wednesdays- 1:30-3:00pm
      • Thursdays- 9:30-11:00am
      • Fridays- 1:00-2:00pm
    • Sessions will be closed once they reach 40 organizations.
  • Sessions are currently in process – Register Now!!
  • Sessions are 90 minutes, once a week, for 16 weeks (we will take the weeks of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s off).
  • You may have up to 4 staff members register for the ECHO.
  • Medicare/Medicaid certified nursing homes are eligible for $6000 in compensation.
    • Must complete attached documentation by the 4th session of the program.
    • Must have at least two staff members attend 13 out of the 16 sessions.

Register your organization at: https://app.hatchbuck.com/OnlineForm/2992654253.

Contact Lindsey Beckmann at beckmannli@health.missouri.edu with any questions.

COVID-19 LTC Bed Availability Portal

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The healthcare continuum is increasingly becoming strained with the number of positive cases across the state. This portal has been established to improve communication across the care continuum to assist in ensuring Missourians have access to the right care in the right setting. We are asking all long-term care communities to complete this brief survey each day by 9:00 AM beginning Wednesday, November 25th in order to identify available beds for potential admissions. Participation in the bed availability survey is voluntary. The survey may be accessed at https://arcg.is/1rjKy8. Once the initial submission is completed, each submitter will receive a link in order to update the bed availability information. If information does not change from day to day, the submitter can simply update the date and submit – the prior day’s information will populate.

The survey information will populate an accompanying dashboard that will be available to hospitals to use as a tool in finding placement for those patients who would be best served in a long-term care setting. This dashboard may be accessed at https://mophep.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/f1e0745f93fe46b482d8ff4585f821bf.

 

To view instructions on utilizing the dashboard, click on ‘Instructions’ under the map for information.

HCBS COVID-19 Relief Funds Reimbursement COVID-19 Testing Expenditures – UPDATED

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DSDS has announced to Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) staff and stakeholders that a memorandum has been issued regarding an extension to the submission deadline for the COVID-19 Relief Funds (CRF) reimbursement.

Please refer to INFO 11-20-03 at the link provided below.
https://health.mo.gov/seniors/hcbs/infomemos.php

Any questions regarding this memorandum should be directed to Long Term Services and Supports via email at LTSS@health.mo.gov.

CDC Guidance and Updates

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The CDC has issued the following guidance:

Testing and Management Considerations for Nursing Home Residents with Acute Respiratory Illness Symptoms when SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza Viruses are Co-circulating

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/diagnosis/testing-management-considerations-nursinghomes.htm

  1. This guidance summarizes practices that should be considered when SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza viruses are found to be co-circulating based upon local public health surveillance data and testing at local healthcare facilities. While these considerations are specific to care of residents residing in nursing homes, some practices could be adapted for use in other long-term care settings (e.g. assisted living facilities).

 

The following COVID Healthcare IPC guidance has been updated:

  1. Guidance for SARS-CoV-2 Point-of-Care Testing
    1. This update includes minor revisions to the FAQ section.

Free COVID-19 testing opportunities available throughout Missouri

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The State of Missouri continues to host community testing events throughout the state each week.

Missourians can register for these events currently scheduled at health.mo.gov/communitytest and also continue to check back for future opportunities to be tested at an event nearby.

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. Any Missouri residents who wish to be tested with a self-administered nasal swab to determine if they have an active COVID-19 infection can do so at the specified sites in each region at no cost to the individual.

County

Location

City

Dates

Times

Madison

Cherokee Pass Volunteer Fire Department

Fredericktown

November 21

11AM – 3PM

Montgomery

Old Settlers Picnic Grounds

New Florence

November 21

11AM – 5PM

Howell

Lybyer Enhanced Technology Center

West Plains

November 30

11AM – 5PM

Saline

Saline County Health Department

Marshall

November 30

9AM – 5PM

Crawford

Cuba Knights of Columbus Hall

Cuba

December 1

12PM – 6PM

Clay

First United Methodist Church

Kearney

December 1

10AM – 6PM

Platte

Platte County Resource Center

Kansas City

December 2

10AM – 6PM

Greene

Ozark Empire Fairgrounds

Springfield

December 3-4

Dec. 3: 9AM – 7PM
Dec. 4: 7AM – 4PM

Gentry

Stanberry City Hall

Stanberry

December 4

11AM – 5PM

Jasper

Ozark Christian College

Joplin

December 5

10AM – 4PM

Buchanan

Aquatic Center

St. Joseph

December 5

8AM – 4PM

Register for testing at:
www.health.mo.gov/communitytest
or call (877) 435-8411

 

Surge Testing

Additionally, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has also announced free COVID-19 surge testing that will continue each week in the following:

Columbia (Mondays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.)
Branson (Tuesdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.)
St. Louis (Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.)
Cape Girardeau (Thursdays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.)
Lee’s Summit (Thursdays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and Fridays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.)

Testing at these locations is available to individuals 5 years and older – including those experiencing symptoms; those who believe they may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 coronavirus; and anyone who is worried about possibly having the virus. Individuals seeking testing do not need to be a resident of the community where these testing sites are located. Individuals under 18 years old must have a parent or legal guardian present to consent to testing.

Testing is expected to continue at the following locations for the remainder of this year. Individuals are encouraged to pre-register online at DoINeedaCovid19Test.com.

More information regarding COVID-19 in Missouri can be found at health.mo.gov/coronavirus.

Point of Care Antigen Reporting

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Effective Friday, November 13, 2020, Long-Term Care Facilities (SNF, ICF, ALF and RCF) that are reporting point of care antigen testing results into the NHSN portal, no longer need to duplicate that reporting via the DHSS secured file transfer.

At this time, DHSS asks that long-term care facilities report all positive staff and resident results, for POC and PCR testing, via the Electronic COVID-19 Case Reporting portal to ensure timely notification to DRL and DCPH for outbreak assistance.

DHSS is working on comprehensive guidance for all long-term care communities related to reporting requirements. If you have any questions related to this, please contact tracy.niekamp@health.mo.gov.

COVID 19 Status Update

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The White House Task Force Report for the week ending November 8 indicates Missouri remains in the red zone for new cases. Missouri continues to experience high levels of community transmission and our test positivity continues to set new records, currently above 15%. The attached table details the specific data elements and their thresholds to determine the state/county categories.

Cases, hospitalizations, and fatalities continue to increase in Missouri and nationwide. As cold weather settles in and individuals continue to gather-many indoors, without masks or proper social distancing – Missouri and the nation is experiencing an exponential increase in new cases. Per the White House Task Force, all communities, experiencing high volumes of new cases and high test positivity rate (such as Missouri) should take the following actions:

  • Do not gather without a mask with individuals living outside of your household.
  • Always wear a mask in public places.
  • Stop all gatherings beyond immediate household until cases and test positivity decrease significantly.

Based on this methodology, for the week ending November 8th:

  • Missouri remains in the red zone for new cases, meaning Missouri reported more than 101 new cases per 100,000 population for the week ending November 8th.
    • Missouri had the 16th highest rate of new cases per 100,000 population in the US with 345 new cases per 100,000 population last week.  The US rate was 209 cases per 100,000 population.
      • This data is significantly worse than our prior ranking and new case rate reported last week (ranked 19th with 257 new cases per 100,000 population).
    • Louis County, Jackson County, and St. Charles County had the highest total cases for Missouri over the last three weeks representing 32% of new cases in Missouri.
    • 96% of all counties in Missouri have high to moderate levels of community transmission (red, orange, or yellow zone) up from 91% the prior period.
      • 86% of Missouri counties have high levels of community transmission (red zone)—up from 76% reported the prior period.
    • Missouri remains in the red zone for test positivity with a rate of 16.9%, up significantly from 13.3% the prior period.
      • Missouri has the 8th highest test positivity rate in the US.  The national positivity rate was 8.4%–up from the 6.7% reported the prior period.
      • To be in the green zone with controlled community spread, Missouri would need a test positivity rate of less than 5%.
    • Missouri remains in the red zone for deaths for the week ending November 8th. Missouri reported 207 deaths during this timeframe and a rate of 3.4 per 100,000 population. This is down from the prior period – 232 deaths and a rate of 3.8 per 100,000 population.
    • Hospitalizations continue to be a concern in Missouri and increased significantly from the prior period. Hospital capacity is a real concern. Between October 31- Nov 6, on average 232 patients with confirmed COVID-19 and 225 patients with suspected COVID-19 were reported as newly admitted each day to Missouri hospitals (prior period was 182 confirmed and 217 suspected).
      • On average, more than 95% of Missouri hospitals reported either confirmed or suspected patients admitted each day during this period.

High community transmission of COVID-19 continues to be observed in every region in the state with 26 metro areas and 99 counties falling in the red zone for new cases over the last three weeks (listed below, sorted by the number of new cases in the last three weeks, from highest to lowest)—up from 23 metros and 87counties the prior period. Please note, localities with fewer than 10 cases in the last week have been excluded.

High levels of community transmission are especially prevalent in smaller urban counties and rural counties in Missouri. Given the severity of COVID-19 throughout Missouri, we strongly encourage all Missourians and all essential businesses to wear masks, practice social distancing, increase hand washing, seek testing when needed, stay home if ill and comply with quarantine protocols as appropriate. With the unrelenting spread and increase in hospitalizations, individuals should also avoid gatherings with people outside of their household – especially during the holiday season. These steps are crucial to stopping the spread of COVID-19 within our communities.

All Missourians and businesses, but especially those in locations listed above, are strongly encouraged to practice the following:

  • Wear a mask if you will be in public.
    • CDC recommends wearing a mask and maintaining six feet of distance from others.
  • Practice social distancing at home.
    • Limit trips to stores and avoid dining in at restaurants. Avoid large gatherings (including holiday celebrations), even those with family that do not live in your home.
  • Practice social distancing at work.
    • Remain six feet away from individuals as much as possible. Do not congregate in groups for meetings, lunches, breaks, or after work.
  • Practice good hand hygiene frequently.
    • Wash hands frequently or use hand sanitizer when you cannot wash your hands.
  • Increase efforts to clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces.
    • Wipe down door handles, phones, remotes, etc. with regular household cleaner.
  • Know the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and be alert for symptoms in yourself, family and friends.
    • Symptoms may include fever, cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste/smell, chills, headache, fatigue, etc.
  • If you or someone in your family are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, you should stay home and contact a healthcare provider regarding testing or medical care.

Recommended Measures to Limit False Positive Results with COVID-19

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The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) has issued a health update notification to Missouri clinicians, physicians, laboratories, congregate care facilities, and k-12 schools regarding the importance of following the manufacturer’s instructions when using antigen tests for COVID-19.

Recommended Measures to Limit False Positive Results with COVID-19 Antigen Tests

AHRQ ECHO National Nursing Home COVID-19 Action Network

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Project ECHO is actively recruiting nursing homes around the country to join an interactive community of practice to advance improvements in COVID-19 preparedness, safety and infection control.

Supported by the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), and in collaboration with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), the AHRQ ECHO National Nursing Home COVID-19 Action Network is open to any Medicare or Medicaid-certified nursing home across the country at no cost.

The program matches nursing homes with local hospitals, QIOs and professional associations, who conduct weekly hour-long interactive learning and problem-solving sessions with the nursing homes over a four-month period. The mentor organizations also provide on-demand technical assistance to nursing homes in their cohort. Nursing homes receive a $6000 honorarium for participation in the program.

Please see the documents below for more info. Additional information may be found at AHRQ ECHO National Nursing Home COVID-19 Action Network.

Nursing Home HLAN FAQ
Nursing Home HLAN Info

For questions, or a list of mentor sites, please email: ECHOnursinghomes@salud.unm.edu.

 

Free COVID-19 testing opportunities available throughout Missouri

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The State of Missouri continues to host community testing events throughout the state each week.

Missourians can register for these events currently scheduled at health.mo.gov/communitytest and also continue to check back for future opportunities to be tested at an event nearby.

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. Any Missouri residents who wish to be tested with a self-administered nasal swab to determine if they have an active COVID-19 infection can do so at the specified sites in each region at no cost to the individual.

County

Location

City

Dates

Times

Dunklin

Dunklin County Health Department

Kennett

November 14

9AM – 1PM

St. Louis County

Edger M. Queeny Park

St. Louis

November 17

8AM – 5PM

Callaway

54 Country

Fulton

November 17

10AM – 6PM

St. Louis County

Hazelwood Community Center

Hazelwood

November 18

8AM – 5PM

Marion

Hannibal Inn & Conference Center

Hannibal

November 18

12PM – 6PM

St. Louis County

Kennedy Recreation Center

St. Louis

November 19

8AM – 3PM

Butler

Whitely Park

Poplar Bluff

November 20

12PM – 6PM

Pettis

MO State Fairgrounds Sheep Barn

Sedalia

November 20

11AM – 5PM

Madison

Cherokee Pass Volunteer Fire Department

Fredericktown

November 21

11AM – 3PM

Montgomery

Old Settlers Picnic Grounds

New Florence

November 21

11AM – 5PM

Register for testing at:
www.health.mo.gov/communitytest
or call (877) 435-8411

 

Surge Testing
Additionally, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has also announced free COVID-19 surge testing that will continue each week in the following:

Columbia (Mondays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.)
Branson (Tuesdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.)
St. Louis (Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.)
Cape Girardeau (Thursdays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.)
Lee’s Summit (Thursdays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and Fridays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.)

Testing at these locations is available to individuals 5 years and older – including those experiencing symptoms; those who believe they may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 coronavirus; and anyone who is worried about possibly having the virus. Individuals seeking testing do not need to be a resident of the community where these testing sites are located. Individuals under 18 years old must have a parent or legal guardian present to consent to testing.

Testing is expected to continue at the following locations for the remainder of this year. Individuals are encouraged to pre-register online at DoINeedaCovid19Test.com.

More information regarding COVID-19 in Missouri can be found at health.mo.gov/coronavirus.

Conversations with Carmen

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November 20, 2020: CHOICE: New Ideas to Enhance Resident Life in Tough Times
Guest: Linda Bump, MPH, RD, with Host Carmen Bowman

As we all struggle to get through these tough days, we each turn to things that give us comfort – in all areas of our lives. We relive great memories, try to maintain rituals that have meaning to us, and of course, food is always on the list. That’s what “comfort food” is all about, and it’s different for each person. All of this is just as true for your residents. The simple approach of knowing specifically what brings daily pleasure to each resident and honoring true choice for them can brighten their day – and brightening our residents’ lives is what brightens every committed caregiver’s day, too.

Perhaps the Covid-19 pandemic and resulting isolation has awakened in us something primal and universal: a deep interest in food. We see it everywhere. The explosion of cooking and culinary shows on television, Netflix and the internet, food blogs, recipe and cooking sites… We can bring that interest in food into our communities. Food is fascinating, so let’s find ways for residents to experience the food conversations happening everywhere, and perhaps add some new flavor to their days.

Outbreak Testing Data Reporting Changes

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Effective Friday, November 6, 2020, Long Term Care Facilities no longer need to submit the “Long Term Care Facility COVID-19 Testing Spreadsheets” to record outbreak testing via the Redcap portal. Rather than submitting individual resident and staff data to the Section for Long-Term Care Regulation, LTCF will use the same portal (the title will change to Long Term Care Facility COVID-19 Outbreak Testing Data Reporting) to report basic data elements for each testing cycle to include:

  • Facility identifying data
  • Date outbreak testing occurred
  • # of residents tested
  • # of staff tested

https://health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/communicable/novel-coronavirus/professionals.php#collapseSix

For questions regarding outbreak testing and reporting, please contact your SLCR regional office  https://health.mo.gov/seniors/nursinghomes/pdf/LongTermCareRegions.pdf or tracy.niekamp@health.mo.gov.

Federal and State COVID-19 Vaccination Programs

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The Federal Government and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services have developed COVID-19 vaccination distribution programs and we strongly encourage you to enroll your community in both programs. The federal program focuses on residents and the Missouri program focuses on staff. Enrollment in both programs is essential to ensure residents and staff have access to the COVID-19 vaccine when the vaccine becomes available. Information about the programs, including the enrollment process is below. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about either program.

 

Federal Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program – Registration deadline TODAY, November 6
The national vaccine distribution program for long-term care residents.

To prepare for the availability of the COVID-19 vaccine, the federal government has partnered with pharmacies to distribute and administer the vaccine to residents in long-term care facilities. This program is free of charge and covers all of the reporting requirements associated with the vaccine.

Long-term care facilities (nursing homes, assisted living, residential care, adult day communities, ICF/IIDs and other congregate settings for older adults) have until Friday, November 6th to register with the CDC on how they want to receive and administer the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available. Federally certified nursing homes will be able to register through the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) website, while other settings (assisted living, residential care, adult day communities and ICF/IIDs) can register at REDcap Sign-Up Form.

We strongly encourage all long-term care facilities to participate and register. This is critical to ensuring our vulnerable residents are among the first to receive a vaccine when it becomes available.

The documents below further explain the program.

Federal Pharmacy Partnerships Program_102620
LTCF Program Overview_Final

 

Missouri COVID-19 Program – Updated Information

In addition to the national vaccine distribution program for long-term care facility residents, the Department of Health and Senior Services has developed a vaccine distribution program for long-term care facility staff.

To accomplish facility staff vaccination there will be three scenarios. Facilities choosing scenario 1 or 2 – information regarding this enrollment process will be distributed in the near future.

  1. Partner with a local pharmacy to provide onsite vaccination of staff;
  2. Partner with a local public health agency to provide vaccine to staff either onsite or offsite; or
  3. Enroll as a COVID-19 vaccination provider using the process described below
  4. Must have to be able to store and administer vaccine (which may be ultra-cold temperatures and doses up to 975)
  5. Facilities will receive vaccine at no cost
  6. Vaccination supplies at no cost
  7. PPE for vaccination at no cost

 

Process for Enrolling as a COVID-19 Vaccination Provider

There is no deadline to enroll in the state COVID-19 vaccination program.

If you have further questions about the Missouri COVID-19 program, please email cv19vaxenroll@health.mo.gov.