DSS issued an update to assisted living facilities on September 7 with reminders about COVID-19-related issues. In the coming weeks, the Division of Licensing Programs will provide COVID-19 updates on various topics and items you should consider having on hand as you prepare for fall 2021. Checklist items such as infection control, PPE, fit-testing plans, testing resources, vaccination, therapeutics, and communication plans, will be covered in the updates.

The September 7 memo made note of the following:

• A CDC health advisory urging vaccination and mask usage.
• A reminder, masks should still be worn while inside all healthcare settings, regardless of vaccination status.
• The VDH COVID-19 Outbreak Dashboard, which was reactivated August 25, 2021. This dashboard includes all outbreaks (confirmed and suspected) reported to VDH since August 1, 2021 and will be updated weekly on Fridays.
• All reports of COVID-19 positive and deaths for residents and staff are required by regulation. VDH has a supplemental form that can assist you in collecting the information that is needed when making a COVID-19 report to your local health department and to DOLP.
• The resources available on the Virginia COVID-19 Long-Term Care Task Force website.

VHCA-VCAL encourages facilities to read the memo in its entirety. We will share additional memos as they become available.