Health Alert Network Broadcast (HAN) – Updated 7/31/20

To: Long term care and residential care facilities The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE has released an updated Health Alert Network Broadcast (HAN) on 7/31/20. Key points on this update include: ● CDC has released updated guidelines on return to work for health care workers and discontinuation of isolation in hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients. ● CDPHE has developed new guidance for the interpretation of subsequent positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR results in individuals already known to be infected with COVID-19. In general, a person does not need to be re-isolated or re-quarantined if a positive test or exposure occurs within 90 days after developing PCR-confirmed COVID-19 infection. ● Except for rare situations, a test-based strategy should not be used to determine when to discontinue transmission-based precautions or release a case from isolation. ● Patients can be discharged when medically appropriate to a facility that provides a lower level of care utilizing a non-test based strategy. The receiving facility should continue transmission-based precautions while caring for the patient until they meet the requirements for release from isolation. ● Protective eye-wear (e.g. goggles or face shields) is recommended for staff providing direct patient care in communities with moderate to substantial COVID-19 transmission due to the risk of exposure to asymptomatic individuals. Eye-wear, including face shields, does not replace the need for other indicated PPE (e.g. respirator, facemask). ● Providers are encouraged to talk to their patients about contact tracing and what to expect, both when collecting samples for testing and when reporting positive results. More information on contact tracing can be found here: https://covid19.colorado.gov/prevent-the-spread-of-covid-19/contact-tracing. A printable graphic on contact tracing is available here in multiple languages: https://covid19.colorado.gov/communication-resources/print-materials ● When testing is ordered due to suspicion of COVID-19, patients should be instructed to self-isolate. Information about isolation can be found here: https://covid19.colorado.gov/how-to-isolate ● CDC has updated and reorganized testing guidance. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/open-america/testing.htm ● The American College of Rheumatology has issued guidelines for the evaluation and management of pediatric patients with suspected MIS-C, found here: https://www.rheumatology.org/Practice-Quality/Clinical-Support/COVID-19-Guidance To view the entire document, follow this link: Health Alert Network Broadcast (HAN) - Updated 7/31/20