Universal masking required for all residential care facilities

 

To: Residential care facilities (Nursing Homes, Assisted Living Facilities, Group Homes, and Intermediate Care Facilities)   From: CDPHE Residential Care Strike Team and Infection Prevention and Control Unit   The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) released updated guidance modifying masking requirements. The changes come after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended increased mask use indoors for vaccinated individuals on July 27.    Changes include:   Added updates requiring universal mask use for staff, visitors, and residents regardless of vaccination status. The guidance allows for exceptions for vaccinated residents at particular times during activities and communal dining. Added the requirement to test fully vaccinated individuals who have had close contact with a COVID-positive person.    PLEASE NOTE: The residential care facility all-in-one mitigation guidance is now solely available through a .pdf at covid19.colorado.gov/rcfmitigation. Please bookmark covid19.colorado.gov/rcfmitigation for quick access.    The residential care strike team and infection prevention unit will continue to provide outreach and information through Colorado Health Facilities Interactive (CoHFI), the biweekly newsletter, and biweekly long-term care facility call.  In addition to the mask requirement changes, CDPHE continues to implement rapid testing for all unvaccinated staff and residents that leave the facility for longer than 24 hours. For more information on the rapid testing program, there are point of care rapid testing webinars with Q & A opportunities held over the next couple weeks.  The strike team and infection prevention unit has developed a letter for residential care facility family members with information about visitation. Please share this letter with your family members and loved ones.     Infection prevention-specific questions can always be submitted through this form. For questions about the updated guidance, please contact:   residentialcarestriketeam@state.co.us cdphe_infectionprevention@state.co.us   Links in this message: All-in-one residential care facility guidance Colorado Health Facilities Interactive Biweekly newsletter Biweekly long-term care facility call Point of care rapid testing webinars with Q & A opportunities A letter for residential care facility family members Infection prevention question form