Members are informed about DPH updated guidance related to monoclonal antibody therapies.

Members are informed that today the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a statement regarding the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine recommending a pause in its use out of an abundance of caution and the next DPH weekly call with providers is scheduled for Wednesday, April 14, 2021 at 11:00 a.m.

Updated information on vaccination options for long term care residents and staff, tomorrow’s CHIA reporting webinar, the CMS 1135 waiver for CNA training remains in effect and the American Rescue Plan – new and expanded health insurance.

Announcements on the CHIA webinar scheduled for Tuesday, April 13th at 10:00am to review changes to the surveillance testing survey and how compliance is calculated, CMS memo announcing it is ending four of the 1135 waivers issued in response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE), CMS proposed federal fiscal year 2022 (FFY 2022) Medicare SNF PPS rule and the Barnstable County positivity rate.

This memo discusses Provider Relief Fund Use – A Refresher and Preparing for Reporting, the AHCA Follow-up Webinar on OSHA COVID-19 National Emphasis Program and Revised Long-Term Care Survey Tools.

Meet Jessyca Goetze who is one of the 45,000 dedicated caregivers working on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic to protect and care for the Commonwealth’s nursing home residents. Jessyca is the Social Worker at Williamstown Commons Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. Williamstown Commons was the first nursing facility in Berkshire County to experience an outbreak of COVID-19.

The Region 1 Regional Disaster Health Response System (R1 RDHRS) hosted a free webinar on Healthcare Worker Wellbeing and Resiliency on the Frontlines of COVID-19. An audio recording and PDF of the slides that were presented are now available.

In recognition of the extraordinary efforts of long term care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic, South Cove Manor at Quincy Point represented the sector as part of the Boston Red Sox Opening Day pre-game ceremonies.