Nursing facilities are reminded to remain diligent in their infection control practices to limit the spread of COVID-19 to residents and staff especially as we enter respiratory virus season. At the expiration of the PHE, DPH released guidance on Organizational Policies and Procedures for Mitigating Respiratory Illness. Nursing facilities must continue to identify and monitor respiratory illness metrics to indicate when there are increased levels which may necessitate implementing these infection control measures. One possible metric is the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) Wastewater COVID-19 Tracking which measures the SARS-CoV2 levels. The data as of October 17, 2024 is found in the table below.
Additionally, the DPH Respiratory Illness Dashboard provides information on respiratory illness (COVID-19, influenza and RSV) cases including emergency room visits and hospitalizations.
CDC Resource for Tracking Acute Respiratory Illness:
Starting October 4, 2024, a new acute respiratory illness metric has replaced the influenza-like illness (ILI) metric on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)'s Respiratory Illness Data Channel. This new metric offers a more comprehensive measurement of respiratory viruses (COVID-19, flu, RSV) and other respiratory infections.
Nursing facilities can use these metrics to guide infection prevention and control measures. When there are increased levels of respiratory virus activity in the community nursing facilities should consider implementing additional prevention measures.