As the number of Covid-19 cases rise in communities across the Commonwealth, Mass Senior Care would like to remind nursing facilities to review and assess their infection prevention systems including redoubling efforts to increase vaccination rates; consider testing visitors and all unvaccinated staff prior to each shift using BinaxNow kits; and to develop staffing contingency plans in the event of an outbreak.
DPH PPE Supplies Surplus
The DPH is offering surplus supplies to various entities, without having to show an inability to obtain the supplies from vendors. The surplus requests should be submitted directly to the MDPH Resource Unit, on the MDPH Surplus Form. The forms must be typed and DPH will not accept handwritten requests. Please note it may take a few weeks for the surplus supplies requested are delivered and it may not include everything requested as DPH has limited quantities of some items as they continue to fill requests.
REMINDER - BinaxNOW Test Kits
As a reminder, long-term care facilities can request BinaxNOW test kits from DPH through August 2021. DPH has provided a spreadsheet which lists Massachusetts LTC facilities and each facility’s maximum order volume of test kits per month. In order to request BinaxNOW test kits, facilities should complete Appendix C: Resource Request Form and email the completed form to COVID19.Resource.Request@mass.gov. Delivery timelines may vary based on DPH delivery capacity. Facilities should expect to receive requested test kits within one week of a request being submitted.