• DHS announced a new data page with COVID-19 facility-wide investigations & outbreaks across Wisconsin by region and setting. View the press release.

• CMP Grants Available to Federally Certified Nursing Homes to Provide Technology for Virtual Social and Telehealth Visit
• Nursing homes are eligible for $3,000 in Civil Money Penalty (CMP) funds to purchase electronic devices to enable residents to visit with family and friends in a virtual setting and participate in telehealth visits.
• Federally certified nursing homes are asked to submit a Civil Money Penalty (CMP) Reinvestment Application to DHSDQAFiscal@dhs.wisconsin.gov
• Direct any questions to DHSDQAFiscal@dhs.wisconsin.gov
• For more information visit the DHS webpage or CMS webpage or Frequently Asked Questions

• Infection Prevention Quality Improvement Initiative - Nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other community-based care settings invited to participate  
• A public-private partnership has formed to assist nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other community-based care settings in assessing infection prevention practices and to guide quality improvement efforts to prevent widespread outbreaks of COVID-19.
• There is no cost to participate. A representative will contact these facilities to complete an infection control assessment. These assessments will help inform the development of additional statewide education resources. 
• All nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other community-based care settings are encouraged to perform self-assessments to prepare for COVID-19 cases.

• Updated CDC Guidance: Interim Guidelines for Collecting, Handling, and Testing Clinical Specimens from Persons for COVID-19 (April 29, 2020)
• Update guidance on viral transport medium (VTM) to note that some point-of-care tests advise against its use.
• Align the guidance on swab types with FDA guidance

• The CDC updated their COVID-19 Serology Surveillance Strategy webpage

• The CDC created a one-stop-shop for all information related to cleaning and disinfecting spaces. Included are long-term care facilities, nursing homes, healthcare settings, community settings and homes.

• Q: Can the isolation facility in Madison accept out-of-county referrals? Can it be used as a step-down for long-term care residents that cannot safely isolate in their facilities?
• A: The SEOC will continue to operate the Lowell Center isolation facility in Madison through the end of May. The facility may now accept out of county referrals so long as the individual meets referral requirements.
• A: The facility could be used as a step-down for long term care residents that cannot safely isolate in their facilities. The caveat is that they must be able to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) without isolation facility support and do not need 24/7 care by the isolation facility staff. There is a provision that would allow a person in the facility access to home visitation staff if needed. 

• COVID-19 Webinar for Health Care Providers: Friday, May 1, at 7 a.m.
• Send your questions ahead of time! Email questions to DHSWIHAIPreventionProgram@dhs.wisconsin.gov using the subject line: PROVIDER WEBINAR QUESTIONS by 2 p.m. Thursday, April 30.

• Division of Quality Assurance (DQA) Long-Term Care Webinars – Nursing Home Response to COVID-19, Thursday, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
• The webinar will run every Thursday until further notice.
• Use the question box within the Zoom meeting to submit questions during the webinar. Questions may not be answered until the next one, depending on the time available and the subject matter experts able to participate.
• To Join:
• Join Zoom Meeting
• Meeting ID: 122-213-079
• Password: covid19
• Or by Phone: (312) 626-6799
• Enter 122213079# when asked for the meeting ID
• Enter # if asked for participant ID
• The webinar will be recorded and posted to the Department of Health Services COVID-19 webpage for long-term care providers.