On Friday, September 10, 2021, The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updated guidance for healthcare settings, including new directions on routine testing. Aging and Long Term Support Administration (ALTSA) and the Department of Health (DOH) are working to update Washington State long term care (LTC) setting guidance, including the Safe Start for LTC plans, to align with the CDC recommendations
and the Secretary of Health’s orders on indoor masking. DOH and DSHS are still discussing how to best implement the new CDC changes, including the testing guidance. At this time, and until further notice, please continue to follow
the current routine testing procedure outlined by DOH in conjunction with specific guidance from your local health jurisdiction, and the current Safe Start plans while these updates take place. New Washington State guidance, along with updated Safe Start plans will be available very soon.
DOH is still discussing how to best implement the new CDC changes, including the testing guidance. Because of the number of breakthrough cases and asymptomatic/ presymptomatic transmission and high level of transmission in Washington, DOH may continue to recommend that all health care workers continue to be included in routine testing. There are a lot of questions about the updates, and DOH and DSHS want to make sure they are being thoughtful about implementation. WHCA will provide information about the DOH/DSHS decision on routine testing as soon as it is made available.
For now, all counties in the state are in “high” rates (red), indicating twice-weekly testing of all staff is required. Guidance in place from DOH advises all staff testing, regardless of vaccination status. SNF members are advised to continue with this cadence until further notice.
