As of December 11, 2020
The Pfizer COVID Vaccine has received its EUA. Please have one staff from each facility complete a quick screening before signing in to ImmuNet to complete/update the profile registration. The link to start the screening/registration is on the ImmuNet login page: mdimmunet.org. Please refer to this Guide to assist with the screening/registration process. For more information, click here.
As of October 22, 2020
A clinician email was sent out to remind potential COVID-19 vaccinators to enroll and onboard with ImmuNet in preparation for registering (Nov 2020) and ordering COVID-19 vaccine (when it is available).
As of August 24, 2020
The CDC has updated their guidance on who should get tested. You can read it here.
As of June 29, 2020
The CDC has updated their list of people with certain underlying medical conditions who are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19. You can read it here.
As of May 22, 2020
The CDC has guidance for evaluation and management considerations for neonates at risk for COVID-19. Click here for more information.
As of May 18, 2020
-The CDC has guidance for Pediatric Healthcare Providers including information on the Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children. Click here for more information.
-Maryland Department of Health also released a Clinician letter about Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children.
As of May 12, 2020
As of May 4, 2020
Ten Ways Healthcare Systems Can Operate Effectively during the COVID-19 Pandemic
As of April 23, 2020
-There is a webinar on mini-stress strategies for healthcare workers
- The webinar is recommended with audio.
- On the first slide – go to the link, add first and last name and email address and you will have access
- Mini Modules to Relieve Stress For Healthcare Workers Responding to COVID-19: Stress Management Exercise
As of April 9, 2020
What to do if a healthcare worker or first responder is exposed to COVID-19
Do’s and Don’ts of essential critical workers
As of April 5, 2020
Click here for the directive and order regarding nursing home matters
As of April 2, 2020
Preparing for and Responding to COVID-19 in Long-term Care and Assisted Living Facilities
As of March 30, 2020
Please click here for resources from Maryland Department of Health for Health Care Facilities
As of March 21, 2020
Disinfecting Your Facility if Someone is Sick
As of March 3, 2020
Patient Screening for Healthcare Providers
As of February 13, 2020
CDC Information for Laboratories
Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of N95 Respirators
As of February 11, 2020
On February 11, 2020 the World Health Organization announced an official name for the disease that is causing the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak, COVID-19.
As of February 6, 2020
The CDC-developed laboratory test kit used to detect 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) began shipping on February 6, 2020, to select qualified U.S. and international laboratories. Distribution of the tests will help improve the global capacity to detect and respond to the 2019 novel coronavirus.
The test kit, called the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2019-Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCov) Real-Time Reverse Transcriptase (RT)-PCR Diagnostic Panel (CDC 2019-nCoV Real Time RT-PCR), is designed for use with an existing RT-PCR testing instrument that is commonly used to test for seasonal influenza.
The CDC 2019 novel coronavirus test is intended for use with upper and lower respiratory specimens collected from people who meet CDC criteria for 2019-nCoV testing. The test uses a technology that can provide results in four hours from initial sample processing to result.
The test kit has not been FDA cleared or approved; however, distribution and use of the test kits follow theU.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) February 4, 2020, issuance of an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). The tests are being shipped through the International Reagent Resource (IRR), a CDC-established mechanism that distributes laboratory reagents domestically and globally.
Initially, about 200 test kits will be distributed to U.S. domestic laboratories and a similar amount will be distributed to select international laboratories. Each test kit can test approximately 700 to 800 patient specimens. Additional test kits will be produced and made available for ordering in the future from the IRR. At this time, each laboratory that places an order will receive one 2019-nCoV test kit.
As of February 5, 2020
Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Specimen Collection and Shipping Guidance
https://health.maryland.gov/laboratories/Pages/Novel-Coronavirus.aspx
Interim US Guidance for Risk Assessment and Public Health Management of Persons with Potential 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Exposure in Travel-associated or Community Settings
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/risk-assessment.html
As of February 3, 2020
As of February 1, 2020
Recommendations for Screening of Patients for 2019-nCoV in Healthcare Facilities
Recommendations for screening of patients for possible 2019-nCoV infection are based on (1) current knowledge of the characteristics of clinical illness observed in early cases, and (2) the geographic distribution of current cases. They reflect the current public health goal of rapidly containing and preventing transmission of 2019-nCoV illness.
Flowchart to Identify and Assess 2019 Novel Coronavirus
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/identify-assess-flowchart.html
Guidance for Healthcare Professionals
Infection Prevention and Control
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/hcp/infection-control.html
Recommendations for Reporting, Testing, and Specimen Collection
Healthcare providers should immediately notify infection control personnel at their healthcare facility if a patient is classified a PUI for 2019-nCoV.
For initial diagnostic testing for 2019-nCoV, CDC recommends collecting and testing upper respiratory (nasopharyngeal AND oropharyngeal swabs), and lower respiratory (sputum, if possible)) for those patients with productive coughs. Induction of sputum is not indicated. Specimens should be collected as soon as possible once a PUI is identified, regardless of the time of symptom onset. See Interim Guidelines for Collecting, Handling, and Testing Clinical Specimens from Patients Under Investigation (PUIs) for 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/lab/guidelines-clinical-specimens.html).
For the latest news about the 2019-nCoV from the CDC please visit:
https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/index.asp?deliveryName=USCDC_511-DM19049
