Some of the main points to the recent updates following the end of the Governor’s proclamations:
- Covid-19 Vaccine is no longer required for AFH providers and workers. Each AFH owner can establish their own vaccination requirements for staff.
- Visitation: There are no restrictions on visitation. Contact your local health jurisdiction if you have an outbreak in your home and follow their guidance for modifying or restricting visitation.
- Covid-19 Screening: screening of visitors, staff and residents is not required, however, each home should establish a process to make everyone aware of recommended actions to prevent transmission to others if they meet any of the following criteria:
- Positive Covid test
- Symptoms of Covid
- Close contact with someone with Covid
- Signs: Ensure everyone is aware of recommended infection prevention practices in the AFH (masks, hand hygiene, etc.)
- Masks: Universal source control (masking) is part of the DOH guidance and did not change due to the end of the Governor’s proclamations.
- Staff should continue wearing medical grade masks
- visitors need to wear mask/source control
- residents should continue to wear masks/source control (if tolerated). Document in the resident’s NCP if they are not able to wear a mask and include type of education provided and reason the resident is not able to wear a face covering.
- Secretary_of_Health_Order_20-03_Statewide_Face_Coverings.pdf (wa.gov)
- Eye Protection
- Staff need to wear eye protection for all resident encounters when community transmission rates are high
- Staff need to wear eye protection and fit-tested N95s when assisting a resident with an aerosol-generating procedure (AGP’s) when community transmission rates are high. Click here to learn more about fit-testing and the required respiratory protection program.
- CDC COVID Data Tracker: County View
