Policy Updates

The CDC Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA) group reports that outbreaks of antifungal-resistant ringworm infections have been identified by public health officials in New York City, as well as several other U.S. states, Canada, Asia and Europe. Although ringworm is usually a minor ailment that can be treated with topical antifungal medications, some current … Continued

The Department of Health and Human Services announced the formation of the Office of Long COVID Research and Practice to lead a coordinated whole-of-government response to long COVID. The office will be housed within the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health. In addition, the National Institutes of Health will launch Long COVID clinical … Continued

Following FDA’s May 2023 approval of Pfizer and GSK vaccines for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted to recommend that adults aged 60 and older may receive a single dose of the RSV vaccine, using shared clinical decision-making between the patient and their healthcare provider. Read more.

The CDC’s COVID Data Tracker is showing small increases in COVID-19. As of July 17, COVID-19 indicators, including emergency department visits, test positivity, and wastewater levels, have begun to show small increases nationally. In addition, hospital admissions have leveled off after steadily declining.

NIOSH will host a webinar to present the findings of the Routine Elastomeric Use and Evaluations in Healthcare (REUsE) study on Tuesday, August 8 at 9:00 – 11:00 am ET. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility and practicality of routinely using reusable elastomeric half mask respirators (EHMR) in healthcare settings. Register … Continued

July 13, 2013 — CDC is working to make information on COVID-19 readily available and easier to find. As part of this ongoing effort, a new, refocused CDC COVID-19 website has been published. The web pages will reflect those most searched for information and will help to frame COVID-19 actions as those that can be … Continued

The Joint Commission (TJC) is no longer evaluating compliance with the COVID-19 vaccination requirement. While the standard will remain present in the current manual, surveyors have been advised not to evaluate for compliance. The database will be updated and be reflected in the next standards release later this year. Read The Joint Commission announcement.

NIOSH has honored a request by Honeywell International Inc. to voluntarily rescind its NIOSH respirator approval. As of June 29, 2023, any respirator marked with a NIOSH approval label with approval number TC-84A-9263 is no longer NIOSH approved. Respirators bearing this NIOSH approval number may no longer be used, manufactured, assembled, sold, or distributed. Read the NIOSH announcement.

As part of its efforts to improve nursing home safety, the White House is drafting regulations for minimum staffing requirements. However, we expect the plan to focus primarily on front-line nurse ratios but not on gaps in infection prevention and control. Please write to your Members of Congress and President Biden to encourage them to … Continued