MDH Updates COVID-19 Testing Recommendations

Posted on August 4, 2021 by Kari Everson

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) release new testing recommendations for long-term care providers on Monday, Aug. 3.

The Delta variant is more easily transmissible and spreads faster than the original COVID-19 virus or other variants, primarily among unvaccinated and vulnerable individuals. Data shows most COVID-19 cases in long-term care organizations are brought in by staff members. With the Delta variant, the dominant strain in Minnesota, there is risk for increased infection in our settings.

To address the increased risks, MDH released updated Recommendations for Enhanced SARS-CoV-2 Testing in Long-term Care Facilities. These are strong recommendations, but, as noted on the first page of the MDH document, they are not required. MDH recommends the following enhanced testing for both nursing homes and assisted living settings:

• County vaccination rate <70% of total population; or, facility staff vaccination rate of less than 70% testing of all unvaccinated staff at least weekly regardless of county positivity rate
  • Consider testing unvaccinated staff more frequently than one time/week
• Facility Outbreak: Antigen-based testing of all staff daily or every other day regardless of vaccination status.
• New Admissions: Testing (PCR or antigen)
  • Upon admission
  • On day 3
  • On day 7
• Residents at higher risk: Consider including these residents in routine testing along with staff.

The document does not indicate how often the organization should check the county positivity rate because these recommendations are not required. Therefore, settings can choose the frequency for checking rates. In addition to outlining updated testing recommendations, the document also provides:

• Information on how to request more Abbott BinaxNOW test cards
• A link to the antigen testing guidance
• The antigen testing reporting information for MDH
• An email where providers can email MDH with testing questions.

Members have reached out and asked about return-to-work guidelines, and MDH confirms return-to-work guidance has not changed. For questions, please get in touch with Kari Everson.