New Confirmed COVID-19 Case Guidance for ADS Centers

Posted on December 9, 2020 by Roni Falck

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) recently released guidance for Adult Day Centers relating to policies and processes for confirmed cases of COVID-19 amongst staff and participants. The new guidance must be added to each center’s COVID-19 Preparedness Plans and includes the following elements:

1. If there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 at a facility, providers must follow new guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health (“Information for Adult Day Centers and Day Service Facilities with a Confirmed Case of COVID-19,” released November 20, 2020). For example, if someone in a cohort is confirmed to have COVID-19, all members of the cohort should be considered a close contact and must not attend the program for 14 days. This requirement is in addition to the current protective measure that allows a person living in a congregate care setting to attend their adult day center provided their congregate care setting has not had any COVID-19 exposure in the last 28 days.
2. DHS is requiring providers to formalize policies for responding to confirmed COVID-19 cases as part of their COVID-19 Preparedness Plan. This includes plans to inform staff and individuals who receive services if they have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 at the facility and requirements to quarantine for the required amount of time as outlined in the Minnesota Department of Health guidance.
3. Providers must also update their COVID-19 Preparedness Plan to include the circumstances related to a COVID-19 outbreak under which there could be temporary voluntarily closure of the facility until services can once again be delivered safely. Providers should consider things such as whether there is COVID-19 exposure in multiple cohorts; ability to maintain minimum staffing ratios; and non-participation by individuals receiving services due to COVID-19 exposure or infection.

These updates to your COVID-19 Preparedness Plan must be completed by Dec. 18 and reported to DHS by Dec. 28.

DHS recognizes that each person has a right to make an informed choice to participate in services. These should be ongoing conversations between a provider, individual and their support team as a person’s risk of COVID-19 may change over time.

DHS licensing staff will present on the new changes and be available to answer questions during our weekly ADS Huddle on Thursday at 3:00. To participate, click here.