The Pennsylvania Department of Health has updated their guidance on infection prevention and control for COVID-19 in healthcare settings based on changes made by CDC on September 23, 2022.
Major additions and edits in this version include:
- Vaccination status is no longer used to inform source control, screening testing, or post-exposure recommendations
- Updated circumstances when source control is recommended
- In general, asymptomatic patients no longer require quarantine following close contact with someone with SARS-CoV-2 infection and HCP do not require work exclusion following a higher-risk exposure. However, they should receive a series of three viral tests for SARS-CoV-2, wear source control for 10 days following the exposure, and monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19.
- Screening testing of asymptomatic healthcare personnel without a higher-risk exposure, including those in nursing homes, is at the discretion of the healthcare facility
- Long-term care facility specific Health Alerts (PA-HAN-626 and PA-HAN-627) are being archived; recommendations are now included in this update under Setting-Specific Considerations.
This update replaces PA-HAN-624, PA-HAN-626, and PA-HAN-627. New content is written in red. If you have additional questions about this guidance, please contact DOH at 1-877-PA- HEALTH (1-877-724-3258) or your local health department.
