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Universal Masking of Healthcare Personnel (HCP)

Masking all HCP when PPE is otherwise not indicated can help protect HCP from pre-symptomatic transmission in the healthcare setting. Universal masking can also prevent pre-symptomatic HCP from transmitting the virus to other HCP and patients.

HCP who provide direct patient care should wear a medical-grade/FDA-regulated surgical mask, and follow CDC recommendations for extended use and re-use.1 Those who do not provide direct patient care can wear a cloth or homemade mask to conserve surgical masks for direct patient care.

All staff and patients should continue to maintain distances of 6 feet apart from others as much as possible during all interactions, and with physical barriers between people when possible. It is vitally important for HCP to avoid touching their face or their facemask.

Inappropriate technique during the doffing (taking off) process of facemasks can lead to contamination. Surgical masks should be carefully removed without touching the outer surface of the mask, and the mask should be folded with the outer surface facing inward, then stored in a clean sealable paper bag or breathable container if it is to be reused.

Read Updated CT HCP Guidance for COVID-19 (April 4)

Information & Resources

Webinars & Trainings

Upcoming:

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Click to open CDC COVID-19 Home Page
COVID 19 Webinar
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Preparedness and Response for Primary Care Providers
HRSA Health Center Program

Bulletin Feb. 28

We know that many of our Health Center Program stakeholders are wondering what health centers can or should be doing to prepare for a possible increase in the number of U.S. cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

As a vital component of the nation’s health care safety net, HRSA-supported health centers are well positioned to play an important role in delivering critical services and assisting local communities during an emergency. We encourage health centers to be proactive in their emergency preparedness planning and to coordinate with existing partners at the state and local level in the development of preparedness and response plans, while also taking into consideration the need to maintain their ongoing capacity to deliver access to quality primary health care services for their patients.

CDC’s Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA) will be hosting a call next week for clinicians to prepare for COVID-19.

Thursday, March 5
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Learn more