COVID-19 archive

Health officials continue to closely monitor the outbreak of a novel coronavirus disease, COVID-19. Human coronaviruses cause respiratory illness. Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. Clinicians are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Massachusetts Departments of Public Health (MA DPH) below concerning current epidemiology, prevention recommendations, and clinical management for patients with COVID-19 infection.

Information on COVID-19 is rapidly evolving. Please check back regularly for the latest updated guidance and information.

• MA DPH 2019 Novel Coronavirus COVID-19 Website: Provides up-to-date information on the status of COVID-19 for all clinicians and residents: https://www.mass.gov/guides/information-on-the-outbreak-of-2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19

• Massachusetts Department of Public Health Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences

  • Testing of persons with suspected COVID-19 through the Massachusetts State Public Health Laboratory. The new guidance outlines changes in testing prioritization and procedures.
    
  • Infectious disease emergencies phone number: (617) 983-6800
  • Online contact information for surveillance, reporting, and control
  • Isolation information and guidance sheet 
  • Quarantine information and guidance sheet

• MA DPH Information for Health Care Providers and EMS: https://www.mass.gov/guides/information-on-the-outbreak-of-2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19#-for-health-care-providers/ems-

• Strategies to Optimize Use of Personal Protective Equipment for Health Care Facilities and Providers
  Optimizing Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Massachusetts Public Health Fact Sheets: 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
  Printable Public Health Fact Sheets available in English, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, Vietnamese.

• Stop the Spread of Germs Flyer

Massachusetts Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) posted Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to the Medicaid.gov website to aid state Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) agencies in their response to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The COVID-19 FAQs for State Medicaid and CHIP agencies can be found here: https://www.medicaid.gov/state-resource-center/disaster-response-toolkit/covid19/index.html

CDC 2019 Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information for Healthcare Professionals Website
This site includes:

• Interim guidance for healthcare professionals on human infections with COVID-19

• Flowchart to Identify and Assess 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

• Evaluating and Reporting Persons Under Investigation (PUI) for COVID-19

• Healthcare Infection Control Guidance
  

• Interim Guidance for Healthcare Personnel (HCP) Involved in the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response is intended to assist with assessment of risk, monitoring, and work restriction decisions for HCP with potential exposure to 2019-nCoV

• Interim guidance for healthcare facilities

• Know the facts about COVID-19 and help stop the spread of rumors

• Preventing COVID-19 Spread in Communities

  • Interim guidance and steps to prevent the introduction and spread of COVID-19 into US communities in various settings including: At Home, At Childcare and K-12 Schools, At Colleges and Universities, At Work, Community- and Faith-Based Organizations, Large Community Events/Mass Gatherings, Healthcare settings, First Responders.

New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) Resource Site
A collection of articles and other resources on the COVID-19 outbreak, including clinical reports, management guidelines, and commentary: www.nejm.org/coronavirus

MGH Center for Disaster Medicine 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Toolkit
A compilation of resources and templates to support healthcare organization’s planning for high consequence infectious diseases (HCIDs) requiring airborne isolation, contact isolation and eye protection for healthcare workers and other staff who encounter the patient: 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Toolkit from MGH Center for Disaster Medicine

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Videos

• PPE Donning Video
• PPE Doffing Video
  
  

• CDC: Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19

• Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress: Coronavirus Educational Fact Sheets

• American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Coronavirus Resources

• American Psychiatric Association COVID-19 Mental Health Resources

• COVID-19 Guidance for Opioid Treatment Programs

• Patient/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope With the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

• Online Tool to Find Mutual Support Group Meetings With Others in Recovery

COVID-19 Related Information for MassHealth Providers
MassHealth/EOHHS  provider bulletins and additional guidance in response to 2019 novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19):
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/masshealth-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-providers