UPDATED INTERIM GUIDANCE: PROTOCOL FOR COVID-19 TESTING

On April 26, 2020, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) updated their protocols for COVID-19 testing prioritization. The Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Association of New York State (CDPAANYS) has provided excerpts of the sections applicable to personal assistants (PAs) who work in CONSUMER-DIRECTED PERSONAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES.

TESTING PRIORITIES

To support the statewide coordinated testing prioritization, health care providers should take the following prioritization into consideration when ordering a COVID-19 test:

  1. Symptomatic individuals, particularly if the individual is part of a high-risk population, including persons who are hospitalized; persons residing in nursing homes, long-term care facilities, or other congregate care settings; persons who have a compromised immune system; persons who have an underlying health condition; and persons who are 70 years of age or older.
     
  2. Individuals who have had close (i.e. within six feet) or proximate contact with a person known to be positive with COVID-19.
     
  3. Individuals who are employed as health care workers, first responders, or in any position within a nursing home, long-term care facility, or other congregate care setting, including Health Care Practitioners, Professionals, AIDES, and Support Staff (e.g. Physicians, Nurses, Public Health Personnel)

[In addition, ten other categories of first responders, medical personnel and public servants are covered.]

DIAGNOSTIC TESTING ACCESS: Individuals who fit these prioritization categories and do not currently have access to testing can call the New York State COVID-19 Hotline at 1-888-364-3065 or visit the NYSDOH website https://covid19screening.health.ny.gov/ to be screened for eligibility, and if eligible, have an appointment set up at one of the State’s Testing Sites.

ONLINE RESOURCES

Full information is updated on the DOH website: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/covid-19-testing#protocol-for-testing

Link to guidance on revised testing protocol that is more detailed is found at: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2020/04/doh_covid19_revisedtestingprotocol_042620.pdf