COVID-19

IHA is in close contact with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) as they respond to the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, and its impact on individuals, communities and healthcare providers. For the latest information for healthcare providers and the public, see the updates below.

COVID-19 Vaccines

IDPH FAQ on Face Covering & Vaccination Requirements (9/7/21)
Executive Order COVID-19 Testing Deadline Extended to Sept. 19 (9/3/21)
Executive Order 2021-22 (COVID-19 EO No. 88) (9/3/21)
IHA COVID-19 Update: State Announces Vaccination, Mask Requirements (8/26/21)
Executive Order re: Face Covering and Vaccination Requirements (8/26/21)
FDA Approves First COVID-19 Vaccine (8/23/21)
Statement from HHS Public Health & Medical Experts on COVID-19 Booster Shots (8/18/21)
IDPH Launches Online “Vax Verify” System (8/11/21)
Free Child Care to Support Vax Flyer - Spanish (6/28/21)
Free Child Care to Support Vax Flyer (6/28/21)

See previous COVID-19 Vaccine Updates.

Federal Updates

Update on PRF and Rural ARP Funds (9/10/21)
CDC Alert: Rapid Increase in Ivermectin Prescriptions and Reports of Severe Illness (8/26/21)
FEMA Medical Staffing Requests Advisory (8/18/21)
PRF Reporting Portal Update and July 8 Technical Assistance Webinar (7/1/21)
PRF Reporting Portal Data Entry Workbook (6/30/21)
PRF Reporting Portal User Guide (6/30/21)
HHS Updates PRF Spending and Reporting Deadlines (6/11/21)
OSHA Issues Rule on COVID-19 Healthcare Workplace Safety (6/11/21)
IHA Letter to HHS on PRF Deadline and Additional Distributions (5/4/21)
An Option for COVID-19 Positive Patients: Monoclonal Antibody Treatment (3/26/21)

See previous Federal Updates on COVID-19.

State Updates

IDPH Weekly Update (9/24/21)
Cycle 02 Antibody Therapy Allocations to Healthcare Partners (9/24/21)
IDPH Weekly Update (9/17/21)
Monoclonal Antibody Therapy Allocations to Healthcare Partners (9/16/21)
IDPH Weekly Update (9/10/2021)
IDPH FAQ on Face Covering & Vaccination Requirements (9/7/21)
IDPH Weekly Update (9/3/21)
Executive Order 2021-22 (COVID-19 EO No. 88) (9/3/21)
IDPH: MAb bam and ete EUA Updates (8/30/21)
Resources for COVID-19 Care (8/27/21)

See previous State Updates on COVID-19.

Chicago/Cook County Updates

COVID-19 Data Update: Chicago (8/12/21)
CDPH Public Health Order Amendment and Hospital Visitation Recommendations by COVID-19 Risk Level (12/16/20)
CDPH Travel Order Exceptions (11/18/20)
CDPH Order re: Phase 3 Cautiously Reopening (6/3/20)
Statement re: McCormick Place Alternate Care Facility (5/1/20)
Chicago HAN Alert: Updates on Public Health COVID-19 Reporting Orders (4/30/20)
McCormick Place Alternate Care Facility Intake Criteria (4/22/20)
McCormick Place Alternate Care Facility Update (4/14/20)
Free Resources to Health Care Workers and First Responders (4/13/20)

See previous Chicago/Cook County Updates on COVID-19.

Disparity Issues

IDPH Vaccine Demographics
IDPH Vaccination Plan Overview – Equity Centric Approach
Chicago Vaccine Data
Protect Chicago Plus
IDPH Health Equity Checklist (6/29/20)
Guidance Relating to Non-Discrimination in Healthcare Services in Illinois (6/26/20)
Rapid Racial Equity Response Outreach (5/1/20)
Rapid Racial Equity Response: Suggested Practices (4/30/20)
Guidance re: Non-Discrimination in Medical Treatment (4/10/20)

State Surge Staffing Pool

Resources for COVID-19 Care (8/27/21)
Local EMA Directory (8/27/21)
IHA Update re: Surge Staffing Pool (12/30/20)
Surge Staffing Webinar Recording (12/22/20)
Surge Staffing PowerPoint Presentation (12/22/20)
Surge Staffing Hospital Request Form

Personal Protective Equipment

PPE Preservation Planning Toolkit (10/19/20)
PPE Preservation Planning Tool Guide (10/19/20)
PPE Preservation Tracking Spreadsheet (10/19/20)
IHA Fact Sheet on PPE Supply Issues (May 2020)
Nursing Home PPE Packages (4/24/20)
Indicators of Fraudulent 3M Personal Protective Equipment
IDPH: Clarification on the Use of Imported KN95 Masks (4/17/20)
Health Alert: Imported KN95 Masks (4/16/20)
CDC Checklist for Healthcare Facilities: Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of N95 Respirators
Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of N95 Respirators

See previous Personal Protective Equipment Updates.

Clinical Guidance for Providers

See previous Clinical Guidance Updates.

COVID-19 Waiver Requests

Hospital Licensing Waivers Re-Issued Through Executive Order (12/18/20)
Granted State Waivers (12/17/20)
Granted Federal Waivers (6/15/20)
CMS Issues Partial Approval of Medicaid COVID-19 Section 1135 Waiver Request (4/15/20)
Medicaid & CHIP COVID-19 Disaster Relief Flexibilities (4/9/20)
IHA Section 1135 Waiver Request for All Illinois Hospitals (3/26/20)
Illinois HFS Section 1135 Waiver Request (3/21/20)
IHA Letter: Notice of Intent to Operate Under and Request Section 1135 Waiver (3/20/20)

Immigrant Issues

Updated Consulate of Mexico in Chicago Contact Information (4/14/20)
CDC Resources in Non-English Languages (4/14/20)
ICIRR Healthcare Resources for Immigrants (3/16/20)
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services COVID-19 Alert (3/16/20)
Mexican Consulate in Chicago
Stay-at-Home Flyer (in Spanish) (4/7/20)

Behavioral Health

COVID-19 Behavioral Health Update (8/7/20)
State Operated Psychiatric Hospitals: Admissions Resumed (4/7/20)
Resources, Grant Updates, CARES Act (4/3/20)
DHS Alert #2 - State Operated Psychiatric Hospitals: Reimbursement (3/23/20)
IHA Follow-Up: SOPH COVID-19 Protocols (3/16/20)
IDHS: Temporary Suspension of Civil Admissions to Three SOPHs (3/14/20)

Payment Policy

Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services COVID-19 Update (2/26/21)
Telehealth Policy and Payment Updates (2/5/21)
LTAC Hospital COVID-19 Covered Services for Certain Non-Citizens (8/20/20)
IHA Memo: COVID-19 Reimbursement Options for the Uninsured (8/14/20)
Uninsured COVID-19 Reimbursement (8/14/20)
IHA Update: COVID-19 Private Payer Guidance (5/20/20)
Table: COVID-19 Private Payer Guidance (5/20/20)
Requirement to Publicize Cash Price for COVID-19 Testing (4/15/20)
Updated Information on COVID-19 DRG Coding and CARES Act Funding (4/15/20)
HHS Announces Immediate Distribution of Federal Relief Payments to Hospitals (4/10/20)

See previous Payment Policy Updates for COVID-19.

Legal Policy

IHA Memo: EMTALA & Patient Non-Discrimination – Reminder of Legal Requirements and Guidance (11/18/20)
Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act Summary (11/18/20)
IHA COVID-19 Legal Resources (5/7/20)

IHA Press Releases

Statement From A.J. Wilhelmi, IHA President & CEO, Re: COVID-19 Vaccines (12/16/20)
Leading Business and Health Care Groups Urge Safe Holiday Celebration (11/20/20)
IHA Statement on Governor Pritzker's Action Today to Mitigate COVID-19 Surge (11/17/20)
Hospitals, Doctors and Nurses Plead: “Don’t Let Your Guard Down. Keep Your Mask Up” (11/13/20)
Illinois Business and Healthcare Groups Encourage Use of Face Masks to Save Lives, Protect Jobs (7/15/20)
IHA Statement: Addressing Health Disparities (6/15/20)
COVID-19 Pandemic Causes Surge in Cleaning Products Exposures (4/13/20)
Help Us Help You: IHA Press Release (3/23/20)
Illinois Hospitals Issue Plea for Medical Supplies (3/19/20)

IHA COVID-19 Recap Memos

See previous IHA Recap Memos on COVID-19.

Key Take-Aways:

All Illinoisans over the age of 12 are eligible for at least one of the COVID-19 vaccines. On July 23, 2021, Illinois reached 70% of adults aged 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose.
As the Delta variant contributes to surges nationwide, the vast majority of critically ill patients are unvaccinated—underscoring the importance of vaccinations and indoor masking.
Healthcare providers can access resources on IHA’s There’s Unity in Immunity webpage to educate patients and communities.

KEY RESOURCES

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