3/11/2022 – Covid-19 Weekly Update

CHAP’s COVID-19 Weekly Update
In this “one stop shop” update, CHAP will provide a roundup of important COVID-19 information from various federal sources.

All health care providers should be monitoring COVID-19 incidence rates in their state/county on an ongoing basis.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC provides weekly data about case rates, deaths, testing and vaccine administration on their COVID tracker webpage.

FDA Updates
The FDA issued safety communications warning to people not to use the following COVID-19 tests:

  • Celltrion DiaTrust COVID-19 Ag Rapid Test in green and white packaging. The test has not been authorized, cleared or approved by the FDA for distribution or use in the United States. The FDA is concerned about the risk of false results when using this unauthorized test.
  • SD Biosensor STANDARD Q COVID-19 Ag Home Test. This test is packaged in a white and magenta box and has not been authorized, cleared or approved by the FDA for distribution or use in the United States. The FDA is concerned about the risk of false results when using this unauthorized test.
  • ACON Laboratories “Flowflex SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Test (Self-Testing).” This test is packaged in a dark blue box and has not been authorized, cleared or approved by the FDA for distribution or use in the United States. The FDA is concerned about the risk of false results when using this unauthorized test.

 

Fact Sheet: Biden Administration Launches Nationwide Test-to-Treat Initiative Ensuring Rapid ‘On the Spot’ Access to Lifesaving COVID Treatments (HHS, 3/8/22)
As part of President Biden’s National COVID-19 Preparedness Plan to help America move forward safely, the Biden-Harris Administration is launching a nationwide Test to Treat Initiative this week so Americans can rapidly access needed COVID-19 treatments. Through this program, people who test positive for COVID-19 will be able to visit hundreds of local pharmacy-based clinics and federally qualified community health centers (FHQCs), and residents of long-term care facilities will in one stop, be assessed by a qualified health care provider who can prescribe antiviral pills on the spot. This ensures that, if people who are at high risk for developing severe disease test positive and if administration of an antiviral is appropriate, they can get treatment quickly and easily. The program is run by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and includes a direct allocation of antiviral pills to participating clinics, centers, and facilities.