This report from the Missouri Hospital Association is designed to help you stay abreast of recent developments related to COVID-19.

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Dashboard Spotlight

As Schools Resume, Children Account For Record Portions Of COVID-19 Cases In Missouri

Staff Contact: Mat Reidhead or Jackie Gatz

Last week, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Children’s Hospital Association released a report that found children accounted for 22% of new COVID-19 cases in the U.S. during the week ending Aug. 26. The report found that the number of pediatric cases nationally quintupled in one month’s time, moving from less than 40,000 during the last week of July to more than 200,000 new cases during the last week of August.

In Missouri, children ages 0 to 17 accounted for more than one-quarter of all new cases last week, the highest portion recorded throughout the pandemic. Through August, children accounted for 11.8% of total COVID-19 cases in Missouri throughout the course of the pandemic. During the first week of September, however, they accounted for more than one in four new cases — a 113% relative increase — while all other age groups have accounted for a smaller portion of new cases.

While children under age 12 are not currently authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to receive COVID-19 vaccines, new data suggest an association between total vaccine coverage and pediatric cases. For the latest data on COVID-19 cases among children in Missouri by school district, see the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services’ School Districts dashboard, jointly developed by MHA, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and the Missouri School Boards Association.

Government Action

MHA Issues Updated Waiver Tracker

Staff Contact: Jane Drummond or Sarah Willson

Gov. Parson issued a new emergency declaration, replacing the previous declaration that expired on Aug. 31. Numerous waivers have been rescinded under the new declaration, which is focused on maintaining flexibilities needed by hospitals and other health care providers to respond to patient surge. MHA produced an updated waiver tracker, which is maintained on the COVID-19 section of its website under Government Action. This document reflects the regulatory waivers that remain in effect under the new executive order.

OIG Assesses COVID-19 Data From Nursing Homes

Education

MHI To Host Webinar On OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standard For Health Care

Staff Contact: Keri Barclay or Kara Amann-Kale

The MHA Health Institute is hosting a webinar, “Understanding OSHA’s COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard for Health Care,” at 2 p.m. CDT Thursday, Sept. 16. The webinar will outline COVID-19 workplace hazard plans, explain compliance requirements and provisions of the OSHA COVID-19 Health Care Emergency Temporary Standard, and discuss potential implementation strategies. The virtual event is being offered complimentary by MHA with the funds from the fiscal year 2021 Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Hospital Preparedness Program and CFDA 93.889, through a subcontract from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Registration is required.

Upcoming CDC Call Covers Flu Vaccination Recommendations, Coadministration Guidance

Staff Contact: Keri Barclay

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is hosting a Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity call, “2021-2022 Influenza Vaccination Recommendations and Guidance on Coadministration with COVID-19 Vaccines,” at 1 p.m. CDT Thursday, Sept. 9. During this COCA Call, presenters will provide updates on the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendations for the upcoming influenza vaccination season and guidance for coadministration of influenza and COVID-19 vaccines.

Testing, Evaluation & Treatment

FDA Updates EUA For Bamlanivimab And Etesevimab Administered Together

Staff Contact: Keri Barclay

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration updated emergency use authorization 094, which now authorizes the use of monoclonal antibodies bamlanivimab and etesevimab, administered together, only in states, territories and U.S. jurisdictions in which recent data show the combined frequency of variants resistant to bamlanivimab and etesevimab administered together is less than or equal to 5%. The FDA posted a list of states, territories and U.S. jurisdiction in which bamlanivimab and etesevimab administered together are currently authorized, which includes Missouri. This list will be updated periodically as new data are available. Effective Aug. 27, distribution of bamlanivimab and etesevimab together and etesevimab alone (to pair with existing supply of bamlanivimab at a facility for use under EUA 094) was resumed to these states.

DHSS Publishes Monoclonal Antibody Infusion Website And Map

Staff Contact: Keri Barclay

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services launched a monoclonal antibody treatment section on its website. The website provides resources for providers to access information about monoclonal antibody treatments and to assist in finding those treatments for their patients. This site includes a map of state-operated and privately operated mAb sites. Facilities can add their site to the map by filling out an online form.

Noteworthy

NIOSH Celebrates Respiratory Protection Week

Staff Contact: Keri Barclay or Stacie Hollis

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health is celebrating Respiratory Protection Week, and released new resources and activity suggestions to help organizations celebrate. Ideas include hosting training sessions with staff, publishing educational messages on specific workplace hazards, or posting photos on social media of staff wearing proper respiratory protection.

NIOSH also is hosting the following two webinars during Respiratory Protection Week, and registration is required at the respective links.

Noon CDT Tuesday, Sept. 7 — The Future of Respiratory Protection and Other Personal Protective Equipment
3 p.m. CDT Thursday, Sept. 9 — Authorities Associated with Respiratory Protection – The Role of NIOSH, the FDA and OSHA

COVID-19 Update | September 7, 2021

This report from the Missouri Hospital Association is designed to help you stay abreast of recent developments related to COVID-19.

Dashboard Spotlight

As Schools Resume, Children Account For Record Portions Of COVID-19 Cases In Missouri