On April 21, Secretary Azar renewed the determination that a public health emergency exists nationwide. We know so many of you are working tirelessly to protect your communities, and we honor your efforts. We also remind you to take care of yourselves so you can continue your amazing work.

While we encourage stakeholders to regularly visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) webpage for the most current clinical guidance, the following new/updated resources can be found, along with many others, on our Novel Coronavirus Resources Page:

• Resources for Establishing Medical Operations Coordinating Cells (MOCCs):
  • Establishing MOCCs for COVID-19 Webinar (this webinar featured jurisdictions that have used the MOCC concept in previous emergencies and currently with COVID-19).
  • Coming soon: MOCC Toolkit, First Edition (helps with establishing MOCCs to ensure load-balancing across healthcare facilities and systems).
• COVID-19 and Telehealth Tip Sheet (describes the use of telehealth and how it has changed during the COVID-19 pandemic).
• Alternate Care Sites (ACS) Toolkit, Second Edition (now includes links to the Excel spreadsheets listing the recommended equipment and supplies that can be used when setting up the various ACS models).
• Mini Modules to Relieve Stress for Healthcare Workers Responding to COVID-19: Creating a Practical Self-Care Plan in Difficult Times (a short video that can help you create a self-care plan to minimize stress and boost resilience; check out the first module on stress management exercises).
• COVID-19 Healthcare Workforce Virtual Toolkit (recently updated; includes new content on healthcare workforce training resources, workforce surge staffing strategies, considerations for pre-hospital/EMS settings, and more).

The Healthcare & Public Health Sector Partnership led by the ASPR Division of Critical Infrastructure Protection is actively engaged in responding to COVID-19.  If you are interested in receiving regular response bulletins, sign up here.    

COVID-19: Healthcare System Operations Strategies and Experiences, hosted by ASPR TRACIE in collaboration with the HHS/FEMA Healthcare Resilience Task Force, will feature presenters from healthcare systems across the U.S. discussing their hospital operations, logistics strategies, and experiences from the current COVID-19 response. The webinar will take place on May 11, from 2:00-3:30 PM ET. Register now- space is limited!

Funding Sources for the Establishment and Operationalization of Alternate Care Sites, hosted by ASPR TRACIE, in collaboration with the HHS/FEMA Healthcare Resilience Task Force, will feature interagency partners discussing various funding options for establishing ACSs, operation and ongoing administration of ACSs, and for direct patient care costs. Coming soon: registration information and an accompanying tip sheet.

COVID-19 Clinical Rounds Peer-to-Peer Virtual Communities of Practice are a collaborative effort between ASPR, the National Emerging Special Pathogen Training and Education Center (NETEC), and Project ECHO. These interactive virtual learning sessions aim to create a peer-to-peer learning network where clinicians from the U.S. and abroad who have more experience treating patients with COVID-19 share their challenges and successes; a generous amount of time for participant Q & A is also provided.  Three webinar topics are covered every week:    

• EMS: Patient Care and Operations (Mondays, 12:00-1:00 PM ET)
• Critical Care: Lifesaving Treatment and Clinical Operations (Tuesdays, 12:00-1:00 PM ET)
• Emergency Department: Patient Care and Clinical Operations (Thursdays, 12:00-1:00 PM ET)

Access previous webinars and sign up today to receive information on upcoming webinars.