Assisted living facilities have until November 7 to take advantage of the opportunity to conduct a baseline point prevalence survey (PPS) at no charge to the facility according to an October 28 memo from DSS to all licensed AL administrators.

The intent of a PPS is to identify all individuals who may be infected with COVID-19 at any one time, including both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. This allows the facility to take timely action to isolate, quarantine, and implement other infection control measures to mitigate the spread of this illness.

The Virginia National Guard (VANG) has partnered with VDH to conduct this testing for long term care facilities. In addition, through the Coronavirus Relief Fund , the VDH has current funding to allow full-service (turnkey) providers to conduct such baseline testing without any charge to the facility, however this opportunity is time-limited.

VHCA-VCAL encourages members to take advantage of this opportunity if they have not already done so. Please direct any questions about a baseline PPS or how such efforts are conducted, to covid19pps@vdh.virginia.gov or covidquestions@dss.virginia.gov.