Environmental Service Policy Considerations to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 in Long-Term Care

​​​​This document can be used to develop an environmental service (EVS) policy to help contain the SARS-CoV-2 virus and prevent the spread of COVID-19 disease—a disease that has the potential to pose a significant public health threat to the residents and staff of a long-term care facility. Employers should remain alert regarding changing o​utbreak conditions within their local area, maintain open communication with local and state public health departments, assess personal protective equipment (PPE) and COVID-19 diagnostic testing availability, and implement transmission-based infection prevention measures accordingly.

This guidance will discuss disinfection practices and PPE requirements in long-term care, utilizing a red/yellow/green zone cohorting strategy based on infection exposure risks. To demonstrate a cohorting plan, an example is provided below whereby a red zone represents a COVID-19-positive and/or symptomatic unit; a yellow zone represents an isolation unit; and a green zone represents a unit for people who have not yet been tested but who are thought to be unexposed, who have tested negative, or who have been ill with COVID-19 and have recovered completely. Routine environmental service activities should always follow standard precautions. ...