Summary of COVID Updates for Week of 12/26/2021

 Summary of COVID Updates for Week of 12/26/2021: Coronavirus cases are soaring across the United States as the omicron variant spreads rapidly. Please continue to check this page for resources and guidance and follow us on social media as information changes quickly. We want to keep our community of caregivers, employees, and clients informed about the summary of COVID Updates for the Week of 12/26/2021.

Here are some updates that you should not miss

State Surges Mass Vaccination Operations Statewide to Meet COVID Booster Demand

https://www.illinois.gov/news/press-release.24324.html

Additionally, starting the week of January 3, the state’s free Community Based Testing Sites will begin operating six days a week to increase COVID-19 testing availability across the state.

Find a testing site here: https://coronavirus.illinois.gov/testing-sites.html

IDPH COVID-19 Monoclonal Antibodies Treatment flier

Please see the attached flier about the monoclonal antibodies treatment. This is for an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19 and be at high risk or have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19, such as older adults 65+ and those with chronic health conditions.

Administration for Community Living Vaccine and Booster website

The Administration for Community Living (ACL) has updated it’s COVID-19 resources website. It includes this customizable booster shot flier

https://acl.gov/sites/default/files/2021-12/Customizable%20COVID-19%20Booster%20Shot%20Flyer.pdf

Community Vaccine Clinic Resources

• Find a Community Partner Vaccination Clinic in your area: Click here
• You can sort by location
• You can zoom on map to a specific area
• Request vaccine clinics in the community:
  • Community Partners can request a mobile vaccine clinic through IDPH/IEMA here: https://dph.illinois.gov/covid19/vaccinationclinics.html
  • 5-11 Year old vaccine clinic request: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/b348c0b30fa740a0a82d25e7f04a29cf

Video Message from IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike, about booster shots

IDoA encourages providers to utilize this on your social media, website and share with participants

https://multimedia.illinois.gov/dph/DPH-Senior-Vaccine-Boosters-102921.html

IDPH Online ‘Vax Verify’ System

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is launching a new immunization portal, Vax Verify, that will allow Illinois residents 18 years and older to check their COVID-19 vaccination record.  Vax Verify can be accessed at  https://idphportal.illinois.gov.

https://www2.illinois.gov/IISNews/23702-IDPH_Launches_Online_Vax_Verify_System.pdf

Vaccine Resources for Homebound Individuals

Please find the following links to homebound appointment registration for the city of Chicago and suburban Cook County. The list of homebound vaccine resources is evolving, and we will provide updates as we receive them from IDPH.

City of Chicago:

In-home vaccinations in the City of Chicago Vaccinate up to 10 people and be eligible to receive a $100 visa gift card (in mail). To register, call (312) 746-4835 to make an appointment, or click on links. https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/covid19-vaccine/home/in-home-vaccination-program.html

Suburban Cook County:

Call 833-308-1988 OR https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=lSKSO4bof0GqqE5MTwadghXCG7PGEPtKgYiXxLe1eDdUNzc0MkVEUEhWU0NaWFZKM1NKSzJYOFFJTy4u&wdLOR=c25A6039C-BA42-C748-A9EA-4419DE5EFAFB&fbclid=IwAR2bQjB05rrmtHf4wpldQ1oELWc58Ey9R-N4jDWxftFo4EqsCUWUo2m8Wao

Medicaid Managed Care (MCO) Plan COVID-19 Contacts: 

IDoA and HFS are coordinating to ensure that older adults, regardless of whether an individual is in a MCO plan have access to the COVID vaccine. If you are interested in connecting with, or have questions for a MCO related to the vaccine status for an older adult, please use the following contact list. You may consider reaching out to these contacts to share any vaccine events you are hosting.

Aetna Better Health of Illinois Liz Leonard- [email protected]

Aetna MMAI Denise Travis – [email protected]

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois Courtney Boileau – [email protected]

CountyCare Becca Elmer – [email protected]

Humana Kevin Sebaski- [email protected]

Meridian Andrea Davenport- [email protected]

Molina Erin Willis- [email protected]

General Resources:

• State of Illinois COVID Response website (link to vaccine sites, testing sites, FAQs, etc): https://coronavirus.illinois.gov/s/
• State of Illinois Vaccine Appointment Call Center: 833-621-1284 (Toll free); seven days a week from 6 am to midnight
• All In Illinois Vaccine Campaign Toolkit (videos, social media resources, FAQs): https://coronavirus.illinois.gov/sfc/servlet.shepherd/document/download/069t000000KGDzdAAH?operationContext=S1
• Department on Aging COVID vaccine resource page: https://www2.illinois.gov/aging/Coronavirus/Vaccine/Pages/default.aspx
• IDoA COVID quality assurance training webinars: https://www2.illinois.gov/aging/forprofessionals/Pages/QualityAssurance.aspx
• The Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL):  acl.gov/dial | 888-677-1199 from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM ET | [email protected]

In-Home Care Precautions during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Home Care powered by AUAF provides care to vulnerable senior populations at risk of severe illness from covid-19. That is why we are taking extra precautions when providing service and care.
Staff is receiving additional guidance when providing home care or any other face-to-face visits. This comes in the form of a COVID-19 Screening Questionnaire. There are also a variety of other precautions we are taking for our staff and home care recipients during this time.
We take the safety and care of all those we reach very seriously and are doing all that we can to stay informed about best practices during this time.
If you or your loved one is a senior who needs help at home, look no further than the compassionate caregivers at Home Care Powered by AUAF. They provide the quality care your family deserves. Contact us at 773-274-9262 or drop us a line to find out how you can get started with Home Care Powered by AUAF.