Respiratory Season Infection Prevention and Outbreak Management Resources

The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) issued a provider alert to all assisted living, residential care, and nursing facility providers informing them of updated long term care facility infection control guidance and resources for use this respiratory season. Review the information below, or read the original provider alert here.

The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) Office of Aging and People with Disabilities (APD) and Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) team would like to share updated long-term care facility (LTCF) infection control guidance and resources for use this respiratory season. Please note the recent changes to the interim summary document below, which include updated guidance for facility outbreak reporting and the inclusion of all respiratory viruses with additional updates specific to COVID-19.

Interim Summary of Long-Term Care Facility Infection Control for COVID-19 and Other Respiratory Pathogens

The interim summary document provides detailed requirements and supplementary resources for outbreak management in your facility, including hand hygiene, masking, ventilation, vaccination, PPE and communal activities during outbreaks.
Weblink – Updated September 8, 2025

Updated Reporting of Cases and Outbreaks

As described in the document above, facilities must report to their Local Public Health Authority (LPHA) within 24 hours or on a timeline otherwise specified when:

• 3 or more cases of respiratory illness (e.g., COVID-19, Influenza, RSV, unknown respiratory illness) among residents or staff and more than or equal to 10% of residents or staff affected.

Respiratory Disease Outbreak Investigative Guidelines
For more resources on outbreak response and reporting, please refer to the investigative guidelines document. Weblink – Updated January 2025

CDC – Viral Respiratory Pathogens Toolkit for Nursing Homes
As well as the resources above, please utilize the CDC’s updated Viral Respiratory Pathogens Toolkit for Nursing Homes to Prepare, Respond, and Control the spread of respiratory outbreaks in your facility. Weblink – Updated September 11, 2025

CDC – Preventing Respiratory Illnesses
Weblink – Updated August 18, 2025

Updated 2025-2026 Vaccine Recommendations
OHA Weblink

Onsite Respiratory Vaccine Clinics

If your facility is interested in hosting an onsite respiratory vaccine clinic for staff and residents this fall; including those who are uninsured; resources are available at no cost. Please use the survey form to opt-in to being matched with a pharmacy to provide onsite vaccine services for your facility. Read the news release to learn more about this collaborative program.

Thank you again for your efforts in supporting the safety and well-being of long-term care residents in Oregon.

If you have questions about this outreach or need general vaccine or infection prevention support, please contact the APD Population Health Unit at apd.populationhealth@odhsoha.oregon.gov.