CDC Updates Ventilation Guidance for Communities (SNF/AL)

In response to the recent updates and the simplification of the respiratory virus recommendations for community settings, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its ventilation recommendations. (It is important to note that, in the updated respiratory virus recommendations, nursing facilities or health care personnel providing care to assisted living residents must continue to follow the health care IPC guidance.) 

The updated ventilation guidance focuses on the primary concept that ventilation can reduce exposure to respiratory viruses in indoor spaces. Ventilation is considered a core strategy, like vaccination and good hygiene, to help protect individuals from respiratory illness.

The CDC offers tips for year-round ventilation, which includes: 

• Bring fresh, outdoor air indoors whenever possible by opening windows and doors or even by having a window cracked open slightly. 
• Make sure heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are operating as designed by maintaining the system, changing filters regularly and ensuring that filters fit properly. 
• Use filters rated at MERV-13 or higher, when possible. 
• Set ventilation systems to circulate more air when people are in enclosed spaces by setting fan controls to “on” instead of “auto.”  
• Use air cleaners or air purifiers to filter germs from the air. 
• Use UV air treatment systems to kill germs in the air. 
• Help determine how stale or fresh the air is in rooms by using portable CO2 monitors.
• Check that exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms are working and venting outdoors. 
• When possible, move activities outdoors to lower the virus transmission risk.