Infection Prevention News 2026July3

Kierstin Reed • July 2, 2026

Think Ebola

The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) has released a new factsheet to help providers readily identify Ebola. No cases of Ebola have been reported in the United States, but a deadly outbreak continues in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, and Uganda. CDC developed the Think Ebola fact sheet to assist providers in identifying Ebola that might present in the healthcare setting from patients or staff members who have traveled to affected areas. Early detection and action will be critical to the health and safety of individuals living and working in healthcare settings, including LeadingAge member communities.

COVID “Up to Date” Definition Will Not Change.

 LeadingAge has learned from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) that the definition of “up to date” for COVID vaccination will remain the same for Quarter 2 reporting to the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN), which begins on Monday, March 30. The current definition, which expires on March 29, states that individuals aged 65 years and older are “up to date” with two doses of the 2025/2026 vaccine (or at least one dose in the past six months) and individuals under the age of 65 are “up to date” with one dose of the 2025/2026 vaccine. CDC intends to update the “key terms” document by early April. Recall that although respiratory illness season generally ends on March 31, nursing home providers are required to continue weekly reporting of respiratory illness data and monthly reporting of COVID vaccination status of healthcare personnel through NHSN.

Flu Vaccination Status Reporting Due May 15.

With the general end of respiratory illness season approaching on March 31, nursing home providers are reminded of requirements to report flu vaccination status of healthcare personnel. Nursing homes must submit one report through the Healthcare Personnel Safety Component of the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) by May 15 that reports the flu vaccination status of all healthcare personnel working in the nursing home at least one day during respiratory illness season (October 1 – March 31). This requirement is part of the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Quality Reporting Program (QRP) and nursing homes that fail to submit data will see impact on the Annual Payment Update (APU).

By Kierstin Reed August 20, 2026
Senators Challenge CMS Voting Guidance for Nursing Homes.
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New MDS Training from CMS: Section K Assessment and Coding Essentials. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is offering a web-based training that provides an overview of Section K of the Minimum Data Set (MDS). The course reviews the purpose, assessment steps, coding instructions, coding tips, key definitions, and calculation methods for accurately assessing and coding Section K items. This training can be accessed through the SNF QRP Training webpage.
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There are no new Assisted Living updates to share this week. Please check back next week for the latest news and information. Here is your Life Plan Community Weekly Recap .
By Kierstin Reed August 20, 2026
COVID “Up to Date” Definition Will Not Change
By Kierstin Reed August 20, 2026
Temporary Protected Status for El Salvado Ends September 9, 2026: Employment authorization for eligible Salvadoran TPS holders will end September 9th per USCIS, absent new litigation or a redesignation. USCIS has automatically extended certain expired TPS-based employment authorization documents through that date and issued related Form I-9 records, and prepare for timely reverification and potential workforce disruptions. For details see the full article here . New Guidance from IRS on No Tax on Overtime. Last week, the Internal revenue Service issued updated FAQs on the No Tax on Overtime provision under HR 1, which added a new tax deduction for qualified overtime compensation. The deduction allows individuals to deduct up to $12,500 of qualified overtime pay annually ($25,000 in the case of a joint return) but may be reduced if a taxpayer's modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) exceeds $150,000 ($300,000 for joint filers). Developed in coordination with the Department of Labor and Office of Personnel Management, the updated FAQs replace previous FAQs issued in January 2026 and provide more extensive guidance on overtime eligibility and exemptions under the Fair Labor Standards Act, reporting qualified overtime compensation, and federal income tax withholdings from wages. The FAQs also include a guidance for employers on calculating qualified overtime compensation to be paid to an employee for purposes of the deduction. This includes instructions for alternative methods of computation are used to compute overtime, which may apply to employees of certain residential care facilities. Here is your weekly Workforce Weekly Recap
By Kierstin Reed August 20, 2026
Home Care Network: Tuesday August 18th at 2 EST
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Final HHVBP July 2026 IPR's Published
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UPDATE: Proposed Rule Rolling Back Community Reinvestment Act Obligations Published. As we reported last week, a multi-agency proposed rule seeks to roll back the Community Reinvestment Act and could weaken investment in affordable housing and community development. This proposed rule has now been published in the Federal Register on August 12 kicking off a 60-day comment period that will end on October 13, 2026. The full article can be read here .
By Kierstin Reed August 13, 2026
LeadingAge Webinar on Tenant Compliance Must-Dos for Affordable Senior Housing, August 19, 2-3:15 p.m. ET. Join the LeadingAge housing community for a webinar by compliance expert Jenny DeSilva, who will review unique rules and requirements for HUD-assisted senior housing communities. Participants will receive practical guidance to stay prepared for HUD oversight while supporting older adults as they age in community. Register here . Affordable housing Weekly Recap . Here is your weekly Affordable Housing Weekly Recap
By Kierstin Reed August 13, 2026
CMS Releases Home Health Agency PEPPER Reports
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