Expanded APTA resources on patient management, weekly CDC COVID-19 summaries, and an adjusted coronavirus model.
April 8: APTA Updates COVID-19 Resources on PT Management of Patients
APTA has expanded a webpage featuring questions, answers, and links to resources that can help guide PTs and PTAs in exercising their professional judgment on how best — or whether to — provide services to patients while avoiding the spread of infection from anyone suspected of having or diagnosed with COVID-19. The page covers topics including when a patient should be told to cancel a planned PT visit, preparation of clinical space and operations, and how to make decisions about a facility closing, with resources that now include CMS guidance specifically related to outpatient settings. Other areas covered include PPE, suggestions for encouraging patients to stay active while sheltering in place, and potential unemployment benefits.
From CDC
April 8: CDC Launches Weekly Summary of COVID-19 Activity
Titled "COVIDView," the weekly posting tracks testing, outpatient and ED visits, symptom reporting, mortality, and more.
In the Media
April 8: Adjusted Coronavirus Model Decreases Prediction of Deaths to 82k by August
From CNN: “An influential model tracking the coronavirus pandemic in the United States now predicts that fewer people will die and fewer hospital beds will be needed compared to its estimates from last week. As of Monday [April 6], the model predicted the virus will kill 81,766 people in the United States over the next four months, with just under 141,000 hospital beds being needed. That's about 12,000 fewer deaths -- and 121,000 fewer hospital beds -- than the model estimated on Thursday [April 2]."
Visit APTA's Coronavirus webpage for more information and updates.