How to edit COVID-19 status for a VAMC facility
About COVID-19 health protection guidelines
VHA now has 3 levels of standard COVID-19 health protection guidelines. These include guidelines for masking, screening, and visitors. We base the guideline levels on current community COVID-19 levels. This helps us communicate changing guidelines in a consistent way.
The COVID-19 level you select in the CMS will determine which guidelines appear on the facility's site. These guidelines will help Veterans understand what to expect so they can plan their visit.
Where the guidelines appear on VA.gov
COVID-19 health protection guidelines will appear in an alert in the following places on VA.gov:
- Individual VAMC facility pages, such as a hospital or clinic page
- Results in the facility locator
- The VAMC system Operating Status page
What Veterans will see for your facility
Veterans will see the following health protection guidelines based on the level you select.
If COVID-19 levels are low
COVID-19 health protection: Levels low
- Everyone must wear a mask.
- Visitors are welcome.
- Please self-screen. If you've had any COVID-19 symptoms in the past 48 hours, call first unless you need care now.
Check COVID-19 symptoms on the CDC websiteCheck on Mondays for each facility’s latest guidelines.
If COVID-19 levels are medium
COVID-19 health protection: Levels medium
- Everyone must wear a mask.
- Your care partner is welcome (no other visitors).
- Please self-screen. If you've had any COVID-19 symptoms in the past 48 hours, call first unless you need care now.
Check COVID-19 symptoms on the CDC websiteCheck on Mondays for each facility’s latest guidelines.
If COVID-19 levels are high
COVID-19 health protection: Levels high
- Everyone must wear a mask and practice physical distancing.
- We may screen you for COVID-19 symptoms at the entrance.
- Approved visitors only. Ask your care team who can visit.
- Ask your team about phone or video appointment options.
Check on Mondays for each facility’s latest guidelines.
When to update the COVID-19 status
Follow the schedule set by your VAMC system's leadership. If the level hasn't changed since your last update, you won't need to make any changes in the CMS.
The facility's COVID-19 levels have changed. Should I also update the facility operating status?
No. The COVID-19 levels will communicate what Veterans and caregivers need to know to plan their visit. To avoid duplicating guidance, don't include COVID-related guidelines in the facility operating status details. You can use the operating status to communicate about any other situation, such as weather events, construction, or temporary closures.
For more information on editing facility operating statuses, read How to edit a facility operating status.
How to update the COVID-19 status
Before you start
- You'll need to update the COVID-19 level for each facility in your VAMC system separately. Plan to repeat these steps for each one of your facilities.
Learn by video
How to steps
A. Find the facility
- Navigate to your VAMC system's section.
- Go to Content type menu and select VAMC Facility and click Filter.
- Find the first facility you want to update and click Edit.
B. Update the status
- Scroll down to COVID-19 health protection guidelines.
- Select the level set by your VAMC system's leadership.
- Scroll down to the bottom of the page.
- Select an editorial workflow status.
- Add a revision log message to note what you changed. For example, "Changed the COVID-19 level from low to medium based on decision from leadership."
- Click Save.
C. Check your work
- From the facility's View page, scroll down to check that the correct COVID-19 level and health protection guideline appears.
- To check what this will look like to Veterans and site visitors, click Preview button in the upper right corner.
D. Publish the change
- Click Edit.
- Scroll down to the bottom of the page.
- Select Published for the editorial workflow status.
- Add a revision log message.
- Click Save.