Page last updated 12/21/2022
AAP Critical Updates on COVID-19
Find resources on COVID-19 vaccines information and policies, interim guidance for care, data reports on Children, COVID, and vaccines, help for pediatric practices, town hall sessions, advocacy resources, and more. Visit the main COVID-19 Updates page here.
As of December 20, more than 99.9 million COVID-19 cases and more than 1.08 million deaths have been reported, according to Johns Hopkins University. Among children, more than 15.1 million cases have been reported as of Dec. 15, representing 18.2% of cases according to AAP data. For the current week ending December 15, this portion of reported cases that were children was 13.2% (children, under age 18, make up 22.2% of the US population). Reported cases are likely a substantial undercount of COVID-19 cases among children. Read more here.
As of December 14, about 30.5 million US children under age 18 have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, including 68% of 12-17 year-olds. Of these, 15.2 million children and adolescents ages 12-17 are fully vaccinated, representing 58% of 12-17 year-olds. Among children ages 5-11, 11 million children have received at least 1 dose representing 38% of 5-11 year-olds, and 9 million children 5-11 (32%) are fully vaccinated. Roughly 4.9% of children ages 2-4 and 3% of children under 2 have completed a primary series, according to the CDC.
Project Firstline is a CDC national training collaborative offering timely infection control training to front-line health care workers and the public health workforce in the fight against infectious disease threats.
Texas COVID Updates
- Information for Public Health: includes resources for Disease Reporting &Case Definitions, Contact Tracing, Isolation Precautions, Laboratory Testing, MIS-C, Persons Under Monitoring, and Persons Under Investigation
Vaccines
Visit the TPS COVID-19 Vaccine Resource Page for more information.
Therapeutics
- Find Therapeutics: use the US HHS Test-to-Treat locator for locations with medications
- CDC HAN: Important Updates on COVID-19 Therapeutics for Treatment and Prevention (12/20/22), COVID-19 Rebound After Paxlovid Treatment (5/24/22), Updated Information on Availability and Use of Treatments for Outpatients with Mild to Moderate COVID-19 Who are at Increased Risk for Severe Outcomes of COVID-19 (4/25/2022), Using Therapeutics to Prevent and Treat COVID-19 (12/31/2021)
- AAP: Management Strategies in Children and Adolescents with Mild to Moderate COVID-19 (Updated 12/1/2022, includes information about Monoclonal Antibody Therapy)
- NIH COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines include statements on COVID-19 therapies
- Statement on Patient Prioritization for Outpatient Therapies (updated 12/1/2022)
- Statement on Therapies for High-Risk, Nonhospitalized Patients (updated 9/26/2022)
- Ritonavir-Boosted Nirmatrelvir (Paxlovid) (updated 12/1/2022)
- Antivirals, including Antibody Products - summarize the data on these products
- HHS Office of Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response
- COVID-19 Therapeutics (ASPR)
- Side-by-Side Overview of COVID-19 Therapeutics (ASPR) (Updated Oct 2022, table outlining available outpatient therapies)
- COVID-19 Outpatient Therapeutics Decision Aid (ASPR) (Updated Dec 2022, flow chart for patients 12 and older weighing 40 kg+)
- DSHS Therapeutics Resources
- COVID-19 Information for Therapeutics Providers
- COVID-19 Therapeutics - Product Information
- Information for Hospitals and Healthcare Professionals on Therapeutics
- How to Become a Therapeutic Provider: to order therapeutics, providers must have an AmerisourceBergen Account and VAOS access. Learn more with the COVID-19 Therapeutics Enrollment Guide and email therapeutics@dshs.texas.gov with questions or issues.
-
Test to Treat
-
US HHS has launched the Test to Treat program where people are able to get tested and – if they are positive and treatments are appropriate for them – receive a prescription from a health care provider, and have their prescription filled all at one location.
-
A web-based site locator is now available to find Test to Treat program locations. It also lists pharmacies where any provider can send prescriptions for their patients. Those who may have difficulty accessing the internet or need additional support locating a Test to Treat site can call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489) to get help in English, Spanish, and more than 150 other languages – 8am to midnight ET, 7 days a week. The Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) is also available to specifically help people with disabilities access services. To get help, call 1-888-677-1199, Monday-Friday from 9am to 8pm ET or email DIAL@usaginganddisability.org
-
-
Monoclonal Antibody Treatments
- COVID-19 Monoclonal Antibody Therapeutics Communications Toolkit
-
Providers with questions about monoclonal antibodies or ordering can contact therapeutics@dshs.texas.gov or call Provider Support at 833-832-7068, option 0.
- HHSC: Merck Oral COVID-19 drug, Molnupiravir, Added to Formulary (1/6/2022)
- Vendor Drug Program Updates:
Variants
- General/Background
- Omicron
-
WHO: Update on Omicron
Recent News and Updates
For more on vaccines, visit Vaccine News and Updates.
- AAP News: Experts update definition of MIS-C (12/9/2022)
- AAP News: COVID-19 hospital admissions rising among children, especially those under 5(12/8/2022)
- AAP News: AAP emphasizes use of face masks to protect children with special health needs.(12/6/2022)
- AAP News: RSV, COVID and flu can make children sick; know when to call a doctor (12/1/2022)
- AAP News: FDA: Bebtelovimab no longer authorized to treat COVID (11/30/2022)
- AAP News: Study: Hospitalization rate of infants with COVID increased during omicron period (11/10/2022)
- AAP News: CDC updates COVID guidance for schools, quarantine/isolation guidance for public (8/11/2022)
- AAP News: Study: Children with COVID more likely to develop blood clots, heart issues, kidney failure (8/9/2022)
-
AAP News: AHA updates guidance for CPR of children with suspected, confirmed COVID-19 (7/12/2022)
-
AAP News: CDC issues advisory on management of 'COVID-19 rebound' after Paxlovid treatment (5/31/2022)
-
AAP News: FDA authorizes nonprescription test for COVID, RSV, flu (5/16/2022)
-
AAP News: CDC: 75% of children, adolescents have had COVID-19 (4/26/2022)
-
FDA: FDA updates Sotrovimab emergency use authorization (3/30/2022, updated 4/5/2022)
- NPR: Moderna wants the FDA to authorize its COVID-19 vaccine for kids under 6 (3/23/2022)
-
AAP News: Study: In-school COVID spread reduced by 72% with universal masking (3/9/2022)
-
EdWeek: Mask Mandates Cut COVID-19 Spread in Schools, Studies Find (3/9/2022)
-
US News: Most Americans Don’t Need to Wear Masks Indoors Under New CDC COVID-19 Guidance (2/25/2022)
- FDA: FDA Authorizes New Monoclonal Antibody for Treatment of COVID-19 that Retains Activity Against Omicron Variant (2/11/2022)
- AAP: AAP Updates Interim Pandemic Guidance: Urges In-School Learning be Prioritized (1/28/2022)
- TMA: FDA Halts Use of Two Antibody Treatments to Fight COVID (1/25/2022)
Schools
With the release of the CDC's new Community Levels risk measures in February 2022, the CDC relaxed its mask guidance. According to CDC guidance as of October 2022, to this guidance, masks are recommended when Community Levels are High. The CDC does state that some community settings (such as schools) might include additional layers of protection based on the setting. Policies for use of masks in school nurse offices should follow recommendations outlined in the Infection Control: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) guidance. Children should return to full-time in-person learning in the fall with layered prevention strategies in place.
- CDC: guidance for schools, child care, and colleges. This page includes information for administrators, mitigation strategies for preventing the transmission of COVID-19, and resources for parents, teachers, and staff.
- for K-12 Schools: Isolation, Quarantine, Testing, Modifying School Spaces during Mealtime
- Revised COVID-19 K-12 School Surveillance Guidance for Identification and Classification of Outbreaks
- Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases in ECE Programs
- Operation Expanded Testing
- How Schools Can Support COVID-19 Vaccination
- Ventilation in Schools and Childcare Programs
- Stop the Spread of Rumors with Accurate Information on COVID-19
- AAP: COVID-19 Guidance for Safe Schools and Promotion of In-Person Learning (9/8/2022).
- TEA: COVID-19 support and guidance resources.
- Return to School/Return to Play
- See above for Quarantine and Isolation resources
- AAP Interim Guidance for Safe Schools and Promotion of In-Person Learning
- AAP COVID-19 Interim Guidance: Return to Sports and Physical Activity
- AAP Return to play after COVID-19 infection algorithm
- TMA Return to School Letter
- TMA Decision Tree Tool for School Nurses
Masks
- AAP: Face Masks and Other Prevention Strategies (3/23/2022)
- Mask Testing Data Sheet from Your Local Epidemiologist
- CDC: Types of Masks and Respirators (posted 1/14/2022)
- Printable resources and posters on masks, hand washing, and general info can be found here, from The ABC Science Collaborative (Duke School of Medicine/Clinical Research Institute)
- AAP: Mask Mythbusters: 5 Common Misconceptions about Kids & Cloth Face Coverings (7/21/2021)
- CDC: Use Masks to Slow the Spread of COVID-19 (Aug 2021)
- TPS Physician Letter for Parents and Families - Mask Guidance
- COVID-19 Physician Form for Student Mask Exemption
- AAP News: How to handle requests for medical clearance, mask exemptions during COVID-19 (10/9/2020)
Communications Toolkits and Printable Materials
- DSHS: #HealthyTexas COVID-19 Communication Tools, COVID-19 Vaccine Communication Tools
- CDC: Healthcare Provider Communication Toolkit which includes factsheets, social media graphics, videos, and printable resources.
- TMA: COVID-19 Social Media Toolkit, Vaccines Defend What Matters Social Media Toolkit
- AAP: A COVID-19 toolkit to help pediatricians boost efforts to get children ages 12 and older vaccinated
- AAP: EQIPP module on Effective COVID-19 Vaccine Conversations (free)
TPS Resources
- Fact Sheet for parents and families: FAQs on the COVID-19 Vaccine for Children (English, Spanish)
- COVID-19 Physician Wellness Guide
- DSHS COVID-19 Toolkit
- Messages from TPS President Dr. Tammy Camp
- Messages from TPS Executive Director, Tricia Hall
- TPS/TMA Letter to HHSC re: Pediatrician Viability in Medicaid
- Advocacy COVID-19 related efforts
- For information on parenting resources related to COVID-19, please visit our Parent Resources page.
Webinars and Learning Opportunities
- TPS Town Hall Series (November 2021, January and July 2022)
- AAP Interactive Town Hall Series on COVID-19: The AAP hosts a bi-weekly series of virtual town halls linking members with leading experts to discuss emerging issues related to caring for patients and families during the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here to see past sessions.
-
TPS CME and MOC Webinar: MIS-C and Mimics (May 26, 2021)
- TPS Webinar: How COVID-19 Spreads: A Review (May 10, 2021)
- How Respiratory Droplets Spread COVID-19 (April 29, 2021)
- CMS Lessons from the Frontlines: COVID-19 (July 17, 2020)
- CDC COCA Webinar: Clinical Management of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) Associated with Covid-19 (July 16, 2020)
- Webinar Recording: Telemedicine Keys to Success
Telemedicine
Below are tools for implementing telemedicine including resources on payment, coding, vendor selection, and execution.
- AAP Guidance: Telehealth Payer Policy in Response to COVID-19
- AAP Guidance: Coding for Telemedicine
- AAP Telehealth Workflows and Implementation Resources
- AAP Telehealth and COVID-19 Webinar (3/24/2020)
- AAP State Notices on Telehealth Policy
- American Telehealth Association (ATA) Resource Page
- TMA Telemedicine Vendor Evaluation Form
- HHSC: Texas Health Steps Telemedicine Guidance for Providers FAQs (6/16/2020)
- HHSC: Medicaid CHIP COVID-19 Information Sessions
- TMA List of Telephone Only Consultations and Payments: Lists payers and what they are currently covering. (6/29/2020)
- Telemedicine in Texas Resource Page (TMA): Provides a wide variety of information regarding providing telemedicine during the Coronavirus pandemic including how to get started, the latest updates, and information on different payer policies.
Testing
- HHSC: COVID-19 At-home Test Kits Available as a Pharmacy Benefit (12/22/2021)
- DSHS: COVID-19 Testing Information, COVID-19 Test Collection Sites - Map (9/20/2021)
- AAP: COVID-19 Testing Guidance (9/1/2021)
- FDA: EUA list for Antigen and Molecular tests, FAQs on Testing for SARS-CoV-2 - Includes information on manufacturers distributing diagnostic and serology tests (1/22/2022)
- AMA: Considerations for Physicians Ordering SARS-CoV-2 PCR Diagnostic Testing (8/20/2020)
-
CDC Resources
-
Testing Overview (1/21/2022)
- Testing Strategies for SARS-CoV-2 (12/28/2021)
- Guidance for Healthcare Workers about COVID-19 Testing (6/14/2021)
- Interim Guidance for Antigen Testing for SARS-CoV-2 (1/20/2022)
-
Practice Finances
- HHS: Coronavirus Provider Information page includes information on flexibilities providers may request. Learn more at the monthly HHSC Medicaid/CHIP COVID-19 Info Sessions. (8/5/2021)
- TPS: HHS Announces Enhanced Provider Portal, Relief Fund Payments for Safety Net Hospitals, Medicaid & CHIP Providers (6/9/20)
- AAP: Small Business Guidance for Pediatric Practices (4/6/2020)
- TMA Guide for Practice Finances (4/2/2020) and COVID-19 Practice Viability Toolkit (2020)
- TMA: Medicine Pushes Texas Medicaid to Help Save Primary Care (5/7/20)
- HRSA Update: COVID-19 Uninsured Program Portal Now Open: HRSA has opened the portal for physicians to register if they wish to seek reimbursement for COVID19 related testing and treatment for uninsured patients. Payments will begin May 6 until the funds allocated for this program have been spent. Access the portal here and read about FAQs here.
- SBA Small Business Guidance and Loan Resources
- CARES Act Resources:
- HHS: CARES Act Provider Relief Fund: For Providers (7/1/2021)
- Small Business Owner's Guide to the CARES Act from US Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship
Well Child Visits
- TMA: Catching Up After COVID-19: Using Well-Child Visits (7/3/2021)
- CDC: Well-Child Visits and Recommended Vaccinations Are Essential – includes an infographic and vaccination schedules (6/17/2021)
- AAP: Hybrid Well Child Visits in the Age of Covid (3/2021)
- AAP: Guidance on Providing Pediatric Well-Care During COVID-19 (1/6/2021)
- DSHS: Impacts of COVID-19 on TVFC Vaccine Administration (Updated 9/16/2020)
- HHSC: Texas Health Steps Telemedicine Guidance for Providers FAQs (6/16/2020)
- HHSC: Medicaid CHIP COVID-19 Information Sessions
PPE
- TMA: PPE Vendor List (updated 7/1/2021)
- CDC: Using PPE (8/19/2020)
- DSHS: Personal Protective Equipment
- PPE and COVID-19 Supplies through Amazon Business: Amazon to offer a special business discount for AAP members (9/22/2020)