The following is the latest COVID-19 information from the federal government and others as of 4:00 on Friday, April 17.

The White House

• President Trump has unveiled “Guidelines for Opening Up America Again,” a three-phase approach to reopening the economy.  Find that plan here.
• President Trump has signed a memorandum authorizing the use of the National Guard by governors in five more states to help with their response to the COVID-19 emergency, with the cost of National Guard assistance to be assumed 100 percent by the federal government.  The five states are Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Vermont.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

• In the latest edition of its online publication MLN Matters, CMS outlines new and expanded flexibilities for rural health clinics and federally qualified health centers during the COVID-19 emergency.

Food and Drug Administration

• The FDA has issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for the use of a new commercial test to diagnose prior infection by the virus that causes COVID-19.
• The FDA issued guidance to help expand the availability of telethermographic systems used for body temperature measurements for triage use for the duration of the COVID-19 emergency.
• The FDA added content to the question-and-answer appendix in its guidance document “Conduct of Clinical Trials of Medical Products during COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.”

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• The CDC has updated its COVID-19 guidance to pharmacists and pharmacies.

National Institutes of Health

• The NIH has announced the launch of a public-private partnership to speed the development of COVID-19 vaccine and treatment options.

National Health Services Corps

• The National Health Service Corps and Nurse Corps has updated its FAQ for National Health Service Corps and Nurse Corps participants and approved sites.

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