Maintaining infection prevention and control measures for COVID-19 in health care facilities: Policy brief, 7 June 2022

Overview

As COVID-19 cases are declining in countries worldwide and there is an increase in population level immunity from past infection and/or vaccination, countries have been lifting public health and social measures and considering what infection prevention and control (IPC) measures implemented in the context of COVID-19 could be relaxed in health care facilities. This document aims to encourage countries to develop and implement policies to maintain and strengthen IPC programmes and measures in health care facilities in the context of the current ongoing transmission of the SARS-CoV-2, with recognition that epidemiological trends may vary and the risk of transmission of other pathogens. These policies should achieve the following: 1) maintain IPC achievements and prioritize critical gaps in IPC programmes, 2) maintain IPC operational readiness for a resurgence of COVID-19 case and other emerging and re-emerging pathogens, and 3) scale up IPC capacity with strong investments in the implementation of IPC minimum requirements and the ultimate goal of achieving the implementation of all IPC core components and ensuring resilience and sustainability.

WHO continually evaluates the emerging evidence and will review these recommendations as new evidence become available.