Nursing home visitation restrictions lifted, CDC guidance still in place
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Not long ago, our most vulnerable community in nursing homes and assisted living facilities was forced to isolate with no physical engagement with loved ones. Fast forward and now, federal and state health officials not only continue required visitations, but Ohio lifted all visitation regulations.
However, CDC guidance still requires those core COVID-19 precautions.
"We're very excited. We want families to come in and visit," Continuing Healthcare Solutions Vice President Mark Morley said, "They now have fewer restrictions. They are able to pretty much come and visit whenever they want. The restriction of having no more than two visitors at a time is lifted."
Although Governor Mike DeWine lifted all orders, DeWine expects facilities to implement the CDC guidelines still in place.
"The big things are when you are visiting a loved one, in a skilled nursing facility... assisted living... you still need to wear a mask," Morley said, "You still get screened at the front door."
He said if people are unvaccinated, they're asked to socially distance themselves in the facility when near loved ones.
Also among the continued CDC guidance for nursing homes and assisted living facilities include:
-PPE & sanitation
-Masks required for staff and visitors
-Maintain flow of visitors
-Monitor patients for symptoms daily
-Record cases and vaccines
-Test unvaccinated staff members twice a week
For nursing homes specifically, CDC guidance indicates a community spike in cases, as well as not enough people vaccinated in the facility should pause required visits, but officials hope it doesn't come to this again.
"Unless there is a very good reason... a safety reason... in the case of high community spread and low vaccination coverage, people should have the opportunity to connect with their loved ones," Ursel McElroy with the Ohio Department of Aging said.
The Ohio Department of Aging said their concern remains for visitors and staff who are not fully vaccinated and strongly recommends all people to take careful precautions when being in contact with the most vulnerable.