AMPERS
Diverse Radio for Minnesota's Communities
The Minnesota Department of Health is further easing restrictions on long-term care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Beginning Saturday, Oct. 17, long-term care facilities will be able to allow indoor visits, as long as the facility hasn’t had a COVID-19 case in the prior two weeks … also, the positivity rate in the county the facility is in has to be under 10%.
Script: Boozhoo, I’m Cole Premo. Here’s your daily update.
The Minnesota Department of Health is further easing restrictions on long-term care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Beginning Saturday, Oct. 17, long-term care facilities will be able to allow indoor visits, as long as the facility hasn’t had a COVID-19 case in the prior two weeks … also, the positivity rate in the county the facility is in has to be under 10%.
The new guidance still recommends that long-term care facilities limit how many visitors a resident can have at once and the duration of indoor visits.
During a recent COVID-19 briefing, Minnesota infectious disease director Kris Ehresmann provided an update on long-term care facilities.
EHRESMANN: “Currently we have had 245 long-term care facilities that have had a COVID case in the last 14 days…
Ehresmann says there are some counties that have more than 10% positivity rate, meaning visitation in those counties will remain restricted under the new guidelines.
EHRESMANN: “We have two counties, Martin and Redwood, with more than 10% positivity rate…”
Health officials say the new guidelines continue to balance the safety of residents, and their well-being…. as social isolation during the pandemic, and its effect on mental health, has been a significant concern for families and health officials alike.
I’m Cole Premo.