Visitors to long-term facilities banned

By GILLIAN SLADE on April 8, 2020.

gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade

Alberta’s chief medical officer has ordered a province-wide ban on visitors to long-term care facilities, licensed group homes and others facilities, to limit the spread of COVID-19.

“Under an amended public health order, no visitors will be allowed unless a resident is dying or the visitor is essential for delivering care that cannot be delivered by staff,” a Tuesday morning press release from Alberta Health Services stated.

Of the 1,348 cases of COVID-19 in Alberta, as of April 6, there were 112 in facilities that fall into these categories and there have been 13 deaths at continuing care homes.

“Residents of all continuing care sites are at extreme risk if exposed to COVID-19, and we are doing everything possible to ensure their safety. I know this will have a profound impact on the lives of those residents and their families; this is not a step that we take lightly. I’m asking all Albertans to reach out and support their loved ones through the phone, video and any other means possible,” said Dr. Deena Hinshaw, chief medical officer of health for Alberta.

This restriction is applicable to all licensed supportive living, long-term care and other continuing care facilities in the province. It also applies to all residential addiction treatment operators licensed under the Mental Health Services Protection Act.

Family, friends and religious leaders will still be permitted to visit a resident who is dying. In cases such as this, only one visitor can enter at a time and they cannot interact with any other residents while in the building. Exceptions will also be made if an essential visitor is needed to provide specialized care for a resident.

For the visitors who are allowed in there are strict protocols in place. They must undergo a health screening including a temperature check and questionnaire. They will be required to wear a mask or face covering during the time they are in the building. Anyone sick will not be allowed into the building.

This restrictions follows those implemented by Alberta Health Services on April 3.

All other public health measures remain in place for continuing care facilities, including daily screening of staff, enhanced cleaning, infection prevention control measures, and mandatory outbreak protocols that must be followed for all facilities.

Additional information is available online at alberta.ca.