The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) recently released new guidance for long-term care facilities during the pandemic, allowing access for designated family members and other people deemed essential caregivers.
The move loosens safety and visitation restrictions for residents of long-term care facilities, which have been in place since mid-March to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The new guidance lays out a framework that providers can use to designate certain people as essential caregivers. Those essential caregivers will then have expanded access to the facilities.
The state health department says an essential caregiver could be a family member, outside caregiver, friend or volunteer — who has provided regular care and support before and during the pandemic.
Residents are not limited to one essential caregiver. Gov. Tim Walz says the new guidance will allow families to reunite with loved ones while continuing to protect the health of elderly Minnesotans.
Long-term care facilities have been hit particularly hard during the pandemic. (possible cut: A majority of deaths linked to COVID-19 in Minnesota have occurred in long-term care settings.)
Health department data through the week of July 13th show that of the state’s total of about 1,500 deaths, nearly 1,200 were patients who had been living in long-term care or assisted living facilities. The guidelines require these essential caregivers to sign in and be screened prior to entering the building, just like facility staff.
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