* From IDPH…

Long-Term Care Facilities (LTCF) may allow outdoor visitation for residents when certain conditions are met. Visitations must be limited to two visitors at a time per resident. The maximum number of residents and visitors in the outdoors space at one time is predicated on the size of the outdoor space. The LTCF must ensure that a minimum distancing of six feet is achievable in the outdoor space when determining the maximum number of residents and visitors who can simultaneously occupy that outdoor space. The LTCF must clearly communicate and enforce social distancing of six feet between the resident and all visitors. The facility must set the maximum number of visitors allowed in a single day.

Visitors must schedule an appointment with the facility to visit a resident. The LTCF must prescreen visitors via phone with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) symptom checklist not more than 24 hours in advance. The facility must also screen visitors on arrival with the CDC symptom checklist and a temperature check. Residents with active COVID-19 infection, either laboratory confirmed or symptomatic, are not allowed to participate in outdoor visits. Residents receiving visitors should also be screened with the CDC symptom checklist prior to visitor’s arrival. Visitors displaying symptoms should not visit the facility.

Visits must be limited to outdoor areas only. However, they may take place under a canopy or tent without walls. Outdoor spaces must have separate ingress and egress which does not require the visitor to enter the LTCF building. Visitors must not enter the facility at any time during their visit. For the duration of each visit, the resident and visitor must wear a face covering. The facility may set the time duration of each visit.

The facility should have staff supervision during each visit to ensure the use of face coverings and social distancing. The facility may determine whether supervision is continuous or intermittent.

* Meanwhile…

Four of the five new cases of COVID-19 reported in Piatt County this week have been tentatively tied to a gathering held at an assisted living facility in Savoy.

“We looked at it again, and our (health department) contact tracing person found that four of five were associated with a birthday party at an assisted living facility in Savoy,” said DeWitt/Piatt Bi-County Health Department Administrator David Remmert.

And while he understands the strain of not being able to see loved ones during the current pandemic, he added, “I don’t know why an assisted living facility would have outside people come into the facility.”

First time I’ve agreed with Remmert.

*** UPDATE *** Health Care Council of Illinois…

Guidance on open-air visitations at long term care facilities was released yesterday by Governor J.B. Pritzker’s office and the Illinois Department of Public Health. Long-awaited reunions for nursing home residents and their loved ones may begin once facilities assess their current status and implement the requirements determined by the state, according to the Health Care Council of Illinois (HCCI), a non-profit member association representing more than 300 licensed skilled nursing facilities.

“This is a positive step in the recovery process for nursing homes. After many months of virtual contact with their spouses, children and other loved ones, we know our residents will have many joyful reunions in the days ahead,” said Pat Comstock, Director of COVID Response for HCCI.

Under the Illinois Department of Public Health’s current COVID-19 regulations, all nursing homes must create a written plan prior to any visitation at their facility. Families will be able to see their loved ones by appointment in a supervised outdoor setting that ensures a minimum distance of six feet between residents and visitors, with one or two visitors per resident at a time or as determined by the nursing home. The number of visits allowed per day and the duration of the visit will be determined on an individual basis by each facility based on occupancy and space availability.

Visitors will be prescreened via phone with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) symptom checklist no more than 24 hours in advance of their visit, as well as undergo an additional screening and temperature check upon arrival at the facility. Residents receiving visitors should also be screened with the CDC symptom checklist prior to visitor’s arrival.

“We understand that families are eager to see their loved ones after months apart, and our members are working tirelessly to create a framework for visitation that keeps their residents, staff and families safe,” said Comstock. “Our members have taken positive steps toward recovery status in the past several weeks, and we cannot afford to compromise this progress and the health of our most vulnerable population.”

Visits must be supervised by staff and follow the strict infection control procedures already in place, including requiring face coverings at all times and prohibiting visitors inside the facility. Visits will be allowed only for residents without a current case of COVID-19. Full visitation guidelines can be found of the IDPH website.