HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania personal care homes have been given updated COVID-19 guidance for testing and visitation by the Department of Human Services.
According to the updated guidance, the frequency of screening residents and staff should be determined based on the level of COVID-19 activity in the community where the long-term care facility is located.
“If an outbreak is identified at the facility, universal testing should begin, prioritizing units, wings, or floors where cases are identified but ideally of all residents and staff,” a news release said.
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The new guidance said safe visitation should resume if the level of community spread is low enough and the facility does not have any active cases or outbreaks. This is an update to a previously issued three-step reopening process.
When it comes to Compassionate Care Visitation, residents and their loved ones are asked to work with the facility to determine when such visits are necessary. Facilities must allow family, friends, clergy and others identified by a resident to visit during end-of-life situations.
“Compassionate Caregivers should be tested for COVID-19 within a maximum of seven days prior to beginning duties and must receive a negative test result before entering,” the release said.
All visitors must follow mask protocols and other COVID-19 mitigation efforts.
CLICK HERE for more information about the updated guidance.
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