Wake Forest, NC – State health officials said Thursday that nursing homes in North Carolina could resume permission for visitors inside.
Visitors have generally been banned from nursing homes since March last year to limit the spread of coronavirus to the very vulnerable population inside. The only exceptions were when residents were close to death, so that family members could see them for the last time.
But the State Department of Health and Human Services said coronavirus infections in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities are “rapidly declining.”
North Carolina added about 4,000 cases in nursing homes and residential care institutions each month last fall, but the number rose to nearly 9,000 in December and topped 10,000 in January.
The number has now returned to levels close to those seen last autumn.
Officials said the decline was likely due to a vaccination move by staff and residents as soon as a vaccine became available.
According to the state, since January, more than 205,000 vaccinations have been administered to long-term care staff and residents.
After giving negative results for the coronavirus, Paula and Ray Nickola were able to visit their mother on Thursday at Cadence in Wake Forest on Thursday.
“You don’t know how special this is because Ray is not a hug,” Peggy Nickola said as her son and daughter-in-law wrapped their arms around her.
Peggy Nickola said being without her family for the past year has been “quite devastating.” But she said her daughter-in-law would call her every morning to read Bible passages over the phone.
Ray Nickola said that not being able to have his mother at home at Christmas was particularly harsh. Like many others during the pandemic, he had to wish his mother a Merry Christmas. perspex.
“I am 62 years old and this is the first time I have not been with her,” he said. “It was very unusual. It just didn’t look right.”
Peggy Nickola is now fully vaccinated and looking forward to spending next Christmas and more with her boyfriend the.
„WThe hat I keep telling everyone is that if you have a family that cares about you, you are already a long way off. My children were extremely wonderful, “she said.
Nursing homes must continue to follow infection control measures for visitors, such as masks and distance from others. Also, each unit must not have reported any new infection for 14 days before allowing visitors.
Mark Foreman, Cadence’s executive director at Wake Forest, said no virus cases have been reported at the facility and he doesn’t expect that to change now when outsiders enter.
“It simply came to our notice then [for infection], of course. But we will not lower our standards in this direction, “Foreman said.
“I know it’s been a long and difficult year for residents and families, but these measures have saved lives and now allow us to resume the visit safely, indoors,” DHHS Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen said in a statement. statement. While we must continue our infection prevention practices, this decline is also a positive sign of the impact vaccinations have in our communities.
Visitors should contact a specific facility for additional information on rules and policies.