APPLETON (NBC 26) — In-person visits have now resumed at ThedaCare's long-term care facilities, the health organization announced Tuesday.
ThedaCare says it has eased COVID-19-related visitor restrictions to The Heritage, Peabody Manor and Juliette Manor.
“The in-person visits, reconnecting residents with their loved ones, brought a lot of smiles and long overdue hugs,” said Denise Gloede, ThedaCare vice president of post-acute care. “For the past year, these families have been creative in finding ways to connect with loved ones, and we are so proud of their strength and resiliency.”
Under new visitor guidelines for these facilities, indoor in-person visitation is permitted for all residents, regardless of vaccination status, unless:
· The county’s positivity rate is above 10% and less than 70% of residents in the facility are fully vaccinated
· The resident has a confirmed COVID-19 infection (until they have met the criteria to discontinue transmission-based precautions)
· The resident is in quarantine (until they have met criteria for release from quarantine)
In-person visitors will be screened, and visits will take place in a designated area that allows for social distancing. If a resident is fully vaccinated, they can choose to have close contact with their visitor while wearing a mask.
ThedaCare says visitors should remain physically distanced from staff and other residents during their visits. When possible, leaders explain that outdoor visitation is preferred. Virtual visits will also remain an available option.
If a new case of COVID-19 is identified among residents or staff, ThedaCare says all in-person visitation will be immediately suspended until testing has been completed and no positive cases have been revealed. Compassionate care and end-of-life visits will continue to be offered as needed.