The Minister Delegate in charge of Autonomy, Brigitte Bourguignon, recalled the need to avoid clusters among the elderly for the holidays. Visits must, however, be suspended on an “exceptional” and “temporary” basis.
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It is necessary “protect” against Covid-19 “without isolating” : the Minister Delegate in charge of Autonomy, Brigitte Bourguignon, announced Monday, December 20, new recommendations for nursing homes in the run-up to the holidays, calling for the deprivation of liberty of the elderly to be limited to what is strictly necessary. “I want every resident to enjoy celebrating the end of the year holidays with their loved ones, because I know how important they are. However, I do not want these essential moments of reunion to be ruined by the Covid- 19 “, the minister said at a press conference.
Family groups have recently criticized restrictions on freedom imposed by certain directors of establishments or regional health agencies (ARS): limited visits, PCR test required in addition to the health pass for lunch with relatives … only a few hundred structures out of 7,500, according to AD-PA, the Association of Directors at the Service of the Elderly.
In the case of clusters, the directors “may be required to take proportionate and temporary protective measures”, explained the minister. But she “invite directors” nursing homes to suspend visits and outings only so “exceptional” and “temporary”. During the holidays, residents will be able to receive visits from their loved ones with the presentation of a health pass, go out with the family, participate in events or activities in the establishment, she promised. Residents, their relatives and staff may be asked to present a negative test on their return to the establishment, even if they are not in contact, she said.
Currently, 97% of nursing home residents and staff have received the vaccine against Covid-19. 85% of residents have even already received a third dose, as have 40% of staff, according to the ministry. The recall will be required on January 30 for all nursing staff. Result: in the week of December 6 to 12, 975 positive cases were identified among residents of medico-social establishments, far from the 15,000 cases per week at the height of the second wave, according to the ministry. The coronavirus is the cause of 33 deaths among nursing home residents, against “sometimes a thousand a week during the second wave”.