CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- There are now restrictions on visitors at Illinois nursing homes, long-term care facilities, and veterans’ homes.
Governor Pritzker announced Wednesday new staffing procedures and visitor restrictions at government-run nursing homes as the coronavirus spreads.
"We are very, very concerned about our senior facilities," Pritzker said. "Paying special attention to our nursing homes, to our veterans' homes, to our long-term care facilities."
Since the elderly and elderly with health issues are at greater risk, Governor Pritzker said there are a number of precautions at the facilities.
"The healthcare workers, who work at those facilities need to be checked when they come in in the morning, need to make sure that they are not sick themselves coming to work. We also want to make sure that we are discouraging family from coming to visit their relatives for the time being, and particularly those who are under 18," he said.
"It's not just because they might have coronavirus, or have come in contact with somebody who had it. It is also because we don't want the spread of the flu or other conditions that will take up emergency rooms or hospital beds."
Illinois has 1,200 long-term care facilities serving more than 100,000 residents, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Prizker said the state is asking privately-run nursing homes to match state guidelines.