Buffalo, NY (WBEN) New York State's new nursing home visitation guidance takes effect today, and experts say the new rules make sense.
"I think this is a great step forward," says UB's Dr. Bruce Troen of the state allowing nursing homes to have limited visitation once two weeks go by without a COVID19 case. "That makes more sense for what we know about how the infection works," says Troen, noting the previous guidance was 28 days. "We know that after a COVID case, by 14 days, if there isn't a new case, you're pretty much out of the woods," explains Troen.
Visitors must also present a verified negative test result within the last seven days. Visitation must be refused by the facility if the individual fails to present a negative test result, exhibits any COVID-19 symptoms, or does not pass screening questions. The number of visitors to the nursing home must not exceed ten percent of the resident census at any time and only two visitors will be allowed per resident at any one time. Visitors must undergo temperature checks, wear face coverings and socially distance during the visit and visitors under the age 18 are prohibited. Troen says those requirements also make sense. "While it still is not perfect because we know it's about the community infection rate, and that's what drives nursing home rates, this is a positive step forward in recognizing some of the responsibility we have in visiting our friends in long term residential facilities," notes Troen.
How easy is it to get certification of a negative COVID19 test within seven days of a planned visit? Dr. Joseph Chow of WNY Immediate Care says it's easier now. "Most places can get you results in two to four days, and our urgent care centers can give you results in two to three days," says Chow. "What will happen is typically, we can provide some sort of proof once the result comes back you had a negative test from our labs."
Chow says it's a good idea to add testing to other factors like temperature screening and questions.