The Jefferson County Department of Health (JCDH) is asking nursing homes in the area to take back patients still testing positive for the coronavirus, according to a letter brought to light by the Alabama Nursing Home Association (ANHA).
The leading studies available have shown that COVID-19 is much more deadly for people over 65 than any other age group.
ANHA communications director John Matson told Alabama Media Group that the new county guidelines go “against sound medical advice.”
The JCDH cites “the possibility that our hospitals will not have the capacity to care for a large number of patients infected with COVID-19” as the reason for nursing homes to take in the coronavirus-positive patients.
According to the department, individuals testing positive for the virus will only be returned to a nursing home if two conditions are both met:
- At least three days (72 hours) have passed since recovery, defined as resolution of fever without use of fever-reducing medications and improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath)
- At least seven days have passed since symptoms first appeared.
The department added that some patients may be returned before those conditions are met if their facility is able to adopt certain extra precautions.
Because the new guidelines are being issued by the Jefferson County Department of Health, they only apply to nursing homes in Jefferson County.
Additionally, patients hospitalized without COVID-19 symptoms do not have to test negative before being readmitted to their nursing home.
“For weeks we haven’t allowed family members and volunteers to visit our nursing homes, and our families understand why,” Matson told Alabama Media Group.
“Now they can’t visit, but we’re supposed to admit someone that’s COVID-19 positive?” Matson added.
The Jefferson County Health Department is assuring the public that it is following guidelines laid out by the CDC.
Henry Thornton is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can contact him by email: [email protected] or on Twitter @HenryThornton95.
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