Visits to Wisconsin Nursing Communities Should Be Limited to 'End of Life Situations' or 'Essential' Care, State Says

The state government of Wisconsin on Friday issued guidelines recommending that family visits to long-term care and assisted-living communities should be mainly limited to "end of life situations or when a visitor is essential for the resident's emotional well-being and care" so that residents are protected from coronavirus, reports the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel . "Older and medically vulnerable adults have significantly increased risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19, necessitating that we take all reasonable efforts to prevent introduction of this infectious disease into residential care (communities)," wrote Division of Public Health Administrator Jeanne Ayers. She further urged communities to screen all visitors for coronavirus, including healthcare workers, consultants, and family members; ban visitors who show symptoms of coronavirus; have hygiene supplies such as masks, tissues, and hand sanitizers on hand; and not allow employees who show "signs and symptoms of a respiratory infection" to work. Ayers also urged that senior communities have a designated employee entrance.