Gov. DeWine Provides Explanation of Nursing Home and Assisted Living Visitation Policies

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced that nursing and assisted living communities may be allowed more visitations soon if coronavirus positivity rates continue to fall, although guidelines must be complied with, reports NBC4 . "Last week, long-term care communities reported 343 new cases — this is compared to the 2,832 new cases when case numbers peaked in December," DeWine said. "We are definitely making progress." The governor called on communities to check county positivity rates every week to determine their visitation status and to permit compassionate care visits. He added that he would be sending a letter reminding them of these responsibilities. "Compassionate care is not just for end-of-life situations," concluded DeWine. "Rather, compassionate care visitations are special visits in which a family member, or other visitor, provides comfort, support, and assistance to a resident whose well-being is suffering or at risk."