What you and your loved ones need to know during this outbreak.
Reporting
By law, all care communities in the state are subject to the same reporting requirements for communicable diseases including COVID 19.
For further clarification Care Weavers contacted the Medical Director of the Mecklenburg Public Health Department specifically about care communities obligations in reporting outbreaks of COVID 19 to residents and their families. As of 12:15pm on March 27, 2020 we were told the following:
- Residents of Long Term and Memory Care Communities that test positive for COVID 19 will have reports filed to the state by their primary care or treating physicians.
- Family members and employees will also be notified of the resident’s diagnosis.
- Long Term and Memory Care Communities have NO obligation under this scenario to report to other residents or their family members.
- Long Term and Memory Care Communities are required to report an outbreak of COVID 19 in addition to other communicable diseases to the State. An outbreak is defined as more than one case.
- Family members and employees will also be notified of the residents diagnosis.
- Long Term and Memory Care Communities have NO obligation under this scenario to report to other residents or their family members.
- Reporting of an outbreak to other residents and their family members is at the discretion of the Executive Director.
- Residents of Assisted and Private Living Facilities do not fall into the categories of Long Term or Memory Care.
Care
- When a resident displays symptoms of COVID 19 (cough, fever, and shortness of breath) all care team and family members are required to wear masks, gloves and gowns while in contact with the resident.
- Residents must be isolated in a private room.
Transfer back to Community after hospitalization
- After residents have been hospitalized it is up to the Care Community and the specific situation as to whether or not they can return to the Community.
- Please discuss this with the Executive Director of the community where your loved one resides.
Visitation
- All Care Communities are restricting visitors unless the resident is under Hospice Care or in the final stages of life.
For the most up to date information visit the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services at https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public-health/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-response-north-carolina/covid-19-long-term