New measures for visitors to nursing homes will come into force in the coming days, including the performance of a PCR test 72 hours before a visit or an antigen test.
- More than 1,600 nursing homes, or one in five establishments, are currently affected by Covid-19.
- Visitors will also have to complete a self-questionnaire before entering an Ehpad.
- Institutions will receive 1.6 million antigen tests starting next week.
Ehpad are among the main clusters. Once the virus has entered these institutions, the elderly patients are very vulnerable. Since the start of the epidemic, 14,530 people have died in nursing homes or medico-social establishments. More than 1,600 nursing homes, or one in five establishments, are currently affected by Covid-19, revealed Brigitte Bourguignon, Minister Delegate for Autonomy, during a press conference Thursday evening.
1.6 million antigen tests distributed to nursing homes
In an attempt to stem the spread of the virus within these establishments, new measures will come into force. In the front row, visitors will be encouraged to perform an RT-PCR test 72 hours before a visit to an nursing home or, if they were unable to do so, an antigen test during the day in a pharmacy. “Relatives who visit residents very often will be able to participate in weekly screening campaigns by professionals“, added the Minister. Visitors will also have to complete a self-questionnaire, “personal and confidential”, before entering an Ehpad.
Staff will be screened weekly. As with visitors, these tests are more of a recommendation than an obligation. To do as much as possible, establishments will receive 1.6 million antigen tests from next week. “These screenings are essential to react as quickly as possible in order to identify a possible cluster”, justified Brigitte Bourguignon.
Postpone your visit if in doubt about your positivity
The High Authority for Health (HAS) has also published on November 6 a document in which she shares her advice for visiting loved ones in Ehpad in the most secure way possible. She insists on the need to respect barrier gestures even if the screening test is negative. “It can be falsely negative and reassure you wrongly: you must not give up barrier gestures during your visit.”, she indicates. If any sign suggests a possible positivity to the virus, it is better to postpone your visit. “If you show signs of illness, such as fever, dry cough, fatigue, etc. or if you have recently been in contact with a person infected with the SARS-Cov-2 virus, postpone your visit whether or not you have had a test.”
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