By JAMES BELL
Hays Post
With a sixth active case of COVID-19 reported in Kansas and the death of a Kansas resident in a long-term care facility, assisted living centers in Hays are implementing precautionary measures to help keep residents safe.
"To prevent the spread of COVID-19 to our most vulnerable population, it's important to follow the recommended guidelines of screening and restricting visitors to our long-term care facilities," Department for Children and Families and Department for Aging and Disability Services Secretary Laura Howard said in a news conference Thursday.
"Due to rising concerns over COVID-19, all Midwest Health facilities are suspending non-essential visitation, including guests visiting their loved ones," according to an announcement from Midwest Health, operators of Homestead of Hays. "We will be following guidelines set by the American Health Care Association to screen essential visitors before they come in contact with our residents."
Other assisted living centers in Hays are adjusting visitation policies as needed but had not announced a full suspension of visitors as of Friday morning.
They will, however, continue to monitor the situation and plan to adjust as necessary.
"To protect our residents, associates and guests, we made some temporary changes to our visitor policy to prevent the spread of the novel 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) in our community," said Molly Gaus, senior director marketing and communications for Ascension Living. "As needed, we will continue to adjust visitor access to comply with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services guidance. These guidelines are in place to protect our residents and prevent the spread of illness."
The company announced Thursday that as the situation develops they recommended checking with assisted living centers prior to arrival to find the most recent admittance policy.
Ascension Living is the parent company of Via Christi Village, 2225 Canterbury.
"The safety and well-being of our residents, patients, associates and visitors is our priority," according to the company's website. "During this period of heightened awareness, we are taking additional precautions and are limiting visitors. Please call our communities before visiting."
Brookdale Hays, 1801 E. 27th, is also adjusting visitation as needed.
"We are following local and state guidelines in regard to visitor protocol," according to the company's website. "In addition, we have suspended Brookdale sponsored/planned group outings and suspended groups of three or more coming into the community (other than sales tours or family or third party medical/clinical providers)."
They also say each of their facilities may change policies as needed, as guidance and directives from local health officials change.
"Right now, our main focus is prevention," the company's website said. "We are acting with an abundance of caution, reinforcing our policies and procedures for contagious illnesses such as influenza with staff. These include reminders about flu vaccines, washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, staying home when sick, and taking flu antivirals as prescribed."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has advised assisted living centers they should discourage visitation and screen visitors, restricting access to anyone they believe to be ill.
They also recommended logging all visitors in case virus tracking becomes necessary.