Wake Forest, NC – State health officials said Thursday that North Carolina nursing homes could resume the possibility of allowing visitors inside.
Visitors have generally been banned from nursing homes since last March to limit the spread of coronavirus to the very vulnerable inland population. The only exceptions have been when residents are about to die so family members can see them for the last time.
But the state Department of Health and Human Services said coronavirus infections in homes and other long-term care centers are “rapidly declining.”
North Carolina added about 4,000 cases to residences and residential care centers each month last fall, but the figure rose to about 9,000 in December and topped 10,000 in January.
Now the number has returned to levels close to those seen last fall.
Officials said the decline is likely due to a decision to vaccinate staff and residents as soon as it becomes available.
According to the state, since January, more than 205,000 vaccines have been administered to long-term care staff and residents.
After testing negative for coronavirus, Paula and Ray Nickola were able to visit their mother in Cadence in Wake Forest on Thursday.
“You don’t know how special this is because Ray isn’t a hug,” Peggy Nickola said as her son and daughter-in-law wrapped her.
Peggy Nickola said being without her family for the past year was “pretty devastating.” But she said her daughter-in-law would call her every morning to read Bible passages over the phone.
Ray Nickola said not being able to have his mother home for Christmas was especially hard. Like so many others during the pandemic, he had to wish his mother a Merry Christmas plexiglass.
“I’m 62 and it’s the first time I’ve been with her,” she said. “It was very unusual. It just didn’t look right.”
Peggy Nickola is now fully vaccinated and hopes to spend next Christmas and more with her beloved uns.
“WI’m telling everyone that if you have a family that cares about you, you’re already ahead. My kids have been extremely wonderful, ”he said.
Nursing homes should continue to follow infection control measures for visitors, such as masks and distancing others. In addition, each facility must have reported no new infection for 14 days before allowing visitors.
Mark Foreman, executive director of Cadence at Wake Forest, said no virus cases have been reported at the facility and does not expect it to change now that strangers are entering.
“There is always the opportunity [for infection], of couse. But we will not lower our standards in that direction, “Foreman said.
“I know it’s been a long and difficult year for residents and families, but these measures saved lives and now allow us to resume safe indoor visits,” DHHS Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen said in a statement. “While we need to continue infection prevention practices, this decline is also a positive sign of the impact that vaccinations have on our communities.”
Visitors should contact a specific center for more information on rules and policies.