Long-term care facilities may now move or discharge residents to try to stop the spread of COVID-19. An order issued Tuesday by State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box allows residents to be moved within or between facilities, including to places in other cities or counties.
During Tuesday’s COVID-19 briefing, Box said that will allow facilities to protect residents from infection and create units specifically for COVID-19 patients. “I know that the thought of moving residents in an already difficult time is incredibly stressful for families, and we have made it clear that families need to be notified of these plans,” she said. “I also understand that the thought of COVID-dedicated units or facilities has created controversies in some parts of our state.”
Box said those approaches are not only scientifically sound, but they can also boost the quality of life for those who’ve tested positive. “In memory care units across the state, when we’ve had to isolate individuals because they’re COVID-positive, we are getting reports that the individuals are not eating and that they are basically withdrawing even further,” Box explained. “So if we can document that a large percentage of patients are COVID-19-positive, we can once again loosen the restrictions and allow those individuals to have more interaction and be able to eat together.”
The order supersedes any order issued by a local health department and remains in effect throughout Indiana’s public health emergency.
