ADH revise guidelines for nursing home visits

The Arkansas Department of health has revised guidelines to allow limited public visits to nursing homes. Governor Asa Hutchinson says the move is a good step forward:

The new guidelines allow a minimum amount of family visitation at all long-term care facilities in Arkansas if a resident is undergoing medical treatment or in need of compassionate care.

Expanded visitation is now allowed at nursing homes if they meet certain parameters. Those include no new positive cases of COVID-19 in the previous 14 days. The facility must also screen every visitor, employee, contractor and vendor entering the building and restricting access to anyone who does not pass the screening process.

Governor Hutchinson said he believes state residents have given COVID-19 a renewed seriousness since the President and First Lady have contracted the virus.

The Arkansas Department of Education also announced a new statewide partnership titled Engage Arkansas. The effort aims to help school districts assist and reengage virtual leaners who are falling behind in their instruction. Around 25 percent of students in Arkansas have chosen their school’s virtual learning option. Some, education officials say, they are struggling to succeed through online instruction.