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Families hopeful for in-person visits with loved ones as COVID-19 cases drop in nursing homes

Families are hopeful they’ll soon be able to visit family members in nursing homes after Gov. Mike DeWine announced Monday restrictions may soon relax.

Julie Carroll of Washington Twp. said her children haven’t seen their grandmother, Carroll’s mother, in-person since last February. Carroll has only been able to see her mother in-person when she was in the hospital.

Her kids have only been able to see their grandma through video calls.

>> Families work to find ways to visit with loved ones as nursing homes continue to get COVID-19 outbreaks

But soon, that could change.

DeWine said Monday that the state’s effort to protect the state’s most vulnerable population is working, with COVID-19 cases among the elderly populations in these facilities dropping significantly.

Nursing homes and long-term care facilities can check the county positivity rate to determine their visitation status, along with allowing for compassionate care visits, DeWine said.

Federal guidelines allow compassionate care visits which are for a resident who is struggling and needs support and encouragement to get well.

Families can also check the state’s COVID-19 website to see which facilities are allowing visitors.

Carroll said following DeWine’s announcement, she’s hopeful her family will be able to see her mother in-person again soon.


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