“
Protect
” against Covid-19 “
without isolating
”: the Minister Delegate in charge of Autonomy, Brigitte Bourguignon, announced Monday, December 20 new recommendations for nursing homes in the run-up to the holidays, calling for limiting to what is strictly necessary deprivation of liberty of residents.
Read also Covid-19: gauges, booster dose, contact case ... The questions that arise one week of Christmas
“
I want every resident to enjoy celebrating the holiday season with their loved ones, because I know how important they are.
However, I do not want these essential moments of reunion to be spoiled by the Covid-19
”, declared the minister during a press conference.
The Minister "
invites the directors
" of nursing homes to suspend visits and outings only "
exceptionally
" and "
temporarily
".
However, in the case of clusters, directors "
may be required to take proportionate and temporary protective measures
".
Family groups have recently criticized restrictions on freedom imposed by certain directors of establishments.
During the holidays, residents will be able to receive visits from their loved ones with the presentation of a health pass, go out with their family, participate in events or activities in the establishment, the minister promised.
975 positive cases identified
The first two waves of Covid-19 had caused a very heavy toll in nursing homes and resulted in restrictions on external visits.
However, the rupture of emotional ties has caused in the elderly "
a loss of the will to live, appetite, sleep, muscle strength and resulted in deaths
", noted Fabrice Gzil, deputy director of the ethical space of Ile-de-France, during this press conference.
Thanks to vaccination, the fifth wave is far from having the dramatic consequences of the previous waves.
In the week of December 6 to 12, 975 positive cases among residents of medico-social establishments were identified, far from the 15,000 cases per week recorded at the height of the 2nd wave, according to the ministry.
Read also Covid-19: complaints from families accumulate against nursing homes
The Covid is the cause of 33 deaths among nursing home residents, against "
sometimes a thousand per week during the second wave
".
On December 19, around 4% of the 7,500 nursing homes experienced a cluster episode.
97% of residents and staff of nursing homes received the first two doses of vaccine, according to the minister.
85% of residents received the booster dose.
40% of staff have received it, a rate that is increasing sharply, while it will be required on January 30 for nursing staff.
