Minnesota to require low-risk care homes be re-open to visitors

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Stressing the need to balance safety with the wellbeing of residents in long-term care, the Minnesota Department of Health loosened its guidance for nursing homes on Monday, Oct. 12.

The new state policy will better conform with updated federal guidance, a change from merely allowing homes that have lower risk of COVID-19 spread to reopen for visitors, to requiring they do so.

"If facilities have not had a COVID-19 case in the last 14 days, broader visitation must be allowed," MDH Director of Health Facilities Complaints Lindsey Krueger said Monday during a call with the media. "At 109 cases per 1000 long term care residents, Minnesota is 40th nationally in resident cases per 1,000 residents."

https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/newsmd/coronavirus/6713479-Minnesota-to-require-low-risk-care-homes-be-re-open-to-visitors