With the spike in COVID-19 cases in recent days in Monongalia County, Sundale Rehabilitation and Long-Term Care in Morgantown has revamped its visitation policy to protect its residents whose average age is 85.
The new guidelines shared with family and friends of Sundale and signed off on by Medical Director Carl Shrader and the facility’s administration, now say inside visits will continue to be limited to one person and will take place in the lounge. No one under the age of 25 will be permitted inside. Outside visits will be limited to two people, and again no one under the age of 25.
“Visitors will be screened upon entrance, have their temperatures taken and recorded, be escorted to the hand washing station for a thorough hand washing, be provided with a surgical mask and escorted to the second-floor lounge for your visit,” the new guidelines said. “A member of our staff will remain in the lounge area to ensure compliance with our 6-foot social distancing policy.”
Earlier this year, Sundale had more than 20 residents come down with the virus. Five residents, all with underlying health issues, also died from COVID-19.
Other changes made to the Sundale visitation policy include banning food and beverages. If a resident wants something specific, family or friends can contact Sundale staff and every effort will be made to accommodate the request.
“There has also been an increase in restaurant cases so limiting items being brought in from the outside again was due to that increase,” said Donna Tennant, Sundale’s Admission/Marketing Director, when asked about the changes.
Sundale officials also said the parade planned for July 12 has been cancelled and will hopefully be rescheduled in the near future. The facility also said it will no longer do on-site blood tests.
“Due to the increase in COVID positive cases and according to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Guidelines, we should limit the number of visitors, which we have been doing,” Tennant said. “Adding the age restriction to it is something that Sundale administration and Dr. Shrader felt necessary due to the increase in positive cases to those under that age bracket.”
Sundale is expected to re-examine its visitation policy in two makes to determine if additional changes are needed.
