Dear Patients and Families:

As the community positivity rate continues to decline, we are planning to re-open indoor visitation. While we expect to receive revised visitation guidance from CMS very shortly, we are confident that the current CMS visitation recommendations allow for safe visitation.

The following sections serve as reminders for key aspects of the Center’s indoor visitation plan:

The following conditions must be met for indoor visitation to occur:

• Radford City’s COVID-19 positivity rate must be lower than 10%.
• The Center must not have a current outbreak of COVID-19. An outbreak is defined by the CDC as one case in either patients or staff within the previous 14 days.
• Patients to be visited cannot be on transmission-based precautions either related to their health condition, potential exposure, or because their COVID-19 status is unknown.

Virtual visits are offered for patients who are symptomatic, are on transmission-based precautions, or have tested positive for COVID-19.
All visitation must be scheduled in advance. Scheduling is on a first come, first served basis by contacting the Social Services Department at 540-633-6533. The number of visitors per patient at one time and the total number of visitors in the Center at one time must be limited. Each patient is allowed two visitors per visit. Visitors must be age 18 or older.

Visitor Screening:

• Visitors are asked to arrive 15 minutes in advance of their scheduled visit to allow time for screening. Visitors who arrive late may have their visit shortened to prevent delaying other scheduled visits.
• Visitors should arrive at the front door for screening to include temperature check, screening questions and COVID-19 testing. Testing will require signing a consent form.
• Visitors who have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 should bring their vaccination card with them.

Core Principles of COVID-19 Infection Prevention:

Visitors must adhere to the following core principles during visitation as outlined by CMS:

• Screening for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. Any visitor who is experiencing signs or symptoms will not be allowed to participate in the visit.
• Hand hygiene
• Face covering must be worn
• Social distancing of a minimum of 6 feet must be maintained
• Receive education on COVID-19 signs and symptoms, infection control precautions, and other applicable Center practices during each visit

Visitors who fail to adhere to these core principles will not be permitted to visit and will be asked to leave.

The safety of all patients is the responsibility of the Center. Staff members are required to monitor visitation to ensure the core principles listed above are observed at all times while offering as much privacy to visitors as is practicable. By following these precautions, we are confident that we can safely facilitate visitation at the Center.

Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions.

Sincerely,

William Lester, LNHA
Administrator