Care homes in Gwent have been urged to restrict visiting as cases of Covid-19 continue to rise across the region.
After considering rates of around 500 cases per 100,000 population and test positivity at over 20 percent in some areas, the Gwent Incident Management Team (IMT), has written to all care homes making this recommendation.
While acknowledging the impact such a decision may have on the wellbeing of residents, relatives and staff, current rates across the region show widespread community transmission and pose significant risk to the older adult care sector.
The letter, addressed to the Responsible Individuals at care homes, strongly advises temporary suspension of indoor visits or the extension of such suspensions if they are already in place.
Where existing arrangements are in place for sensitive or exceptional circumstances, such as end of life care, it is accepted that these arrangements should continue.
Although the wider use of test devices in care settings has begun, the IMT has also advised that lateral flow devices are not used at this time. They may however provide a significant step forward in re-starting safe indoor visiting, alongside other robust and effective risk mitigation measures, in the future.
Health board colleagues are also providing a training package to the sector focussing on risk assessments, prevention measures and infection control that will also help facilitate future visits.
This advice will held under weekly review at the Gwent IMT.