ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — St. Louis County is relaxing restrictions when it comes to places like independent living centers and senior apartments amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The visitors will be screened like employees of the facilities are screened – including temperature checks.
Visitors will still not be allowed inside assisted living facilities and nursing homes, except for end of life circumstances.
Under the new order, St. Louis County Executive Sam Page said that assisted living facilities and nursing homes can have visitors on their property outside as long as social distancing guidelines are followed.
“If a residential living facility has many different levels of care, then they will be required to follow the more restrictive level of care for their common areas,” Page said.
Page said that social isolation of seniors is a concern. He said that the county will continue to look for creative ways to allow family members to visit with individuals inside safely.
Up to 25% of the COVID-19 cases are from residents in senior living facilities, Page said, according to data.
According to the county’s dashboard, the amended order intends to ensure that residential living facilities that house and treat the elderly and medically vulnerable in long term care facilities adopt the most aggressive mitigation strategies to combat the spread of COVID-19.
Other facilities, which also house high risk individuals but do not provide assisted living or nursing care, such as retirement homes and communities must practice social distancing and other requirements as outlined to protect this less vulnerable, but still high-risk population.
For the full amended order, click here
Page also discussed the expanded testing in the county that began on Monday. He said the county has had more than 6,000 phone calls regarding the testing and the county has tested 700 people.
Testing began on Monday at the county’s Berkeley and Sunset Hills clinics for asymptomatic people who are in frequent regular contact with others outside of the home.
Page also announced that there will be online scheduling available on stlcorona.com.
“Interest in getting a test remains high in St. Louis County,” Page said. “The more people we get tested the more we will be able to understand the reach of COVID-19 in our community.”
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, Page will hold briefings on Monday, Wednesday and Friday each week at 8:30 a.m.
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