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PARKERSBURG -- Several nursing homes in the Mid-Ohio Valley are restricting visitors due to concerns of COVID-19.
The Willows, Parkersburg Care, Cedar Grove, Worthington Healthcare and Eagle Pointe are restricting visitors. Love and Care Assisted Living took to its Facebook page Wednesday to announce it is still allowing visitors and for everyone to use their best judgment.
"If you do have a cold, cough, fever or are generally feeling unwell, please do not risk compromising the health of our ladies and staff by visiting," the page said.
The West Virginia Health Care Association, a trade group representing skilled nursing and assisted nursing facilities, is working with state and local public health agencies over the COVID-19 coronavirus response, Marty Wright, chief executive officer of the association, said.
"It's been an ongoing discussion and review," he told the newspaper.
Among considerations are the responses and recommendations from the governor, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, he said.
As of Friday, no cases of the coronavirus have been found in West Virginia, although cases have been found in all states surrounding West Virginia.
Wright also issued a statement Thursday that said the association was appreciative of the leadership from Gov. Jim Justice and Secretary Bill Crouch of the Department of Health and Human service over the COVID-19 response.
The state recommended restricting visitation at nursing facilities.
"The announcement this afternoon that skilled nursing facilities should restrict visitation is a strong, proactive measure to try to protect our residents from exposure to COVID-19. Data clearly shows that COVID-19 has a disproportionate impact on the elderly population and the health and well-being of our residents is our absolute top priority," Wright said. "Our skilled nursing centers are quickly exploring all alternative means of communication so families can remain in contact with their loved ones during this period of restricted visitation. We will continue to work with state and local officials to assess the threat facing our residents and adopt any preventative measures necessary to protect them."