They have been made Monday, to respond to criticism of family collective against freedom restrictions imposed by certain directors of regional health agencies or agencies.
Le Monde with AFP
“Protect” against COVID-19 “without isolate”: Minister responsible for autonomy, Brigitte Bourguignon, announced, on Monday, December 20, new recommendations for EHPADs at the holiday approach, calling for limit to the strict necessary deprivation of the liberty of the elderly.
“I want each resident to enjoy celebrating the end-of-year holidays with his relatives because I know how important they are. However, I do not want these essential moments of reunion to be ruined by [The] Covid-19 “, said the minister at a press conference.
Families collectives have recently criticized freedom restrictions imposed by some directors or regional health agencies (ARS): limited visits, PCR tests required in addition to the sanitary pass for lunch with loved ones … this would not affect However, a few hundred structures out of 7,500, according to the Association of Directors at the service of the elderly (ADAP).
“Proportionate and temporary protection measures”
While a fifth wave propagates and that the very contagious variant Omicron is growing, the government is on a ridge: to stop the epidemic, without locking up older people in the EHPAD, like In previous waves.
In case of clusters, the directors “may be required to take proportionate and temporary protection measures,” said the minister. But it “invites the directors” of medical retirement homes to suspend visits and outings as “exceptional” and “temporary”.
During the holidays, the residents will be able to receive the visit of their loved ones with the presentation of a health pass, exit with family, participate in events or animations in the establishment, she promised. However, it may be requested from residents, their loved ones and staff to present a negative test to their return to the institution, even if they are not contacts, “she said.
The first two waves of COVID-19 had provoked a very heavy balance sheet in the EHPAD and resulted in visit restrictions. But the rupture of the emotional bonds caused in the elderly “a loss of envy to live, appetite, sleep, muscle strength and resulted in deaths,” said Fabrice Gzil, Deputy Director of The ethical space of Ile-de-France, at this press conference.
97% of residents and vaccinated staff
The situation is controlled in the EHPAD today, thanks to the vaccine by 97% of residents and staff – 85% of residents have already received a third dose, as well as 40% of the staff, according to the Ministry. The recall will be required on January 30 for all caregivers.
Result: In the week of 6 to 12 December, 975 positive cases were identified among residents of medico-social establishments, far from the 15,000 cases per week at the top of the second wave, according to the department. COVID is at the origin of 33 deaths among EHPAD residents, against “sometimes a thousand per week during the second wave”.
“The common law must apply and the suspensions of visits and outputs must remain exceptional. The recommendations of Brigitte Bourguignon go in the right direction,” reacted in a statement Florence Arnaiz-Maumé, General delegate of Synerpa, Private EHPAD Syndicate.
“The minister avoids the worst by recalling that there must be no more restrictive measures than those already existing. But we regret that three positive cases make it possible to suspend visits and advocate the isolation only of positive persons “said Pascal Champvert, President of the ADPA, which brings together managers of home institutions and services. “In establishments where three COVID cases will be detected, there will be no visit for Christmas or New Year’s Day,” he regrets.