The World Health Organization has updated its interim guidance first published on 21 March 2020) on for long-term care facilities in the context of COVID-19, incorporating new evidence on:
- the epidemiology and extent of SARS-CoV-2 infection among residents and staff in long-term care facilities (LTCFs);
- the effectiveness of infection prevention and control (IPC) precautions to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission in LTCFs;
- the impact of IPC precautions on mental and physical health and well-being of older people, and in particular people with dementia or other mental health or neurological disorders;
The updated guidance also includes:
- updated advice on IPC precautions to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and to protect health workers and caregivers of patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 in LTCFs;
- advice on early detection of and testing for SARS-CoV-2 among residents and staff in LTCFs;
- advice on policies for visitors to LTCFs and additional considerations on minimizing the mental and physical health impacts of restrictions and IPC precautions implemented in the context of COVID-19
Please follow this link for the guidance document: Infection prevention and control guidance for long-term care facilities in the context of COVID-19: interim guidance, 8 January 2021 (who.int)