The Ministry of Health of Castilla-La Mancha has published a resolution approving measures for social service centers, services and establishments in the territorial scope of the autonomous community to deal with the health crisis caused by COVID-19 , after verifying an increase in active outbreaks in nursing homes in the region.
Specifically, according to what is published in the Official Gazette of Castilla-La Mancha, the daily report on epidemiological surveillance of infection by COVID-19 in residences for the elderly, prepared by the General Directorate of Public Health of the Ministry of Health, indicates that at As of June 28, in the region as a whole there are 124 nursing homes with active outbreaks compared to 96 in the June 7 report.
Among the general measures is to inform residents, workers and family members that, although there is a significantly lower risk of suffering from COVID-19 after vaccination, the risk does not disappear completely since the vaccine does not guarantee total protection for all people. vaccinated.
In addition, the use of masks will be governed by the provisions of Royal Decree 115/2022, of February 8, which modifies the mandatory use of masks during the health crisis situation caused by COVID-19.
Group activities and the use of common areas within the center will be allowed, maintaining the public health measures contained in the contingency plans of each center. For the purposes of intervention in outbreaks, an outbreak will be considered a group of 3 or more cases linked to the socio-health center and in the event of the appearance of a case with compatible symptoms in a resident, the case will be isolated until the PDIA result is obtained.
Confirmed cases will be isolated for 5 days from the onset of symptoms or from diagnosis in asymptomatic cases, ending the isolation provided that 24 hours have elapsed after the resolution of symptoms.
The social health personnel in which the infection is confirmed will not go to their work center during the first 5 days from the onset of symptoms or from the date of diagnosis in the case of asymptomatic people.
After this time, and provided that 24 hours have elapsed since the disappearance of fever or improvement of symptoms, the personnel who have direct contact with the residents will undergo an Ag test and if the result is negative, they will be able to rejoin their Workplace. The rest of the staff can be incorporated after the fifth day if the symptoms have disappeared.
Among the complementary measures, it is established that in residences for the elderly, homes for the elderly, homes for people with disabilities and care centers for people with severe disabilities, the system of visits and exits from the centers will be maintained normally.
The people responsible for the centers will inform visitors of the prevention and hygiene measures contained in the center’s contingency plan. The person who comes to the visit must not present a clinical picture compatible with coronavirus infection and it is recommended that the resident also wear a mask for the duration of the visit.
Visits and outings of people who are positive for the virus or have symptoms compatible with the disease are suspended.
Regarding new admissions, readmissions, transfers and temporary stays to residences for the elderly, homes for the elderly, homes for people with disabilities and care centers for people with severe disabilities, new admissions, readmissions, transfers and temporary stays, they will remain normal and in all cases active surveillance of symptoms compatible with COVID-19 must be extreme.
A diagnostic test for active infection (PDIA) is recommended for people who enter or re-enter the center.
In relation to the activity in the day centers for the elderly and people with disabilities, day stay services, centers for the elderly and retirement homes, as well as services to promote personal autonomy, people who present clinical picture compatible with coronavirus infection.
They will continue to apply the rules, protocols and agreements approved and included in the center’s contingency plan in their operation and, in the event that some type of hotel and restaurant service is provided, they will act in accordance with the regulations in force at all times. .
In the event that the collective transport service is provided, the vehicles of the road transport service with more than nine seats must be cleaned and disinfected daily.
It is also recommended that every time the occupant gets off, the knobs and buttons for operating the windows and seat belts are cleaned and hydroalcoholic substances are made available to users.
All seats may be used, however, if the occupancy level allows it, maximum separation will be sought. The ingestion of liquids and solids is prohibited during the journey.
Regarding direct care personnel in residential centers for the elderly and people with disabilities, if the person has symptoms compatible with the disease, they will call their work center and their health center, who will proceed in accordance with the provisions of the ‘ Surveillance and Control Strategy Against COVID-19 after the Acute Phase of the Pandemic’ of June 3, 2022.
If you have had contact with a resident with symptoms or with a positive PCR, the health authority will proceed accordingly. It is recommended that, for 5 days, those workers who return from permits and vacations (for a period greater than 15 days) are not in contact with non-vaccinated residents.
Likewise, it is recommended that unvaccinated workers not be assigned the care of unvaccinated residents and, where appropriate, those who have not yet completed the vaccination schedule.
Workers who refuse the vaccine or who have not completed their vaccination will have their temperature checked daily and diagnostic tests for active infection (PDIA) twice a week, as a specific risk assessment and prevention measure in these people. workers.
