INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) - Nursing homes in central Indiana are taking extra steps to protect their residents from the Coronavirus.
Elderly individuals are considered high-risk for having complications from the disease.
In the state of Washington, 12 people from the same nursing home have died from the Coronavirus.
“They are our highest-risk individuals. They are usually individuals that are quite elderly, over 65, and individuals that have underlying health conditions,” said Indiana Health Commissioner Kristina Box.
American Senior Care operates 86 senior communities in Indiana. At all their locations they have stepped up protocol to protect from the virus.
“We’re taking it seriously just so we can prepare for an outbreak situation,” said Anissa Madru, Director of Clinical Education at American Senior Communities.
Signage is posted at entrances, restricting visitors who have had international travel in the past two weeks or if they’ve had any contact with anyone being monitored for COVID-19.
Administrators have also restricted visitation between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
“We now know everybody who enters the building. We are going to look at them and make sure they don’t have any visual signs of flu or the coronavirus,” said Jeff Cooper, Executive director of American Village in South Broad Ripple.
Additional emphasis is also being placed on handwashing for their employees.