COVID-19: Inslee announces phased reopening for long-term care facilities

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Gov. Jay Inslee announced plans Thursday for reopening long-term care facilities to visitors under the governor’s Safe Start Plan.

During a press conference, Inslee issued the state’s phased plans for in-person visitation at long-term care facilities.

According to the governor’s plan, long-term care facilities under Phase 1 can now allow outdoor visits, which are limited to two a day. Compassionate care visits, window visits and remote visits are also allowed.

The governor says all facilities are currently in Phase 1.

As conditions continue to improve both in the community and at the facility itself, facilities will be able to move on to Phase 2 and Phase 3 which will both allow limited indoor visits.

Health officials say the phase of the care facility must be in line with the county’s phase.

Phase 4 would be a return to normal visitation protocols.

For a facility to move to the next phase, a facility must go 28 days without a resident or staff member testing positive for COVID-19. They must also have a 14-day supply of PPE on hand and have consistent testing among staff and residents.

Secretary of Health John Wiesman says there are a total of 5,694 coronavirus cases and 894 deaths associated with long-term care facilities in Washington state. That is about 9.5% of the state's total cases, and 55% of the state's total deaths.

Phased visitation at the long-term care facilities will go into effect on Wednesday. Each facility must apply for the phases.

The state shutdown visits to long-term care facilities after a coronavirus outbreak broke out at the Life Care Center of Kirkland in February and March.