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Seniors are a group particularly at risk not only from COVID-19 infection, but also from dangerous complications. For this reason, the government has decided to take care of the elderly by (re) introducing hours for seniors. The rules for admitting patients to long-term care facilities have also changed.
Seniors in times of pandemic
The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus outbreak in the world is gaining momentum. In Poland, more and more cases of infection and death are also recorded. The elderly are at risk, not only because of their age, but also because of comorbidities, especially heart and lung problems.
- Diseases that can make coronavirus infection more severe
Due to these circumstances, seniors should take special care of their safety. First of all, they should apply three basic principles:
- Keeping a distance of 1,5 meters from other people,
- Covering the mouth and nose,
- Hand disinfection.
Also read: how to protect seniors from coronavirus?
Hours for seniors – new rules of operation
One of the ways to protect the elderly from contracting COVID-19 is the introduction of hours for seniors, i.e. two hours a day, when only elderly people can shop at selected points.
This idea was realized during the first wave of the epidemic (it functioned from March to May). Due to new infection records in Poland, the hours for seniors have been restored, but the rules of their functioning have been modified. From October 15, the hours for seniors will apply from 10:00 to 12:00 from Monday to Friday in places such as:
- grocery stores
- pharmacy
- drugstore
- post offices
Hours for seniors apply to people over 60 years of age. Younger people from 10:00 to 12:00 at selected points will not be served, but there is an exception. The new regulation from the Journal of Laws states that “a medicinal product, medical device or food for special purposes may be dispensed in a life or health threatening situation”.
How do long-term care facilities work in times of a pandemic?
From September 16, 2020, the rules for admitting patients to long-term care facilities have changed, including social welfare homes, care and treatment facilities, nursing and care facilities and hospices.
In care and treatment facilities, nursing and care facilities and hospices, the employees themselves will contact the patient or his family. The employees of the institutions will inform you about the start of the admission procedure. No earlier than six days before admission to the selected center, the patient must be tested for the presence of coronavirus. The district sanitary and epidemiological station (PSSE) will contact you to take a swab from the admitted patient.
- Coronavirus: Where to Call for Help? List of the most important numbers
In the case of social welfare homes, the person concerned should call the PSSE themselves to arrange a smear test at a mobile point or at the patient’s place of residence.
Read also:
- What are the restrictions in the yellow and red zones?
- Coverage of the COVID-19 coronavirus [MAP]
- Experts warn: masks are less effective in rain
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