The state health department is out with new figures on the percentage of people testing positive for the COVID-19 virus.  And the federal guidelines that shut down visitation at all nursing homes and adult long care facilities are easing.  The local nursing home is now allowing family members to visit residents, with some restrictions.

The Journal has three reports dealing with the impact on nursing homes and on facilities taking care of our veterans.  We begin with the changes in virus positivity here in Red River Parish.

The Tuesday report from Louisiana Department of Health shows a dramatic change in the percent of persons testing positive.  The rate of positive tests was at 14.7% the last week of August.  The rate dropped 40.82% during the week of September 3 through 9.  As of the most recent report 354 cases have been confirmed of 4,149 tests administered. 

The parish death count is at 21.  We have gone more than a week without an additional death attributed to the virus.

At Green Meadow Haven family members are now allowed to visit their relatives who reside there.  Administrator Gabe Reynolds told The Journal, “We are allowing one family member per visit and the visits are outside.  We will allow more family members on future visits.”

Reynolds said, “We will have to go 14 days with no new cases before we can offer inside visits.  We had no positives last week and we were tested today (Tuesday).  If those tests are all clear, we hope to meet the 14-day requirement by next week.”

To schedule a visit, family members are asked to call Pat Woodall for an appointment.  The number is 318-932-5202.