News Flash

For Immediate Release

07/24/2020                        

Phone: 980-432-1800
Website: www.rowancountync.gov/covid-19
Email: covid-19@rowancountync.gov

Rowan County Case Information: https://bit.ly/rowan-covid19-hub

Executive Order Returns Regulatory Authority for Skilled Nursing to NCDHHS Secretary 

Today, Governor Roy Cooper issued an Executive Order returning regulatory authority for skilled nursing facilities to the Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS). Current restrictions remain in place as NCDHHS collaborates with industry and advocacy organizations, monitors progress and evaluates options to best protect the health and wellbeing of staff, residents and their loved ones. 
 
To slow the spread of COVID-19 and save lives, nursing homes or skilled nursing facilities, including combination skilled nursing/adult care assisted living facilities must continue to restrict visitation of all visitors and non-essential health care personnel, except for certain compassionate care situations, including end-of-life situations. Communal dining and group activities also remain restricted. 
Since the start of the pandemic, North Carolina has taken early and aggressive action to protect residents of long-terms care facilities. Residents in nursing and adult care homes are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19, and the nature of long-term care facilities makes it difficult to control an outbreak.  
More information: 

• Executive Order 152: files.nc.gov/governor/documents/files/EO152-Extending-DHHS-Provisions.pdf 

• Secretarial Order No. 1 Visitation Restrictions for Nursing Homes: files.nc.gov/covid/documents/Secretarial-Order-1.pdf 

• North Carolina’s Long-Term Care Response: files.nc.gov/covid/documents/info-for/health-care/Supporting-Our-Long-Term-Care-Facilities.pdf 

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Contact:
TJ Brown
704-216-8918
tj.brown@rowancountync.gov

Download Media Release COVID-19 - July 24, 2020 (PDF)