Essential caregivers are those who provide health care services or help with daily life, including dressing and eating, while compassionate care visitors provide emotional support. Daniel said she fought hard for compassionate care visitors to be able to hug residents. All visitations will be by appointment and long-term care residents can designate up to five visitors, with two at a time seeing someone. Essential and compassionate care visitors are exempt from the 14-day rule, according to the governor. Mayhew said the current positivity rate for COVID-19 infections among long-term care staff is about 1.2%.