Families with loved ones in nursing homes and assisted living facilities are still unable to visit due to the coronavirus pandemic, and it's unclear when that restriction will be lifted. 

At a press conference on Wednesday, Arizona Department of Health Services Director Dr. Cara Christ said the state’s priority has been to protect vulnerable older adults who live in long-term care, and that, in part, means keeping families and other non-medical personnel out of these facilities.

"We are looking at ways to expand visitation when it is safe," she said. "We were hoping to be able to do that but given the current data we are holding off on implementing any visitation right now. But it is one of the most important things for us."

And with the COVID-19 numbers continuing to climb, it could be weeks or months before families can resume visits. There was a bright spot in all of this, Christ said long-term care ombudsmen should be allowed back into facilities. Ombudsmen investigate and resolve resident complaints.