In our effort to continue to offer, safe, in person care, A Center for Eating Disorders continues to closely monitor the Pandemic and the cases of Covid-19 nationally and in the Alabama region and makes decisions regarding all safety measures based on science and public health recommendations from the CDC and our local health department.

Update December 23, 2021

Beginning January 1, 2022, ACED will require all staff and clients to be fully vaccinated or to have received their first dose of the Covid vaccine series of either the Pfizer BioNTech or Moderna mRNA Vaccines to provide a safe, healing healthcare environment for all our clients and staff and out of respect to the frail immune systems of our clients. All individuals on site at ACED are of eligible vaccine age.

To ensure ongoing coverage and protection, we offer vaccine clinics for the flu, Covid and Covid boosters to all clients, staff and their families and significant others.

We continue to maintain our relationship with a local testing center when someone presents with symptoms.

We screen for all Covid and flu symptoms prior to entry each day and also require negative Covid testing prior to admission.

We currently require masking for all clients and staff indoors due to the recent surge of the Omicron variant of Covid.

Update October 15, 2020

ACED continues to provide safe quality treatment during the COVID Pandemic. We remain committed to offering in person care for those struggling and work to maintain ongoing best safety practices including:

  • Frequent hand-washing,

  • Availability and use of hand sanitizer

  • Client and family COVID testing prior to admission and in the event of possible exposures

  • Universal masking

  • Developing creative avenues to minimize exposure as much as possible

  • Upgrading outdoor spaces to offer creative spaces for alternative options in the treatment process to further limit exposure

Update March 16, 2020

COVID-19 declared a National Emergency on March 13, 2020

To ensure the safety or our clients and staff, ACED has instituted the following CDC recommended best practices during this time to continue offering the best care possible to our clients.

  • All clients and staff will be screened daily with appropriate in-house screenings during this time

  • Continue frequent hand washing and use of hand sanitizer throughout the facility

  • Outside visitors will be kept to a minimum or rescheduled for a later time to ensure limited exposure to our current clients and staff

  • All lunch outings and other facility outings have been cancelled until further notice

  • Only current ACED program clients and staff will be allowed on the premises

  • ACED kitchen staff will portion and prepare all meals and snacks during this time to further limit exposure and ensure safety

  • Clients and staff have been asked to limit their travel to home and to the facility as well as only necessary places such as the pharmacy and grocery stores

  • The ACED facility will be sanitized daily as necessary and every evening after programming by staff

  • The ACED facility will be professionally sanitized by an outside company to further protect the treatment environment

  • Facility staff will remain apprised of all recommendations and pay attention to all updates from the CDC and The Alabama Department of Health and respond accordingly

    ACED remains committed to maintaining the health and safety of our community. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as needed.

Tips for Staying Healthy

Preventative hygiene practices can help keep you healthy year-round:

  • Wash your hands often and carefully with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick AND do not go out in public when you are sick.

  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue.

  • Use disinfectant wipes to clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

  • Get a flu vaccine.

  • If you experience flu-like symptoms, seek medical attention and avoid public spaces. 

Note: The CDC does not recommend the purchase or wearing of face masks for the general population in the United States.

For further information and ongoing updates visit the websites below

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Alabama Department of Public Health