Update from Administrator – October 5, 2020
October 5, 2020
Dear Families,
As always, our team and I hope this email finds you safe and healthy.
We continue testing our staff and residents at regular intervals as required by CMS, CDC and DPH. Last week all of our staff came back negative and one resident came back positive. We will continue testing our staff and residents weekly. If all staff and residents are negative this week, On Monday October 12, 2020 we can start allowing visitors in the building.
The visits will need to be scheduled through recreation. We can only allow 1 or 2 family members per resident. Only one resident family at a time. the indoor visits will be like the outdoor visits, masks, and social distance must be maintained. A staff member will be with you at all times. These visits will tale place in the resident lounge at the end of the hallway. All visitors must sign in, get their temperature taken and answer 5 COVID related questions. I will let everyone know as soon as we are open for visitors.
A few quick points:
- I want to reiterate that this pandemic is still active and while we remain COVID-free, our state continues to report new cases of COVID and as we see in the news, some states continue to surge with new cases. This serves as a reminder that we must all remain vigilant in following all guidelines, recommendations, and best practices to stay safe and fight this pandemic.
- Although we are following social distance guidelines, handwashing protocols, hygiene recommendations, and wearing masks in our center – it is still STRONGLY encouraged that all staff and residents receive an annual Influenza Vaccine. While the vaccine is not in the center yet, please consider completing a consent form, in advance to ensure you loved one receives their vaccine.
- We have received the “Point of Care Testing Device” from the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that is designed to enable us to conduct COVID-19 Antigen testing within our center, providing rapid results. We are working on getting our clinicians certified in the use of this device and will communicate with you once we begin using it.
Should a new case of COVID be identified in the center, all inside visits, except end stage of life, will be temporarily put on hold.
Outside & “Alternative” Visits
Please know that outside and “alternative” visitations will continue. While the weather is changing, we will work to continue to do outside visits on our patio for as long as possible and window visits are still possible. The weather seems to be holding steady for now.
Remember that we do offer iPads for our residents to use for video visits, phone calls, etc. to ensure that you and your loved ones remain in contact, as best as you can during these very uncertain times.
Our conference call will be Tuesday October 6, 2020.
As always, thank you for your patience and please stay safe and healthy!