Update from the Administrator 11-21-2020

DATE: 11/21/2020

Dear Residents and Representatives,

We have two additional residents who tested positive for COVID-19 when tested on 11/19/2020. We now have six residents with active infections. Those residents and their first contacts have been notified of the positive test results. Their attending physicians have also been notified and consulted for treatment plans. All of the residents who are positive for COVID resided on the same unit and all are now receiving care on our COVID unit. We are able to provide more individualized care and attention to those residents on that unit and we reduce the chance of transmission of the virus to others.

All other residents in the facility were negative for COVID-19 when tested on Thursday, 11/19. We will test all residents again on Monday.

We had one additional staff person test positive on 11/19. We did not have any suspected resident exposures to the most recent staff positive case. We are continuing to screen, test and monitor residents and staff for signs and symptoms of the virus. We are keeping staff off work if they exhibit symptoms or have had a known exposure. Every effort is being made to limit the spread of the virus into our home and among our residents and staff. This includes wearing of PPE, frequent disinfecting as well as the daily screening and twice per week testing. Any individual, staff or resident, who develops symptoms will be tested immediately with a rapid test and follow up with a long test. It is critical that we identify people who have the virus as soon as possible to reduce the risk of transmission to others.

Visitation restrictions, including outings, remain in effect due to our current outbreak and the very high level of cases in our community. Federal and state regulations don’t allow for exceptions for the holidays and all gatherings are strongly discouraged. If a resident leaves the facility for a holiday gathering we will be required to place the resident in quarantine for 14 days upon their return.

Please participate in virtual visits, phone calls and window visits until we can more safely accommodate in person visits. I am so sorry to have to limit in person visits. This is not where I hoped we would be when the pandemic began so many months ago. I understand how hard these sacrifices are. Please follow public health guidance to help bring down the cases in our community. The hospitals are becoming overwhelmed and additional cases from holiday gatherings may push them well beyond their capacity. I am hopeful that things will improve if we can pull together. Vaccines are getting into the final stages of approval and new treatments are being developed. We will get there and in the meantime our focus must be on the health of everyone that resides in our home and in our community.

Thank you for your understanding and compassion during this incredibly difficult time. If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to our team.

Sincerely,

Linda Smith NHA

Administrator