Update December 3, 2020

We are in the process of testing employees and residents this week.  One employee had a positive test result with the rapid point of care antigen test. When using the rapid point of care tests, if an individual without symptoms tests positive, we are required to complete a molecular test to confirm the positive result.  This employee did not have symptoms so we have followed up with a molecular test.  The employee will remain off work while we await the results.  This can take more than 48 hours.  An update will be posted when the test results are returned.  There are no positive resident cases.  Residents and employees will continue to be tested for the next fourteen days if the test result returns as a confirmed positive.

The facility has made room changes today to plan for potential resident positive cases given the increase in community spread.  Residents and families who were affected by the room changes were informed of the reason for the moves by Social Service staff.  Everyone was very cooperative and the moves were seamless.  The facility now has designated a Red Zone for any residents who would have a confirmed positive COVID-19 diagnosis.  As previously stated, there are no positive resident cases in the building.  We are simply trying to proactively prepare in advance rather than face a crisis if a positive case occurs.  We have consistently maintained a Yellow Zone for new admissions coming from the hospital, readmissions or persons under investigation.  This is an area of isolation to ensure that the resident is free of COVID-19 before allowing them to mingle with other residents.  Residents are tested by the hospital before they are admitted or re-admitted to our facility.  They are then placed in the Yellow Zone under transmission based precautions for 14 days.  When approaching the 14th day, the residents receive a COVID test which must be confirmed negative before moving off the isolation area.

The facility staff continue to follow CMS's core principles of COVID-19 infection prevention.  With community spread on the rise, we are providing frequent reminders to employees and residents about necessary precautions to stay safe.  Our staff are preparing for the anticipated vaccine in the coming weeks.  We are hopeful that this will provide some much needed relief from the pandemic and will bring us one step closer to getting life back on our terms.  Until then, please remain safe out there and take care.

Please contact the facility if you have any questions or concerns.


Sharon Eyster, MA, NHA, ACBSW, CNHA, FACHCA

Director of Operations

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