Live Update to Residents-January 21, 2021
Today’s Live Update on our in-house TV970 covered the latest news at Westminster Canterbury Richmond. It featured Will Blackwell, Vice President Health Services; Eric Price, Digital Media Specialist; and Logan Augustine, Chaplain. The next Live Update will be Tuesday, January 26.
The following updates were shared.
Will Blackwell
COVID-19 Updates
At each Live Update, we share the latest news on the number of cases of COVID-19 in employees and residents. One of the primary ways we identify new cases is through rigorous testing that is required by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). In Mary Morton Parsons Health Center, we test residents weekly. The positivity rate for our region, indicating the percent of tests that return positive, determines how often we must test our employees. Currently, the positivity rate for Henrico County is quite high at 17.4%, so we must test employees twice weekly. Our Parsons Health Center team conducts COVID-19 testing for employees every day of the week, including weekends, except Tuesday and Thursday. It is a lot of work, but this is one of the ways that we quickly identify new cases, determine quarantine measures and work to keep our community safe.
As of today, three residents who tested positive for COVID-19 are being cared for in our COVID-19 positive unit. Seven employees who have tested positive for COVID-19 are recovering off campus in quarantine.
Yesterday, we learned that an employee of Assisted Living who works in The Gables tested positive for COVID-19. Residents of The Gables and Monticello have been in quarantine due to a previous exposure. Monticello’s quarantine will end on Saturday, January 23. We are still in conversation with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) about whether this new case will impact when The Gables’ quarantine will end. We will provide an update soon.
Vaccination Updates
We are working diligently behind the scenes to remain ready for vaccination at Westminster Canterbury as soon as it is available to us. Continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) are not authorized to control or schedule vaccination and are relying on outside partnerships through the Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program. Vaccination continues to happen in stages, and Westminster Canterbury is in line with the guidelines. Phase 1a was specifically for healthcare personnel and residents of long-term care facilities. Phase 1b is opening around our region, including those who are age 65+.
While some CCRCs are further in their vaccination processes with CVS and Walgreens, Westminster Canterbury is larger than most CCRCs in Virginia. Our process had to be broken down into three clinics, which is more than some other facilities. CVS is limited by the number of vaccines they can provide in one day. We expect to have additional CVS staff onsite next week to help our next vaccination clinic run smoothly.
Vaccination data is shared daily by VDH, and an update was also provided at the Governor’s Long-Term Care Task Force attended by John Burns today. CVS has administered 35,050 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Walgreens has administered 11,689 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. As of yesterday, more than 320,000 people in Virginia had received at least one dose. More than 39,000 are fully vaccinated with both doses. Virginia is averaging 18,740 doses administered each day. This is a new process for all entities involved, and while it is not going as quickly as some may hope, Virginia is making steady progress.
CVS and Walgreens have enough vaccine in their possession for all long-term care residents to receive both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. They are able to guarantee that second doses are available.
Vaccination at Westminster Canterbury Richmond
Our next vaccination clinic is Monday and Tuesday, January 25-26. Over these two days, Parsons Health Center residents and employees will receive their second dose. Some employees and Assisted Living residents will receive their first dose. Our third vaccination clinic is scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, February 15-16, when Assisted Living residents will receive their second dose, and Independent Living residents will receive their first dose.
Some of you have asked questions about getting vaccination somewhere else. If a resident decides to pursue vaccination outside of Westminster Canterbury, you will need to commit to completing your two-dose series with that provider. Vaccination is being traced through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), so it is important to start and end your doses with the same provider. You will not be able to get an earlier first dose outside of Westminster Canterbury and then receive a second dose at the February 15-16 vaccination clinic.
Veterans who live in Independent Living may qualify to get their COVID-19 vaccination through the Veterans Health Administration (VA). You must be in the Richmond VA Medical Center computer system to be eligible for the vaccine. To check to see if you are eligible, call 804-675-6660. Once you confirm your eligibility, you may call the VA at 804-675-5000 to register for a vaccine appointment. Press 0 to speak to someone without waiting through the prompts. If you have more questions, you may call resident Bob Adler, who notified us of this possibility.
You will need to have transportation to and from the appointment. If you need transportation, you may call our transportation department to schedule an appointment at ext. 6263.
You are welcome to pursue these other methods of vaccination by signing up through the VDH website or checking with your primary care physician. If you are an Independent Living resident and you decide to pursue vaccination outside of Westminster Canterbury, please notify the Clinic once you are vaccinated so we can keep track of how many people need to be vaccinated in February. It is important for us to provide accurate numbers so we can avoid any waste.
Please continue to follow these guidelines to help protect yourself and others. Always wear a mask when around others. Wash your hands frequently and use hand sanitizer. Always maintain social distancing of at least six feet. Stay home if you do not feel well and contact your physician. In-person gatherings with individuals outside your household are discouraged. Stay connected by phone or in virtual ways.
Eric Price
Saturday Night Movie
We apologize for the Saturday Night Movie challenges in recent weeks. This week, our Saturday Night Movie will be at 7 p.m. on TV970, not TV971. The movie will be Secondhand Lions, a coming-of-age story about a shy, young boy sent by his irresponsible mother to spend the summer with his wealthy, eccentric uncles in Texas. Check The Tales for the latest TV schedules featuring programming including new and historical theater performances, Wellness classes, cultural films and more.
Logan Augustine
Sermon for Every Sunday
Watch A Sermon for Every Sunday on Sundays, on TV970, at 4 p.m. Amy Starr Redwine, pastor of First Presbyterian Church Richmond, will preach a timely message from the story of Jonah.
Romans 12:6-8
We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.
Prayer
Embracing Father, You grace each of us with equal measure in your love.
Let us learn to love our neighbors more deeply, so that we can create
peaceful and just communities. Inspire us to use our creative energies
to build the structures we need to overcome the obstacles of intolerance and indifference. May Jesus provide us the example needed
and send the Spirit to warm our hearts for the journey.
Amen.
—from Being Neighbor: The Catechism and Social Justice