Live Update to Residents-January 7, 2021
Today’s Live Update on our in-house TV970 covered the latest news at Westminster Canterbury Richmond. It featured John Burns, President and CEO; Derek Oliver, Director Facilities Services; and Lynn McClintock, Director Pastoral Care. The next Live Update will be Tuesday, January 12.
The following updates were shared.
John Burns
COVID-19 Update
Yesterday we learned that a resident of The Gables has tested positive for COVID-19. This resident is asymptomatic and has moved to the COVID-19 positive unit. A resident who previously tested positive and continues to show symptoms has been moved to the unit. A total of four residents are being cared for by the dedicated team in the COVID-19 positive unit.
Today we learned that a Parsons Health Center employee tested positive for COVID-19. Seven staff are currently in quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19.
Yesterday, Monticello and The Gables were put in quarantine after The Gables resident tested positive for COVID-19. Monticello is out of quarantine today. Currently, The Gables is scheduled to come out of quarantine on Wednesday, January 20. When areas come out of quarantine, it means residents may come out of their apartment, walk the halls close to their area of residency and go outside. This does not mean that visitation is resuming. Visitation continues to be suspended in all areas of living.
Some Assisted Living residents have asked about using transportation services for essential appointments. As a reminder, at this time, Assisted Living residents who leave our community for any reason other than medically necessary appointments will be required to quarantine for 14 days upon return. For medically necessary appointments, if the resident meets a family member at the medical appointment, the resident will also be required to quarantine for 14 days.
Vaccination
Monday and Tuesday were our first vaccination clinic days at Westminster Canterbury Richmond! Over the two days, vaccines were given to 344 employees and contractors and 117 Parsons Health Center residents, a total of 461 vaccinations. It’s exciting to make this progress. The second vaccination clinic for this group to receive its second dose, or for those who still need their first dose, will be January 25.
Westminster Canterbury is ready to coordinate vaccination for Assisted Living and Independent Living residents. There is a process regulated and controlled by the Virginia Department of Health, and we are waiting to receive dates for those vaccination clinics from CVS Health. Virginia has activated Phase 1b, which means these should be getting scheduled soon.
Some have asked whether we are storing the vaccine on campus. We are not authorized to control or administer the vaccine. CVS is maintaining the vaccine for us and provides everything we need for the vaccination clinics.
Virginia is taking steps to improve and hopefully speed up the distribution process. The Governor tapped Richmond and Henrico Health Director Danny Avula to lead Virginia’s COVID-19 vaccination efforts. We will update you about what this means for our community and who will replace him while he is in this new role.
Follow the Core Principles of COVID-19 Infection Prevention
It is more important now than ever to follow the principle of COVID-19 infection prevention. Our region is seeing rapidly rising numbers of cases that will strain our local hospitals as they care for those who are the most ill. We must stay strong and vigilant.
• In-person gatherings with individuals outside your household are discouraged. Stay connected by phone or in virtual ways. If you have seen loved ones in person, make sure to monitor whether they test positive or have been exposed to someone who has tested positive.
• Monitor your symptoms. Stay home if you do not feel well and contact your physician or the Clinic so you can be tested and cared for.
• Wear a mask at all times when around others. Always carry a mask with you.
• Wash your hands frequently and use hand sanitizer.
• Always maintain social distancing of at least six feet.
Thank you for all you do!
Derek Oliver
Courtyard and Avalon HVAC/Hot Water Tank Replacement Project Update
We are in our final phase with the heating/cooling and hot water tank replacement project for the Courtyard apartments. Condensing units that are in the roof wells were taken offline in mid-December. We began to replace the air handling unit and hot water tanks in resident apartments the week before Christmas. This process will continue through early April. This will complete the replacement of all heating/cooling units and hot water tanks.
If you are scheduled for replacement work in your apartment, you should be receiving a letter that outlines what to expect and the date for your proposed replacement. This work typically takes one and a half days to complete. You may reschedule if the date of service conflicts with your schedule. Information on how to reschedule is included in the memo. If you have any questions, please reach out to Derek Oliver at ext. 6213.
Thank you for your understanding with the crane work on Monday and Tuesday. It was used to remove the existing roof top condensing units. The new condensers were placed in the roof wells for installation. The crane will be used again at the end of January to remove debris. We hope to complete the current Courtyard apartments phase by the end of February.
Work in Avalon will begin in March and take approximately two months to complete. The air handler and hot water tanks are accessible from the hallways. The only work taking place inside apartments is replacing the thermostat. The Avalon phase will involve two separate crane days. More information will be shared before this work begins.
Lynn McClintock
A Sermon for Every Sunday will air on TV 970, on Sunday, January 10, at 4 p.m. It will feature Rev. Phillip Martin, Epiphany Lutheran Church, Richmond. The Scripture text is Mark 1:4-11.
Psalm 18:28
You, LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.
John 1:5
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Prayer
Gracious and loving God, we praise you for the light and life that you give us. Though the darkness ’round us grim, threatens to undo us, help us to seek your light—to cling to your light—to share your light with the world. We want to be with you, so that you may guide, comfort and calm our hearts.
We pray for wisdom, boldness and compassion in the hearts and minds of our leaders who have the power and the responsibility of making decisions that impact the presence of peace and justice in our society. Guide them this day and always to see the common good for our nation and to act justly and with compassion.
We pray for all who harbor thoughts and feelings of hatred, violence, and greed—that their hearts and minds will be transformed into good will. Insomuch as it is possible with us, let us be agents of love and transformation in whatever corner of the world we find ourselves. Help us to model fairness—to listen to one another—and to affirm our common humanity—and why it is so important to continue to do the long work of obedience.
So we come to you today, with heavy hearts, but mustering the strength to continue to seek your light and to trust that you will use us to help bring your light to the wounds of our world.
Amen.