Live Update to Residents-March 23, 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; Scott Jonté, Director of Dining; and Vanessa Perry, Pastoral Care Administrator. The next Live Update will be Thursday, March 25.
The following updates were shared.
John Burns
COVID-19 Updates
There are no new cases of COVID-19 in residents and employees. The positivity rate for Henrico has dropped to 4.2%. This allows a shift to testing employees in Mary Morton Parsons Health Center monthly rather than weekly. This is great news! In some parts of the region, there is a slight uptick in positivity rates. It’s important that we stay vigilant in following the guidance that keeps us safe. We are reopening slowly.
No guidelines are changing yet. Please continue to wear a mask, maintain social distancing and wash your hands frequently. In Independent Living, a maximum of two visitors per resident or resident couple is allowed. In Assisted Living and Parsons Health Center, visitation in residents’ apartments is limited to one person at a time. At Thursday’s Live Update, we will share more guidance related to outdoor visitation.
98.5% of residents and approximately 75% of employees are vaccinated. Our employee vaccination rate is higher than many other healthcare and long-term care organizations. We are maintaining a wait list for new residents, new employees and contractors to be vaccinated when possible. On Friday, approximately 50 people from this wait list received vaccination.
Independent Living Quarantine Guidance
Based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance for long term care, quarantine guidance for residents in Independent Living is changing. Independent Living residents who return from the emergency room; hospital; or leave of absence, including those who travel by public transportation including plane, train and bus; and meet the following criteria, will not need to quarantine upon return to Westminster Canterbury:
• Resident(s) returning is fully vaccinated
• Resident(s) is asymptomatic for any signs or symptoms of COVID-19
• Resident(s) has not experienced an exposure
Residents who have been exposed and/or are exhibiting symptoms will quarantine and be tested using PCR testing. New residents moving into Westminster Canterbury will be tested using rapid tests.
Assisted Living
As a reminder, as of Monday, March 15, Assisted Living residents are permitted to leave campus alone or with family and friends for a day outing. They are no longer required to self-quarantine for 14 days upon return. While outside of Westminster Canterbury, the resident must always wear a mask except when eating or drinking and must practice social distancing. Assisted Living residents who leave the campus overnight or longer will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days upon return and will be tested for COVID-19 between days five and seven after their return. These guidelines were created in coordination with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH).
Vibrancy!
Thank you for your feedback on last week’s update regarding Vibrancy! and the Promenade Dining Room renovation. Comments and suggestions will be incorporated into the planning process. Join us on Thursday, April 1, at 3 p.m., when we will share a narrated video tour of the Vibrancy! project. In the future, there will also be high quality artwork renderings of the project available for viewing.
Truist Bank Update
The Truist (formerly BB&T) Bank branch at Westminster Canterbury Richmond will be open on Wednesdays, beginning April 7. Peggy will return and be available to meet with residents by appointment. Residents may go to the website to make an appointment. We will share more details about how to make an appointment closer to April 7. There will be additional signage to help with social distancing and masks will be required. Employees are asked to avoid using this branch when it first reopens.
Live Update Schedule
Live Updates will continue on Tuesdays and Thursdays through the end of March. In April, we will move to Live Updates on Thursdays at 3 p.m. only.
Scott Jonté
Dining Update
We are pleased to announce updates to the Galleria within the Marketplace. No changes are being made to the Center Galleria. The Galleria within the Marketplace is now called the Corner Store. Here you can purchase everyday items you might purchase from the grocery store. The list of items includes milk, yogurt and other dairy items; canned goods including soups and tuna fish; bakery items; assorted coffees in both K-Cup and bulk versions; a limited variety of fresh produce, both precut and whole; a full range of household products like napkins, paper towels and laundry detergent; a small range of pet supplies; and favorite candy bars and snacks. Our goal is to offer a wide range of items in case you run short or simply forgot while at the grocery store.
The Corner Store is available for all residents. You must use your declining balance plan or debit/credit card as cash is not accepted at this time. The Corner Store is open the same hours as the Marketplace. It will close for two hours on Wednesday, between 1 and 3 p.m., to accept deliveries. This time may vary depending on the time of delivery.
If you have comments or suggestions, email sjonte@wcrichmond.org or call ext. 6356.
Vanessa Perry
Pastoral Care Announcements
Please join us in worship on Thursday, March 25, at 10:30 a.m., via TV970. Rev. Canon Fletcher Lowe will be the officiant. Susie Frazer will be the musician.
Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week. Palm Sunday service will be shown Sunday, March 28, on TV970, at 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Rev. Deacon David Curtis will lead with Annette Sparks, musician. Palm fronds may be picked up in the Tower chapel, Center Business area and Spiritual Center.
Zechariah 10:1
“Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime; it is the Lord who sends the thunderstorms. He gives showers of rain to all people, and plants of the field to everyone.”
“Spring” by Camille Gotera
When the cold, harsh winter has given its last breath,
When the sky above shows life instead of death,
When the claws reaching to the frozen sky become decorated with leaves,
When the animals -long in hiding- scurry from trees,
We know winter has ended.
When the frost on grass is replaced with sweet dew,
When the fields become dotted with flowers, reminding me of you,
When the lonely silence becomes filled with melodies,
When you feel warm air, erasing bad memories
We know winter has ended.
When the hard, bare ground becomes painted with green,
When the frost-bitten air becomes fresh and clean,
When the coats and boots are all stored away,
When the playgrounds become occupied again with child’s play,
We know winter has ended.
When you hear the pleasant sound of children’s laughter,
When the air is filled with joy- long sought after,
When the world is filled with sunlight, brighter and longer,
When the song of Mother Nature becomes stronger,
Spring has begun.