Memo-COVID-19 Update-August 4, 2020
FROM: John Burns, President and CEO; and Will Blackwell, Vice President Health Services
SUBJECT: COVID-19 Update
DATE: September 4, 2020
We are pleased to share good news regarding COVID-19 at Westminster Canterbury Richmond! There have been no confirmed new cases of COVID-19 among our residents and staff since August 19. No areas of the community are under quarantine.
Mary Morton Parsons Health Center Update
This week, one resident from Parsons Health Center Second Floor continued to recover in the COVID-19 positive unit. She received her second negative test result and will be returning home to Parsons Health Center. This allows us to close the COVID-19 positive unit.
Parsons Health Center residents and staff have been tested on an ongoing basis per the recommendations from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Last week, we tested 148 employees and 131 residents for COVID-19, and all the results were negative. Testing has continued this week, and all the results received so far have been negative.
Employee Cases
Every employee is screened with questions about symptoms and exposure and a temperature check upon arrival to campus, prior to reporting to work. When employees are unable to come to work due to experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, they seek testing off campus and do not return until they receive negative results. One Housekeeping employee continues to recover in quarantine.
Independent and Assisted Living
We continue to work toward safe next steps to reopen our community. Safe, structured visitation by appointment continues in Assisted Living. Independent Living family may visit in residents’ apartments or homes on a limited basis, Thursday through Sunday. Visitors must arrive between 10 a.m.-3 p.m. If residents in Independent and Assisted Living show signs or symptoms of COVID-19, they are tested and self-quarantine until they receive the results.
Next Steps – Programs and Services Updates
• Beginning September 8, Dining will introduce a new carryout service and begin taking reservations for parties of four in the Promenade for lunch and dinner. Delivery services will still be available for a fee of $1.50 for lunch or dinner.
• The grocery shuttle will operate Monday through Friday.
• Staff will be available to help receive deliveries at the Tower and Center Entrances on Fridays only from 1-3 p.m. Family, friends or outside grocery and food deliveries may arrive at other times if residents are able to accept the delivery in person.
Please review The Tales and Touchtown Community Apps for details on these service changes.
Westminster Canterbury Richmond COVID-19 Cases Summary
We are committed to continued transparency about our COVID-19 response and cases in our residents and staff. We follow the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and Virginia Department of Health (VDH).
Since March, Westminster Canterbury has had confirmed cases of COVID-19 in a total of 13 residents and 28 employees. All residents have recovered. So far, 27 of the 28 employees have recovered, tested negative twice and returned to work. One employee continues to recover in quarantine.
Keys to Keeping Our Community Healthy
Wear a mask correctly. Wash your hands and use hand sanitizer frequently. Maintain social distancing of six feet or more from others everywhere you go. Stay home if you do not feel well. Thank you for protecting yourselves and those around you!
Ongoing Updates
• The latest news and past updates are always available on our blog at www.WCRICHMOND.org.
• Live video updates air on our in-house TV970 station on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3 p.m. and other times as needed. Recordings are available later on www.WCRICHMOND.org, www.facebook.com/wcrichmond, or on TV971 daily at 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.