Memo-COVID-19 Update-January 8, 2021
FROM: John Burns, President and CEO; Will Blackwell, Vice President Health Services; Debra Jacobsen, Administrator Residential Living; and Sloan Verlander, Administrator Assisted Living
SUBJECT: COVID-19 Update
DATE: January 8, 2021
This week brought us hope as we began vaccination for COVID-19! However, we also continue to see rising rates of COVID-19 infection in our region and cases of COVID-19 in Westminster Canterbury Richmond residents and staff.
COVID-19 Positive Unit
This week, three additional residents moved to the COVID-19 positive unit. On Wednesday, January 6, a resident of The Gables tested positive for COVID-19. An Independent Living resident who previously tested positive in November is showing symptoms. Today, January 8, a Parsons Health Center resident who previously tested positive in August has again tested positive. A total of five residents are being cared for by a dedicated team that works only in the COVID-19 positive unit.
Parsons Health Center
This week, two additional Parsons Health Center Third Floor employees tested positive for COVID-19, a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). Routine testing for Parsons Health Center employees continues twice weekly per guidelines from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Residents are tested weekly.
Assisted Living
Today we learned that an LPN in The Gables and Monticello has tested positive for COVID-19. The Gables and Monticello are in quarantine until Saturday, January 23.
As a reminder, 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.
Employee Cases
A total of nine employees are currently recovering in quarantine off campus after testing positive for COVID-19. A number of others are in quarantine due to experiencing symptoms related to COVID-19 or after being exposed to someone who has tested positive.
COVID-19 Vaccination Updates
During our two-day vaccination event on Monday and Tuesday, January 4 and 5, a total of 461 vaccinations were given to 344 employees and contractors and 117 Parsons Health Center residents! The second vaccination clinic for this group to receive its second dose will be January 25-26.
Westminster Canterbury is ready to coordinate vaccination for Assisted Living and Independent Living residents. The process is regulated and controlled by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), and we are waiting to receive dates for those vaccination clinics from CVS Health. Virginia has activated Phase 1b, which means these should be scheduled soon. Please refer to Westminster Canterbury’s COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions for more information. We will provide updates as we receive more details from CVS Health, our COVID-19 vaccine provider.
Visitation, Programs and Services
Westminster Canterbury follows the latest guidance from CMS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and VDH in our response to the pandemic. Visitation and many programs and services are currently suspended. Westminster Canterbury has no immediate plans to resume visitation due to new cases in our community and rising infection rates in the Richmond region. In January, we will safely resume some services including Salon Services, Transportation for non-essential appointments and Fitness and Aquatic Center appointments.
Follow the Core Principles of COVID-19 Infection Prevention
Please take special care to stay home, monitor yourself for symptoms of COVID-19 and follow these guidelines in the coming weeks to help protect yourself and others.
• 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.
• Everyone must be screened before entering our community.
• Follow enhanced safety and disinfection recommendations from the CDC, CMS and VDH.
• 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.
Ongoing Updates
• Stay up to date with us online. Check the COVID-19 Update page and blog at www.WCRICHMOND.org.
• Live Update videos air on our in-house TV970. 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. Our next Live Update is Tuesday, January 12, at 3 p.m.