Memo: COVID-19 Update-June 2, 2020
FROM: John Burns, President and CEO
SUBJECT: Assisted Living Employee Tests Positive for COVID-19
DATE: June 2, 2020
On Tuesday, June 2, Westminster Canterbury Richmond learned that an employee tested positive for COVID-19. In the past week, this employee worked in The Gables, Monticello and Avalon areas of Assisted Living during multiple shifts. Her symptoms are loss of taste and smell, runny nose and cough. Her last day working on campus was Friday, May 29. She recently visited a family member who later tested positive for COVID-19.
Residents of Avalon, The Gables and Monticello are quarantined until we receive additional guidance from the Virginia Department of Health about testing for residents and staff. We will share updates as we have them.
Unfortunately, due to this new case of COVID-19, we must suspend some of the activities that were recently restarted: Avalon and The Gables Salons services; visitation between Independent and Assisted Living spouses; memory support therapies in music, art and horticulture; small groups; Pastoral Care visitation; and communal dining in Avalon. Planning was underway for family member visitation in Assisted Living to begin in the coming weeks, but we are pausing these plans until we learn more.
Westminster Canterbury Richmond COVID-19 Response
Since March, Westminster Canterbury has had confirmed cases of COVID-19 in a total of two residents and 12 employees. The two residents live in Independent Living, received treatment in the hospital and returned home to recover in Mary Morton Parsons Health Center. Both subsequently tested negative for COVID-19. Employees must test negative for COVID-19 twice with the tests administered at least 24 hours apart prior to returning to work. So far, 10 of the 12 employees have recovered, tested negative twice and returned to work. One continues to recover in the hospital.
Since the beginning of March, a Coronavirus Task Force comprised of staff from various departments, including an RN Infection Preventionist, met to review existing policies and procedures related to infectious diseases and to plan for other concerns. 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). A Coronavirus Incident Command team meets at least six days a week and additionally as needed to address the latest changes and needs. Every employee is screened with questions and a temperature check upon arrival to campus, prior to reporting to work. Since early April, all employees wear masks at all times to reduce the risk of asymptomatic spread of the virus. Since late May, all residents are required to wear masks in public spaces. We are working diligently to keep residents and employees healthy, and we are beginning to take our first steps toward restarting, reengaging and reopening our campus.
As we continue to investigate and respond, we will share updates.
• The latest news is always available on our blog at www.WCRICHMOND.org.
• Currently, we do live video updates on our in-house TV970 station on weekdays at 3 p.m. and other times as needed. The updates include the latest news from John Burns, information on services being provided to residents and family members, and Pastoral Care moments to lift our spirits.
• Recordings of the live video updates are available later on the blog at www.WCRICHMOND.org, at www.facebook.com/wcrichmond, or hourly on TV971 for those on campus.