Memo-COVID-19 Update-November 25, 2020
FROM: John Burns, President and CEO Will Blackwell, Vice President Health Services Debra Jacobsen, Administrator Resident Services Sloan Verlander, Administrator Assisted Living
SUBJECT: COVID-19 Update
DATE: November 25, 2020
As we celebrate Thanksgiving this week, we are grateful for each and every one of you who make up our vibrant Westminster Canterbury Richmond community. These are the latest updates on COVID-19 and its impact on our residents and employees. Take care and stay safe during the holidays!
Testing
On Saturday, November 21, Westminster Canterbury Richmond received the results of our Point Prevalence Survey that was conducted in partnership with the National Guard on Thursday, November 19. During this testing, we learned that four Independent Living residents and four employees tested positive for COVID-19. Anyone who may have been exposed to these individuals has been contacted directly.
Additionally, Westminster Canterbury tested all residents and staff of Assisted Living and Mary Morton Parsons Health Center last week. We did not discover any cases of COVID-19 in Assisted Living. We have found additional cases of COVID-19 in Parsons Health Center Second Floor, where we created a second COVID-19 positive unit.
Resident Cases
Thirty residents have tested positive for COVID-19 in November. Seven are from Independent Living. The remainder are from Parsons Health Center. Six are being cared for in the hospital. Five recovered. Three have passed away. The remainder are being cared for in our dedicated COVID-19 positive units or are quarantining in their apartments.
Sadly, a number of our Parsons Health Center residents were on hospice when they received their COVID-19 diagnosis. Please keep our residents, their families and the employees caring for them in your thoughts and prayers.
Employee Cases
Twenty-eight employees have tested positive for COVID-19 in November from Parsons Health Center, Housekeeping, Engineering, Dining, Transportation and Assisted Living. Anyone who may have been exposed to these employees has been contacted directly. Thankfully, many of our employees are doing well. Eleven have reached the end of their quarantine periods and returned to work.
Staying Connected
Westminster Canterbury follows the latest guidance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Virginia Department of Health (VDH) in our response. While visitation and many programs and services are currently suspended, we are prepared to reopen as soon as we are able and are working to get there in the safest possible ways. As we enter the holiday season, the latest advice discourages in-person gatherings with individuals outside your household. We encourage you to stay connected by phone or in virtual ways and to celebrate the holidays in our hearts.
Follow the Core Principles of COVID-19 Infection Prevention
- We need your help following these guidelines to keep one another well. Wear a mask at all times when around others.
- 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.
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, December 1, at 3 p.m.
Happy Thanksgiving!