Memo-COVID-19 Update-November 9, 2020
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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 – New Resident and Staff Cases
DATE: November 9, 2020
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact our region and nation, Westminster Canterbury Richmond shares our latest updates. In the past few days, we have had an increasing number of cases of COVID-19 impacting Westminster Canterbury residents and staff. Those who may have been exposed will be contacted directly. We want to reassure you that we are following all recommended precautions to protect our community. 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.
Resident Cases
Five residents have currently tested positive for COVID-19. Four moved to our COVID-19 positive unit on Sunday, November 8, where they will be cared for by a dedicated team who will work only in this area. Due to these additional cases, Parsons Health Center First Floor has closed all dining and recreation and will remain in quarantine until Tuesday, November 24. Family visitation for all areas of Parsons Health Center is suspended until Tuesday, November 24, except in end-of-life and compassionate care situation.
Our five resident cases include:
1. A resident of Parsons Health Center First Floor who tested positive on Friday, November 6, and previously tested positive for COVID-19 in June.
2. A resident of Independent Living who tested positive on Saturday, November 7.
3. A resident of Parsons Health Center First Floor who tested positive on Sunday, November 8.
4. A resident of Parsons Health Center First Floor who tested positive on Sunday, November 8.
5. A resident of Independent Living who was recently discharged from Parsons Health Center after a temporary stay and is currently being cared for in the hospital. This resident tested positive on Monday, November 9.
Employee Cases
Several employees have experienced symptoms and are out awaiting test results. Others have had direct exposure to someone who tested positive for COVID-19 and are quarantining per the recommendation of the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). Six employees have currently tested positive for COVID-19 and are recovering at home.
1. A Dining employee from Parsons Health Center First Floor
2. A private duty sitter from Parsons Health Center Third Floor
3. A Certified Nursing Assistant-Medication Aide from The Gables
4. A Nurse from Parsons Health Center First Floor
5. A Housekeeping employee from Parsons Health Center First Floor
6. A Parsons Health Center employee
Contractor Case
A contractor tested positive for COVID-19 after exposure to a family member who had previously tested positive. This contractor has not been in the building for at least a week.
Westminster Canterbury Richmond COVID-19 Case Summary
We are committed to continued transparency about our COVID-19 response and cases in our residents and staff. Since March, Westminster Canterbury has had confirmed cases of COVID-19 in a total of 19 residents and 41 employees. Fourteen residents recovered. Four are currently infected and being cared for in our COVID-19 positive unit. One is being cared for in the hospital. So far, 35 of the 41 employees have recovered, tested negative twice and returned to work.
Follow the Core Principles of COVID-19 Infection Prevention
We need your help in following these guidelines in order to keep one another well and our community open to family visitation. While we are contact tracing our current cases and working to control the spread of infection, we discourage visitation and social gatherings. If we continue to have positive cases of COVID-19, we may need to suspend family visitation, in-person dining in the Promenade and other activities.
• 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. Visitors will not be permitted to enter if they have any signs or symptoms of COVID-19.
Ongoing Updates
• Stay up-to-date with us online. Check the COVID-19 Update page at www.WCRICHMOND.org for what to expect when visiting our community and more.
• A special Live Update aired today at 3 p.m. Live Update videos air on our in-house TV970 station on 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.