Memo-COVID-19 Update-September 18, 2020
FROM: John Burns, President and CEO; Will Blackwell, Vice President Health Services; Sloan Verlander, Administrator Assisted Living
SUBJECT: COVID-19 Update
DATE: September 18, 2020
Westminster Canterbury Richmond is grateful for your support and understanding as we navigate the ever-evolving coronavirus pandemic.
The Gables and Monticello
This week Westminster Canterbury Richmond learned that two residents of The Gables tested positive for COVID-19. On Friday, September 18, a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) who worked in The Gables and Monticello, memory support areas of Assisted Living, tested positive for COVID-19 after experiencing symptoms. These residents live in the household where the CNA was primarily assigned to work. The residents are asymptomatic and were moved to the COVID-19 positive unit where they will be cared for by a dedicated team of Assisted Living caregivers. There are the first two cases of COVID-19 for Assisted Living residents at Westminster Canterbury.
Residents of The Gables and Monticello are under quarantine in their apartments for 14 days from the date of exposure per guidelines from the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). The quarantine will end on Saturday, September 26. The Gables Salon is closed. Safe, structured visitation from family members of The Gables and Monticello residents is suspended. Out of an abundance of caution, Westminster Canterbury tested all residents of The Gables and Monticello for COVID-19, and the remaining results returned negative. These residents will be tested again today. We also continue to test residents and staff as needed based on exposure and symptoms, and so far, all the results are negative.
Mary Morton Parsons Health Center
Mary Morton Parsons Health Center remains closed to visitors. As part of Phase I of Reopening, per guidance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), we test Parsons Health Center employees weekly. The frequency of testing is based on our county’s positivity rate. On September 22, we will request to move into Phase II.
On Thursday, September 17, CMS released new guidance on nursing home visitation. We are working through those details and making preparations to implement this guidance as soon as it is possible to do so safely. We will share more in the near future.
Westminster Canterbury Richmond COVID-19 Response 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 15 residents and 29 employees. Two residents are recovering in our COVID-19 positive unit. So far, 27 of the 29 employees have recovered, tested negative twice and returned to work. Two employees are recovering in quarantine.
Keys to Keeping Our Community Healthy
It is critical to remain diligent in staying healthy to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community. 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
• We encourage you to stay up-to-date with us online. There is a new COVID-19 Update page at www.WCRICHMOND.org where you can learn what to expect when visiting our community and other 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.