Memo-Point Prevalence Survey and Testing Updates-July 16, 2020
FROM: John Burns, President and CEO, and Will Blackwell, Vice President Health Services
SUBJECT: Update on Positive COVID-19 Cases and Point Prevalence Survey
DATE: July 16, 2020
Point Prevalence Survey
On July 20 and 21, a Point Prevalence Survey, or PPS, will be conducted at Westminster Canterbury in partnership with the Virginia Department of Health and National Guard. A PPS entails testing all individuals in a designated area of a facility, whether or not they have symptoms, on one day. Our team will work together with the National Guard to test all residents and employees over two days – 100% participation is our goal. There is no charge for the test.
For residents of Mary Morton Parsons Health Center, The Gables, Monticello and Pavilion, teams will go door-to-door to conduct the tests. Residents of the Tower, Garden and The Glebe will be tested in the Roof Terrace. Residents of the Courtyard, Homes on the Green and Avalon will be tested in Cochrane Commons. Employees will be tested in the Rice Assembly. A designated testing schedule will limit the number being tested at one time. Independent Living residents will receive their specific testing time and instructions from their floor representatives. Everyone should wear a mask and follow signage regarding social distancing while waiting to be tested.
This testing will be extremely helpful to Westminster Canterbury as we plan next steps in our reopening. Residents who are not on campus and available to be tested during the two-day PPS should contact their social worker to arrange a time to be tested later. Thank you for your care and understanding as we work to keep everyone safe and healthy.
Additional Parsons Health Center Employees Test Positive for COVID-19
On Friday, July 10, we learned that an employee of Parsons Health Center tested positive for COVID-19. This certified nursing assistant (CNA) has no symptoms but was tested after learning about the positive cases of COVID-19 in two Parsons Health Center residents last week. On Monday, July 13, we learned that a second CNA from Parsons Health Center also tested positive for COVID-19 after showing symptoms. Both employees last worked on July 9 and are recovering at home.
In response to the positive test results received the week of July 6, we tested all residents and staff in Parsons Health Center. So far, all results have come back negative. Communal dining on the affected floors of Parsons Health Center has stopped, with residents eating meals in their apartments. All staff working throughout Parsons Health Center continue to wear personal protective equipment, and we continue with enhanced cleaning measures. Since early March, Parsons Health Center residents have been monitored daily with temperature and symptoms screenings and checking lung sounds and oxygen levels.
Westminster Canterbury Richmond COVID-19 Response
Since March, Westminster Canterbury has had confirmed cases of COVID-19 in a total of five residents and 17 employees. Three residents have recovered. The fourth and fifth residents, who tested positive on July 6 and 8 respectively, both live in the Parsons Health Center. So far, 11 of the 17 employees have recovered, tested negative twice and returned to work. Six employees continue to recover off campus.
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).
Ongoing 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 Tuesdays and Thursdays 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.