Westminster Canterbury Richmond Video Update to Residents-April 4, 2020-10 a.m.
Westminster Canterbury Richmond is keeping our residents up-to-date on the latest news related to our COVID-19 response. Hear from our 10 a.m. live update to residents from John Burns, President and CEO; Will Blackwell, Vice President Health Services; and Lynn McClintock, Director Pastoral Care.
The following updates were shared during the live briefing on TV970.
John Burns
Westminster Canterbury Richmond received confirmation of another COVID-19 case in a resident yesterday afternoon. It was a resident of the Tower who left campus on April 1 and was admitted to St. Mary’s Hospital.
We traced the resident’s interactions and learned that she followed self-quarantine guidelines and did not have contact with any residents. If anyone has additional information, please notify management. The resident did interact with a few employees, who are being tested and are under mandatory quarantine. The resident is doing well and recovering in the hospital.
Tower residents are no longer under mandatory quarantine. Small gatherings, which are reportedly happening in the Tower and Courtyard, are very risky. It is important to realize that it is impossible to know if someone may be ill and asymptomatic. Everyone is asked to please follow the rules of self-quarantine. All residents and employees must follow social distancing and handwashing guidelines at all times.
Because of the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Governor, all staff will begin wearing cloth masks in the coming days. At Monday’s briefing, more information on making cloth masks will be shared. In clinical areas, we will continue to follow clinical guidelines for surgical masks, N95 and other protective equipment as appropriate. These measures are to prevent employees from spreading illness. While this is an added layer of protection, it isn’t as effective as social distancing, washing your hands and maintaining self-quarantine. That is what keeps everyone safe – maintaining distance from each other and from our employees.
Residents have asked if they should be concerned about the safety of food from our dining department. Our dining department always follows strict infection control practices and instituted even more stringent infection control practices as soon as COVID-19 reached our region.
It is likely that the United States Postal Service will cease mail delivery for now, and we will have to return to the practice of our staff picking up and delivering mail. More details to come next week.
Our next live update will be Monday at 3 p.m. The video from today’s briefing will be available on TV971 and on Touchtown Community Apps, so you can rewatch it. This written summary is available on our blog at www.WCRICHMOND.org and on Touchtown Community Apps in the Messages section. Please encourage fellow residents to watch the live briefings.
Will Blackwell
Will addressed questions received from residents.
Why do we accept residents with COVID-19 back onto campus?
They are our residents, and we have a moral and ethical obligation to care for our residents.
How do we protect our employees and other residents of Parsons Health Center from infectious diseases?
Our Clinical Educator and Infection Preventionist train and work with staff on best practices in infection control. In our Virginia Department of Health survey last week, we had no deficiencies in our COVID-19 response and infection control.
We are trained and prepared to handle these circumstances. We use personal protective equipment to keep staff and residents safe. When a resident presents with signs and symptoms of infectious disease, they are placed on precautions. In the case of a COVID-19 diagnosis, they are placed on droplet precautions. We put a sign on their door that asks everyone to stop and consult the nurse. Personal protective equipment is available on the doors, including masks, gowns, goggles and gloves to protect employees.
What can you do to protect yourself?
Take this seriously. Stay in your apartment, self-quarantine and maintain social distancing. When you leave your apartment and return, wash your hands frequently. We are trying very hard to control this virus and need your help.
Clinic Update
The Clinic is closed for the foreseeable future because some of the staff may have been exposed to the second resident with the confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis.
Lynn McClintock
Tomorrow’s Sermon for Every Sunday will be led by Rev. MaryAnn McKibben Dana, Presbyterian pastor, writer and speaker.
You can access an electronic copy of the daily devotions booklet and Holy Week booklet on Touchtown Community Apps under the Additional Documents app or on our website.
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Prayer
My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.
Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you.
And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.
I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.
Thomas Merton – Thoughts in Solitude