We thank you for your cooperation during this community surge and our recent facility outbreak. All resident tests this week have been negative. The last date of positive result this past week was 1/31/2022, (staff). We are following CDC and department of health guidance related to contact tracing and testing. We will continue weekly testing for staff and residents until we have a 14 day period with no positives. Our next full house testing day will be Monday 2/7/2022 for staff and Tuesday 2/8/2022 for residents.
All of the positive residents have finished quarantine and we no longer have active cases of COVID in our building. Our regular isolation zone on 4th floor has returned to yellow status for new admissions and residents returning from a hospital stay. 5th, 4th floor (non isolation zone) and 3rd floor have all returned to green status. Residents from units on green status can have visitors in their rooms or in the common areas on our first floor. It is very critical that visitors adhere our visitation guidelines which can be found at Visitation Guidelines on our website. Adherence to all core guidelines are required which includes maintaining social distancing and wearing face coverings during the visit.
Our second floor is in yellow status due to a potential exposure from 1/31/2022. While we do not recommend it, residents in quarantine/isolation status can also receive visits in accordance with CMS guidance. Visits in a yellow zone are limited to the resident room and visitors must wear full PPE including mask, gowns, gloves and eye protection. PPE must be taken off and disposed of in the trash receptacle when the leaving a quarantine unit room. Hand hygiene and replacement of a clean disposable surgical mask is required when leaving the room.
Our top priority is to protect the residents, staff and families. We encourage all to continue to follow safety tips regarding COVID-19. We appreciate that you entrust us with the care of your loved ones. Our main goal remains to provide high-quality care and to keep your loved ones safe.
We encourage and recommend booster shots as a primary way to safeguard residents and staff against the COVID-19 Omicron variant. For information about vaccination rates at nursing homes, please refer to CMS’s Care Compare site through Medicare.gov. Learn about vaccines near you and the CDC’s fact sheet.
As of February 3, 2022, 96% of our residents have been fully vaccinated and 90% have received booster shots. Our staff is 100% vaccinated and 77% of those eligible have received a booster. Overall, our facility staff and residents are 98.5% fully vaccinated and 83.5% of those eligible have received a booster.
We are following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance regarding safeguards for residents and staff. Our healthcare guidelines are often more guarded to protect our vulnerable population.
You may see additional questions regarding vaccination status in our screening procedures in accordance with CMS requirement. At this time, you may or may not choose to disclose your vaccination status. Under the current CMS visitation guidelines, vaccination is not currently required to visit. If you are in a post-infection or post-exposure stage, we request that you refrain from visiting until after 10 to 14 days.
Please refrain from visiting even if you have minor symptoms such as a runny nose or sore throat. According to the CDC, people exhibiting these symptoms are testing positive for COVID.
Our Facility’s Resident Impact (Since March 30, 2020, through February 3, 2022)
0- Residents currently in our building with a confirmed active case of COVID 19
100- CONFIRMED: Residents with laboratory positive COVID-19
0 – SUSPECTED: Residents with new suspected COVID-19
103 – Confirmed Staff Total: with a positive COVID-19
- Please note that test results are reported on our call-in line at 570-207-6711 which is updated daily when we have new positive results. Family members and all others impacted by the virus will be contacted directly and provided with results and updates.
Thank you again for entrusting us with the care of your loved ones. If you have any questions, we are always available for you.
Sincerely,
Mary Rose Applegate, MBA, RD, NHA
Administrator
