Results from last week’s testing in the Care Center resulted in 15 new residents and 6 additional employees testing positive. Two residents and two staff members at Chateau have tested positive last week’s tests. Total positive cases to date for the Care Center is 39 residents and 29 staff members while at Chateau 41 residents and 29 staff members with one staff member testing positive twice. Four of our residents in the past week who were identified as positive with COVID have passed away.
Active outbreaks are at 118 (up from 119 last week) still active in the community with 22 of those being in health facilities/entities. Positives for December through the 29th are 3918. Parkview Hospital decreased hospitalizations related to COVID with 80 cases as of yesterday while St Mary Corwin also has 6 COVID cases in their care. Yesterday Parkview reported occupancy at 201 while St Mary Corwin is reporting 11 for occupancy. This leaves 73 available beds between the hospitals. Finally, deaths attributed to COVID in the county continue to significantly increase from 131 through 1 Dec to 303 through yesterday.
The vaccination clinic for the Care Center residents and staff was completed on 28 Dec as part of the state’s vaccination plan phase 1a. Due to the recent COVID infections, only 7 eligible residents were able to receive the vaccination. The remainder have been scheduled for the next clinic on 18 Jan. In addition, approximately half the staff received the vaccine. We saw no adverse effects from any of the residents or staff who received the vaccination other than some soreness at the injection site for a day or so after the administration of the vaccine.
Chateau’s first clinic has been scheduled for 11 Jan with the second clinic planned for 1 Feb. If necessary, Gini will be coordinating with families to provide the insurance card (copy is fine) for any resident cards we do not currently have on file and the facility will coordinate consents, as necessary. As a reminder, the vaccine is at no cost, but the pharmacy will bill insurance for the actual injection. There is no cost to the recipient to receive the vaccine. A booster will be scheduled for approximately 3 weeks after the initial clinic. The vaccine being administered for both Chateau and the Care Center is provided by Pfizer. Please let us know any questions you have.
The staff continue to seek ways to provide meaningful interaction with your loved ones during this trying time. Your phone calls to your loved ones are appreciated as well as those who are participating with video calls. If you have other suggestions as to how we may ease this difficult time for your loved one, please share your suggestions. Your insight and suggestions are always appreciated. Please contact the facilities with your questions and I appreciate your patience with our return calls to address your concerns or questions.
Sincerely,
Keith Jackson
Executive Director
