We received fantastic news from the state health department yesterday. First, they have issued guidance to follow CDC recommendations that a fully vaccinated resident (two weeks post the second vaccination) can now be within 6 feet and choose to touch others. As long as all parties are wearing masks properly and hand hygiene occurs prior to and after the touching, this is now permitted. So with your loved one’s permission, hug away!
Also, we received an update to mandated quarantine requirements that affected all residents. Specifically, for new or readmissions, if they have been vaccinated and not exposed to individuals with COVID or symptoms, we do not have to quarantine for 14 days. This is a significant impact for those that have chosen to be vaccinated and will not longer have to be quarantined unless exposed.
Active outbreaks are at 22 (25 last week) still active in the community with 4 of those being in health facilities/entities. Positives through March 23rd are 273, however the rolling average for positive results for individuals tested in the last 7 days increased to 9.2%. The community saw an increase in daily positives over the last few days from a norm of 6-11 per day to several days over 20 positive cases. Parkview Hospital increased hospitalizations related to COVID with 9 cases as of yesterday while St Mary Corwin has 0 COVID cases in their care. Parkview reported occupancy at 190 while St Mary Corwin is reporting 24 for occupancy. This leaves 71 available beds between the hospitals.
The Care Center entered into our annual survey on Monday of this week. Annual has actually been two years since our last survey so we are having to re-learn some of the rules concerning survey participation. The expectation is we will complete the survey process sometime on Thursday. While our system is established to evaluate the level of care provided with the standard being 100% compliance, it is incredibly difficult on the residents as they pick up on our stresses and the interruptions to some of their daily routines.
As a reminder, this letter is provided electronically either through email or our website. We do mail a copy the first week a new admit joins us if no email has been provided to share the information how to receive future copies via the website. If you are not receiving by email and would like to do so, let us know your address. 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
