Dear Family and Friends of South Cove Manor:
Yesterday, I shared with all of you that we had identified a COVID-19 positive resident on the first floor and a COVID-19 positive staff member on the second floor. I wanted to update you all on what we have done to deal with these issues since yesterday.
- All residents and staff on the first-floor south wing were tested yesterday with the BinexNOW instant test, and all results were negative.
- All staff that has been taking care of this resident will be tested using BinexNOW before they start each shift for the next several days.
- All residents and staff will receive a PCR test today. These tests will be sent to our lab this evening, and we should have those results tomorrow. This outbreak testing will then be repeated every three days on the affected units until we go seven days without a new case and then once per week until we go 14 days without a new case.
- Any residents (including fully vaccinated residents) that are thought to have had prolonged close contact with the positive resident will be on strict quarantine for 7 days. All of these residents that have had prolonged close contact with the positive resident will be tested daily with BinexNOW for 7 days, and then once per week until we go 14 days without a new case. If those residents receive a negative test result at least 5 days post-exposure, the strict quarantine will be lifted.
- Communal dining and group activity on the affected units have been canceled until we go 14 days without a new case.
- The positive staff member worked on Thursday, August 12th, and Friday, August 13th, and cared for residents in rooms 221-231. All of these residents will be tested daily with BinexNOW for 7 days, and then once per week until we go 14 days without a new case. If those residents receive a negative test result at least 5 days post-exposure, the strict quarantine will be lifted.
- In-house visitation on the first and second floors has been canceled until we go 14 days without a new case. Outdoor visitation is available for all residents on the first and second floor, with the exception of those residents that have been deemed to have had close contact with either the positive resident or the positive staff member. Those residents that reside in rooms 106, 111, and in rooms 221 – 231 are unable to participate in outdoor visitation for 7 days. If those residents receive a negative test result at least 5 days post-exposure, the strict quarantine will be lifted.
- Continued education for all staff on PPE use and care, and quarantine/isolation procedures.
I will continue to keep you updated with additional information as it becomes available. As always, please reach out to either Li Chen or me with any questions that you may have.
Thank you again for placing your trust in South Cove Manor.
