Dear Family and Friends of South Cove Manor:
As I have shared you with you recently, all nursing homes in Massachusetts are required to conduct COVID-19 surveillance testing of staff members. The quantity and frequency of those tests vary by facility, based on previous testing; South Cove has been required to test 30% of all staff members every two weeks.
Our most recent round of surveillance testing was completed on Monday, and we received the majority of results yesterday. The remainder of the test results that were received this morning at 9:15 AM. One of the staff samples included in this morning’s results came back as positive for COVID-19.
The one positive staff member works on the first floor, and has experienced no signs or symptoms of the virus. She was at work this morning, and was sent home immediately upon us receiving the results.
As a result of the one positive test, we have begun testing 100% of our residents, and 100% of our staff. I will be in contact with you again to share the results of those tests as soon as we receive them. In addition, we have taken several other steps this morning, to keep our residents and staff as safe as possible:
- We had reopened to admissions on Monday, but have not accepted any new residents as of yet. All Admissions are now on hold again, until we are able to better to assess our current situation.
- Outdoor family visits that were scheduled for Thursday, the 13th, and Friday the 14th, have been cancelled. There is the potential that we will cancel visits for Saturday and Sunday as well, but we have not done so yet. Our Activity staff will be in touch with all affected families if we do decide to cancel weekend visits.
- Communal dining for residents has been put on hold as well. All residents will be receiving their meals in their rooms for the time being. Once we receive the results from the current round of testing, we can better assess how to move forward.
- We had planned to have hairdressing services resume next week, but have put that on hold as well.
- Onsite return of outside practitioners (hospice staff, MD’s, NP’s, etc.), has been temporarily stopped on the first floor only.
- As is our normal practice, all courtyards in the building have been cleaned and sanitized this morning.
I want to reassure all of you that South Cove Manor has followed all regulations and guidance from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, as well as the Centers for Disease Control since this pandemic began. We will continue to do so going forward, and will be completely transparent with all of you as well.
I am sure that some of you will have concerns with this development. Please feel free to contact us with any questions that you may have, and we will be happy to alleviate those concerns.
Thank you again for placing your trust in South Cove Manor.
