Dear Family and Friends of South Cove Manor:
As you already know, one South Cove Manor staff member tested positive for COVID-19 on August 13th. That staff member had been tested as part of our required surveillance testing program, and had shown no signs or symptoms of the virus before being tested. In fact, even after testing positive, she continued to be asymptomatic, and remains that way today, nearly 3 weeks later. As a result of her positive test, she was required to quarantine, and remain away from work for 10 days. She has since returned to work, and remains healthy.
As a result of that one positive test, we were required to test 90% of our staff members for two consecutive weeks. I am happy to report that over both weeks, all staff tested were negative for the virus. Because of those results, we are now able to revert to testing 30% of our staff every two weeks. We began collecting swabs from staff over the weekend, and will complete our 30% testing requirement today. I will be in touch with all of you again once those results are received.
I also wanted to provide all of you with an update on our progress as it relates to re-opening to admissions. Over the past week, we have successfully admitted 4 new residents to our building. We have a rigid protocol in place that involves multiple tests, and a strict 14-day quarantine period for each new admission. Over the first week, our plan has proven to be effective, and we will continue with that protocol for the foreseeable future.
Finally, we have resumed our outdoor family visitation schedule, and are now allowing outside clinicians to resume an on-site presence in our building. All outside clinicians are required to follow the same testing protocol that our own staff follow. In addition, hair dressing services will begin being provided starting tomorrow, September 1st. I had initially informed everyone that hair dressing services would begin last Tuesday, but there was an unanticipated delay – I apologize for the confusion.
I want to assure everyone that while we have begun to allow additional people into our building, we are still doing everything possible to ensure the continued safety of your loved ones. Since this pandemic began, our one goal has been to keep our South Cove family safe, and that goal has not, and will not, change. We will continue to be vigilant with our cleaning programs, testing protocols, and screening procedures. South Cove continues to follow all state and federal recommendations, and also takes additional steps where appropriate.
Thank you again for placing your trust in South Cove Manor.
