Despite all of our efforts to contain the coronavirus in a single facility, we have learned that one resident in The Haven Nursing community tested positive for COVID-19. I know this is frustrating news to hear and we all share that reaction. Unfortunately, senior living communities across the Commonwealth have been hit hard by this pandemic. We continue to follow the guidelines provided to us by our Medical Director, Chesterfield County and Virginia Departments of Health (DOH), Department of Social Services and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and Center for Disease Control (CDC). The Brandermill Woods Team remain diligent in abiding by our infection control practices, yet new cases seem to pop up too frequently.
Since my last memo on Thursday, May 7, 2020, we have lost three (3) more of our Assisted Living/Memory Care residents who had tested positive to COVID-19 and had other underlying medical issues. Words cannot express the grief we are feeling, and our hearts go out to the families who have lost loved ones to this deadly virus. Please continue to keep their families and our employees in your thoughts and prayers.
Based on the results we received, we have a total of twenty-two (22) residents in our Assisted Living/Memory Care who tested positive; twelve (12) residents in our Memory Care and ten (10) residents in our Assisted Living. We have one (1) resident in The Haven Nursing. We have no positive cases of residents or employees in our Independent Living Community, at this time.
Angie Lane, Infection Control Preventionist, was instructed today by our contact at the Chesterfield Health Department, that all residents who test positive need two (2) incubation periods for a total of 28 days. All residents who have tested positive are being quarantined to their apartments or room.
Positive test results have been reported for a total of sixteen (16) employees, twelve (12) in Assisted Living/Memory Care and four (4) Health Care Community Dietary. They are quarantined at home and we are following the “Criteria for Return to Work for Health Care Personnel with Confirmed or Suspected COVID-19” guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Despite what you may be hearing on the news, testing obtainability has been our biggest challenge. We
now have acquired enough test kits from Chesterfield County Health Department and two separate outside sources. As of today, we have tested all residents and employees reporting to work for all shifts, in our Health Care Community, which includes, Assisted Living/Memory Care and The Haven.
Here is an excerpt from the article that I shared with you all yesterday that struck a chord with all of us. It was co-authored by several leaders of our industry in Virginia, Melissa Andrews, Judy Hackler and Keith Hare. https://www.richmond.com/opinion/columnists/keith-hare-melissa-andrews-and-judy-hackler-column-long-term-care-facilities-are-filled-with/article_d9e2c452-76de-52ea-8166-fb91ac5512f5.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share
“These nurses, aides, housekeepers, cooks and others don’t appear on camera or in newspapers. But they are heartbroken. They grieve every time this virus takes away someone whom they have served, and to whom they have grown close, over many years. These caregivers come to work every day, when staying at home would be so much safer. They put their lives and families at risk because they love their work. They feel called to help residents so they can continue living meaningful lives long after this pandemic becomes a distant memory. Knowing their dedication, it is disappointing to see some place blame on America’s nursing homes and assisted living facilities for deaths from the coronavirus. That blame is misplaced and unfair.”
Our Brandermill Woods Team remains focused on the safety and well-being of our residents, their families, our dependable employees, and our entire community. We are in the difficult days of this pandemic. The Brandermill Woods community will continue to enforce all current restrictions until further notice. The risks of operating any other way are just too high. We will continue to provide you with periodic updates.
We continue to encourage all families to participate in virtual visits. For assistance setting up virtual visits (zoom, skype, etc.) at our Health Care Communities, please contact Trisha Pedersen at 804-419-1178 or email her at tpederson@brandermillwoods.com. For assistance at our Independent Living Community, please contact Lauren Lee at 804-744-1173, ext. 261 or email her at llee@brandermillwoods.com.
Please call me at 804-521-8272 or email me at cpreiss@brandermillwoods.com if you have any questions or concerns.
Please continue to keep all of our residents, employees and their families in your thoughts and prayers!
