Dear Residents, Families and Staff,
I am sure top of mind for everyone is Governor Wolf’s most recent time-limited mitigation orders, the COVID-19 vaccine and the upcoming Christmas and New Year’s Holidays. The COVID-19 Vaccine will be addressed under an additional letter.
The WEL team is in the process of transitioning some of our current practices to comply with Governor Wolf’s order in effect on Saturday December 12, 2020 through Monday January 4, 2021. Please note, our team is creative, adaptive and nimble. We are in the process of transitioning our December programing plans to comply, but we are committed to celebrating the holidays albeit differently, being together safely, and fostering joy on our campus and throughout our community. We ask for your continued patience and partnership as we take the time to modify and share our Christmas and New Year’s plans on campus.
Shockingly, the Bucks County Positivity rate is at 17.7%. Bucks is above the state average which sits at 16.2%. Bucks County continues to rise with staggering jumps each week. The cases identified in the county both this week and last week are subsequent to the Thanksgiving Holidays. Please strongly consider your Christmas and New Year’s Plans as we have seen the evidence of the increased risk related to family indoor gatherings. Please continue to wear your mask, social distance and practice hand hygiene to mitigate your risk.
New COVID 19 Cases:
This week, one resident residing in Personal Care tested positive for COVID-19 using PCR lab testing. Unfortunately, the quarantine in Personal Care will continue through 12/18/2020 based on this information. Two of our COVID+ residents were hospitalized. One is recovering in a rehab setting and one remains hospitalized. Please keep them and all of those suffering from COVID -19 in your thoughts and prayers.
ILUpdate
Independent Living will continue to be closed to visitors. This is due to the Bucks County Positivity Rate (17.7%). Residents may still leave campus for shopping, appointments etc. WEL DT is in the process of modifying programs and information will go out to residents in a flyer tomorrow. The Heritage House Dining Room will remain closed until January 4, 2021. The Bistro will remain open Monday-Friday at lunch and residents can continue to place orders “to go” for dinner.
As previously shared, if a resident is choosing to go to a gathering with family or friends, we are asking that they be respectful of our community and quarantine for 14 days after returning from the gathering. A negative test does not change the need for quarantine as per guidance of the CDC and PA DOH. To mitigate risk, our housekeeping staff will not be cleaning the apartments of residents who are quarantined. Dining services will deliver to those residents choosing to quarantine, but delivery fees will be incurred. Wesley Home Care services will still be provided to those are currently contracted. Outside agencies may still provide services on campus but they must be a licensed, bonded agency and their staff must meet the criteria and guidelines to provide services on our campus. Residents may attend off campus religious services for Christmas but we suggest that they confirm the service schedule as it may change related to the Governor’s most recent orders.
Residents should continue to self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19. If you have any symptoms, including fever, new cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste/smell, headache, runny nose, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, please stay in your apartment, notify your family physician, your family and the front desk. We recommend that you purchase a thermometer if you do not currently have one in your apartment.
Skilled Nursing Update
We have no residents who are positive for COVID 19 in Skilled Nursing. We continue to test staff 2x per week; no staff tested positive this week. We have one staff member who tested positive off campus but there was no close contact on our campus. We continue to be closed to visitors due to the Bucks County Positivity Rate of 17.7%. We will continue communal dining as per DOH guidance and activities are being offered in small groups (less than 10) in the activities areas. Therapy and rehabilitation services are occurring in the gym. We are still offering virtual and window visits. Please use our sign up genius for Face Time visits or call 215-345-4300 24 hours in advance of your window visit so the staff can plan and have your loved one ready for the visit. As a reminder for the window visit, the window must stay closed and only a 2-3 people should come to the window at a time.
PC Update
Because an additional resident tested positive on 12/7 from a test collected on 12/4, residents in Personal Care must continue to quarantine through 12/18/2020. To date, during our routine surveillance testing, no staff or additional residents in Personal Care have tested positive. Meals are being delivered to residents’ rooms and activities are being offered in rooms as well. Currently hairdressing services are postponed until Personal Care moves to the next phase. Residents may leave for doctor’s appointments but we ask that you notify staff of the appointment in advance. If a resident is in the car with family/friends they must have a mask on; be reminded that being in a car is close contact. Personal Care is closed for in person visits but email rgonzalez@wel.org and kmims@wel.org or 215-345-4300 for a virtual visit.
We are asking that items being dropped off for residents take place between 10am and 4pm. If you are delivering perishable items, please make the receptionist aware.
Please be sure to read the information provided related to the COVID-19 vaccination.
We appreciate your ongoing understanding and support as we work to transition our plans. I am available for any questions or concerns.
Best Regards,
Maureen Casey
Executive Director
WEL DT