Results from the Thursday, December 3 testing revealed two new positive employees, one in the health center and one dining without contact with residents. In addition, the independent residents who were re-tested from the original group of 32 tested at Thanksgiving revealed one new positive resident. The charts below reveal updated information.
While the CDC did issue new guidelines for quarantining, the memo released from the PA Department of Health late yesterday revealed that those new guidelines are not applicable to health care.
I would also like to point out that the IL resident who tested positive with this last test, did test negative the first time. IF the quarantine had been lifted in 7 days (as this person is asymptomatic), this IL resident would have been out and in contact with numerous other residents unknowingly spreading the COVID virus.
I share this illustration because we are living in the reality of what could occur. We will continue to enforce the 14 day quarantine period for residents throughout the community if they have had known contact with or exposure to (definition of COVID exposure: 15 minutes or longer, within 6’ of a positive person).
The application of a 14 day quarantine seems rigid, but the thought of a widespread outbreak is far worse.
| SKILLED NURSING (HEALTH CENTER) | |
| Date | 12/5/2020 |
| ☐New Confirmed Infection(s) of COVID-19: NO CHANGE | New Cumulative Total of COVID-19 Infections since March 2020): 56 |
| ☐Three or more ☐residents or ☐staff with new on-set of respiratory symptoms occurring within 72 hours of each other. | |
| Mitigating actions implemented to prevent or reduce the risk of transmission. | ☐Normal operations will be altered. ☐Resident(s) will be moved to quarantine unit. ☐Droplet precautions will be initiated. ☐Resident(s) will be placed on isolation. ☐Resident currently hospitalized. – One of five |
| Personal Care | |
| Date | 12/5/2020 |
| ☐New Confirmed Infection(s) of COVID-19: NO CHANGE | New Cumulative Total of COVID-19 Infections (since March 2020): 4 |
| ☐Three or more ☐residents or ☐staff with new on-set of respiratory symptoms occurring within 72 hours of each other. | |
| Mitigating actions implemented to prevent or reduce the risk of transmission. | ☐Normal operations will be altered. ☐Resident(s) will be moved to quarantine unit. ☐Droplet precautions will be initiated. ☐Resident(s) will be placed on isolation. ☐Resident currently hospitalized. |
| Independent Living | |
| Date | 12/5/2020 |
| New Cumulative Total of COVID-19 Infections (since March 2020): 3 | New Cumulative Total of COVID-19 Infections (since March 2020): 3 |
| ☐Three or more ☐residents or ☐staff with new on-set of respiratory symptoms occurring within 72 hours of each other. | |
| Mitigating actions implemented to prevent or reduce the risk of transmission. | ☐Normal operations will be altered. ☐Resident(s) will be moved to quarantine unit. ☐Droplet precautions will be initiated. ☒Resident(s) will be placed on isolation. Resident has been on isolation and will remain on isolation. ☐Resident currently hospitalized. |
Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have.
Stay well,
Suzanne H. Lachman, LNHA
Executive Director
slachman@wel.org
267-348-3340