Dear Residents, Families and Employees:
We will begin the flu vaccinations for residents and staff the week of September 21 and continue into the week of September 28. It is mandatory for all staff to receive the flu vaccine to protect residents of our community. It has proven to be effective the past two flu seasons when we had no flu outbreaks in the community.
Normally at the beginning of fall we ramp up disinfecting frequency and incorporate the use of an additional disinfecting product that is recommended for flu, SARS, and some other items. We have been following our “flu” disinfecting processes since early March, 2020 and will continue to maintain that practice. This process takes a considerable amount of the housekeeping staff’s time each day. I want to spotlight all of our housekeepers for their hard work and commitment to keeping us clean and safe.
Visits with health center and personal care residents will begin the week of September 21. Just a reminder, face masks must be worn covering the nose and mouth, there can be no eating or drinking during visits, no hugs or hand holding. We will follow the same procedure as we did in August. The outcome was positive – no COVID-19 after two weeks of visiting.
As I shared in an earlier update, we will be requiring proof of flu vaccination for all visitors beginning October 1. Regarding of your purpose for a visit, you are coming for compassionate visit or you are visiting during the scheduled visiting period, you will need a certificate of flu vaccination. We are not mandating that you get a flu vaccine – we cannot mandate that. We are stating that without the certificate you may not enter the community to visit.
CMS has issued new guidance on testing of health center employees based on the positivity rate in our area. We will begin that test soon, and you will be made aware of those results.
Please do not hesitate to contact us with your questions or concerns. You can send me an email directly at the address herein.