The Grove COVID-19 Update

10/30/20

 

Dear Residents and families:

We would like to update you on how things are going at The Grove as it relates to COVID-19.

We are happy to report, we continue to have NO residents or staff with a positive diagnosis of COVID-19, or showing signs or symptoms of illness.

Since our last communication on October 16^th, the skilled nursing is clear from COVID-19. All other staff members and residents continue to test negative for the virus. We are extremely proud of our neighbors for overcoming this outbreak, and we are relieved that none of our residents and staff were affected by it.

As a reminder, we are also asking all residents and their families to NOT conduct visits outside of the facility due to social distancing concerns. If a visitation outside of the facility grounds is absolutely necessary, please let staff know that social distancing may not have been followed so that we can take the necessary steps and precautions.

Again, we ask that all families and/or friends that wish to visit a resident on facility grounds (patios only – no indoor visits) please notify the facility in advance if possible. We are not recommending more than 2 visitors at a time. Upon arrival to the facility, all visitors must check in at the front desk to be screened by staff. Anyone who refuses to do so will be asked to leave. All visitors MUST be wearing a mask AT ALL TIMES during the visit. Visitors must also sit at least 6 feet from each other. Due to limited shade, we ask that families and friends bring their own personal canopies, umbrellas, foldable chairs, etc. to make their visit as comfortable as possible.

In an ongoing effort to combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus, we are continuing the recommended surveillance testing every week. Please see CALA recommendations below:

• • Surveillance testing schedule of all staff; Facilities should conduct surveillance testing of 25 percent of all staff every 7 days (e.g., choose different staff to test every 7 days).
  • Screening and testing residents and staff;  testing residents returning from a higher level of care or outing; Prior to returning to a facility, residents without known exposure, who are asymptomatic, and are returning from a hospitalization or skilled nursing facility (SNF) stay should be tested by the hospital or SNF.
  • Communal dining and group activities; some counties do not allow for indoor dining and indoor gyms, you may still use your facility’s dining room and fitness equipment or gym as long residents, staff, and visitors are adhering to infection control guidelines (e.g., screening and testing, requiring face coverings, physical distancing, and outdoors if possible). Facility salons may operate indoors with modifications, and all licensed salons must follow conditions of their licensure.
  • Residents returning from a hospital visit (e.g., emergency room visit), or other outpatient care (e.g., dialysis treatment, mental health treatment), should not be required to be tested, or separated from others in the facility after the resident’s return, unless the resident was exposed to or has symptoms of COVID-19 after returning from the visit. If the facility becomes aware of a known exposure that occurred during the visit, the licensee should notify the resident and if applicable their authorized representative, quarantine the resident for 14 days, and get the resident tested if possible.
  • Facilities should consider periodic surveillance testing and cohorting for residents that regularly leave for:
    • hospital visits;
    • dialysis treatment;
    • emergency room visits; and other medical appointments.

Following these recommendations is vital to the safety of our community. DO NOT visit the community if you’ve been exposed or suspect exposure to someone with COVID-19. Per latest CDC data, many new COVID patients showed little to no symptoms of the virus. Therefore, it is so important that families refrain from coming to the community if possible. Otherwise, please visit responsibly.

We will be sending this notice out to residents who do not currently have an email so they are well informed of our current situation.

We wish all of our residents and families a very safe and happy Halloween. Please see some of our door decorating contest winners pictures attached. For Thanksgiving and Christmas, we are encouraging all residents to decorate their doors. Families- it would be great if you could drop off or mail in some small items for our residents to decorate their rooms or doors. We will be glad to help them decorate if necessary.

As always, please reach out with questions, concerns, or requests for assistance.  We will continue to keep you updated if any big changes occur or as additional information becomes available.

 

Kind Regards,

Briana Boyd Espinoza
Executive Director
The Grove Care & Wellness Assisted Living