Independent Living – COVID-19 Update – 1/5/21
- January 5, 2021
Dear Independent Living (IL) Residents and Family Members,
Happy Holidays! Here is the latest information and updates including protocols to continue keeping the Culpepper Garden community safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the independent living part of our community, Culpepper Garden I and II, 135 IL residents participated in a voluntary COVID-19 testing event offered on December 16th. The two residents that tested positive have completed their self- quarantine without symptoms and have been cleared to return to normal activities.
No additional positive test results have been reported during the last week.
The two staff members who tested positive have completed their self-quarantines without serious symptoms and are medically cleared to return to work.
Weekly IL staff testing was completed Monday, December 28, 2020. No new positive results from this testing.
As of today, we have no scheduled COVID-19 vaccination clinic. Culpepper Garden has signed up as a participant in the Pharmacy Partnership of Long-Term Care Program as a participant in the first phase of the vaccine. It is our understanding at this time that nursing homes will receive priority in this first phase, then assisted living, and then independent living. A separate update will be sent as soon as any firm information or timeline is received.
We continue to receive numerous requests from family and friends to visit their loved ones inside the building for non-essential reasons. We understand the desire and need to see loved ones; however, given the current levels of positive Coronavirus in the area this is a dangerous risk. All visits, even for essential reasons, are potential transmission events and should be postponed indefinitely. Please reconsider any non-medically essential visit to Culpepper until vaccine clinics are underway or the positivity rates are lower.
Northern Virginia continues to experience a high community positivity rate and we remain very concerned about another surge after the holidays. We continue to ask for the cooperation of our residents, staff, and families to limit the spread of COVID-19 into our IL community.
The following protocols remain in place:
Anyone entering the building must be screened for signs and symptoms of COVID-19, including a temperature check. Please continue to follow the infection control measures as provided by the CDC:
➢ Wash and sanitize of hands for 20 seconds or more as often as possible; and avoid touching face, mouth, and eyes
➢ Wear a mask whenever in public or when an aide or staff member is in the apartment.
➢ Cover a cough or sneeze.
➢ Maintain a “physical distance” of at least six (6) feet from any other individual.
➢ Frequently disinfect areas of activity and touch points
➢ Monitor health for symptoms and stay away from others if sick.
We are so hopeful that after the anticipated post-holiday surge is resolved with the potential start of vaccination clinics that we can move past the worst of the pandemic. Until that time, we must remain vigilant and not let our guard down as a community. Thank you to every single person in the community for their resolve and commitment in keeping Culpepper Garden safe. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. We wish you Happy Holiday season and a healthy and prosperous New Year!
Sincerely,
Paul J. Timpane
Director, Property Operations