Independent Living – COVID-19 Update – 12/17/20
Dear Independent Living (IL) Residents and Family Members,
We continue to provide updates and follow protocols to keep the Culpepper Garden community safe and healthy during the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.
In the independent living part of our community, Culpepper Garden I and II,
- Two positive residents have completed self-quarantine and have been cleared by their medical service provider.
- One who had tested positive for COVID was hospitalized and subsequently passed away. Our hearts are heavy over the loss of this resident. Please join us in praying for the family during this time.
- One additional resident tested positive and is in self quarantine and currently not experiencing symptoms.
- One staff member tested positive while out of the building on vacation. The staff member is isolating at home until cleared to return to work.
- All independent living staff tested who were tested last Wednesday are reported as negative.
- 135 IL residents participated in a voluntary COVID-19 testing event offered today. Results will be reported in the next weekly update.
In the assisted living part of our community, Culpepper Garden III, we currently have 5 residents and 3 staff members who tested positive for COVID19 and are recovering. We continue to work closely with the Arlington County Health Department and follow Centers for Disease Control and Virginia Department of Health guidance. Please keep these individuals in your thoughts and prayers for a complete recovery from this awful virus.
Arlington County continues to experience a high community positivity rate. We continue to ask for the cooperation of our residents, staff and families to limit the spread of COVID-19 into our IL community.
- We continue advise residents to stay home and avoid unnecessary trip or visitation plans outside of the building.
- We advise residents to stay in their units as much as possible.
- We must continue to emphasize that private health aides providing service to residents must comply with the protocols that Culpepper Garden has established. Compliance with these rules is the responsibility of the resident.
- Aides must always wear a mask in the building in all areas, especially in the resident’s apartment.
- Aides are not permitted to congregate, take lunch, have phone calls, or take breaks in any public area of the building.
- Aides are permitted to do laundry in the 5th floor laundry only.
- Advise your family that any visits even for essential reasons are potential transmission events and should be postponed indefinitely.
- All meals may be taken “to go” until further notice. The Dining Room remains open but the option to return to your unit has been restarted. NO BEVERAGES “to go” except bottled water or unopened milk cartons.
- A new 15 meal plan is now available. This will allow residents the flexibility to have a meal available during any self-quarantine period. Available to all residents.
- We continue to provide testing for Independent Living staff to identify individuals who are positive for COVID-19 but may be pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic.
- Access to Independent Living is restricted to only pre-authorized and screened privately hired and licensed medical providers or caregivers, essential persons, and staff. Authorized contractors must be approved in advance.
The following protocols remain in place:
- Staff are continuing to frequently disinfect common area surfaces.
- Residents should always require private aides, staff, or other essential health care workers to wear a mask and gloves while in their unit. The resident should wear a mask too!
- All staff & aides are screened upon entry with temperature checked and recorded.
- All aides are always required to wear masks and gloves in the building.
- All staff are always required to wear a mask in the building, including in units.
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.
Thank you to the community and residents for all the support of our efforts in this exceptional challenge. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Paul J. Timpane
Director, Property Operations
