Update from Administrator – January 27, 2021
January 27, 2021
Dear Families,
As always, we hope this letter finds you safe and healthy as we begin the New Year! Can you believe we are almost at the end of January!
We continue to have a few residents who have tested positive for the COVID virus. We are diligent in testing our residents and staff members. Employees are monitored closely with twice a week testing; testing will continue through the end of April.
We are very excited that our residents and staff have now had the opportunity to receive their initial and second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine from CVS here at our center. Any resident and staff member who did not participate in the first round, but did during the second visit, will have the opportunity to receive their second dose of the vaccine on our third date, 2/10/2021.
With the first round complete in most nursing homes and the second doses in many, the state has already reported a decrease in nursing home cases of COVID among residents and staff, further proof that the vaccine works and we are doing our part to eliminate COVID!
We have encouraged as many residents as possible to get this vaccine. As we have learned, the elderly and those with significant health concerns have a much higher risk for getting very sick, being hospitalized, or succumbing from COVID-19. The vaccine has been shown to provide a great deal of protection against serious illness due to COVID-19.
As you know by now, this vaccine has gone through testing and clinical trials to ensure it meets the highest safety standards. It also is safe and recommended if you already had the virus. The health and safety of our residents is always our top priority, and we are confident this vaccine is a much better option than the risk of getting this virus. If you have any questions, please contact me with any questions. We can provide you with up to date, independent research, and links to various educational websites.
We will continue to take all necessary precautions after the vaccine is administered, including wearing personal protective equipment and conducting regular testing, to ensure the safety of our residents and staff.
There is a light at the end of the tunnel. We are hopeful that the vaccine will be a lifesaving turning point in the fight against COVID-19. We look forward to getting back to a “new normal,” with families and friends again visiting our center on a regular basis. Entertainers coming back into the center to further enrich the lives of our residents.
Speaking of visitation, we are receiving many questions on whether in-center visitation can resume once vaccination of the center is complete. As mentioned earlier in the this and other emails, we must remain vigilant. The vaccine will not provide immediate protection and we still need to see prevalence in the surrounding communities decline. Currently, community prevalence remains very high. Therefore, we need to continue with the same visitation and infection control practices put in place and enhanced throughout this pandemic. We will also continue to follow the guidance and recommendations of our public health officials (CDC, CMS, DPH) to determine how and when to adjust our policies for visitations and social activities and keep you updated.
I want to announce the addition of our new Director of Nursing Services, Deidre Cozzo. Deidre has more than a dozen years of experience as a DNS and has worn many other hats in her long term care career, specifically as a Staff Educator, Assistant Director, and RN Supervisor. I am thrilled she is a part of the Montowese team and will work closely with Elaine, our ADNS, Dr. Walalyiadda, our Medical Director, and me to offer quality care.
Thank you and please stay safe and healthy!