Dear Residents, Families and Employees: 

Unfortunately, one resident on Health Center has been diagnosed as COVID-19 positive.  The transmission rate in Philadelphia remains high with a positivity rate of 6.67%.  These numbers are trending in the wrong direction.  Please allow me to reiterate how important it is to follow all the visiting limitations in the health center and in personal care. 

There are still limitations that will be effective:

• Visitors who have a positive COVID-19 test, symptoms of COVID-19 or currently meet the criteria for quarantine (exposed, potentially positive) should not enter the community. 
• Hand hygiene is required.
• Face mask covering the mouth and nose is required.
• Six feet distance between people is required.
• All visitors (Health Center,  Personal Care and Independent Living) must enter through the only entrance – main entrance and be screened on entrance.
• All visitors are strongly encouraged to have their COVID-19 vaccination or to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. 
• Non-vaccinated visitors are encouraged to conduct visits outdoors (weather permitting).
• Room visits are permitted, IF both roommates are vaccinated and neither resident is immunocompromised (regardless of vaccination).

I am again attaching the visiting educational guidelines for your review.  Please take time to read and familiarize yourself with these required compliance guidelines for visiting residents.  These guidelines are more important than ever since visiting restrictions have been liberalized and the holidays are upon us.

I wanted to share with you that the City of Philadelphia announced a vaccine mandate for indoor food establishments. Starting Monday, January 3, 2022, any establishment in Philadelphia that sells food and/or drink for consumption onsite may admit only those patrons who have completed their vaccine series against COVID-19. For the first two weeks of this mandate, Monday, January 3 through Monday, January 17, establishments may choose to accept proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 24 hours of entry in lieu of proof of vaccination. After Monday, January 17, negative COVID-19 tests can no longer be accepted in lieu of proof of vaccination.

December 17, 2021

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If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me directly at the email address slachman@wesleyenhancedliving.org or by phone at 267.348.3340. 

Sincerely,

Suzanne H. Lachman, LNHA

Executive Director

COVID-19 EDUCATIONAL QUICK SHEET

COVID-19 affects different people in different ways. Most infected people will develop mild to moderate illness and recover without hospitalization. The CDC does not list different symptoms for the Delta variant or others.

Most common symptoms include:

• Fever
• Dry cough
• Tiredness

Less common symptoms:

• Aches and pains
• Sore throat
• Diarrhea
• Conjunctivitis
• Headache
• Loss of taste or smell
• A rash on skin, or discoloration of fingers or toes

Serious symptoms:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Chest pain or pressure
• Loss of speech or movement

Seek immediate medical attention if you have serious symptoms. Always call before visiting your doctor or health facility.

On average it takes 5–6 days from when someone is infected with the virus for symptoms to show, however it can take up to 14 days.

VISITING IN THE HEALTH CENTER

Visitors are allowed indoor visitation at all times, as permitted under regulations, without registering/scheduling a visit in advance, without limited length of visits and without limited number of visitors.

Visitors who are not fully vaccinated are encouraged to visit outdoors, if the resident’s medical condition health status allows for outdoor visits and weather permitted.  Outdoor visits generally pose a lower risk of transmission due to increased space and airflow. 

Visits may be conducted in residents’ rooms, with the following exceptions:

• If one resident is not fully vaccinated and the other resident is fully vaccinated, visits may not take place in the room.
• If one resident is immunocompromised, regardless of the vaccination status.

Core principles of COVID-19 infection prevention must be adhered to at all times.  Visitors who are unable to adhere to the core principles of COVID-19 infection prevent will be asked to leave; and or, they will not be permitted to visit.

Core Principles of COVID-19 Infection Prevention:

• Visitors who have a positive viral test for COVID-19, symptoms of COVID-19, or current meet the criteria for quarantine should not enter the facility.  All visitors who enter will be screened to determine visitation exclusions.
• Hand hygiene (use of ABHR [alcohol basked hand rub] is preferred).
• Face covering or mask (covering mouth and nose) and physical distancing at least six feet between people, in accordance with CDC guidance.
• Instructional signal throughout the facility and proper visitor education on COVID-19 signs and symptoms, infection control precautions, other applicable facility practices:
  • Entrance and exit through main entrance only
  • Hand hygiene and screening at entrance
  • Visiting in designated areas only
  • Do not enter other residents’ rooms; limit visits to your loved one only
• Cleaning and disinfecting high-frequency touched surface in the facility often, and designated visitation areas after each visit.
• Appropriate staff use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Effective cohorting of residents (e.g. separate areas dedicated to COVID-19 care)
• Resident and staff testing conducted as required by regulation.

COVID-19 Outbreak Investigation:

• It is safer for visitors not to enter the facility during an outbreak investigation; CMS has stated visitors must still be allowed in the facility.
• Visitors should be made aware of the potential risk of visiting during an outbreak investigation.
• During an outbreak investigation, visits will take place in resident’s rooms only with no common area visits, regardless of the vaccination status.

Vaccinations:

• CMS strongly encourages all visitors to become vaccinated.
• The facility strongly encourages all visitors to become vaccinated.
• This facility will assist you in setting up an appointment for a vaccination through Friendship Pharmacy, if you require assistance.
• Friendship Pharmacy contact information:  215.624.0440.