Dear Residents, Families and Employees:
The COVID transmission rate in Bucks County remains high and the 7-day metric for positivity as of today is 7.36%. Unfortunately, we do have 1 positive case with an employee in our Health Center. Residents and staff from the Health Center have been tested yielding negative results. We will test again on Thursday, December 2nd.
Under the updated guidelines from CMS, we are not stopping visitors to our Health Center. However, it is critical that we follow the limitations that are in place. As a reminder, they are:
- 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 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).
- For visitors to our Health Center, please remember that the Independent Living main entrance must be used after 4:30 p.m. weekdays and all hours on the weekends.
As a reminder, I have attached our COVID-19 Educational Quick Sheet that I sent two weeks ago.
Lastly, if you wish not to receive the weekly communication emails, please reply to the email requesting to opt out. For any questions, you may contact me at ldukert@wesleyenhancedliving.org or 267-895-1132. Internally, my extension is 502.
Gratefully yours,
Lynne Dukert – 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 of 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 always adhered to. 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 meet the current 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:
- 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.
- If a visitor wishes, we can do a RAPID COVID-19 test prior to entering the Health Center. We do ask that you call in advance to request this service to our nurse’s station at 267-895-1179.
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
