Update from Administrator – April 26, 2022

Hello Friends and Family of Valerie Manor,

Connecticut positivity rates for Covid continue to rise. And our specific community positivity rate is elevated. With covid on the rise in the community, last week we reported a new community acquired covid positive in the facility. This has triggered us to increase our community testing on the affected unit. Our second round of testing this week resulted in identifying 5 previously exposed residents and two exposed staff to the initial community acquired resident to be positive. In addition, and unrelated to the initial break out, a resident from another unit also tested positive and was also determined to be community acquired. All the residents have mild to no symptoms and are properly cohorted according to CDC guidelines. We are communicating with and working in conjunction with DPH and Connecticut Epidemiology. We have initiated Facility wide resident and staff testing to help identify and control the spread. Per DPH, we will continue with usual visitation, but for those visiting a Covid Positive resident there will be additional measures in place to help maintain the core principles of prevention and protection. Guidance will be provided upon check in to the facility.

As a reminder, as the weather gets warmer and community restrictions start to lift…I Strongly recommend that those with the highest risk, regardless of vaccination status, should still practice masking in larger crowds and social distancing whenever going out into the community… Not only for the resident’s safety, but for the safety of the residents’ they live with.

In Addition, our hiring campaign is starting to bear fruit…We have hired several great new LPNs, RNs, CNAs, Laundry, Dietary and support staff. We are working hard with our current staff, DPH, and Agency help as we keep on hiring great people to fill our gaps….We still have a ways to go, but please know every effort is being made to bring our staffing back to is former levels prior to the start of the pandemic in conjunction to the national staffing crisis.

As Spring rolls in…we are planning some fun in the sun prepping for Nursing home week, Nurses week and CNAs week so keep your eyes open for fun stuff to come. Also check out our Facebook page for some great activities going on in our center.

Thank you, and have a great day.
Craig Dumont
Administrator