Update from Administrator - January 28, 2021

Update from Administrator – January 28, 2021

Hello Family and Friends of Valerie Manor. We hope this week finds you safe and well…

Valerie Manor is currently well prepared for the upcoming winter weather with Snow removal, Facility Status, Supplies, Facility generator, heating fuel, and staffing. Parking on Saturday may be limited due to snow volume, and snow removal team will be working throughout the day to maintain the lots. We hope you all remain safe and suggest you limit travel during the winter storm for your own safety and to allow the crews to maintain the roads.

Some updates from our communication last week. State Covid Positivity rates are down to 10% and hospitalization rates are down. Although Declining…we need to remain diligent. During our weekly staff testing we had no newly identified staff positives as of this morning. We are down to 4 positive staff awaiting recovery. Those individuals identified as positive from last report are following CDC quarantine guidelines and are not allowed in the facility per CDC until the proper quarantine has been completed. Also, In addition to our initial community based exposures, 6 residents tested positive after outside medical appointments and/or visitor/asymptomatic resident exposures. These residents are isolated following current CDC/DPH guidelines. This totals 14 residents with Positive covid stemming from direct or indirect community exposures. We continue to be vigilant about protecting loved ones and ensure proper social distancing, masking, and infection prevention protocols are followed, even outside our center. With the Community at large seeing the recent surge in cases…

With the increased cases of Community exposures, we have initiated the new guidelines for Visitors in Nursing homes last weekend. Executive Order 14F from Governor Lamont mandates all visitors to our facility must provide either proof of their full dose of COVID-19 vaccine or show evidence of having a negative COVID-19 test (PCR within 72 hrs. -or- Antigen/rapid within 48 hours). Proof Can be either electronic or actual documentation. We will not maintain these records in the facility so you will need to provide proof at every visit.

As a reminder…

All visitors must free of symptoms relating to COVID-19, including fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath/difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle/body aches, headache, new loss of taste/smell, sore throat, congestion/runny nose, nausea/vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
If a visitor has had a recent positive viral test for COVID-19, symptoms of COVID-19, or currently meet the criteria for quarantine, THEY CANNOT enter our facility
It is imperative that all visitors use proper hand hygiene (use of alcohol-based hand rub is recommended) upon arrival at our facilities.
All visitors must wear their mask at all times in the facility, regardless of vaccination status.
Visitors must maintain physical distancing of at least six feet – in accordance with CDC guidance.
If a visitor gives permission, the facility may keep a copy of their vaccination card on file.
Visitors must be denied entrance if they have tested positive within the past 10 days. Can resume visitation after completion of the isolation period as long as symptoms have improved.
Unvaccinated Visitors must be denied entrance if they have had a direct exposure for 14 days, unless they have been COVID positive within the last 90 days.
When entering our center, all visitors must review the instructional signage and visitor education on COVID- 19 signs and symptoms, infection control precautions, other applicable facility practices (e.g., use of face covering or mask, specified entries, exits and routes to designated areas, hand hygiene).

Current Guidelines are in effect until 2/15 unless otherwise extended by DPH. Please also note that the limited number of tests we will receive from DPH are to allow safe visitation of our residents. It is not to be used as a Testing station for personal need and the results are not maintained or reported to any regulatory agency by the facility. We encourage everyone to either get vaccinated or get regularly tested at an approved testing location and maintain those records if needed for your own safety and for the safety of your loved ones.

Now sit back and stay warm and cozy during the winter storm….Valerie Manor staff will take very good care of your loved ones.

Craig Dumont
Administrator