Extended Care has taken many steps to help reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection to residents and staff members since the start of the pandemic.
Visitation was suspended and the building was closed to the public in March and screening of staff members was put in place, including temperature checks before the start of every shift. Staff members were provided with personal protective equipment (PPE) to use when caring for residents. Plexiglass was installed at the reception desk to serve as a barrier.
All residents who tested positive for COVID-19 were moved to the Third Floor East Wing, where special precautions were maintained. These residents were not allowed to come out of their rooms (and if still positive remain confined to their rooms).
A specialized environmental professional group that used EPA approved disinfectants sterilized the entire building, from the basement to the fourth floor. Each floor was cleared for several hours during the disinfecting. In addition to the deep cleaning, staff members continually clean the facility with government-approved cleaning products.
All residents and staff members were tested for COVID-19, including those not experiencing symptoms. Residents who tested positive were isolated and staff members found to have the virus were removed from duty and not permitted to return until they received a doctor’s clearance. Retesting was completed in late May and isolation protocols remain in place for those with positive test results.
All group activities, main dining and social gatherings, including smoking, were suspended. Nicotine patches were ordered for those residents who are identified as smokers.
As an additional precaution, the facility designated a washing machine to launder linens and personal clothing for residents who were identified as COVID-19 positive.
The staff members at Extended Care are committed to providing the highest quality care to residents and will continue to perform their duties in the safest manner possible.
To see how all New Community departments have adapted during COVID-19, click here.