Update from Administrator – January 12, 2021
Dear Families,
As always, we hope this letter finds you safe and healthy as we begin the New Year!
The second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine was administered today for residents and staff. The first dose was also offered for anyone that had previously declined receiving it. The vaccine was delivered and administered by pharmacists from CVS. Our third and final clinic is scheduled for Feb 2nd.
We have encouraged as many residents as possible to get this vaccine. As we have learned, the elderly and those with significant health concerns have a much higher risk for getting very sick, being hospitalized, or succumbing from COVID-19. The vaccine has been shown to provide a great deal of protection against serious illness due to COVID-19. The more residents that get vaccinated, the better we can protect our community against potential outbreaks and save lives.
This vaccine has gone through testing and clinical trials to ensure it meets the highest safety standards. It also is safe to get if you already had the virus. The health and safety of our residents is always our top priority, and we are confident this vaccine is a much better option than the risk of getting this virus.
We will continue to take all necessary precautions after the vaccine is administered, including wearing personal protective equipment and conducting regular testing, to ensure the safety of our residents and staff. We will also continue to follow the guidance and recommendations of our public health officials to determine how and when to adjust our policies for visitations and social activities and keep you updated.
There is a light at the end of the tunnel. We are hopeful that the vaccine will be a lifesaving turning point in the fight against COVID-19. We look forward to getting back to a “new normal,” with families and friends again visiting our center on a regular basis. Entertainers coming back into the center to further enrich the lives of our residents.
You may also visit several websites listed below to learn more about the vaccine.
- AMDA: FAQs about the COVID-19 Vaccine for PALTC Staff, Patients, Residents and Family Members http://paltc.org/sites/default/files/QA%20about%20the%20COVID-19%20Vaccine%20for%20PALTC%20Patients%20Family%20Member%20and%20Staff%20_%2012_1_20%20FINAL.pdf
- CDC: About COVID-19 vaccines. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/about-vaccines.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/covid-conversations/answering-questions.html
- CDC: Understanding the Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program and Frequently Asked Questions. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/long-term-care/pharmacy-partnerships.html
As previously mentioned, we had two employees test positive for Covid last week. All staff continue to be tested twice a week and our residents are being tested weekly as well. Our next round of resident testing is scheduled to occur tomorrow, and staff testing is ongoing throughout the week. We are taking all precautions possible to keep our residents and staff safe at this time. Our hope is that through ongoing testing we will be able to test anyone positive quickly to prevent exposure for your loved ones.
As a reminder, our next “Town Hall” meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 14th at 1pm (call in number: 888-721-8686; Guest Code: 714256#). We encourage all residents and family members to call in with any questions or concerns you may have. Our commitment is to be as transparent as possible and work to address any issues that arise.
Thank you and please stay safe and healthy!
Marisa Jones LNHA, MBA
Administrator