COVID-19 Updates

Dear Family and Designated Representative,

We are writing to provide you with an update on COVID-19 in the facility. We have identified one (1) staff who has tested positive for COVID-19. Exposed residents have been tested. There was no exposure to staff. The facility has continued to follow CDC and NYSDOH health guidelines for transmission-based precautions and testing. Please be assured that we are continuing to follow infection control guidelines and remain vigilant.

The facility will continue to follow CDC and NYSDOH health guidelines for transmission-based precautions and testing. Please be assured that we are continuing to follow infection control guidelines and remain vigilant. We would like to emphasize the importance of visitors wearing masks around your loved ones. It has been observed, that there are some visitors who are not following this guidance and are not wearing their masks around staff and other residents.

While visitation is open, our population is vulnerable and at high risk; therefore, we ask that you keep the number of visitors at any one time to a minimum in order to reduce exposure.

All visitors must present a negative COVID test before being allowed to visit. Currently, the facility is providing COVID tests to visitors who are unable to obtain one prior to visiting. We will continue to provide onsite testing while supplies last.

Reminders:

• Please do not visit if you are not feeling well, i.e. runny nose, fever, etc.
• If you test positive, please see your doctor and do not visit.
• Please always wear a mask when visiting, regardless of vaccination status.
• Please use sanitizer when entering, during your visit and when leaving the facility.
• When you visit, please go straight to the resident’s room, do not visit other units, other residents’ rooms, or offices. Please keep your masks on during your visit, especially if around other residents and staff.
• If you are not vaccinated, as per CDC, the best way to protect your loved one is to be up to date with all recommended vaccine doses.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your loved one’s social worker and or nurse manager on the unit.

Visitation Policy:

Temporary Visiting Hours

Visiting hours will be from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm. If anyone wishes to visit outside of these hours, they may do so by contacting Elizabeth Harris, Director of Social Work or Denise Luiz-Herrera, Director of Recreation. The facility must ensure that all visitors use a face mask when the community transmission rate is substantial to high. Please note that as per the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Bronx County’s community transmission rate is high and therefore all visitors and residents must wear a mask at all times.

The facility is still required to continue screening all visitors, regardless of vaccination status, and all visitors must be screened. Visitors who have a positive viral test for COVID-19, have symptoms of COVID 19, or currently meet the criteria for quarantine are not permitted to enter the facility. Visitors are not permitted to walk around different halls of the facility, offices, and other units. Visitors are asked to go directly to the resident’s room or designated visitation area (GREAT ROOM-2nd floor).

Residents on transmission-based precaution or on quarantine can still receive visitors; however, in these cases, visits should occur in the resident’s room and the resident should wear a well-fitting facemask (if tolerated). Visitors and residents should be aware of the potential risk of visiting while resident is on transmission-based precaution and/or on quarantine. All necessary precautions should be taken.

Visitors can visit during an outbreak investigation. Visitors are reminded of the potential risk of visiting during an outbreak in the facility. If visitors choose to visit, residents and visitors must wear a face mask, regardless of vaccination status and must adhere to the core principles of infection prevention.

Core Principles of COVID-19 Infection Prevention:

We will continue screening all who enter the facility for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 (e.g., temperature checks, questions about and observations of signs or symptoms), and deny entry to those with signs or symptoms or those who have had close contact with someone with COVID-19 infection in the prior 14 days (regardless of the visitor’s vaccination status). Hand hygiene will be reinforced (use of alcohol-based hand rub is preferred).

Face coverings or masks (covering mouth and nose) are required at all times when the community transmission rate is substantial to high, while in the facility social distancing of at least six feet between persons is required, in accordance with CDC guidance. Please follow instructional signage posted throughout the facility.

Vaccination

As per New York State Department of Health and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, all employees are fully vaccinated.

We would like to continue to encourage all visitors to get vaccinated. The facility has ongoing vaccination efforts for all our residents and staff. Many of our residents and staff have received the booster. If you would like your loved one to receive the booster, please contact the nurse manager or your loved’ s one primary care physician to discuss. We must protect the most vulnerable population, especially with the increase in the positivity rate in our area. We urge you to please get vaccinated and get tested frequently before visiting.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Elizabeth Harris, Director of Social Worker at eharris@mchny.org, and/or your social worker, Sandra Diaz at sdiaz@mchny.org.