October 2, 2021

We have completed routine testing of unvaccinated employees for this week and there continue to be no new positive test results.  York County remains designated as a county with a high transmission level. The CDC recommends that everyone in counties with a high rate of transmission should wear a mask in public, indoor settings. Mask requirements might vary from place to place. Make sure you follow local laws, rules, regulations or guidance. Visitors and staff to the Brunswick are required to wear a mask and complete screening upon entry to the building.

While we have not had any active cases, we continue to experience community exposures due to the high rate of transmission in the greater community.  If you have symptoms, please don't disregard them as "allergies" or a "cold". Because these symptoms are similar to those of COVID-19, we cannot take chances.  Any visitor or employee who presents with symptoms will be sent home.  If you believe you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, please seek medical advice and quarantine as recommended.  Even if you don't have symptoms, you may be infected.  If you believe you have been exposed, please do not visit the Brunswick until you are cleared by your physician.

The CDC is recommending that those individuals who have received the Pfizer vaccine (first and second dose) should receive the booster at least six (6) months after their last dose.  Residents in long term care settings and the workers in these settings are among those eligible to receive the booster.  We are in the process of identifying those residents and staff who are eligible to receive the booster.  We will be coordinating with Brockie to schedule booster shots for those individuals who are eligible and interested in receiving it..  New consents will be required for all who will be receiving the booster.

While our efforts are focused on managing through the on-going pandemic, we also recognize that flu season is here and we need to ensure that our residents and staff are protected from seasonal influenza.  Our team will be reaching out to residents and/or family members to communicate and obtain consents for the flu shot.  Information on the similarities and differences between the flu and COVID-19 can be found on the CDC website here.

Be well, stay safe, and have a pleasant weekend!


Sharon Eyster, MA, ACBSW, CNHA, FACHCA

Director of Operations

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

August 14, 2021

I wanted to let you know know that the York County COVID-19 county positivity rate has been on the rise the last several weeks.  The county positivity rate this week is 7.1%.  We are currently testing unvaccinated staff monthly per DHS guidance.  Our staff have been wearing eye protection since the positivity rate went up to 5%.  If the positivity rate rises to 10%, we will begin testing weekly.  We have been reminding our staff to take precautions when out in the community to protect the residents.  Additionally, we have been re-educating staff on the importance of infection prevention such as proper mask wearing and hand hygiene.  As a reminder, if you are not feeling well, we ask that you not visit at this time. We are screening every individual who comes to the building. Many people have seasonal allergies and often assume symptoms are related to that.  We cannot assume that signs and symptoms are seasonal allergies.  Anyone who presents with signs and symptoms (fever, respiratory
Read more

September 4, 2021

 Weekly testing was completed for all residents and employees.  We are pleased to report that there are no new positive test results this week.  Today is day seven of outbreak testing.  As I mentioned previously, we must go 14-days with no positive cases.  We will be testing all residents and employees, regardless of vaccination status, again next Friday and Saturday to complete outbreak testing.  Additionally, the York County positivity rate has increased to 10.2% putting us in a high risk area.  This means that we will now begin testing all unvaccinated employees weekly following next week's outbreak testing.   It is our  hope that there will be no new positive test results next week so that we may resume normal visitation, group activities and communal dining.  For now, there will be no change as all residents remain in a Yellow Zone until the 14th day with no new positive employee or resident test results. I will provide an update after next week's testing. We sincerely app
Read more