February 18, 2021

Dear Residents, Families and Friends,

As I write this update, I want to share with you news concerning our weekly Covid-19 testing. For the past two weeks, all our staff and Sisters have had negative test results. All staff members who were in isolation have now returned to work, while we continue with our staff screening to monitor their temperatures at the beginning of their shift. Unfortunately, the test results for all staff members of February 15 were negative except for one certified nursing assistant who tested positive. This employee is asymptomatic and currently in isolation. The facility has completed the appropriate internal contact tracing to determine who may have been exposed. Since this staff member gave direct care to a group of Residents in the nursing unit, it is recommended that those seven (7) Residents be quarantined for 14 days as well. All the Residents on this unit are being closely monitored for any signs and symptoms of the virus. Fortunately, they remain asymptomatic. All precautionary measures already in place will be continued along with any additional guidance of the CMS-CDC and DC Health.

We are happy to report that all the other Residents remain asymptomatic and we continue to monitor them closely, checking for any signs and symptoms twice each shift. Because of this positive news, the Residents are able to gather in small group activities no larger than 10, always wearing a facial mask, respecting social distancing, proper hand hygiene and complete disinfection measures. We have also resumed serving meals in the dining rooms on both the 1st and 2nd floors, limited to no more than 10 Residents per meal.

As you will recall, we have partnered with Walgreens to administer the Covid-19 vaccine to all our Residents in the nursing units, 2nd floor, and apartments, as well as staff members and Sisters. February 19 is the second date for our vaccination clinic. We are pleased to report that we have attained 92% vaccination for our Home. This will be the second dose for most of our staff and March 19 is the final clinic date for the remaining vaccinations. Two are necessary for the best protection and we are grateful for the opportunity to be able to receive it. We will still maintain weekly testing as protocol by DC Health, even after the vaccination is initiated, as well as safeguarding the other means we have in place concerning wearing masks, social distancing, and frequent hand sanitizing.

I want to clarify information regarding contacting your loved ones. Francine Whitley, our Activities Director will continue to handle all Zoom conferences and window visits, or you may call the Sister unit supervisor or nurse on the unit for further assistance. Maggie Drew is still available to coordinate outdoor visits when the weather permits. If you have any questions or clarifications, please feel free to contact Daisy Alzate, RN or Sister Alphonse Marie.

As we begin this holy season of Lent, I close with a thought from our Pope Francis’ Message for Lent 2021:
“Dear brothers and sisters, every moment of our lives is a time for believing, hoping and loving. The call to experience Lent as a journey of conversion, prayer and sharing of our goods, helps us – as communities and as individuals – to revive the faith that comes from the living Christ, the hope inspired by the breath of the Holy Spirit and the love flowing from the merciful heart of the Father”.

God bless you,
Sr. Mary Michael and all the Little Sisters

Click here for our Visitation Policy

Previous Updates:
January 25, 2021
January 8, 2021
December 31, 2020
December 24, 2020
November 18, 2020
November 2, 2020
October 8, 2020
September 15, 2020
August 17, 2020
July 19, 2020
June 24, 2020
June 8, 2020
May 28, 2020
May 21, 2020
May 12, 2020
May 5, 2020
April 28, 2020
April 22, 2020
April 14, 2020

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