Update from Administrator – March 21, 2022
March 18, 2022
Dear Family member,
I hope this update letter finds you doing well! There have been some changes made to the testing guidelines for COVID-19. As you know from my previous update, residents up to date with vaccinations are not required to have routine weekly testing. In addition, there are changes which have been approved by both the CDC and RIDOH which no longer require nursing facilities to provide weekly routine testing to asymptomatic facility personnel who are up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations. “Up-to-date” means the individual has received all the recommended COVID-19 vaccines including a booster.
Outside of periods of high transmission, the State does not recommend surveillance testing. Since Rhode Island is currently in a period where the number of COVID positive cases continue to decline, facilities may now choose to discontinue weekly testing for asymptomatic residents and staff. However, residents and staff will be tested if they have symptoms of COVID-19, have had exposure, (i.e., recently been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19), or upon facility outbreak. Also, please note, any resident returning to the facility from the hospital and/or emergency room must have a COVID test upon arrival to the facility. This includes newly admitted resident(s), readmissions for existing resident(s) and as stated above, any resident returning from the ER. We do have one confirmed positive COVID test result from a newly admitted resident. We just received the lab results confirming this positive test result. Please note, currently the resident is not experiencing any symptoms and remains stable.
Visitors are still required to wear masks. Additionally, are required to provide proof of vaccination and/or, proof of a negative PCR test result within 72 hours of a visit, or proof of a negative Antigen test result within 48 hours of a visit. We appreciate your continued support and thank you for your compliance to the above. Together with our collaborative efforts, we continue to ensure the wellbeing and safety of our residents remains of high priority.
In closing, if you have opportunity to check out the Waterview Villa Facebook posts, please do so. This week some of the exciting events held with residents and staff are featured. Something new to our home is the “Staff Wall of fame.” Yesterday was the first drawing for our recognized STARS mentioned on this month’s Staff Wall of Fame. The residents thoroughly enjoyed this opportunity to nominate a staff member whom they feel has gone above and beyond.
Stay well and best regards,
Lori Levine, BSW, LNHA
Administrator