Status Update from Charmaine Preiss, Executive Director - 2/1/23Brandermill Woods independent living angle

Status Update from Charmaine Preiss, Executive Director - 2/1/23

Wednesday, February 1, 2023

February is a busy month for our residents and team members.  We celebrate Black History Month and Valentine's Day and begin our “Be a Positive Intent S.T.A.R.” campaign.

The two residents that we previously reported as Covid positive are recovering, however, we learned this morning that a third resident tested positive for COVID-19 in The Haven.  The resident has minor symptoms and is quarantined at this time.  We continue to contact trace and testing as required.

In Assisted Living, we just received Covid positive test results of two residents and one team member that is quarantined at home.  We began testing all residents and team members that may have been exposed.  

For the Health Care Community, we are going to be serving meals in residents' rooms and doing one-on-one activities.  If taking a resident to an outside MD appointment we encourage you and your loved one to wear a mask even if it is not required by the office.

Please continue to take additional measures to make visitation safer.  This includes wearing well-fitting masks, surgical or KN95 at all times, performing hand hygiene, and practicing physical distancing.  Do not mingle in the common areas of the community. Please do not visit your loved one and contact your doctor if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms: sore throat, severe lingering headache, sinus/head pressure, head congestion, runny nose, nausea, cough, and fatigue.  Visitors who are unable to adhere to our core principles of COVID-19 infection prevention that are consistent with the guidance for nursing homes will not be permitted to visit or should be asked to leave.  

There was a slight decrease in the COVID transmission rate for Chesterfield County to 15.81%, we are still on HIGH status.  We are in constant communication with the Department of Health and continue to take the necessary steps at this time.  We continue to follow the latest guidance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Virginia Department of Health (VDH).  

It was announced that President Biden intends to end the Covid-19 national and public health emergencies on May 11, 2023.  This means that many Americans could have to start paying for Covid-19 testing, vaccinations, and treatment.  Now is the time everyone should get “up-to-date” with their COVID-19 vaccines per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations.  The new Bivalent Booster has been approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and is now available at local pharmacies in our area.

For further questions regarding protocols, contact:  Jennifer Pitzer at 804-379-7100 ext. 187 or jpitzer@brandermillwoods.com.

Thank you for your continued support!