January 9, 2024
Good afternoon:
Unfortunately, two more GNAs who work in the nursing home tested positive for COVID-19 over the weekend. Both have symptoms and are not at work. There is good news though. Eight residents who were COVID-19 positive have completed their isolation; three are in the nursing home and five are in assisted living and the Personal Care assisted living unit on the fourth floor. All nursing home residents were tested yesterday and they are all negative. Assisted living residents are in the process of being tested and so far they are all negative. In addition, the employee in Administration who was positive has completed her isolation and returned to work. As of today, there are 10 active cases: 8 staff and 2 residents in assisted living and the Personal Care unit. This is a significant reduction in the number of residents with COVID-19 since my last update. The COVID-19 outbreak will continue for at least 2 more weeks because of these additional positive staff. The RSV outbreak continues with 6 residents with RSV; two additional assisted living residents tested positive for RSV but two residents completed their isolation. Of these six, three are in the nursing home and three are in assisted living.
Face mask wearing by all staff, while at work, is required while we are in this outbreak. At the direction of the Baltimore County Health Department, we are testing all nursing home and assisted living residents and staff again. Residents will be tested twice the week and staff once this week. Assisted living, nursing home and apartment residents who do not have COVID-19 or are not exhibiting any symptoms can continue to participate in communal dining in their areas. Group activities will be held separately for the residents in the Personal Care unit, 2nd and 3rd floor of assisted living, nursing home, and independent living. The Beauty Salon is open but the Country Store is closed.
Given the presence of COVID-19 in the greater community, it is highly likely that residents and staff will be exposed to the virus. Some residents or staff will get the virus as we have seen at Pickersgill. It is important that you let us know if you have tested positive for COVID-19 within 7 days after visiting a resident in the community. Residents or staff who are exposed to the COVID-19 virus but do not have symptoms will be tested multiple times after being exposed; this follows CDC guidance. While we are not requiring residents to wear face masks when they are not in their room, it is recommended. I strongly encourage residents to wear a face mask when they are not in their room or when they have a visitor. When you are visiting Pickersgill, please consider wearing a face mask when you are walking through the building, in the common areas and when you are visiting with residents. We will do a POC rapid test on any employee, assisted living or nursing home resident who is not feeling well.
Since we are also experiencing an outbreak of other respiratory illnesses in addition to COVID-19, please consider adhering to the following guidelines given to us by the Health Department:
- Only visit with the person you are here to see. Going to different rooms and areas of the building can spread germs that cause illness.
- Use hand sanitizer or wash your hands before and after your visit.
- If the person you are visiting is sick, please check in at the nurse’s station and read the posted signs before entering the room.
- If you are sick, please do not visit.
Mitigating Actions to Prevent or Reduce Risk
As you know, and I have reported previously, we have taken many mitigating actions to prevent or reduce the risk of transmission of the COVID-19 virus. I provide this section with every update in compliance with Federal regulations. We seek the direction of the Baltimore County Health Department about restrictions if either an employee or resident tests positive.
Regardless of our outbreak status, we continue to encourage residents to wear a face mask when they are not in their room, wash their hands regularly, and practice social distancing. We are checking all assisted living and nursing home residents’ temperature and oxygen levels daily. We actively screen daily all healthcare staff, employees, visitors, and vendors who enter the building according to CDC guidelines. When we are in an outbreak, we require all employees to wear a face mask and other appropriate Personal Protective Equipment, as necessary, when interacting with or caring for a resident who has COVID-19.
We are following CDC, CMS, and Maryland Dept. of Health guidelines and testing any resident or employee who states that they have a symptom that could be a symptom of COVID-19. In addition, we are requiring that a resident is tested before being readmitted to the community from a hospital or other nursing home. If an assisted living or nursing home resident has symptoms and tests positive for COVID-19, they are under strict isolation in their room. An isolation cart is outside their room and any staff who enter the room wear a face mask, face shield, gloves, and gown. The resident also wears a face mask when an employee is in the room. This procedure continues for at least ten days and until the resident no longer has symptoms for 24 hours. Employees who have symptoms are excused from work until their test results are negative. If an employee’s test is positive, they are excused from work and we follow the CDC recommendations for the length of the isolation period.
Please contact me if you have any questions about this information. Thank you.
Barry
Barry Eisenberg, FACHE, LNHA
Executive Director
Pickersgill Retirement Community
615 Chestnut Avenue, Towson, MD 21204
p. 410-825-7423 | f. 410-821-6275