Update from Administrator – November 25, 2020
Dear Resident, Family Member or Responsible Party,
As always, we hope this email finds you safe and healthy. As you may have seen, more than 60% of Connecticut nursing homes now have at least one COVID-19 positive resident and/or employee. Community spread of this insidious virus is affecting nearly every community in our immediate region and the state.
We are reminding our staff to not only practice safeguards against COVID in our center, but to be vigilant outside of our center and share these practices with their friends and loved ones. We still ask you to do your part while in your community and PLEASE wear your mask, wash your hands, and watch your distance. And please promote these very simple precautions with your extended family and friends.
We continue testing our staff and residents at regular intervals as required by CMS, CDC and DPH. We currently have 2 employees who tested positive for the virus. Fortunately, no other residents have tested positive. The few long term care residents who tested positive for the virus last week, are currently recovering at an Athena sister facility. They will be returning to Bayview as soon as they are COVID recovered. Westfield Specialty Care was reopened this month to provide short term rehabilitation to COVID positive patients from the hospital, skilled nursing facilities and the community.
We have shared a letter from the Connecticut Department of Health earlier this week regarding staying safe and healthy during the upcoming holiday season. Please be aware these regulations are fluid. They differ for facilities that have not had any positive COVID cases than for those that have had residents or staff who have tested positive for virus.
Patio visitations will continue by appointment as long as weather permits and window visits are still possible. The weather seems to be holding steady for now and we continue to make accommodations and work on new ways to continue this safe, in-person visitation. And again, remember that we do offer iPads for our residents to use for video visits, phone calls, etc. to ensure that you and your loved ones remain in contact, as best as you can during these very difficult times.
Thank you for your patience and please stay safe and healthy!
~ From all of us at Bayview Health Care