Hope you are all keeping safe and well?
After my last email to you all explaining we have had positive cases from staff’s children to staff, we have followed Public Health England guidance and from past experience isolated any staff who have had symptoms or tested positive on an LFD (rapid) or PCR test.
We whole home swabbed last Tuesday 21st September to have all residents negative, however after a member of staff tested positive on Friday another whole home swab was carried out, and sadly this morning it was identified what we were all dreading, a positive resident.
Hopefully, some reassurance is that they are a very private person and remains in their room.
We have then this morning completed a whole home LFD and PCR test, which identified 1 very faint line for a resident on the rapid tests (could be a false positive) and therefore all residents that are able to remain in their rooms are being encouraged to do so.
Staff are still tested via rapid test daily for peace of mind and to try and identify any potential infections at the earliest opportunity.
Hopefully, with our proactive approach, additional testing and support from staff, residents, and their families we will be able to manage the current situation as effectively as possible.
This means that there will be no conservatory visits until further notice, there will also be restrictions on families who are able to come inside the home to see family who are in bed, unless sadly on end-of-life care.
I think you will all agree the staff have done a fantastic job, it was looking inevitable that it would come in at some point due to the increasing cases in Shropshire and Herefordshire.
We have booster vaccines due this Saturday if still permitted, and hopefully, this will give further protection as evidence has shown after 6 months the protection decreases which, unfortunately, we are at the 6-month window.
If you could let all potential visitors know of the current situation this would be much appreciated.
Lastly, if we could avoid phoning the home before 9:30 am between 11-1 and also 3:30 – 5:30 as staff will need to prioritise support and medication to residents who have opted to remain in their room resulting in an increased workload.
Thank you so much for your understanding and cooperation. Any changes will be emailed over to keep everyone updated.
If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact myself or Vince, preferably via email as you will appreciate our time at present is focused on the residents xx
Kindest Regards and keep safe.
Keep Safe