Visitation and COVID Positive Update

In accordance with requirements created by the New York State Department of Health, you are receiving this letter to notify you that we had another employee test positive for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) at the Lutheran Home and Rehabilitation Center during our weekly employee testing. This employee was asymptomatic on the day of testing and continues to be asymptomatic while recovering at home.

At the time of this writing, we do NOT have any COVID-19 positive residents.

This marks the second employee we have had test positive on our campus though it is the only active case we have at the moment. All employees and residents who came in contact with this COVID-19 positive employee have been screened for symptoms and will undergo routine monitoring for the next fourteen (14) days. The unit where this person worked has also been closed to through traffic and will undergo added precautions for the same period of time. As I’ve stated before, our staff are uniquely prepared to handle situations like this. Your loved ones remain in good hands.

It has been over two months since we’ve shared news like this with you. Since then, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) supplies have become more readily available and regulations regarding their use in our industry have been updated. We went through an infection control survey with the DOH in June that gave our direct care staff and management team added information to treat, manage, and reduce the spread of infectious disease like COVID-19. Though it may not seem like it, these are positive things to focus on as we look ahead.

Sadly, this positive test result is going to delay our ability to reopen for visitation in the nursing home. Scheduled visitation to the Hultquist Place Assisted Living Program remains unaffected.

We will continue to update you as new information is received and especially if any other individuals test positive for COVID-19 in our facilities. As a reminder, we must continue to wear masks in public, continue to wash our hands regularly, and practice social distancing as much as possible and remind others to do so whenever we can. The actions of others outside our walls who are out in the community can have a ripple effect to those residing on our campus. We need to work together to beat this virus and protect the frail elderly or immunocompromised at all costs.

For up-to-date news as it is available, please use our 24/7 hotline found below. We thank you in advance for your cooperation during this challenging situation.

Symptomatic Residents Tested for COVID-19 21
HP & LHRC Residents Tested for COVID-19 by DOH 153
Residents Currently Testing Positive for COVID-19 0
Employees Tested for COVID-19 (Mandated) – Week 11 ALL
Employees Currently Testing Positive for COVID-19 1
Former COVID-19 Positive Employees Recovered 1

Sincerely,

Tom Holt
President and CEO