Dear Beatitudes Campus Families, Residents and Staff,
Over the past weekend, Dr. Deborah Birx, White House coronavirus response coordinator, said that in areas where there is a widespread covid-19 case increase (5% positivity rate or higher), that the first order of business should be to stop the number of COVID-19 cases before talking about safely re-opening schools. The 7-day US positivity rate among coronavirus tests this past week was 8%, and the Arizona positivity rate now stands at 14.4% for PCR testing. I think that re-opening schools has a lot in common with “re-opening” the campus for Independent Living residents. Health and safety are the top priority, whether its for schools or for the campus or for our greater community. We are screening all who step foot on campus, we have enhanced infection control, we don't have situations where we would have large indoor gatherings, we are following the masks/social distancing advice. We have a phased-in plan for re-opening, which we have already begun and which we will deploy step by step. Coronavirus will be with us for some time, so we must learn to manage what we can (masks, social distancing, hand hygiene) to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. We are in it for the long haul.
This week, as part of our phased-in approach, we are implementing meal pick-up in the bistro and Buckwald's. Residents and staff will continue to place their meal orders by phone, but now there is an option to pick up your own meal or have it delivered. To pick up your meal, residents will enter the Bistro on the north side or the west side entrance and enter Buckwald's at the main entrance on the north side. Staff will enter the Bistro on the south side and Buckwald's at the main entrance on the north side. All people picking up orders must wear masks and keep social distancing (markers will be placed to help the social distancing). Remember, if you don't feel comfortable picking up your meal, we still have delivery available at no charge.
Last Thursday, july 30, we had our second all-staff COVID-19 testing. After a small delay in transporting the nasal swabs to the laboratory due to the hurricane on the east coast, we received the results and all staff tested negative! This is good news. The direct care workers and support staff working in the Health Care Center and Plaza View, as well as our transportation and security teams will have another round of weekly COVID-19 testing today.
A resident living on Vermilion Cliffs tested positive over the weekend and is asymptomatic. The resident has moved to the Isolation Unit. One of our staff members who has been in the hospital, continues to receive mechanical ventilation through a tracheotomy tube. We send our thoughts and prayers for healing. You can find all information about COVID-19 cases at Beatitudes in the dashboard at the end of this letter.
I am overwhelmed by the number of positive comments I receive about our efforts to keep our community safe. Thank you for supporting our efforts. One thing is certain – we will be ready for whatever comes our way. We will face the challenges we have with creativity, adaptability and grit. Our commitment to residents, families and staff is what unites us.
Stay safe,
Michelle Just, President & CEO
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