Dear Residents, Families, and Associates of Byron Park,
On Friday November 20th, 2020, we shared that one of the associate pools tested positive for COVID19 from our Thursday November 19th test date. All residents and the associates in Pool 2 were negative on November 19th. We immediately began individual nasal PCR testing. As a reminder we regularly conduct ongoing pooled polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing, which requires the collection of a small amount of saliva that we send (in individual vials) to our laboratory partner.
Today, we identified the associate who was positive for Covid-19 in that pool. The healthcare authorities (Contra Costa Public Health) and the Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing, were notified immediately. At this time, the origin of exposure is not known, and the associate has self-isolated at home and will not return to the community for a minimum of 10 days or until free of symptoms should they arise, whichever is longer from the positive test date. Part of our response to this case includes a full review and notification to any individuals who may have had exposure and close monitoring to follow. Based on our current protocols, with associates wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) following CDC guidelines, we are confident of minimal exposure. In accordance with patient privacy laws, additional details about the patient and updates on their condition will be provided only by healthcare authorities.
We love how life may look and feel closer to normal in our bubble of safety that is Byron Park. I am especially grateful for this and each of you during this challenging holiday season. As part of our commitment to you we evaluate our protocols when there is a status change to the community so we can make informed and measured decisions to keep our community safe.
In a proactive response to mitigate potential spread and an outbreak at Byron Park we have modified our protocol for testing and for residents who leave the community during the holiday weekend. Effective Thanksgiving through the holiday weekend any resident who leaves the community will need to quarantine until we complete a round of community wide pooled testing (this includes all associates and all residents) on Monday November 30th, 2020. Results will be back no later than Wednesday December 1st, 2020. Also due to the expected surge in our county and state we will be moving to full community wide testing (all associates and all residents) twice a week via pooled saliva PCR testing for the month of December.
We thank everyone for their continued participation in our testing programs, along with proper social distancing, mask use, hand hygiene, and ongoing health monitoring, we can provide an excellent line of defense in the fight against Covid-19. We thank you for your commitment, confidence, and partnership during this extraordinary time.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Pastora
Executive Director