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 pooled testing date. We immediately began individual nasal PCR testing for associates and were able to identify one associate who was positive for COVID-19. In partnership with the healthcare authorities (Contra Costa Public Health) and the Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing the community completed a round of pool testing on Monday November 30th, 2020 that produced negative results for associates and residents. As of today, we have 0 active cases of COVID19.
Out of an abundance of caution and in collaboration with our Public Health team we completed a second round of testing this week by way of individual nasal testing. As of today, we have had approximately 100 individual tests return as negative. 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. In response to the growing prevalence of COVID19 in Contra Costa County we have increased our pooled saliva testing to twice a week (Monday and Thursday) for all associates, residents, and vendors.
In a proactive response to mitigate potential spread and an outbreak at Byron Park we have modified our protocol for testing and shelter in place requirements for residents who leave the community during the holidays to gather with loved ones outside of the Byron Park bubble, as we had done for Thanksgiving. Due to our enhanced testing we do not require a quarantine for outings currently. We are discouraging non-essential outings as this is in alignment with our upcoming regional stay home order that goes into effect on Sunday November 6th, 2020.
We love how life may look and feel closer to normal in our bubble of safety that is Byron Park and we know that participation in our testing programs, along with proper social distancing, proper mask use, hand hygiene, and ongoing health monitoring, we can provide an excellent line of defense in the fight against Covid-19. We encourage families to continue to visit safely this holiday season by utilizing our bistro visitation station or better our individual saliva testing program we created for families and friends! This program provides you the ability to hug your loved one and enjoy a 2-hour visit in any of our common areas. For complete details or the previously shared flyer, please call the front desk.
The opportunity to dine and imbibe with our friends, engage in meaningful social, fitness, spiritual and intellectual opportunities, and the ability to gather and enjoy each other’s company is a treasure and a luxury during this time. We thank you for your commitment, confidence, and partnership during this exceptional season. As always, please reach out if you have questions.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Pastora
Executive Director