Dear Residents, Families, and Associates of Byron Park,
A few days ago, I shared that our week of Monday December 14th, 2020 testing had produced the same results during both testing rounds. The results were: A positive pool for associate # 1 which includes about 40 associates and negative results for all associates in Pool # 2 and all residents. As a reminder we conduct twice a week (Tuesday and Thursday) 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.
The positive associate in Pool # 1 from the week of December 14th had been identified and anyone who had met the criteria of potential exposure has been notified in advance of this notice being distributed. This associate is in stable condition and will quarantine at home.
The results from this week’s testing are as follows: All residents are negative of COVID19 from the 12/21 testing date. All associates in Pool #1 are negative for COVID19. The associate Pool #2 consisting of 37 associates is positive. Individual testing of these associates is in progress and will be overnighted to our lab partner.
As of today, our county positivity rate is 8.7% (7-day average) and with the holidays in full swing we may see an increase in positive cases in our County. This reinforces the importance of all associates, providers, and residents to participate in our twice a week testing. It is also just as important for our families to take advantage of the individual PCR testing offered at Byron Park. This allows for safe interactions between you and your loved ones, especially when an essential outing needs to occur. We know that early detection through our testing programs, along with 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.
In a proactive response to mitigate potential spread and an outbreak at Byron Park we had communicated on December 4th, 2020 that we have modified our protocol for testing and shelter in place requirements for residents who leave the community during the holidays to gather with others outside of the Byron Park bubble, as we had done for Thanksgiving. Due to our enhanced testing, we do not require a quarantine for other outings. We are discouraging non-essential outings and gatherings of households as this is in alignment with our current regional and state stay home order that went into effect on Sunday December 6th, 2020 and ends on January 4th, 2021.
Our community is only a few weeks away from safe and highly effective vaccine. As previously shared, we have confirmed our registration and have identified CVS as our clinic provider. While our community is in the first tier (Phase 1) there is a phased allocation of COVID19 vaccines. Our associates and assisted living residents are in Phase 1a and our Independent Living residents are in Phase 1c. Many of you have asked and I have received confirmation from Contra Costa Public Health for the advocacy of community wide vaccination, while our county Medical Director is supportive and in alignment with this request, ultimately allocation is set at the Federal level, and this decision may be out of their jurisdiction.
As discussed during our community Town Hall meeting yesterday, I will be hosting small (10 people or less) focus groups over the next two weeks for associates and residents to answer vaccine questions. These dates and locations will be posted on Touch town and at the front desk.
For our families, friends and residents who wish to join online we are hosting a Zoom meeting to discuss the vaccine on Dec 29th, 2020 at 05:00 PM. This call will be cohosted by Mizuki Sato-Berkeland our National Director of Environmental Health & Safety, Ed Ward our Vice President of Operations in addition to our Bay Area Executive Directors – Ricardo Romero- Drake Terrace, Maria Quintero- Bridgepointe Los Altos and myself. The link to join is listed below this message.
I thank you for your commitment, confidence, and partnership during this incredibly difficult holiday season. If you have questions, comments, or concerns please do not hesitate to reach out.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Pastora