Dear All Residents and Families of Drake Terrace;
I would like to update you on the status of Drake Terrace and our response to COVID-19. While our residents shelter in place, our team is working hard to take care of our residents, keep each other safe and to contain the virus.
We currently have the following active COVID-19 cases: 4 residents in memory care and 2 associates. The resident in assistant living (previously reported) has fully recovered and has been cleared by their doctor. We do not have any cases in our Independent Living building. Associates who are symptomatic or have tested positive have been excused from work and will shelter-in-place at home with pay. In accordance with patient privacy laws, additional details about the patient and updates on their condition will be provided only by healthcare authorities.
Training, consistency and support to our associates is a priority to ensure our resident’s needs are met. We have been collaborating closely with the Department of Health and key doctors who have patients in our community. This week the lead doctor of Marin Public Health Department visited our campus to provide assistance and oversight. We were commended for having a comprehensive plan and appropriate containment measures in place and have been asked to share our operating guide to benefit senior living providers. Additionally, we have the on-site presence of a major healthcare organization and are working with local and state health authorities, as well as following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We have shared our guide and will continue to partner with the Department of Health to help flatten the curve of this disease at Drake Terrace and the community at large.
The protocols that we put into place last month will continue until further notice. These include: all residents remaining in their apartments, restricting all visitors except for essential medical or end-of-life visits, monitoring each resident and associate for temperature and respiratory symptoms daily, providing meal and activity in-apartment service only, increased disinfecting of all high-traffic/high-touch areas and the suspension any new move-ins for the month of April.
For the safety of all residents, we will continue to require all residents to quarantine in their apartments and have all associates wear masks. Care for any residents who are positive for COVID-19 will be facilitated by a dedicated team of caregivers who wear protective equipment (PPE) to minimize exposure to others. The measures we implemented over the last month are aligned with guidance of the CDC to manage active COVID-19 cases. Keeping maximum safety protocols in place is necessary and will be reinforced until further notice.
Naturally, the question about mass resident or associate testing will be asked again. I would like to provide the answer. Currently, this is neither recommended nor possible. This topic was covered at length with our designated Public Health officials. We have been granted greater access to testing and residents or associates who display symptoms will be referred for testing in cooperation with personal care providers and the Department of Health.
At Drake Terrace, our focus is and will always be the health and well-being of our residents and our associates. We understand that you may have questions and concerns. Due to the priorities at hand, I may not always be able to respond to individual emails and phone calls as quickly as preferred. I will, however, do my best to capture FAQS in my community-wide responses for everyone’s benefit. Moving forward, you will receive updates each week on Mondays and Thursdays and additionally as needed. Thanks again for your continued support and partnership.
Sincerely,
John Meyer
Executive Director