Dear Residents, Families, and Associates of First Colonial Inn,
I am pleased to share that the FCI associates and employees of Silver Strands Salon and Genesis Rehab who were tested in last week’s COVID-19 surveillance testing received negative results. Thus far we have randomly tested 80 people with all negative results. Our next testing will be held next week on Wednesday, 10/21. From there we will transition to our community-wide Pooled Testing which will begin on Monday, October 26th. This testing allows us to keep an even broader pulse on any potential COVID activity within the community as residents will be included in this testing. For your reference, all the details regarding the Pooled Testing, including a link to a video of the process, are below this letter.
While the current COVID-19 safety protocols remain in place we are looking forward to the benefits that this new testing capability will allow us. We are currently putting plans in place to allow for our residents to return to a closer to normal life here at First Colonial Inn, including lifting the shelter in place restrictions (after we receive our 1st round of results) and reintroducing modified dining room services (more details to come soon). With dining in mind, I would like to share that we will soon be having a new Dining Services Director, Ashley Rosado, join us. Ashley will begin her onboarding with us in early November. She will be coming to us with a great depth of experience in the hotel/hospitality industry and is looking forward to being a part of the FCI team. As she acclimates to the community, we will be scheduling some meet and greet sessions so that our residents have the opportunity to meet her. As we move forward, I applaud and thank Jessica (Dining Room Manager), MJ (Chef de Cuisine) and the entire Dining Team for all they are doing to provide dining services as best possible during these challenging times. The Dining Team cannot wait to host and serve residents in the dining room again soon!
As we prepare to lift the shelter in place restrictions, we are now requiring all residents, even those who are utilizing our medical transportation, to sign in and out via our Accushield system located in the lobby. We are more than happy to walk you through the process. This system will allow us to easily access a report as to which residents have left the community within a period of time so that we can determine which residents will be participating in the Pooled Testing two times per week versus one time per week.
While this week’s letter focuses on the upcoming Pooled Testing and does not include the fun pictures as usual, we certainly had many bright spots. Wednesday was one of our best weather days yet for our Wine Down Wednesday Concert Series, we laughed at each other in our favorite fun and crazy hats one day, residents and associates picked up their pumpkins for our annual decorating contest, and yesterday residents and associates teamed up to compete in our ongoing spelling bee! Life has certainly changed for everyone during this pandemic, yet at FCI the loving and caring spirit of our community is still present and we are finding our way back to a new balance in which we continue to enjoy each other’s company and support one another.
As a reminder to residents’ families and friends, the Indoor Visit Station appointments are available on the hour between 10a-6p daily and are 30 minutes in duration. The Outdoor Visit Station is also still available for those who would prefer an open-air visit. Appointments are available daily between 9a-6p. Appointments are to be made via the Front Desk at 757-428-2884 and/or fci.reception@kiscosl.com.
We thank all of you for your continued support of FCI as we navigate through this pandemic together. Our continued positive thoughts and prayers for everyone’s good health are with each of you. Please let me know if you have any concerns or questions. We appreciate your questions, feedback, and support.
Sincerely,
Chrissy Driscoll, Executive Director