Dear Residents, Families, and Associates of First Colonial Inn,
I am happy to share that the results from our 9th round of COVID-19 Pooled Testing came back negative! In this round we collected saliva samples from a total of 228 people including residents, associates, essential visitors and employees of Silver Strands Salon and Genesis Rehab. This week we were limited to testing just once based on the holiday and FedEx availability. We thank everyone for their continued participation in this testing program.
Due to the spike in cases recently, compounded with the anticipation of another surge following Thanksgiving, we are requesting that ALL residents participate in the testing on both days, Monday and Thursday, for the next two weeks (11/30, 12/3, 12/7, 12/10). We are very happy that this testing and the negative results have allowed our residents the option and flexibility to come and go without having to come home to a shelter in place restriction if participating in the Pooled Testing. Due to the precautions everyone has been taking we have been very fortunate to have only experienced minimal isolated cases among our associates and we have not had any residents contract the virus. Proper social distancing, mask use, hand hygiene and ongoing health monitoring, along with making safe decisions about where to go out, can provide an excellent line of defense in the fight against Covid-19. Our resident population remains vulnerable to the adverse effects of COVID so everything that we can do together, both inside and outside the community, to minimize the risk is necessary and appreciated.
As a reminder, we are still limiting visits to the community (indoors and outdoors) to approved Essential Visitors only and/or via the usage of the Indoor or Outdoor Visit Stations. If you would like to make an appointment for a Visit Station please call the front desk at 757-428-2884 or email the team at fci.reception@kiscosl.com. We require all visitors to properly wear a mask at all times and observe proper social distancing while on the property, both outside and inside, and we ask that the front entry way/drop off table area remain free and clear from congregation so that there is safe ease of access in and out of the community.
We are excited to have quite a few residents dining with us in the Water’s Edge Dining Room tomorrow for Thanksgiving! If you were planning on going out and your plans have now changed please contact the Front Desk as we still have some available seats. On Friday we will be sending out the details to all residents regarding the ongoing availability of the Water’s Edge Dining Room for lunch and dinner options which we plan to begin on Tuesday, 12/1. The Dining Room has been rearranged to safely offer the opportunity for 22 people (or 25 with couples) to dine at one time. This will allow for each resident to have up to four reservations a week—we look forward to seeing everyone there!
I wish each of you a very safe and Happy Thanksgiving! We are very thankful to 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