I wanted to update everyone that we are awaiting the results of the PCR Swab tests of the 43 Independent Living residents who were in the Pooled Testing Group (Yellow) that recently tested positive. In the meantime, these residents will remain in quarantine in their apartments. The results of the PCR testing will provide us with the details as to which resident(s) is currently COVID-positive. While labs around the country are currently facing a higher demand and holidays are causing delays with FEDEX deliveries, we do hope to have these results on Friday or Saturday. We will alert everyone as soon as we receive the results.
It is important to note that all of these residents are asymptomatic and feeling okay, of which we are extremely thankful for. This reinforces how valuable our routine testing is as we can mitigate any silent spreading of the virus quickly. This also reinforces the importance of taking appropriate safety precautions of: proper social distancing, hand hygiene and ongoing health monitoring, making safe decisions about where to go out, along with mask use. Masks are required to be worn properly at all time by all associates, essential visitors, and residents when outside of their apartments. If we observe residents who are unable to comply with mask wearing and social distancing we will ask them to return to their apartments. These steps can provide an excellent line of defense in the fight against Covid-19 if we all stay vigilant in these efforts.
Since we have experienced COVID cases here recently at FCI, remain at an increased risk for COVID in our area, and are seeing increased outings due to the holiday season, we have decided to utilize the individual PCR Swab Testing vs. the Pooled Saliva Testing two times per week. We are fortunate that the PCR tests remain available to us at this time as they provide a faster identification of any positive cases.
The testing schedule for the next two weeks is as follows:
MONDAY, 12/21, THURSDAY, 12/24, MONDAY, 12/28 & THURSDAY, 12/31
8a-10a—Assisted Living Residents– testing will be conducted DOOR TO DOOR
9:30a-Noon—Independent Living Residents, Associates & Essential Visitors* in the Chesapeake Dining Room
*Essential Visitors: To ensure your test can be completed we ask that you bring your social security # and your insurance cards with you to the testing if you did not do so last week.
Regarding the COVID-19 Vaccine: I would like to share that we have aligned the community with CVS to be signed up for a clinic. We have also been in routine communication with the local Health Department to ensure we are ready. At this time CVS, who is responsible for the scheduling, has not determined our clinic date. What we do know is that they are going to begin vaccine clinics at nursing homes and long-term care centers beginning the week of December 28th. Following these clinics, they will then begin to offer clinics at assisted living communities and in other senior living settings such as First Colonial Inn. Due to the complexity of the vaccine distribution we do know that we may not have much advance notice as to when our clinic will be scheduled. Therefore, we will soon be distributing consent forms to be filled out prior to the clinic so that we can be prepared. These will be distributed to residents and associates next week. Considering there are so many questions about the vaccine our Kisco Senior Living home office team developed the attached statement and FAQs regarding the vaccine for your review. We hope you find this helpful.
We are very grateful 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 or Dana Gregory (dana.gregory@kiscosl.com) know if you have any concerns or questions. We appreciate your questions, feedback, and support.
Chrissy Driscoll, Executive Director
KISCO COVID-19 VACCINE STATEMENT
Over the past nine months, close to 300,000 Americans have lost their lives due to Covid-19. Less than 1% of the US population is over 80 years of age, yet this segment represents over 40% of those who have been killed by this deadly disease. At Kisco our top priority from the beginning of the pandemic has been to keep residents and associates as safe as possible, and we are indebted to our community teams who have worked tirelessly to achieve this. Our communities have conducted over 50,000 Covid tests and we continue to lead the industry in efforts to minimize those affected by this horrible disease.
We are now only weeks away from a safe, highly effective vaccine. Residents and staff in senior living communities are included in the highest priority groups and our community teams are working with selected pharmacies (CVS and Walgreens) to facilitate vaccination clinics at all Kisco communities.
While many of you have followed this news closely and want to be first in line to be vaccinated, we understand that some of you may have questions, which is why we are talking to you today.
At Kisco, we have worked hard to follow the science every step of the way throughout this pandemic and believe strongly that it is our responsibility to have all associates and residents vaccinated due to the vulnerability of those that we are here to serve. All senior Kisco leadership will be vaccinated as will Regionals conducting essential work supporting communities. We are confident associate and residents will choose to be vaccinated as part of a unified effort to create the safest possible environment for us all.
Just days ago, Dr. Francis Collins (Director of the National Institutes of Health) remarked:
“Look at the facts…The ways in which these vaccines were designed, tested with Phase I, Phase II, and very large Phase III trials” and “careful analysis by objective scientists reviewing all of the data, there have been few, IF ANY vaccines that have ever been subjected to this level of scrutiny”.
If we pull together now, we can help put an end to this horrible pandemic and help get life back to normal.
We realize that some of you have questions, and for that reason we’d like to review some common questions regarding the upcoming vaccines.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
I’m concerned…It seems that the approval of this vaccine has happened too fast.
Actually, work on this vaccine technology began years ago with the Ebola outbreak in 2014. The scientific community recognized the need to develop a vaccine methodology that could be used in future outbreaks. This work over the past 5 years was adapted to support these first two Covid vaccines.
How safe is the vaccine?
These vaccines have been developed globally with the world’s leading researchers from multiple countries unified. Pfizer and Moderna conducted multiple clinical trials that included over 70,000 trial participants. A small percentage of those receiving the vaccine experienced mild side effects (comparable to flu vaccines), these include: soreness at the injection site, tiredness, headache, chills, fever.
In rare instances, individuals with a history of severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis- hard time breathing or swallowing) had similar reaction to the Covid vaccine. Therefore, those who have ever had an anaphylactic reaction to food, medicine, or a vaccine should not receive the vaccine at this time.
Can I get Covid from getting the vaccine?
No. Unlike previous flu vaccines, the Covid-19 vaccine does not include any actual virus material and cannot give you Covid.
Will I be contagious after receiving the vaccine?
The studies have not yet been conclusive on this, but it is believed that receiving the vaccine will not make you contagious.
Do I have to receive multiple shots?
Yes. Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two injections 3-4 weeks apart.
Vaccine clinics at all communities will be scheduled to support this. Associates not working on the day of the vaccine clinic will be paid for their time to come to the community to take the vaccine.
How long will the vaccine protect me from Covid-19?
This is something that is still being studied. An annual booster may be required but this is something that will be answered over the next few months.
Can I stop wearing a mask after I receive the vaccine?
The vaccine is very effective at keeping those vaccinated from getting sick with Covid. What we will not know for many months is whether this also prevents individuals from spreading the disease. Until this question has been answered, it will be important that we continue with our Covid protocols (including mask wearing, social distancing, proper hand sanitation, testing protocols, etc.)
Can I think about it for a while before receiving the vaccine?
Of course, however, realize that due to supply chain and prioritization concerns, it is not clear when/if we will be able to schedule additional clinics until the vaccine is available to the general public mid to late 2021.
Can my family receive the vaccine, too?
The US Center for Disease Control has authorized high-priority vaccination for healthcare workers and those in Senior Living environments. This does not include associate or resident families.
If I’ve already tested positive for Covid-19 should I get the vaccine?
Yes. CDC recommends vaccination even if you’ve had Covid-19. It is anticipated that the vaccine will provide better protection from subsequent infection.