Dear Residents, Associates, Friends, and Families of Magnolia Glen:
As you know, we have established an ongoing COVID-19 testing program that we believe is the most innovative in the country. Collaborating with our lab partners, we have developed an approach that is designed to detect COVID-19 quickly to minimize the potential exposure to others and to eliminate the need for quarantine (when residents leave the community).
Our first line of defense is to regularly conduct ongoing Pooled PCR Testing. All associates and residents are categorized accordingly:
- Higher Risk: Anyone who leaves the community—This is generally all associates, any resident who has left the community, and anyone who regularly leaves the community (including 3rd party individuals such as Home Care, Salon Stylist, Therapists, etc.).
- Lower Risk: Individuals that do not regularly leave the community (most of our residents).
“Higher Risk” individuals will be tested twice per week, and “Lower Risk” individuals will be tested once per week.
Individuals are divided into “pools” that are composed of associate groups, and resident groups. Pooled testing requires the collection of a small amount of saliva that we send (in individual vials) to our laboratory partner. Once overnighted to the laboratory, results are provided within 24 hours. If a pool tests positive, we will quickly isolate the positive pools and conduct individual PCR testing (either a throat swab or a nasal swab). Once positive individual(s) are identified, they are isolated while the rest of the pool participants go about their daily activities with no further action required.
With adequate participation in Pooled testing, we can detect COVID-19 very early, isolate any positive individual(s), minimize the spread to others, and eliminate “quarantining” residents who leave the community. It is important to note that in order for this program to be effective, your participation is the simple, non-invasive testing is critical.
We continue to develop innovative ways to improve resident quality of life during COVID and will soon roll out a program that will allow us to safely invite family members to visit their loved ones in the community and thoughtfully reopen our dining rooms. We look forward to sharing more information in the coming weeks.
We realize that this testing information can be confusing, and we hope that this explanation of our process is helpful. I think you’ll agree that we are leading the way in addressing the challenges of COVID-19 by using innovation, science, and data to keep our residents and associates safe as possible as we work through this together. Thank you for your support, and please remember that while this testing can provide an excellent line of defense in the fight against COVID-19, this can only work if we continue to be vigilant with social distancing, mask use, hand hygiene, and ongoing health monitoring.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Jaime Pacheco
Executive Director