Coronavirus Update - 6.30.20
Update as of June 30, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. CST
We want to provide an update on an exposure to COVID-19 within our Querencia community. We learned Tuesday, June 30, a resident being cared for in our community tested positive for the virus. This resident is no longer in our community and there are no active resident cases of COVID-19 at this time.
We also learned on Tuesday, June 30, that two team members tested positive for COVID-19, and both are self-isolating at home with the support of our Human Resources team.
If you are identified as having had prolonged contact with any individuals who test positive for COVID-19, you will be contacted and instructed to self-quarantine for 14 days, per the guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Travis County Community Health Services and the Texas Health and Human Services Department.
We realize that this situation is concerning to you, and we are committed to being open and transparent, while respecting the privacy of those involved, as we deal with this unprecedented situation. We are implementing our pre-planned infection control protocols and continue to follow COVID-19 protocols at our community under the guidance of the health agencies.
Additionally, Querencia has activated our home office emergency response team, and we are working with health and infectious disease experts to take all appropriate steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to protect our residents, team members, and the greater community. We will also continue to follow all CDC recommendations related to the control and prevention of the spread of COVID-19.
We know that the COVID-19 pandemic is of the utmost concern to you. We have been diligent and have taken precautions to help our community minimize the risk of exposure to the virus. Those precautions include following protocols for long-term care and senior living communities such as requiring the use of appropriate personal protective equipment and masks, as well as encouraging residents and team members to use hand sanitizer and wash their hands frequently. We have restricted gatherings in communal areas, and have suspended all private and public gatherings, including communal dining. We have also restricted visitors to our Health Center and continue to monitor essential caregivers who visit our community.
As you are aware from local and national news, cases of COVID-19 are surging again in the State of Texas. You should continue to practice social distancing and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Masks or face coverings should be worn if you are leaving the community and interacting with groups of people in public areas. Regularly clean and disinfect objects you frequently touch, like your cellphone, using household cleaning wipes. If any of our residents has or is suspected of having the virus, appropriate isolation protocols will be implemented. If you are experiencing any symptoms such as a fever, cough, or shortness of breath, you should contact your doctor and our Querencia Director of Nursing immediately.
Again, we realize that this is a difficult situation, and we have protocols in place to help control the spread of the virus and to protect our residents and team members. We ask for your continued support and adherence to these important protocols. We thank you for your understanding during this challenging time. We will continue to endeavor to protect our residents and team members during this pandemic.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Querencia management team.
The Texas Department of Health and Human Services offers additional information about COVID-19 in our state.
Resident and Family Member FAQs for Querencia
We have put together the following FAQs to try to address your ongoing concerns:
What is Querencia doing to help protect residents and staff from contracting COVID-19?
We continue to follow the CDC, local and state protocols to prevent the spread of the virus among our residents and team members, including:
• Restricting visitors to our Health Center except for end-of-life situations
• Requiring all visitors and team members to undergo screening before entering the community
• Requiring appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for team members
• Suspending all group activities and communal dining
How does Querencia determine who will get tested for COVID-19?
We are closely following CDC and Texas Health and Human Services Department. In general, residents and team members who may have had prolonged contact with individuals who have tested positive for the virus or those with symptoms are being given testing priority.
See the CDC guidelines: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/testing.html
Can I visit my loved ones at Querencia?
We are following all federal, state, and local mandates related to visitor restrictions, and we are taking these measures to protect our residents and team members.
Residential Living, Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing:
• No visitors are allowed.
• Exceptions are made only for end-of-life visits.
• Those approved for end-of-life visits will be required to wash hands, complete a screening questionnaire, receive a temperature check, and will be educated on infection control. Skilled nursing visitors must also wear a facemask and gloves at all times.
Can family members deliver essential items like medication and groceries or pick up a resident for a doctor’s appointment?
Yes, family members may drop off essential items and assist with critical care appointments; however, they must pass appropriate screening questions and their access may be restricted to certain areas of the community. Please contact the Querencia management team for more information on centralized drop-off / pick-up locations and processes.
How often will you be updating us on this situation?
We will update our community on a regular basis if we have any new developments, via email, text, printed copies, and at www.lifespacecommunities.com/coronavirus. The Texas Department of Health and Human Services offers additional information about COVID-19 in our state.