09/14/2021
- Oklahoma county COVID positivity has been >20% for the last 3 weeks.
- At this date, no known residents in Independent Living, Health Services or Assisted Living have tested positive. Health Services is testing all skilled and long-term residents weekly for the next 2 weeks which is called “outbreak testing” related to COVID positivity in staff.
- We ask all visitors to our regulated Health Care areas of Assisted Living and Health Services to remember screening for temperature, symptoms, and exposure. Masks are mandatory, and visiting hours are 10 am to 7 pm.
- The 3rd vaccine for the immunocompromised is now available at most Walgreens and many other pharmacies.
- CDC Guidance on Moderately to Severe Immunocompromised:
- Been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood
- Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
- Received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
- Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
- Advanced or untreated HIV infection
- Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response
- People should talk to their healthcare provider about their medical condition, and whether getting an additional dose is appropriate for them.
- The 3rd vaccine (often called a booster) is expected to be approved for use for all previously vaccinated on 9/20. The dosing recommendation is 8 months from the final vaccine.
- For Independent Living, we have a clinic scheduled here at Epworth on 9/23 which will include the 3rd COVID vaccine and the Flu vaccines. Our usual partner, Passport Health, will be providing these vaccines.
- For Health Services and Assisted Living, we will partner with the county health department and pharmacy to provide the 3rd vaccine.
- This month we will be rolling out a digital screening system called Advance Entry. This will replace the guard at the gate for the COVID related questions on symptoms and exposure. These heavy-duty tablets also are equipped with an infrared thermometer and will print photo id badges for all visitors and vendors indicating they have been screened prior to entry into Health Services and Assisted Living.
Four screening stations are spread across entrances into our community and will speed up the process of check-in while also giving us additional communication options to visitors, vendors, and staff.
Thank you for helping us keep everyone as safe as possible.
