December 30: COVID-19 Update
On December 29, The Culpeper’s management team became aware of a contracted team member who works on the terrace level as a direct care worker, that tested positive for COVID-19 after becoming symptomatic. The individual’s last date in the building was December 27, 2021. The team member will return to the community when return-to-work criteria has been met. Contact tracing was completed and no direct resident or team member high risk exposures have been identified.
Additionally, on December 29, an administrative team member tested positive after becoming symptomatic. This team member shares a household with another non-direct care team member who has tested positive on December 30, after becoming symptomatic. Both team members work primarily in assisted living and will return to the community when return-to-work criteria has been met. Contract tracing showed no high-risk resident or team member exposures.
In addition, on December 29, a dining team member that works primarily in assisted living tested positive after a household exposure. Contact tracing was completed with no resident or team member high risk exposures.
On December 30, through outbreak testing for terrace level, two additional team members tested positive for COVID-19 with mild symptoms; one direct care worker that works on terrace level and one non-direct care team member that works in all levels of care. These team members will also return to the community when return-to-work criteria has been met. Contact tracing was completed for these individuals and no direct resident or team member high risk exposures have been identified.
The Culpeper’s management team is happy to report that all residents within terrace and garden level have tested negative on this date. The Culpeper’s terrace level remains in outbreak testing as previously reported with the next testing date for residents and team members set for January 6, 2021. The leadership team will continue to report any new positive cases. Garden level residents and team members weekly proactive testing has concluded this week due to two weeks of negative resident testing. Residents and team members on garden level will be tested based on symptoms or exposures. Any positive results will be communicated.
Because all residents remain asymptomatic and have negative testing results, there will be no changes to the visitation policy or to the daily care for residents. Communal activities and dining will continue with no changes as previously reported. No additional team members or residents are exhibiting signs of COVID-19 at this time. All licensing agencies and the Virginia Department of Health have been notified of the positive cases and subsequent actions taken by The Culpeper.
Any team members who are not yet fully vaccinated or have received a medical or religious waiver from LifeSpire of Virginia, will continue to be tested based on the county transmission rate. We will keep you updated on any further positive results and/or protocol changes.
All team members continue to utilize appropriate protective equipment, including masks, and continue to use proper hand washing and hand sanitization techniques.
The Culpeper’s team urges all residents, team members, and visitors to remain vigilant regarding mask-wearing, social distancing, and proper hand hygiene.
Check the COVID-19 communications hub at https://culpeperretirement.org/blog/covid19/ for up to date communications. Executive Director, Jim Jacobsen, is currently out of the office on leave. During his absence, please direct questions submitted via email to Bethany Starkie, Assisted Living Administrator, at [email protected]