Share Via Email

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

September 25: COVID-19 Update

As Lakewood continues to follow its routine testing plan for COVID-19, in response to the Department of Health & Human Services Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regulatory guidelines regarding long-term care testing requirements, all residents and team members who live and work within the healthcare center/skilled nursing area were tested again this week.

As a result of this testing, Lakewood’s management team has learned that a healthcare resident tested positive for COVID-19. This resident is asymptomatic and does not have any signs or symptoms of illness. Through contact tracing, the Lakewood team was able to determine that it is likely that the resident contracted the virus from an offsite location as no other team members or residents have tested positive at this time.  The resident, as well as all residents on the same hall, are now on isolation and are quarantining in their rooms. Team members who enter into rooms where residents are isolated, will be wearing full protective equipment as is protocol. 

Upon identification of this new case of COVID-19,  all team members will continue to be tested in accordance with Henrico County’s positivity rate. All healthcare residents will be tested weekly until testing identifies no new cases for a period of at least 14 days since the most recent positive result. The positive resident was retested on September 24 to verify the validity of the test residents as well as to see if the first of two negative test results are able to be obtained.   

On another note, the Lakewood team learned that an independent living resident tested positive for COVID-19 on September 21. This case is unrelated to the positive healthcare resident. Contact tracing was completed and it was found that testing of other residents was not warranted as the resident was able to provide the information needed. Additionally, the resident had all meals at home during the time period of which there would be a concern and has been under quarantine since September 18. The environmental services team has performed additional housekeeping throughout common areas.

As a reminder to healthcare, memory care and assisted living residents and their family members: only essential medical appointments off campus are able to be honored. Lakewood’s medical director will make the determination as to whether appointments are essential or non-essential for memory care, assisted living and healthcare residents. Transportation to essential appointments will be provided by Lakewood team members or an outside transportation company only; family members may not provide transportation to appointments. Also, family members may meet residents at essential appointments but at the conclusion of the appointment, the resident will be returning to Lakewood immediately using the same transportation method they used to arrive at the appointment. Family members must adhere to mask-wearing and social distancing protocols, when in the presence of residents, throughout the duration of essential medical appointments. 

Lakewood’s team continues to work meticulously to prevent the spread of COVID-19 within the community. The safety, security and health of all residents is the foremost priority. The resident in independent living, who is also positive, did not have any contact with the positive healthcare resident.  Through contact tracing, it has been determined that both of these cases on campus are separate. 

Mitigation actions taken by Lakewood’s team include:

  • Indoor visitation, communal dining, salon services and group activities are no longer able to occur for residents on the 3rd floor of the health services building.  Residents will be able to resume these services upon direction from the Virginia Department of Health.
  • Team members, residents, contractors and community visitors will continue to be screened before entry.
  • All direct caregiving team members (CNAs, nurses and therapists) have been fit tested for N95 masks. All team members are required to wear facial coverings. Team members who have interactions with residents are required to wear surgical masks. 
  • Any LifeSpire team member who tests positive are required to stay home,
    self-quarantine and will be able to return to work per the guidance of the CDC and VDH. 
  • Residents who test positive or as suspected positive, are self-quarantining in their rooms.
  • Ongoing infection control education for staff and residents has been provided throughout the pandemic.

As always, the Lakewood leadership team appreciates our community members and their families for patience and understanding during this most difficult time. Please reach out to the Lakewood team if you have questions or concerns. Stay tuned to  http://www.lakewoodwestend.org/blog/covid19/ for the latest updates.