Important message from Julie Collins, Executive Director

At Nazareth Living Center, our priority is the health, wellness and safety of our residents and associates. We are in very close communications with our state and local health officials to ensure we are taking all appropriate steps to prevent the spread of the coronavirus on our campus.

Our COVID-19 Update:

Because we place a priority on the health and safety of our residents, Nazareth Living Center is currently offering regular coronavirus testing as required by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and as needed to residents, tenants and employees with symptoms. This testing helps to identify those who may have the virus and many not show symptoms so we can care for them and potentially limit transmission to others.

We continue to monitor all residents and staff for signs and symptoms of the virus. We also remain in close communication with our local and state health officials to ensure we are taking all appropriate steps to prevent the virus from spreading.

Visitation:

General indoor visitation is allowed on our campus. Visitors are now welcome any time during our visiting hours. When we are required to complete outbreak testing (following a new positive test result for a resident or employee), we are no longer required to limit visitors to compassionate care and essential caregiver visits in McGovern Commons. Please be aware that there may be a risk for becoming infected by COVID-19 when there are active cases on our campus. We take all recommended infection and prevention control precautions, but becoming infected is always a possibility.

All visitors are reminded to follow the infection control guidelines:

• Practice good hand hygiene
• Visitors who have had a positive viral test for COVID-19 or have symptoms of COVID-19, or who currently meet the criteria for quarantine, should not enter the facility. Visitors need to understand that there is a risk of exposure to COVID-19 when visiting.
• For the health and safety of visitors and all residents, visits should take place in the residents’ room (if private) or in a common space where physical distancing can be followed.
• While CMS does not recommend visitation when a resident is actively infected with COVID-19 or in quarantine, residents may still choose to have visitors. The Core Principles of Infection Control need to be followed.

You can further help protect our residents and staff by taking an over-the-counter COVID-19 test prior to visiting. This strategy helps to keep those who are ill from carrying COVID-19 onto our campus to our residents and staff. Thank you for your cooperation with all these safety measures.

Protect yourself and your loved ones with the COVID-19 vaccine!

Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is one of the best ways to protect yourself and everyone around you, particularly those who are at increased risk for severe illness. Getting these shots will not only protect you from being infected; it will help us take a big step towards ending this pandemic.

If you are unvaccinated and are interested in vaccination, the COVID-19 vaccine is free, safe and readily available. Not sure where? Check out www.vaccines.gov, text your zip code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233 to find a location near you. Still have questions? Go to www.cdc.gov/coronavirus for the latest information on the vaccine.

We look forward to the day when COVID-19 is vanquished. Until then, we appreciate your cooperation as we comply with the requirements applicable to senior care facilities.

Infection Control Measures:

Since March 2020, we have followed all recommended guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Centers Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and our state and local health departments. Because we have taken this situation very seriously, our campus has been:

• Monitoring and screening residents daily for symptoms of respiratory illness, temperature and oxygen levels.
• Providing face masks to all residents to wear.
• Encouraging health care providers to use telehealth when possible.
• Screening staff prior to beginning work for symptoms. Employees are not allowed in the building if they are ill. Any employee who exhibits symptoms is instructed to self-quarantine at home and/or seek medical care.
• Requiring all employees to wear face masks and eye protection while providing care.
• Encouraging residents and staff to obtain the COVID-19 vaccine.
• Implementing enhanced infection control measures, including extra efforts to clean and disinfect all high-touch areas throughout the building.

As we navigate this challenge, we are especially grateful for our dedicated caregivers, who are working tirelessly to ensure a clean, safe environment for all who live and work here. We all remain focused on providing exceptional care and services for all our residents.