Seacrest Village: (760) 632-0081 

August 12, 2020

Dear Seacrest Residents, Families and Associates,

I am writing to share that last night we received results indicating that five of our Assisted Living Residents have tested positive for COVID-19. You will recall we recently reported that nine residents had been exposed. Upon initial testing all nine tested negative.

After waiting an incubation period, all nine residents were retested and five of the nine have now tested positive for the virus. What this further reinforces is that the incubation period is critical in determining infection. I also want to tell you that none of the residents have symptoms at present time. I assure you that we have the necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and staffing to do whatever is required to keep our residents and staff as safe as possible.

As we have said many times, as a Seacrest community we are in no way free from the need to continue and even enhance our strict practices. Every staff member on the campus is affected in some way when one of our residents tests positive. I assure you that today, while we are supporting one another, we are all feeling the weight of this. And I assure you that our residents are equally concerned for one another and the staff. We are indeed one family and one community.

We appreciate your understanding as we continue to restrict all visits to the Seacrest community. We have and will continue to ask those who are not following this practice to leave the campus; there is just no room for risk. Some of our residents and families are questioning our strict practices. I must tell you that we intend to enforce restrictions and that these five new resident cases should serve as a call to action for all who are questioning us to instead support us. We do what we do for our residents; it is that simple and we need to know you support us.

I also want to address the request for residents to leave the community. If you feel you need to leave Seacrest to visit with your family, we are suggesting that you stay with them for an extended period of time. The coming and going from the campus is what is making us more vulnerable. Our staff must come and go because they are the ones providing your care, cooking your meals, cleaning your homes, and providing activities and support. They do not have a choice but to come and go; our residents do have a choice. We understand and agree that this is taking a toll on our residents. We are hurting for everyone we fully support residents going to stay with families during this time. Upon return we will require a 14-day quarantine in your apartment along with testing.

None of us has ever been through a pandemic and we are confident that we will receive full support for trying to keep our 250 residents and the same number of employees safe with these practices.

I want to thank each of you for your continued patience, trust, and understanding.

Do not hesitate to call me should you have any questions.

Pam Ferris,
President/CEO
The Mel Garb Foundation Presidential Chair