December 27, 2021
Today is December 27 and I am writing to provide you with the latest COVID-19 update which involves many of our buildings. Therefore, I ask that you carefully read this letter in its entirety.
In our Goldberg Healthcare Center (GHC), daily rapid tests are done prior to staff going onto the unit, and this morning we learned another GHC employee who works in the nursing department tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. His last day worked was December 25th. The employee is symptomatic, and we wish for a speedy recovery. Our GHC visits will continue to be on hold at this time. We simply need to mitigate the risk of spreading the virus which we know is so contagious.
Also, just this morning, we provided a rapid test to one of our Goldberg Resident Court (GRC) residents who was experiencing symptoms and unfortunately, tested positive. The resident remains in quarantine. We are currently conducting contact tracing and will notify those immediately who may have been exposed so that we can provide rapid and PCR tests today. The dining room will remain open at this time and programming will continue as masks are required for all residents and staff.
Visits to residents in the Goldberg Residence Court are highly discouraged, especially those who have been identified as having had contact with the resident who tested positive. We also strongly suggest that those individuals not leave the community until we have a chance to conduct further testing and receive the results. If residents experience symptoms, we ask that they contact Katie Park immediately at 760-516-2025.
Late yesterday we learned that an intern in the Katzin Residence tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. The person’s last day worked was December 22nd. This individual has no direct contact with residents. The individual does have significant symptoms and we are wishing a speedy recovery.
Each family member or responsible party of our Katzin residents was contacted last evening. Families were told that their loved one and the staff working in the Katzin Residence would immediately receive a rapid test, (which they did and all tested negative), and today, each resident will have a PCR test submitted to our
lab for processing. Families were also told that we are currently postponing visits to the Katzin Residence until further notice. All Seacrest staff are aware not to enter the Katzin Residence unless they work there.
Our Assisted Living Residence is doing well currently. We continue to test our residents and staff regularly. This is the same for Building Services, Culinary, and Security staff campus wide.
We ask for your continued cooperation at this tenuous time. We need everyone working together to protect our residents and staff from this virus. Even though ~97% of them are vaccinated and have had their booster shots, we know for some, the virus can still invade one’s system.
Please reach out if you have questions. We will continue to provide you with updates as quickly as we can when incidents occur. We believe, because of the nature of this virus coupled with increased testing, that we will see more positives, which is why we feel the need to halt visits to those buildings where there has been exposure. Again, we ask for your cooperation and understanding.
Stay safe everyone,
Pam Ferris
President and CEO
The Melvin Garb Foundation Presidential Chair