November 17, 2020
Good evening Seacrest Residents and Family Members,
I hope this letter finds you all well. Like you, we are pleased to learn that a vaccine is in our future. While we do not have confirmation of a distribution timeline, we are encouraged and feeling like there is soon going to be a return to life with our friends and families outside of our wonderful Seacrest Family. In fact, Seacrest has now been registered for all of our employees and residents to receive the vaccination when it is made available to us.
As we shared with you on Monday evening, we have an Assisted Living caregiver who has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. This employee is home and we are sending good thoughts for a complete recovery. And today we learned that one of our Seacrest at Home employees tested positive as well. This Seacrest at Home employee was in our Independent Living, Assisted Living and Goldberg Healthcare Center and those residents who had contact have been notified as well as their family members.
We remain in the process of contact tracing and testing and will keep you informed as we have more information to share.
The number of cases in San Diego County is at an all-time high and the Governor has placed the county in the most restrictive Purple Tier. What does this mean for Seacrest as we approach the holidays, most significantly Thanksgiving, though Chanukkah follows shortly thereafter.
Several residents and families have expressed concern for the safety of residents who could potentially be exposed to the virus from other residents who leave the campus to attend gatherings. We have been asked what the return protocol is for residents who leave during this time. Though we certainly understand that it is a personal choice to leave the campus, whether for a day or several, below are the requirement upon return.
Residents who leave to share a holiday meal with friends or family and return the same day will quarantine for 7 days and will then be tested. After a negative test result is received, the quarantine will be over. Keep in mind that testing is not conducted on the weekends so this is an approximate time frame.
Residents who choose to stay overnight with friends or family will quarantine for 14 days and will then be tested. After a negative test result is received the quarantine will be over. Again, keep in mind that testing is not conducted on the weekends so this is an approximate time frame.
During quarantine staff will deliver all meals as well as mail. Trash will also be taken out daily. Residents will be able to leave their apartments to take walks outside. Of course, masks will be required as always. Residents will not be able to attend any programs, use the fitness center, or have meals in the dining room. These restrictions will give peace of mind to the other residents and families and we trust you will understand our need to implement them.
We are proud of the relatively small number of positive COVID-19 cases our residents and staff have experienced, though we feel strongly we must maintain our strict practices which also include alerting your building manager if you are leaving the campus.
On behalf of all of us at Seacrest, I wish you a safe and healthy holiday season. As always, please call if you have any questions.
Warm regards,
Pam Ferris
President and CEO
The Melvin Garb Foundation Presidential Chair