August 2021 Village Care Center Update
Village Care Center COVID-19 Cases
As of Aug. 31, 2021
The following report summarizes the daily number of new COVID-19 cases at the Village Care Center. The data is updated when new cases are reported. Cumulative totals can be found in the Communication Updates section.
- Aug. 31: No new cases.
- Aug. 30: 5 residents have tested positive.
- Aug. 29: No new cases.
- Aug. 28: A resident has tested positive.
- Aug. 27: No new cases.
- Aug. 26: A resident has tested positive.
- Aug. 25: A resident has tested positive.
- Aug. 24: No new cases.
- Aug. 23: No new cases.
- Aug. 22: No new cases.
- Aug. 21: No new cases.
- Aug. 20: No new cases.
- Aug. 19: No new cases.
- Aug. 18: No new cases.
- Aug. 17: No new cases.
- Aug. 16: A resident has tested positive.
- Aug. 15: No new cases.
- Aug. 14: No new cases.
- Aug. 13: No new cases.
- Aug. 12: An associate in direct care tested positive.
- Aug. 11: No new cases.
- Aug. 10: An associate in direct care tested positive.
- Aug. 9: An associate in direct care tested positive.
- Aug. 8: No new cases.
- Aug. 7: No new cases.
- Aug. 6: An associate in direct care tested positive.
- Aug. 5: An associate in direct care tested positive.
- Aug. 4: No new cases.
- Aug. 3: No new cases.
- Aug. 2: No new cases.
- Aug. 1: No new cases.
A Message From the Administrator
Monday, Aug. 30, 2021
I am sorry to report that today, as part of routine testing due to a recent exposure, we had five patients on the Village Rehabilitation Unit test positive for COVID-19. Each is experiencing mild symptoms. Of the five, four were fully vaccinated and one was partially vaccinated.
We have done a thorough round of contact tracing and cannot link any of these cases to a VIllage Care Center associate. All of the COVID+ patients have been moved to the isolation unit.
It pains me to no end that I have to share this news with you. Last year at this time, we knew that nursing homes were a leading indicator of what was happening in the broader community. It appears that this is true again this year. The silver lining this time around is that our residents have a vaccine that is extremely effective against COVID-19.
Additionally, last week we received two pieces of news from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). First, they announced that eight months after the second dose of the vaccine it is appropriate to get a booster shot. We are awaiting specific details from CMS. However, we have already had discussions with our pharmacy partner and will be able to administer the booster as soon as it is appropriate. Secondly, CMS announced that it is creating a new regulation mandating that all nursing home associates receive their COVID-19 vaccines. Again, we are awaiting details on this announcement, and we will work closely with the regulators to ensure we are in compliance.
Thursday, Aug. 25, 2021
Today a resident who went out on a medical visit tested positive for COVID. The resident is asymptomatic and vaccinated. The resident lives on the back of our memory care neighborhood. We will be testing all other residents tomorrow (Aug. 26).
Because of the positive case, indoor, in-person visitation is suspended, per state regulations. However, the current CMS guidance states that we can have outdoor visits, weather permitting. Please make plans to visit. To schedule an outdoor visit, contact the unit secretary for your loved one’s hall. That way we can help make certain they are ready when you arrive.
Finally, we continue to follow guidance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). With the positive result, activities, salons and group dining will be paused. Village departments that need to conduct business with the VCC are asked to do so remotely, unless it is essential for them to be in the building. Finally, masks are required when entering the Village Care Center.
I know this has been a challenging time, and your continued support is much appreciated as we work to keep your loved one healthy and safe.
As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions or concerns.
Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021
I am very excited to report that all the COVID-19 tests that were administered over the weekend at the Village Care Center have come back negative. We may now open back up to indoor visitors!
Although outdoor visits are still encouraged, with the excessive heat in the forecast we are happy to be able to offer indoor visits.
Finally, we will continue to test for the virus this week. If we do have any positives, we will have to go back to outdoor visits only.
Masks Required in All Areas of the Village Care Center.
Please remember, when you are in the building you must wear your mask at all times, even when you are in your loved one’s room, regardless of your vaccination status. Currently, there is a significant level of COVID-19 transmission in our area and across the state, and we are following the CDC’s recommendations for the health and safety of our residents, associates and you.
We are looking forward to seeing you!
Friday, Aug. 20, 2021
I have several pieces of good news that I wanted to share with you before the weekend begins.
ALL resident tests have come back negative in our latest rounds testing. In addition, we haven’t had any additional associates test positive. However, we will need to stick to outdoor visits until we finish testing associates on Monday morning. If, at that time, we have no new positives, we will be able to reopen for indoor visits.
I’m sure you have heard about the Biden Administration announcement about its intention to mandate vaccination for all staff of nursing homes participating in Medicare and Medicaid. The Village announced yesterday that it is planning to comply with the forthcoming federal regulations mandating that all Village Care Center associates (and agency workers) will need to be vaccinated for COVID-19. Currently, we don’t have a lot of details that we can share about the new regulations – but we do know that they are coming sometime in September. I’ll share more information once we receive it.
Finally, please help me in congratulating Amber Fisher on her promotion to Director of Nursing here at the Village Care Center. Amber can be reached at 816-347-2522 or [email protected]. In addition, I also have been officially named administrator. As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to me or Amber if you have anything you’d like to discuss.
Thank you for your continued support, and please have a nice weekend!
Monday, Aug. 16, 2021
Today, while testing all Village Care Center residents after last week’s exposure, we had our first resident test positive for COVID-19 since March. This resident has been vaccinated and is exhibiting very minimal, mild symptoms. The resident has been transferred to the VCC isolation unit for closer monitoring. All residents will participate in another round of testing this Thursday. I will provide you with an update after we receive the results.
We continue to follow guidance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). With the positive results, activities, salons and group dining remain paused. Village departments that need to conduct business with the VCC are asked to do so remotely, unless it is essential for them to be in the building. Finally, masks are required when entering the Village Care Center.
Indoor, in-person visitation is suspended, per state regulations. However, the current CMS guidance states that we can have outdoor visits, weather permitting. Please make plans to visit. To schedule an outdoor visit, contact the unit secretary for your loved one’s hall. That way we can help make certain they are ready when you arrive.
I know this has been a challenging time, and your continued support is much appreciated as we work to keep your loved one healthy and safe.
Friday, Aug. 13, 2021
I am writing to let you know that a direct-care worker tested positive at the VCC on Thursday, so we will begin our Round 1 testing of residents and associates Monday, instead of today, connected to prior positive results.
Once again, there does not appear to be any connection between the positive cases. I want to assure you that we’re using multiple layers of infection control procedures to try to keep it that way. These include ongoing education, masking, testing, on-site vaccination clinics, vaccination, and excellent hand hygiene, and when we are aware that there is COVID-19 in the building, we take extra precautions beyond those.
Associates will be tested Monday through Thursday so that we can include associates from both of our teams.
- Unvaccinated workers are being tested twice weekly.
- We are continuing with outdoor only visits.
- Activities, salons, and group dining in the main dining room remain paused.
- Village departments that need to conduct business with the VCC are asked to do so remotely, unless it is essential for them to be in the building.
- We will continue to keep you informed.
Outdoor Visits
One of the best things you can do is to keep coming for visits! Even when indoor visits aren’t available, you can still visit in the great outdoors. It looks like our weather is going to be unseasonably cool, so please do take advantage of this opportunity to enjoy some sunshine and fresh air with your loved one. Please call their unit secretary in advance, so they can be ready for you when you arrive.
Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021
It pains me to say that a direct-care worker tested positive today during our facility-wide testing in connection with a previous positive case.
I am delighted to add that we have already tested all residents today, and their results were all negative.
Unfortunately, this new positive case means we will start over again with Round 1 testing on Friday, and will continue weekly testing through Tuesday, Aug. 17.
- We will not be able have indoor visitation until Aug. 18 – at the earliest.
- Activities, salons, and group dining in the main dining room remain paused.
- Village departments that need to conduct business with the VCC are asked to do so remotely, unless it is essential for them to be in the building.
- We will continue to keep you informed.
Elsewhere on campus.
- Village Assisted Living: One associate who has had limited resident interaction has recently tested positive. VAL has paused all activities, group dining and salon visits for the moment and are conducting facility-wide testing of residents and associates in all parts of Assisted Living and Memory Care. We will know in the morning what those result are, and whether they will be able to resume daily activities.
- All Village Areas Outside of the VCC and VAL. Three associates in various parts of the Village have tested positive. Appropriate contact tracing is being conducted internally.
Jackson County Mask Order, effective Monday, Aug. 9 – In case you haven’t heard, Jackson County (Mo.) Executive Frank White, Jr. issued a public health order requiring universal mask-wearing in indoor public places for those age 5 and older, regardless of vaccination status. The public health order is in response to a rising number of COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations. The order is in effect for 30 days and will be re-evaluated as necessary.
And, of course, masks are required when entering the Village Care Center, for everyone’s protection.
I’m so sorry about this latest disruption. Thank you for all of your support as we work to keep our residents safe and healthy.
Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021
It is with great frustration and sadness that I have to send this news out once again.
Today we tested all associates and residents as part of our required testing from our last exposure. I am happy to say that ALL residents are NEGATIVE. Unfortunately we did have a direct caregiver test positive. This person was asymptomatic and is unvaccinated.
Unfortunately, because of the COVID-positive results:
- We have to pause indoor visitations. Outdoor visits are still an option. Please call your loved one’s unit if you’d like to do this.
- All activities are suspended, as well as dining in the main dining room and salon services, until further notice.
- We are requesting that all Village departments conduct business with us remotely unless it is essential for them to be in the building.
This does start a new exposure period for the VCC, which means more rounds of testing.
We will be testing all residents and associates Monday through Wednesday mornings. It is our hope to re-open Wednesday afternoon. We will keep you informed of the results.
Monday, Aug. 2, 2021
I am very happy to say that all of the weekend’s COVID-19 testing in the Village Care Center has come back negative.
We may now open back up to indoor visitors!
Ongoing testing due to the associate who tested positive on July 24 will need to continue for everyone this week.
- Those who are vaccinated will be tested once this week.
- Those who are unvaccinated will be tested twice this week, due to the current Jackson County positivity rate.
Masks Required at John Knox Village. Just a quick reminder that, effective today, John Knox Village is requiring masks in all buildings, regardless of vaccination status. This is because of the significant level of COVID-19 transmission in our area and across the state, and due to the CDC’s recommendations. This does not change procedures within the VCC, but if you plan to visit other buildings on campus, be sure to keep your mask handy.
We are looking forward to seeing you!
Friday, July 30, 2021
Yesterday we tested a symptomatic unvaccinated agency staff member who works in a direct care position, and received a positive test result.
While this is discouraging, there is good news:
- All residents remain at low risk as we are, and have been, mandating face masks in the Village Care Center.
- Because of the timing of the last time this person worked we do not need to make any changes to our current testing protocol.
- We had great results from testing all Village Care Center residents on Thursday – 100% were negative!
- We are testing associates today and Monday. So far, all associates have been negative, too.
- If all continues to go well, we should be able re-open for indoor visits on Monday afternoon or Tuesday morning. Watch for a letter from me on Monday afternoon. Please call before coming to ensure we are back open for visits.
I really hate to say that out loud, because I don’t want to disappoint anyone, but I also want you to know how very hard we are working to keep everyone safe AND keep you connected with your loved ones. Our second round of testing everyone will begin on Thursday, Aug. 5.
Village Assisted Living announced Wednesday that they also had a patient care associate test positive. The associate, who worked in their Memory Care 1 & 2 neighborhoods, is fully vaccinated and reported mild symptoms, which prompted the test. They have paused indoor visits, group dining and activities, based on directions from the State health department. Yesterday all VAL residents and associates were tested and were 100% negative, so they are back open for indoor or outdoor visits!
Visitations: Regardless of test results, outdoor visits are still an option. It looks like temperatures are cooling down significantly, starting Saturday. To schedule an outdoor visit, please contact the unit secretary for your loved one’s hall to verify that they wish to have visitors and are available at the time you want to come. That way we can help make certain they are ready when you arrive.
Masks at John Knox Village: It’s also important that you know that because of the significant level of COVID-19 transmission in our area, and across the state, and due to the CDC’s recommendations, John Knox Village is requiring masks in all buildings, regardless of vaccination status, starting Monday, Aug. 2. This does not change procedures within the VCC, but if you plan to visit other buildings on campus, be sure to keep your mask handy.
I appreciate your ongoing support as we work together to keep our residents, visitors and associates safe and healthy.
As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions or concerns.
Communication Updates
Email updates frequently are sent to the families and responsible parties of Village Care Center residents. If you have a question, please contact Tami Hoversten, interim administrator, at [email protected] or Anthony Columbatto, vice president of health and community services, at [email protected]. If you would like to see the communication updates from 2020, please email [email protected].