Live Update to Residents-July 2, 2020
Live updates to residents on our in-house TV970 keep us informed and connected. Today’s update featured John Burns, President and CEO; Melissa Markey, Manager Wellness; Lynn McClintock, Director Pastoral Care; and The Rev. O. Benjamin Sparks, resident.
The following updates were shared during the live briefing on TV970.
John Burns
Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is reporting a new record high of reported cases, more than 50,700 in a single day. As of today, the COVID-19 data for Virginia includes:
• 671,560 people have been tested for COVID-19, including 15,602 since yesterday. This high number of tests is contributing to longer waits for receiving results.
• Positive cases total 63,735, an increase of 532 since yesterday.
• The rolling seven-day positivity rate in Virginia is 6.2% (up for the fourth day in a row), Henrico is 6.3%, Richmond is 8.1% and Chesterfield is 9.5%.
• 888 people are currently hospitalized.
• 8,496 have recovered, including 365 since yesterday.
On Tuesday we reported that an employee in Mary Morton Parsons Health Center had tested positive for COVID-19 after travel out of state. We have since retested all Parsons Health Center residents and are waiting for their test results.
Nine additional employees have become ill and are off campus waiting for test results. This trend of illness, testing and quarantine will likely continue. Thank you for being honest about how you feel and getting medical attention and testing when you need it.
Point Prevalence Survey
On July 20 and 21, a Point Prevalence Survey, or PPS, will be conducted at Westminster Canterbury Richmond in partnership with the Virginia Department of Health and National Guard. John Burns is part of Governor Northam’s COVID-19 Long-Term Care Task Force, which initiated this project of conducting a PPS at all long-term care and congregate living (Independent Living and Assisted Living) facilities several weeks ago. Westminster Canterbury Richmond is one of the last long-term care facilities in Virginia to have a PPS since we have not experienced an outbreak or requested a survey sooner.
Our team will work together with the National Guard to test all residents and employees over two days. Our goal is 100% participation! It is important for everyone to participate during those two days. As our region continues to reopen as part of the Forward Virginia plan and we work toward reopening our campus to visitors, it is likely that we will see more cases. This PPS will help us learn whether we have asymptomatic residents and employees and help us determine our next steps.
Specific details will be shared soon. There is no charge for the test. For Parsons Health Center and Assisted Living residents, teams will go door-to-door to conduct the tests. For Independent Living residents, there will be designated testing locations and a schedule to limit the number of residents being tested at one time. As always, everyone will be wearing a mask and should maintain social distancing while waiting to be tested. Employees will also receive a schedule for when their department will be tested.
Read the memo that was shared with residents and employees here.
Dining Update
It was announced this week that we would be adding a fee for meals delivered by Dining. However, because of the Point Prevalence Survey and other circumstances, we have decided to postpone the $1.50 delivery fee until August 3. Please disregard the article in today’s Tales stating that we would charge for delivery.
Fireworks Viewing
The Roof Terrace will be open for viewing Fourth of July fireworks. Please continue social distancing at all times. Have a happy and safe holiday weekend. Keep wearing your masks, washing your hands and being careful everywhere you go, on and off campus.
Melissa Markey
Wellness Updates
The TV970 exercise schedule indicated a new Yoga class would start last week at 10 a.m.; however, we have been delayed in filming that class. The Cardio and Core class will continue to be available. We hope to add the Yoga class soon.
Appointments for the Fitness and Aquatic Centers are now available Monday through Friday. Please follow the same process for making appointments weekly. All appointments will be 30 minutes in length. Residents are allowed two appointment times per week. Appointments are available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. To schedule an appointment for the Fitness Center, call ext. 6669. For the Aquatic Center, call ext. 6539. Please leave a message indicating a preferred day and time. Additional information is in The Tales.
We are excited to begin offering small group exercise classes to Independent Living residents starting next week. We have added two pool classes: Ai Chi and Aqua Cardio, and three land classes: Balance, Strength, and Yoga and Meditation. Detailed information about these classes and how to sign up can be found on TV971 and in the Activity section of Touchtown Community Apps. All classes require registration and will have limited space due to social distancing guidelines. If you have any questions about the classes, please reach out to a member of the Wellness Team by calling ext. 6669. Classes for Assisted Living and Memory Support areas are also being added. If you are not ready to join a group class, please continue to exercise with the programs on TV970.
Lynn McClintock
The Service of Thanksgiving for the Montague Chapel and the Memorial Garden will air again on TV970 on Sunday, July 5, at 4 p.m. You may also view it on YouTube.
During these difficult times, residents and staff can call upon chaplains for a listening ear and support. Please call any individual chaplain or call Vanessa Perry at ext. 1502, and she can help you connect.
The Rev. O. Benjamin Sparks, resident
Psalm 2: 1-4, 10-12
1 Why do the nations conspire,
and the peoples plot in vain?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against the Lord and his anointed, saying,
3 ‘Let us burst their bonds asunder,
and cast their cords from us.’
4 He who sits in the heavens laughs;
the Lord has them in derision.
10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
be warned, O rulers of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear,
with trembling 12 kiss his feet,
or he will be angry, and you will perish in the way;
for his wrath is quickly kindled.
Happy are all who take refuge in [God].
I Corinthians 1:21, 26-31
For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe.
26 Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, 29 so that no one might boast in the presence of God.
30 He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 in order that, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.’
May we all find consolation in these words from the Living God.