Today I would like to notify you of good news following the positive COVID cases we encountered and reported on last week. We were able to complete additional lab testing to confirm those initial positive antigen tests. These more enhanced lab tests are called PCR tests. After receiving the results earlier this week we are happy to report that 4 of the 5 cases reported last week were found to be false positives from their initial antigen tests.
This is great news as we currently have no residents and only one current staff member out with COVID at this time. Thank you to all the staff for the quick actions of last week and ensuring that we covered all our bases, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our staff and residents.
All staff at Villa St. Joseph will continue to be in N95 masks and face shields and must test weekly again this week and early next week to complete our two-week outbreak.
Our COVID update since March 2020: Villa St. Joseph has 1 Active staff and or Resident Cases. We had a total of 184 resident or staff cases. Memory Care Assisted Living at Villa St Joseph has 0 active Resident or Staff cases and a cumulative total of 14 cases. Marymount Place has 0 Active Resident or Staff cases — and a cumulative total of 30 resident/staff cases.
Lastly on April 26 the CDC updated the map of Cuyahoga County regarding the communal spread of COVID. The county is now Red. This does not change our current visitation requirements but does change the testing cadence for staff. Those not up to date with their vaccine need to test two times weekly until the county color returns to Yellow. At that point, testing returns to once per week.
Please again remember that when visiting loved ones in our buildings, it is crucial that you are truthful when answering the COVID questions asked of you when you arrive. Continue to sign in with the receptionist or supervisor.
Thank you. Stay safe everyone!