Covid-19
We are keeping our Residents
Safe and Healthy
Visitor restrictions are in place
Weekly Update 8/3/2020
Humboldt has still not been approved for visitation, there are no new cases but we have residents with testing swabs pending. The labs are significantly backed up. We will keep everyone updated.. The weekly staff continues and we have no new positive cases.
Weekly Update 7/21/2020
Humboldt House is not eligible for visitation at this time as the facility is required to be Covid free x 28 days. A staff member did test positive and has been out of work since the end of June. All residents have been tested and confirmed results are pending. You will be notified of any positive results; so far all results received are negative. Please continue to schedule virtual and window visits.
Visitation + Weekly Update 7/16/2020
Humboldt is preparing for visitation once approved by the DOH. The facility had a staff member test positive, who has not worked in the facility since 6/24/2020. Per the DOH guidance the facility needs to be covid free for 28 days. The facility also had a resident who had no symptoms test positive in the hospital, and has since returned and is Covid negative. There are no positive cases in the facility. We have tested all residents as a precautionary measure and results received so far are all negative. If anyone tests positive individual families will be notified.
Thank you for your patience and we look forward to opening for visitation soon!!
Weekly Update 7/10/2020
We have had one new case this week, there are no residents with any symptoms. All staff and residents have tested negative!! We will continue all of our efforts to prevent the spread of Covid -19. Weekly testing of all staff continues, and all new residents require a negative test prior to admission. Pleas feel free to reach out to the facility for anything you may need!! We are hoping visitation will resume soon!!
Weekly Update 7/3/2020
We REMAIN Covid Free!! All staff and residents have tested negative!! We will continue all of our efforts to prevent the spread of Covid -19. Weekly testing of all staff continues, and all new residents require a negative test prior to admission. Pleas feel free to reach out to the facility for anything you may need!! We are hoping visitation will resume soon!!
Have a Happy 4th of July!!
Weekly Update 6/26/2020
We are Covid free!!! All staff and residents have tested negative!! We will continue all of our efforts to prevent the spread of Covid -19. Weekly testing of all staff continues, and all new residents require a negative test prior to admission. Pleas feel free to reach out to the facility for anything you may need!! We are hoping visitation will resume soon!!
6/17/2020
To Our Residents and Family Members:
We want to provide you with an update on the situation at Humboldt House Rehabilitation regarding the novel coronavirus or COVID-19, including the number confirmed cases as well as efforts we are undertaking. The safety and well being of our residents is our top priority. We are doing what we can to limit the spread of COVID-19 within Humboldt House.
Since May 8, 2020 (when the federal government issued reporting requirements), we have had 30 residents and 1 staff with confirmed cases of COVID-19 and all but 2 residents who are awaiting new test results have recovered.
Here is a more detailed update regarding the prevalence of COVID-19 in our facility, as of 6/16/2020
- Two residents are currently confirmed COVID-19 but we are awaiting pending results to see if they are still positive. When a resident tests positive, we notify residents and their representative(s) of their condition and implement protocols for their care and treatment. We also follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), including return to work guidance, for staff that test positive.
Humboldt House is staying in very close communication with local and state health officials to ensure we are taking all the appropriate steps under current circumstances. We are also following guidance from the CDC and CMS to reduce the spread and impact of COVID-19, such as:
- Enhanced infection control precautions
- Screening residents, staff, and essential visitors for symptoms
- Restricting visitation and entry of people to the building
- Testing staff and residents for COVID-19 based on current protocols
- Postponing or carefully limiting communal activities including social distancing and other infection control precautions
- Education for Staff and residents on how to protect themselves against COVID 19
Due to government privacy requirements, we cannot divulge specific information about the individuals who have confirmed or suspected COVID-19, unless they are your family member and you have the necessary permissions to receive such information.
We know you are concerned about your loved one, but it is crucial that we restrict visitation to reduce the spread of this virus to others. We will contact you directly if your loved one is suspected or diagnosed with COVID-19.
We also understand that connecting with family members is incredibly important to our residents. Family members are encouraged to connect with their loved ones through video chat, calling, texting, or on social media. Please contact Kayshawn Macharie for more information or to schedule a video visit.
Ways you can help prevent the spread of COVID is to assist by reducing the number of clothing and belongings in rooms. There are many items cluttering rooms while sanitizing against COVID 19. To reduce potential contamination, removing items would help. We have sanitized or washed items already. Please, if possible, make arrangements to pick up out of season items as these items and extra clothing which have been boxed to reduce possible contamination. Call Shawn Stevens to make arrangements to pick up items.
We need your help in battling COVID-19. Please visit the CDC website (www.cdc.gov/coronavirus) to learn how you can help prevent the spread in our community, since continued spread in the larger community increases the chance the virus will work its way into our building.
This is a difficult time for everyone. We will continue to provide you with updates. Please know that we are adhering to guidelines from the local and state health departments, which continue to evolve as we learn more about this virus.
We know that you may have questions and we encourage you to contact our center. Please call us at 716-886-4377 or visit our website for updates on COVID 19 or for the status of your loved one.
Thank you for your continued support, words of kindness and gifts. This has meant so much to everyone here at Humboldt House.
Be well and stay safe.
Sincerely,
Michelle Hardy
Humboldt House Administrator
Weekly Update: 6/5/2020
We are continuing all staff testing twice a week, and have had only one test positive. There are no new residents testing positive since the full house testing.
Please enjoy the videos prepared by the staff for your enjoyment!!
We are still doing window visits, Face time and Skype. We will be starting outdoor visiting soon. Please contact Michelle Hardy for more information
Weekly Update: 5/26/2020
All residents were tested by the NYSDOH , results are still coming in. As of today, 19 residents were positive , all are asymptomatic, and each family has been notified. We have begun the twice weekly testing of all staff.
Weekly Update: 5/15/2020
This weekly update is being provided to report that we continue to have Covid-19 positive cases of both residents and employees. There have no new cases or any deaths in this past week. Effective 5/20/20, all staff will be tested twice a week, in accordance with the executive order from Governor Cuomo. The residents are showing tremendous improvement. If your loved is showing symptoms or being tested, you will be personally notified by a Member of the nursing staff. You will also be notified of any new positive Covid-19 Cases within the facility or any onset of respiratory symptoms by residents or staff over 72 hours.
We continue to follow all Department of Health guidelines to help mitigate the spread of The virus within the facility. This includes grouping or cohorting residents together in Designated ‘zones’ based on their level of exposure or Covid positive test results as well as temperature and vital sign screening of all residents regardless of which zone they are in. As part of the guidelines, all employees also undergo regular temperature and health Screenings before being permitted to work and staff are not floated from zone-to-zone to help reduce the risk of cross-contamination. Any staff member that starts showing symptoms is immediately sent home.
We also continue to follow infection control practices such as the use of the appropriate PPE, frequent hand washing, and routine environmental cleaning throughout the facility. We appreciate your cooperation with visitor restrictions and following the guidelines during this challenging time. We would like to remind you of our capability to have video, zoom, window visits, or phone calls with your loved one. If you are interested in a zoom call, please contact the facility to make arrangements. We will continue our Town Hall calls and notify you when they are scheduled. If at any time you need to arrange a personal call please do not hesitate to reach out.
On a positive note, we would also like to report that several residents have officially ‘recovered’ from Covid-19 and hope to see more recoveries in the near future. If you should have any additional questions regarding your loved one, please do not hesitate to call the facility.
This weekly update is being provided to report that we have had/continue to have Covid-19 positive cases of both residents and employees within the building. If your loved is showing symptoms or being tested, you will be personally notified by a member of the nursing staff. You will also be notified of any new positive Covid-19 cases within the facility or any onset of respiratory symptoms by residents or staff over 72 hours.
We continue to follow all Department of Health guidelines to help mitigate the spread of the virus within the facility. This includes grouping or cohorting residents together in designated ‘zones’ based on their level of exposure or Covid positive test results as well as temperature and vital sign screening of all residents regardless of which zone they are in. As part of the guidelines, all employees also undergo regular temperature and health screenings before being permitted to work, and staff are not floated from zone-to-zone to help reduce the risk of cross-contamination. Any staff member that starts showing symptoms is immediately sent home.
We also continue to follow infection control practices such as the use of the appropriate PPE, frequent hand washing, and routine environmental cleaning throughout the facility. We appreciate your cooperation with visitor restrictions and following the guidelines during this challenging time. We would like to remind you of our capability to have video, zoom, window visits, or phone calls with your loved one. If you are interested in a zoom call, please contact the facility to make arrangements. We will continue our Town Hall calls and notify you when they are scheduled. If at any time you need to arrange a personal call please do not hesitate to reach out.
On a positive note, we would also like to report that several residents have officially ‘recovered’ from Covid-19 and hope to see more recoveries in the near future.
If you should have any additional questions regarding your loved one, please do not hesitate to call the facility.
Based on guidance from the CDC and other health care agencies regarding covid -19, Humboldt House has issued visitor restrictions at our facility, No unnecessary visitors will be allowed into the facility; those who are allowed to enter including all of our employees must complete a health screening prior to moving throughout the facility.
Please know these measures are in the best interest of our residents who are at increased health risk from Covid-19. The situation is ever evolving and we will keep all residents and families informed of additional measures and precautions.
We are maintaining our established infection prevention and control program to provide a safe, sanitary, and comfortable environment and to help prevent the development and transmission of communicable diseases and infections.
Designated family members, guardians, will be informed of suspected or confirmed covid 19 cases individually by the facility staff.
Individuals may contact the facility Administrator, Director of Nursing, or Social work to check on the well being of family or friends. Please be patient when trying to call as our staff is focused in the care ad safety of our residents.
We are in ongoing contact with local health officials in maintaining our reporting requirements as set forth by the CDC.
To Our Residents and Family Members:
We want to inform you that we have received confirmation that an individual at Humboldt House has been diagnosed with COVID-19. Resident safety is our top priority. We are doing everything we can to ensure we stop the spread of COVID-19 within our facility, including staying in very close communication with local and state health officials to ensure we are taking all the appropriate steps. We are not permitting visitors per the direction of the local health department.
We encourage you to call our center at 716-886-4377 for updates on the status of your loved one. We understand that you are concerned about your loved one, but it is crucial that we restrict visitation to reduce the spread of this virus. We also understand that connecting with family members is incredibly important to our residents. Family members are encouraged to connect with their loved ones through video chat, calling, texting, or other social media formats.
We will contact you if your loved one is suspected or diagnosed with COVID-19.
We need your help in battling COVID-19. Please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website to learn how you can help prevent the spread in our community.
We know this is a difficult time for everyone. We will continue to provide you with updates as they become available. Please know that we are strictly adhering to all directions from the local and state health department.
We know that you may have questions and we encourage you to contact our center at 716-886-4377
Sincerely,
Humboldt House Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
