Hello,
This is the fourth edition of a temporary, weekly COVID-19 update. Our goal with this newsletter is to inform our community with whatever we know about the vaccination, conditions in the County and cases at Imagine. Today’s newsletter will cover:
- Update on the vaccine for Imagine clients and staff (spoiler alert, we still can’t give a date of availability)
- Update on cases at Imagine
- A note about non-emergency medical care for COVID-positive individuals
Vaccine Availability Update: We still don’t have an appointment for our vaccine clinic at Imagine but we took one step forward today in that the company which is to deliver the vaccines has assigned us a “central point of contact” to ask questions of. We started by asking our new central point of contact if they know when they might deliver the vaccines. I’ll be sure to let you know when we get an answer.
Another thing we have learned this last week is that Kaiser, one of our healthcare providers to full-time employees, expects to start providing the vaccine to their customers and intends to do so according to the State’s priorities. Patty has been working on that and we will let you know when our employees who have chosen Kaiser can get the shot. We’ll be following up with United HealthCare, our other provider to see whether they expect to have a similar program.
Thank you to everyone who has gotten in touch with Patty to let them know of your interest in getting the vaccine. If you have not gotten in touch with Patty, please do. Click here.
Cases at Imagine
Since last week, we have added one new case of COVID-19 in which a client became infected. This is the second client who has tested positive and she has been closely monitored by staff who has quarantined with her despite the danger. Very heroic and very much appreciated
The first client who was infected is now considered recovered and he, too, was cared for much of that time by a single 24/7 hero.
We have five new staff who have tested positive, but we believe in each case, there was no new exposure to clients or coworkers. We really appreciate everyone taking precautions, calling out as needed and protecting one another. Please continue to stay strong and consider one another. The beginning of the end of this pandemic may be close at hand.
A note about serving individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19:
We want everyone, especially family members to understand that when someone we serve has this disease, we need to prioritize their health and wellbeing first, but also the risk they pose to the community. When someone we serve has COVID, we will use the smallest possible team that can care for them well. We may, as possible and appropriate, bring in someone presumed immune, with person-centered training, even if that person is not someone the client knows well and will seek to avoid transporting the client, even for non-essential medical appointments.
Staff who work with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 will receive and be trained on these guidelines from the CDC which includes guidelines for when to seek additional medical care. We monitor O2 levels, temperature and visible, subjective warning signs throughout the day and will not hesitate to seek emergency medical care if it is warranted. In-person, community support, including medical care that is not urgent and can not provided remotely may not be sought for our clients while they are likely contagious due to the risk to the community of their presence and the risk to staff from the car-ride.
The science indicates that people who have had confirmed cases and recovered are immune for a minimum of three months. While we prefer to prevent our employees from catching this disease, each person who does and recovers should be safe to work with COVID+ clients.
As always, if you have any questions, comments or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
With gratitude and sincere wishes for your health, safety and wellbeing in the new year,
Doug