Union City, Tenn.– The Etheridge House Assisted Living by Americare in Union City has reported that two residents and an employee have tested positive for COVID-19.
Earlier we reported that 13 persons (staff and patients) tested positive at The Farms at Puryear, with three at NHC Healthcare in Gibson Co. and two at Reelfoot Manor in Tiptonville.
In the press release issued by Americare they reported two residents at Etheridge House have tested positive for COVID-19. One resident was sent to the hospital on Thursday due to a fall, was tested there and remains hospitalized. The other resident was sent to the ER Friday evening, tested and was returned to The Etheridge House for care. Earlier Friday, the facility had also learned that an employee had tested positive.
According to the press release, “Based on these results, The Etheridge House has taken the following steps:
The Etheridge House has established a separated care wing on F-Hall (where the positive testing resident lives) and moved the other residents off the hall. The hall is separated by a plastic barrier and will have separate care equipment and staffing. The positive testing resident returned from the hospital last evening and was placed on droplet isolation in their room and is being checked every 2 hours for symptoms. Droplet isolation protocols for a COVID-19 positive resident include wearing of full personal protective equipment (PPE) while in the resident’s room. PPE is defined as gown, gloves, N95 mask, level 1 mask and face shield. All care including meal service is provided in the resident’s room.
In accordance with the company pandemic guidelines all residents in both the assisted living and Arbors (memory care assisted living) buildings have been placed in-room quarantine. All staff is wearing N95 masks while in the buildings and gloves when in resident rooms. In the Arbors building the staff will do all it can to create social distancing, as full in-room quarantine is not appropriate in memory care setting. All residents are being monitored for symptoms every 4 hours during wake time.
Yesterday, testing of the remaining residents and employees for COVID-19 was begun and will be completed today. Results are anticipated by Monday or Tuesday. No other residents or employees are symptomatic at this time.
The employee who tested positive last worked on Tuesday, May 26, and their wellness check that day showed no signs or symptoms. The employee developed symptoms while off work, was tested on May 28 through their doctor and received a positive test result yesterday. The employee remains off work and is self-isolating at home.
“We are doing everything we can to ensure we stop the spread of this within our facility. Our staff and residents are following the recommended preventative actions,” said Patricia Cokingtin, Senior Vice President of Americare. “As of March 13, we restricted visitors from entering our facility, and cancelled all group activities until the virus has been eradicated.”
The Etheridge House has informed the local and state health departments of all results and actions. All residents, employees and resident family members have been informed and will be kept up to date.”
For more information on how Americare facilities are addressing the coronavirus pandemic please visit our website at https://www.americareusa.net/coronavirus