CHICAGO, IL (March 13, 2020) – Two people at Covenant Living Communities have been found to have the coronavirus, and the organization announced new safety measures today that include barring visitors to skilled nursing and assisted living on their campuses.
The new safety measures were outlined in a letter released today to residents and family members. The ban on visitors includes family members in residential living.
The prohibition on visitors will run March 14-31. During the restricted period, CLC will work with any spouses who are living in separate areas of a community to arrange virtual visits via Skype or Facetime.
People with family members in “end-of-life” stage or hospice care will be allowed to visit.
“With the World Health Organization now deeming COVID-19 as a worldwide pandemic, we as a community and organization must continue to stay vigilant in our approach to minimizing the potential of exposure,” the letter said.
CLC learned Tuesday that an employee at Covenant Living at Mount Miguel in Spring Valley, California, had tested positive for COVID-19. The employee is recovering and quarantined at home.
The employee did not have direct contact with residents, according to CLC. However, all individuals who came within six feet of the employee have been sent home for the next 14 days to self-quarantine. None of those employees are experiencing symptoms.
A resident at Covenant Living at the Shores in Mercer Island, Washington, also was diagnosed this week with COVID-19. The resident was hospitalized for another issue when it was discovered that they were infected, according to CLC.
The individual is in isolation at the hospital and will be isolated at a family member’s home when discharged, according to a CLC statement.
Officials at the community are identifying all individuals who had contact with the resident. They will be quarantined and monitored for symptoms.
So far, no other cases have been diagnosed at CLC communities.
