COVID-19 UPDATES

Since our last update on May 9, 2023, our community has had no new positive Covid-19 cases.

What To Do If You Are Exposed To Covid-19

For 5-days (The Precautionary Period):

• Mask anytime you are outside of your apartment
• Try to avoid group activities and gatherings, such as communal eating the dining room
• Once you report your exposure to the front desk, please call the Dining Services team to order your food to-go
• Perform an at-home Covid-19 test on days 3 and 5 while monitoring yourself for symptoms
• If you test negative on both days and are not experiencing any symptoms, you can resume to normal activities on day 7
• If you test positive, OR if you develop respiratory symptoms, please see the below instructions

What To Do If You Are Positive for Covid-19 or You Start Having Respiratory Symptoms

For Independent Living Residents: 

• Begin self-isolation for 10-days
• If you are immunocompromised and continue to test positive after 10 days with no improved symptoms, isolation should be extended 10 more days, or until symptoms improve
• Notify the front desk, dial “0”
• The front desk will then alert The Hearthstone Covid Committee who has designated team members that will reach out to walk you through the process and explain the next steps
• They will also assist in performing rapid Covid-19 tests on days 5 and 7 and monitor your symptoms until they improve
• Notify your family or responsible party for caregiving support and laundry while you are sick
• Dining Services will be notified and start delivering your meals while you focus on recovery for 10 days
• Housekeeping will be notified and will will coordinate trash pick-up and housekeeping issues
• If you are living with another person (spouse/partner) wear a mask in the house, attempt to keep a 6-foot distance and sleep separately, if possible
• Notify/see your doctor if your symptoms gets worse

For Guests and Visitors:

• We ask that anyone who discovers they were positive for Covid-19 after visiting any of our three buildings, or if you believe there’s a chance you exposed someone to Covid-19, please notify our team immediately by calling (206) 525-9666 and pressing option “0”
• Be sure to provide specific dates, locations and names of residents who you were in contact with at The Hearthstone

Mask Requirements & Changes at The Hearthstone as of April 4, 2023:

While residents are no longer required to mask unless they are in a licensed area or co-mingling with licensed area residents, we ask that guests, visitors, contractors and certain Hearthstone employee departments continue to wear a mask.

Here is a masking policy breakdown, per area:

Residents & Guests

• Independent Living Residents are no longer required to wear a mask unless they enter into a licensed area, visit with a resident in a licensed area, or co-mingle with licensed area residents in a group setting.
• Our licensed areas include Assisted Living, Memory Care, and the Health Center.
• Group settings include events in the Chapel with residents from various levels of care (i.e. the Resident Council Assembly, Mass and other religious services, Movie Night, etc.).
• If all group participants are IL residents, masking is not mandatory.   However, masking is still recommended for your individual safety.
• If you arrive to an event where non-IL residents are present and you do not have a mask, The Hearthstone will provide you with one.
• Assisted Living, Memory Care and Health Center Residents are on longer required to wear a mask unless they are in a group setting (as described above), outside of the care area where they live, or co-mingling with residents from other levels of care.
• Visitors and guests: All visitors and guests should continue to mask, unless eating, drinking, or visiting with an IL resident inside their apartment.  
• Co-Mingling: Any IL resident attending a group event that includes residents from other levels of care should wear a mask. 

The Hearthstone Staff 

• Staff in the Health Center are required to wear surgical masks (that The Hearthstone will provide). If anyone enters the Health Center, they are required to wear a surgical mask.
• Some departments have decided to have employees continue wearing masks until further notice. Employees are encouraged to speak with their department supervisor(s) for specific requirements.
• All employees will continue testing for Covid-19. Testing should be done once a week on the employees first day of their work week.

Other related items to note:

• Due to the continued downward trend of Covid-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths, effective April 3, 2023, the Washington State Department of Health will end the secretary mask order in health care, long-term care, and adult correctional facilities
• Vaccinations will continue to be an important tool to keep people safe and protected
• Health Care providers will continue to follow the DOH Infection prevention Control guidance when it comes to use of PPE
• We will continue to track The Hearthstone community transmission level
• Staff will continue testing per the communities transmissibility rate
• Residents and employees have the right to continue using facemasks or other PPE while on-site
• Everyone is required to mask anytime residents from different levels of care are comingling. 

Individual Mask Recommendations & Factors to Consider:

• Take into consideration your vaccination status and the vaccination status of those around you. People who are not up to date on COVID-19 vaccines and boosters are more susceptible to COVID-19 and to developing more severe symptoms.
• Be conscientious of your medical conditions and of those around you that are at increased risk of severe COVID-19 disease.
• Evaluate the characteristics of the setting you are in (e.g., crowded, poorly ventilated, indoors).
• If the community transmissibility level is high in King County, or in the community you are visiting, wearing a mask indoors is suggested, regardless of your vaccination status.
• If the community transmissibility level is medium or high, consider wearing a mask, especially if the individual is at high risk for COVID-19.
• If you share a household or have frequent social contact with someone who is at high risk, consider wearing a high-quality mask while indoors with them.