COVID-19 UPDATES

March 26, 2024:
Since our last update on February 8, 2024, we have had five IL residents, two employees, and one HC resident test positive for Covid-19. Please note, we are in the process of reviewing the current requirements with the Washington State DOH in regards to the recent changes in CDC policy. Once confirmed, we will message those guidelines out to all residents. In the meantime, there are no changes. 

Please note, King County reports that respiratory cases (including RSV, Covid-19, and Flu) have surpassed the county threshold and continue to steadily rise. For this reason, Public Health Seattle and King County are strongly recommending that all residents, staff, contractors, and visitors wear a surgical mask while in common areas or group settings at The Hearthstone.

PROTOCOL FOR A.L. & M.C. RESIDENTS:

• The outbreak status was lifted by King County Public Health on February 1, 2024.
• AL/MC residents can resume dining together and participating in group activities.
• AL/MC residents are no longer under surveillance testing.

PROTOCOL FOR GUESTS AND VISITORS:

• Guests are welcome and asked to screen through the Front Desk upon arrival.
• We are asking all visitors to wear a surgical mask upon entering the building. The Hearthstone will provide you with one, as needed.
• For outdoor visitations, our gazebo at the Woodlawn side of the building has heaters and remains available for use. Please contact our Front Desk Team for reservation information.

IL Residents and staff are responsible for asking their visitors to comply with the following guidelines while on The Hearthstone premises:

• All guests visiting the Lakeside building need to screen at our kiosk located at the main entrance Reception Lobby.
  • Guests visiting the Coves should sign-in and perform a temperature screening upon entering Cove East or Cove West lobby areas.
• All guests are asked to mask at all times while visiting our community.
• Guests visiting the Health Center are required to wear surgical masks upon entering. Surgical masks can be provided to any visitors who don’t come with their own.

Overnight guests who have recently traveled:

• Please note that recent travel will not prevent you from being able to visit The Hearthstone or stay overnight, so long as you comply with our Covid-19 guest policies to include:
  • Screening upon arrival
  • Testing yourself before visiting/staying at The Hearthstone
  • Avoid dining with Hearthstone community members
  • Mask at all times unless you are in alone in the guest room

PROTOCOL FOR HEARTHSTONE EMPLOYEES:

• AL/MC staff are no longer required to wear a fitted N-95 with face shield and can resume wearing a surgical level mask.
• Memory Care staff are no longer required to gown up before making contact with residents.
• At King County Public Health’s recommendation, we’re asking all Hearthstone employees wear a surgical or higher-grade mask while working around others.
• ALL staff are required to test for Covid-19 at a minimum of once a week.
• ALL employees are still required to test upon returning to work after being off for one or more days, coming back from vacation, traveling or participating in a large gathering where potential risk for exposure is high (weddings, indoor parties, sports event, concert, etc.)
  • All staff returning from traveling or participating in large gatherings where potential exposure is high, please wear an N95 mask for at least 7 days upon returning to work while monitoring for symptoms.
• Staff are encouraged to test at home anytime Covid-19 symptoms develop, even if symptoms are mild.  If the test is negative, we ask that you wear an N95 until all symptoms have subsided or for a minimum of 7 days. Please see your direct supervisor in you need test kits to keep at home.
• Employees who test positive for Covid-19 may return to work after having two negative test results 48-hours apart (i.e. negative test results on days 5 & 7 or days 7 & 9)
  • All employees must wear an N95 mask for 10 days upon returning. During this period, please avoid dining with co-workers and avoid group activities. Refrain from traveling during this time as well.
• Masking is highly recommended for everyone, especially anyone who is immunocompromised.
• If you have any symptoms or recently traveled, please wear an N95 fitted mask (rather than a surgical) for 10 days upon returning and test at home before coming back to work.

PROTOCOL FOR I.L. RESIDENTS (no changes): 

• We are strongly recommending that all community members, including IL residents, wear a surgical mask while in common areas, unless eating or drinking.
• Residents should not allow family and friends to visit The Hearthstone if either of the following apply:
  • Guest was recently exposed to someone who is positive for Covid-19
  • Guests who are experiencing any GI (stomach), respiratory and/or flu like symptoms
• Due to the prevalence of asymptomatic cases (people who are positive with Covid-19 while showing no symptoms), guests who have traveled within the last 7 days will need to wear a well-fitted mask at all times throughout their visit with you at The Hearthstone.
• The CDC, DOH, and Public Health suggest that masking remains the most effective tool in preventing the transmission of respiratory disease. While we cannot mandate residents to mask, we are strongly recommending it for the following:
  • While participating in large gatherings
  • Upon returning from traveling for 7 days
  • If you are immunocompromised or around someone who is
  • For 10 days after recovering (negative test) from being positive with Covid-19
  • If you suspect you may have been exposed or are having any symptoms
• Residents who suspect they have been exposed, are experiencing any flu like or respiratory symptoms, or become positive with Covid-19, should inform one of the following Hearthstone personnel immediately:
  • Jun Chef, Social Worker (extension 5265)
  • Leslie Mahraun, Chaplain (extension 5212)
  • Front Desk  (extension 0)

Exposure Guidelines:
If you have been determined as being exposed to a positive individual, a ‘Covid-19 Exposure Alert Notice’ and testing instructions will be delivered directly to your unit. This documentation outlines detailed instructions (precautions) to follow while under exposure surveillance. Residents who are exposed must start the following precautions immediately (for up to 10 days):

1. Start wearing high quality well fitted mask if you are in a high-risk exposure (i.e. living with someone who is Covid-19 positive)
2. Avoid going out of apartment unless it is a medically necessary activity (i.e. going to the doctor).  This includes avoiding the main dining room, group activities and gatherings.  Do not travel.
3. You will be asked to quarantine if you meet the criteria as outlined in the ‘Summary of SARS-CoV-2 Isolation and Quarantine’  (see Table 2 below).
4. Watch for symptoms.
5. Begin isolation once you started having symptoms even if you are testing negative.
   • Mild symptoms typically start on day 2-3 for most individuals

NOTE:  Per the CDC, you still can develop COVID-19 up to 10 days after exposure.

Testing for I.L. Residents When Exposed:

• Test on day 1, day 3, day 5, and day 7 (day 9 no longer required). Please contact the Front Desk Team if you need test kits dropped off at your apartment or require assistance with testing yourself.
  • If any test is positive, isolate yourself from others immediately, whether you are having symptoms or not.

Testing for Residents Who Turn Positive:

• Test on day 5 & day 7 and as needed if you continue to test positive after day 5.
• You must have 2 negative test results (48 hours interval, i.e. day 5 & 7 or day 7 & 9) without the aid of fever reducing medication and with improved symptoms.
  • After 2 negative test results, you can get out of isolation on day 7 but must continue to practice precaution and wear a high quality well fitted mask when leaving your apartment. Please continue to avoid the dining room, group activities, traveling and gathering until day 10.
  • You may resume normal activities on the 11^th day.
• If a resident continues to test positive with no improved symptoms, isolation will be extended.  In this case, please follow-up with your Primary Care Physician immediately.

More Resources and Recommendations by the CDC:

Isolation and Quarantine Guidelines:
Residents with an exposure to SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) need to be placed in TBP (Transmission Based Precautions) for quarantine if they meet one of the following criteria:

• Resident is unable to be tested or wear source control as recommended for the 10 days following their exposure
• Resident is moderately to severely immunocompromised
• Resident resides on a unit with others who are moderately to severely immunocompromised
• Resident resides on a unit experiencing ongoing SARS-CoV-2 transmission that is not controlled with initial interventions

Guidelines for residents with suspected or confirmed Covid-19:

• Residents should inform Hearthstone personnel immediately
• Resident’s with suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection should stay in their room with the door closed. If possible, don’t share a bathroom (or other common areas) with anyone else in the household.

Implement Cohorting (for licensed areas):

• Cohorting is an infection prevention and control measure that groups together patients with the same infectious condition and no other infection
• It limits the risk of spreading COVID-19 by using dedicated staff to care for only COVID-19 positive patients
• It allows for conservation of PPE resources and extended use of PPE such as respirators, face masks and eye protection when supplies are limited
• While intended for long-term care facilities, healthcare personnel can adapt strategies for cohorting in many healthcare settings
• Asymptomatic patients with an exposure to SARS-CoV-2 generally do not require TBP. Exposed patients should wear source control for 10 days post-exposure.
• If a patient has not recovered from a SARS-Cov-2 infection in the last 30 days, they should be tested immediately on post exposure day 1 (but not before 24 hours from exposure) day 3 and day 5.

Definition of Isolation Versus Quarantine for All Individuals:

• QUARANTINE: TBP used to keep someone who might have been exposed to COVID-19 away from all others to prevent potential transmission of COVID-19.
• ISOLATION: TBP used to keep someone who has confirmed COVID-19, away from others to prevent transmission to others.

For more information, please visit the following links:

• WA DOH Infection Prevention and Control in Health Care Settings: https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2023-04/420474-COVID19PreventionHealthcareSettingsToolkit.pdf?uid=642b4c8c9dfd2
• Current Covid-19 Hospital Admission Levels: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/covid-by-county.html
• Who is Moderately or Severely Immunocompromised?: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html#immunocompromised

General Reminder: We ask our residents, family and staff to be mindful and practice caution when we gather. Please refrain from gathering if you are not feeling well, even if your symptoms are mild. This is to protect others and those who are immunocompromised. Wash your hands frequently, avoid rubbing your eyes or nose, and avoid large crowds without a mask on.

If you are sick, not feeling well, have cold symptoms, headache or achy, please stay home.  Contact your doctor for further instructions and let the front desk know you do not feel well.