- Good afternoon Fowler Family!
- Yesterday we shared that an independent resident in Fowler Christian Apartments has tested positive for COVID
- We contacted all residents and many family members with the news
- Here’s where we stand today
- All those who were identified through contract tracing as having contact with the COVID positive resident, will be tested today – this includes residents and team members
- Test results should be back by the middle of next week
- We have created a COVID Incident Log on our website that will be updated with new information as that information becomes available; test result numbers – number of positive residents, number of positive teammates and total number negative will be available
- I will share our results next week in our briefing when we have it, but I want to give you another source for information
- We are partnering with a new lab, Magnolia Diagnostic, who at this time has a quicker turnaround for results. We continue to research additional options
- It took us longer than expected to set up the testing because we did not have information on file for independent living residents.
- We are going to ask that each independent resident provide information that will assist us in the future in speeding the process for testing
- The information includes full name, date of birth, gender and insurance information
- A form will be provided for you to complete and return to the front desk
- We hope we never need to use it, but you can see that in this situation, time is critical and anything we can do on our end to speed up the process is necessary
- We have added another level of protection for our team members – team members at all check in points will now be wearing face shields in addition to their face masks
- It’s been 117 days since we started our COVID protocols – that’s a long time to go without experiencing a resident diagnosis and we should all feel good about this achievement and know that what you are doing daily, is what makes the difference
- I want to make a point to say that we are doing everything we can to mitigate the risk of COVID; as we have said before, you can do everything right and still be diagnosed. I want to be clear that we are not going to COVID shame anyone. There is so much unknown that we are all just doing the best we can
- COVID Numbers
- Yesterday, Dallas County reported 1029 new cases and 16 deaths – 6th consecutive day of 1000+ cases
- Emergency room for COVID increased by almost 200 on Tuesday to 786; representing 35% of all visits. Hospitalizations for COVID reached a record high of 771
- Dallas County Health and Human Services has published a guide for individuals at high risk for poor outcomes with COVID. Individuals with high risk is defined as:
- 65 years of age or older
- Living in a nursing home or long-term care facility
- Have an underlying medical condition:
- Lung disease including moderate to severe asthma and COPD
- Serious heart conditions and hypertension
- Immunocompromised (including cancer treatment, smoking, bone marrow or organ transplant, immune deficiencies, poorly controlled HIV or AIDS, and prolonged use of corticosteroids and other immune weakening medications)
- Are obese
- Have diabetes
- Have chronic kidney disease or are undergoing dialysis
- Have liver disease
- By age or medical condition, every resident should consider themselves in the high-risk category. We have team members who can qualify as high risk; here are the things you should be doing
- Assume personal responsibility – our guidelines, the CDC guidelines, the county guidelines – we cannot anticipate every unique situation.
- We are doing our best to keep you informed but it is up to you to cooperate and make decisions
- Do an honest self-assessment
- Am I healthy enough to leave my home or do I fall within a high risk category based on age or a medical condition
- Is there someone in my home or someone I interact with a regular basis who falls into a high-risk category
- Essentially – everyone who lives at Fowler is in a high-risk category, therefore you need to exercise the highest precaution
- Assess the risk of the situation – make decisions based on your circumstances
- Perform protective hygiene, distance yourself physically, wear a mask in public AND IN THE COMPANY OF OTHERS – LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR BASICS
- A full copy of this guideline can be found on our website and we can make copies available to you
- I am fielding a lot of questions about whether we are going to revert to prior restrictions
- On March 11, I made decision for all of us regarding shutting down our community. Things were moving fast and I had to act for all of us
- Now 117 days later, we know more. We are more educated on our personal responsibility to mitigate risk for ourselves and for each other
- I trust you and I share the responsibility in the decisions that are critical for you and this community
- We will continue to have these conversations. I will continue to share everything we know, and we will continue to watch the numbers in our community
- Thank you – and make it a great day on purpose!
All Daily Updates are posted on our website – www.fowlercommunities.org/covid19/
COVID Hotline: Phone: 214-515-7184 • Spanish Speaking Line: 214-515-1385
Email: Covid19info@fowlercommunities.org
COVID-19 Mental Health Support Line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week toll-free at 833-986-1919
