COVID-19

Atrium

On Wednesday, Jan. 6, the first members of the general public began receiving the COVID-19 vaccine from Atrium Health, as North Carolina moved from Phase 1a to Phase 1b, Group 1, of its vaccine priority distribution plan. Atrium Health became the first health system in the region to begin providing mass vaccinations to those who are at least 65 years of age, following guidance from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

Thousands have already taken advantage and scheduled their appointments with ease through their existing MyAtriumHealth account. Those who don’t have a MyAtriumHealth account can create one or schedule a vaccination appointment by phone, if assistance is needed. Vaccination appointments are required due to current vaccine supply and storage requirements of the Pfizer-manufactured vaccine. Once vaccinated, it is also required for patients to remain on-site to be continually monitored by a medical professional for 15 minutes following their vaccination. This safety measure applies to both drive-thru locations and office visits for teammates who receive their vaccination in one of our facilities. To schedule a vaccination appointment call: 704-468-8888.

Novant

Right now Novant Health has very limited vaccines available due to state allocations. We are currently vaccinating patients 75 and older in 2 clinics – Highland Oaks (Winston Salem) and McKee (Matthews). We hope to add additional locations soon, but are unable to at this time due to doses available. Those individuals who are current Novant Health patients who have a NH Primary Care Provider will receive a MyChart notification when they are eligible for the vaccine and will be prompted to make an appointment by calling our scheduling team or doing so on MyChart. We will follow this process for all phases.

This press release is also very helpful: https://www.novanthealth.org/home/about-us/newsroom/press-releases/newsid33987/2486/novant-health-administers-first-patient-vaccines-to-seniors-age-75-and-older.aspx

From the release, here is additional important information for our patients and communities to know:

  • All eligible patients with a Novant Health primary care provider will receive electronic or direct mail communication with this information.
  • Vaccine is by appointment only. We cannot accommodate walk-ins at this time.
  • With limited vaccine supply allocated by the state, appointments will be limited for eligible patients, as well.
  • The COVID-19 vaccine is not available at Novant Health hospitals or primary care offices at this time.
  • There is no charge to the patient for the vaccine.
  • For more information, patients can visit  http://novanthealth.org/covidvaccine or call: 855-648-2248 to schedule a Vaccination appointment.

Blessed Assurance Adult Day Care’s COVID-19 Policy

May 3, 2020

Subject: COVID-19 Operating Policy for Blessed Assurance Adult Day Care

What is COVID-19? COVID-19 is a respiratory disease/Virus that is spread from person to person and animals. This normally occurs when people are within 6 feet of each other, normally transmitted by routine breathing, a cough or sneeze and transmitted by touching a surface or object that the Virus in on and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes. Normal Virus incubation period (period between exposure to an infection and the appearance of the first symptoms) is 2 to 14 days.

What is the purpose of this Policy and Screening? We are actively trying to prevent the spread of the Virus to our participants, staff and visitors: Additionally, we hope to identify those who may potentially have the disease and direct them to a medical center for treatment.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19? People with COVID-19 may have a fever, persistent cough, shortness of breath, muscle pain, headache and loss of sense of taste and smell.

How can you protect yourself from COVID-19? You must avoid contact with people who are sick, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands, wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and use an alcohol based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water is not available.

How can you get current information on COVID-19? Visit the Center for Disease Control website (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/219-nCoV/Summary.html) for the most up to date information/guidance. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Resources is another trusted source for information regarding COVID-19.

Actions/Procedures/Measures/Policy for Opening and Operating at Blessed Assurance:

ENTRY OR DENIED ENTRY INTO BLESSED ASSURANCE ADULT DAY CARE

  • All staff, participants and visitors will be screened before allowed entry. Screening will consist of: checking for fever (100.4 F or greater) with a touchless thermometer, observation for signs of chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, shortness of breath, cough, etc., and asked a series of questions regarding their health since March 17, 2020 (the day we closed) and their proximity to anyone who may have been exposed to COVID-19. Si
  • This screening will occur either at the exterior entry to our facility or the exterior foyer. Those who pass the screening will be allowed entry. Those who fail the screening will not be allowed entry, but will be directed back home with instructions to see a physician immediately. If a transporter is not able to return your loved one home, your loved one will be quarantined in a designated room and you will be called to pick them up within the hour. Failure to pick them up within the hour may result in your loved one being discharged from our program. Re-entry will not be allowed until the above screening criteria has been met and a doctor provides written permission to return to Blessed Assurance Adult Day Care. The same entry screening criteria also applies to our staff and visitors.
  • If a staff, participant or visitor is diagnosed positive for COVID-19, even if they don’t have symptoms, they will not be allowed to return to our facility until they have been declared Negative by a doctor, 72 hours has passed without a fever since being declared negative, previous COVID-19 Symptoms no longer exist and we are provided a written doctor’s statement validating them as Negative for COVID-19.
  • Staff, participants and visitors will be immediately administered hand sanitizer upon passing the screening.

PEOPLE WHO ARE ALLOWED ENTRY INTO BLESSED ASSURANCE ADULT DAY CARE

  • Will be separated, at least 6 feet a part to maintain social distancing.
  • Will encourage participants to wear a mask, but it is not mandatory.
  • Staff and Visitors must wear a mask
  • Will have their hands sanitized or washed with soap and water prior to each meal, after using the restrooms, after using any exercise/activity equipment, after using any group activity supplies and just prior to leaving the facility.

DAILY OPERATIONAL MAINTENANCE AT BLESSED ASSURANCE ADULT DAY CARE

  • All staff conducting personal care and any hands-on services will wear gloves.
  • Each day the staff will sanitize all touch areas at least twice a day (11 a.m. and 3 p.m. or as needed): tables, chairs, activity supplies, door knobs, keyboards, key pads, phones, faucets, light switches, A/C Controls, counter tops, toilets, etc., with disinfectant cleaners that combat/kills the COVID Virus.
  • A professional cleaning company will clean and sanitize our facility each night; Monday through Friday.

TRANSPORTERS OF BLESSED ASSURANCE PARTICIPANTS

Our Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services and all other contracted transporters all wear mask, gloves, use hand sanitizers, carry 1st Aid Kits in their vehicles and conduct visual and verbal participant screenings for COVID-19.

QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS POLICY:

Contact Nate Huggins, COO, 704-576-4754 or Navondria Huggins, CEO, 704-845-1359