Dear Thompson House Residents, Friends, and Families,
As you may know, the positivity rates in the county and surrounding regions are at an overall high. We are so grateful that Thompson House has not had a resident test positive in over 30 days, a testament to the infection prevention practices of the staff and residents.
Unfortunately, multiple staff members have tested covid positive in the last round of testing. These staff did not have close contact with each other, and are considered to be community acquired. Due to the nature of the staff members’ interactions with the residents, the facility is implementing enhanced measures to keep everyone safe. We will be temporarily pausing group activities and group dining, and will be testing symptomatic residents with antigen and PCR tests for surveillance.
Activities staff will be providing room-to-room service with refreshment carts, including hot chocolate and tea, and will bring movies, CDs, puzzles, and other forms of entertainment to each resident throughout the next few days.
Thompson House will continue to provide safe and sanitized spaces if residents prefer to visit in person, and recommend social distancing and masks for all in the room. However, as community spread so high at this time we highly encourage phone or video visits as an alternative.
The Infection Prevention Committee and Vermont Department of Health will reevaluate the status throughout the coming days and will update you all on Wednesday 1/19, with the hopes of lowering the enhanced infection precautions and returning to communal dining and activities.
Please reach out to any one of us if you have questions or concerns.
Thank you,
Melissa Osborne, DNS
Dane Rank, Administrator
