COVID-19 Update | October 7, 2020

Edgewood Summit has begun testing all Residents and Employees at the Arthur B. Hodges Center (Hodges Center) twice per week as part of the outbreak protocol following one Employee in the Memory Support Unit who tested positive.  On Tuesday, October 6, 2020 our laboratory reported three additional Hodges Residents have tested positive for COVID-19 as a result of Monday’s testing.  The Residents are resting comfortably and are experiencing mild or no symptoms at this time and have all been separately isolated from the other Residents with barriers to create negative air flow and portable HVAC in place for each one.  The Residents now tested positive for COVID-19 total 6 with 1 Employee and all are at the Hodges Center.  Testing will continue twice per week with the next scheduled test date of Thursday, October 8th.  The frequency of testing is used to determine all positive cases as quickly as possible.  Having more positive cases is not uncommon as we are working within the original period of exposure.

Our Employees are specially trained and equipped to go above and beyond in providing round the clock care, while practicing safety and aggressive procedures to defend against COVID-19.  We are grateful to our Employees and are appreciative of all they are doing in providing care and support to our Residents.  Edgewood Summit is compensating the Employees caring for our positive Residents at Hodges with an additional COVID pay rate differential, to acknowledge and show our appreciation for their dedication.  They have adequate knowledge, training and sufficient personal protective equipment (PPE) to continue to provide appropriate care.  We cannot ever thank our Employees enough, but want them to feel our gratitude.  Our Resident’s Families are counting on us and we accept their faith and trust and we are doing our absolute best for all of them.

The primary Family contact on file for each Resident is contacted personally by phone with any positive COVID case results first.  Then other Residents’ family contacts are made subsequently.  Finally, all Residents, Families and Employees are updated on our website, Facebook and in a written communication to keep complete and up-to-date communication with all.

The COVID-19 Virus has consumed much of our world since March of this year, but 7 months into the Pandemic, our knowledge of the Virus, care for positive Residents and effective treatments have grown exponentially.  Our team will continue to fight this virus as we have been trained to do for the better part of this year.  Updates will continue to be provided as more information becomes available.  Support and prayers are welcomed.

Diane Gouhin

Executive Director