COVID Updates + Information
Latest Updates
Visitation Information
While it is safer for visitors not to enter the building at this time, visitors will still be allowed in the facility pursuant to the updated CMS visitation guidance. Appointments are no longer required to visit across campus. Suggested visitation times are between the hours of 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. If a visitor arrives outside of these hours and the front door is locked, we ask that they call the Nurse Supervisor whose phone number is posted on the front door to assist. We will continue to request that residents have no more than two visitors at a time to maintain physical distancing recommendations. If a resident’s roommate is unvaccinated or immunocompromised (regardless of vaccination status), visits may occur in one of our private rooms.
If residents or their representative would like to have a visit during this time, masks will continue to be required, regardless of vaccination status, and visits can continue in residents’ rooms. We are also offering several other on-campus visitation locations in the Virginia Health Care Commission including:
- Access to our private visitation rooms (Lilac and Jasmine)
- A heated outdoor visitation tent, or
- Our multi-purpose room.
Reservation for a private room is not required and visitation within a resident’s room remains an option for all facilities on campus. Visitors should adhere to the below Core Principles of COVID-19 Infection Prevention and understand there are potential risks.
Core Principles of COVID-19 Infection Prevention
- Screening of all who enter the facility for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 (e.g., temperature checks, questions about and observations of signs or symptoms), and denial of entry of those with signs or symptoms or
- those who have had close contact with someone with COVID-19 infection in the prior 14 days (regardless of the visitor’s vaccination status)
- Hand Hygiene (use of alcohol-based hand rub is preferred)
- Face covering or mask (covering mouth and nose) and social distancing at least six feet between persons, in accordance with CDC guidance
- Instructional signage throughout the facility and proper visitor education on COVID- 19 signs and symptoms, infection control precautions, other applicable facility practices (e.g., use of face covering or mask, specified entries, exits, and routes to designated areas, hand hygiene)
- Cleaning and disinfecting high-frequency touched surfaces in the facility often, and designated visitation areas after each visit
- Appropriate staff use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Effective cohorting of residents (e.g., separate areas dedicated to COVID-19 care
- Resident and staff testing conducted as required at 42 CFR § 483.80(h) (see QSO-20-38-NH Revised)
With the high level of COVID-19 community transmission in our surrounding area, we will require all individuals to wear a mask and keep six feet physically distant while on campus, regardless of vaccination status, during visitation. In accordance with CDC guidelines, team members will be required to wear eye protection during all resident encounters when the COVID-19 community transmission rate is substantial or high. We will continue to monitor the level of community transmission of COVID-19 in our local area and make adjustments as needed. Hand washing will be encouraged before and after your visit. We ask guests to stay home if they are ill or have recently been ill. For more information, please see the Virginia Department of Health’s tips for a safe visit.
Additional Information
Masks will continue to be required on campus at Birmingham Green regardless of vaccination status.
Given the new evidence, and increasing positivity rate the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) updated its Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People.
VDH recommends the following:
- Fully vaccinated people should wear a mask in public indoor settings if they are in an area of substantial or high transmission.
- Fully vaccinated people might choose to mask regardless of the level of transmission, particularly if they or someone in their household is immunocompromised or at increased risk for severe disease, or if someone in their household is unvaccinated.
- Fully vaccinated people should get tested if they are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and isolate if they have tested positive for COVID-19 in the prior 10 days or are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
- Fully vaccinated people should also get tested 3-5 days after exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 and wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days after exposure or until they receive a negative test result.
Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Are we screening team members to make sure they don’t bring the viruses into the community?
- Team members have been monitored for symptoms of the flu and COVID-19 at the start of their shifts.
- Anyone with symptoms have been sent home, asked to contact their physician and to monitor their symptoms.
What are we doing to make sure residents are safe while they are staying in their rooms/apartments?
- Residents are asked to wear masks at this time when in common areas.
- They are monitored each shift for signs and symptoms of COVID-19.
- The Life Enrichment Team continues to provide residents with leisure materials for individual use and sharing virtual communication methods for residents to connect with their loved ones.
What happens if someone in the community develops COVID-19?
- We are responding in accordance to CDC and Prince William County health department guidance including:
- Notification to family for resident’s change in condition.
- Increased sanitation to high touch areas and common areas.
- Using dedicated medical equipment of isolated residents.
- Wearing proper Protective Personal Equipment (PPE). Notifying the Prince William County health department and begin contact tracing for any residents or team members who may have come into contact with this individual.
What Protective Personal Equipment (PPE) are Birmingham Green team members wearing at work?
- All team members are wearing masks while inside the building.
- Our team members who have close contact with ill residents are donning proper PPE including: masks, face shields, gloves, and gowns.
Have residents been offered face masks?
- Yes, all residents have been offered a cloth face mask.
- We are following guidance from the CDC.
How can I support or donate to Birmingham Green?
We are thankful for the encouraging words and acts of kindness we have received from our local community and family members. Please contact Volunteer and Support Services Director, Andre Porter, (703) 257-6252 or at aporter@birminghamgreen.org if you are interested in providing assistance from a distance. Items of need include: PPE (masks, face shields, gloves, gowns, etc.) and cleaning supplies.
For more information, or to make a monetary donation please visit:
www.birminghamgreen.org/foundation