February 24, 2022
Dear McLean Patients, Residents, and Families,
We are writing to keep you informed on our current COVID-19 status. As part of our current testing protocol, this week we once again tested our health center residents in skilled nursing and assisted living. We are happy to report that everyone tested negative!
As of today, most of our staff have completed the required, weekly testing and those results have all been negative. A few more employees need to test over the next couple of days. Please find our cumulative data and mitigating strategies below.
Thank you to everyone for your patience when you arrive to our building as we are required to comply with the Executive Order for ensuring we check everyone’s vaccination status. Please be sure to bring your vaccination card with you when you visit, unless you have already been given a “green” or “yellow” card from us. Please share this information with your family members/ friends.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call our main number at 860-658-3700.
David Bordonaro Lisa Clark
President Vice President, Administrator of the Health Center
Cumulative data below is from March 2020 to February 24, 2022
Positive cases are noted based on a resident’s home neighborhood
| Positive | Last positive case reported on: | Recovered | Deaths | |
| Total for Assisted Living | 20 | 1/21/22 | 18 | 2 |
| Total for Skilled Nursing | 40 | 1/28/22 | 33 | 7 |
| Total for Employees | 121 | 2/9/22 | 121 |
Mitigating Strategies
Our staff remains vigilant in appropriate screening, PPE usage and hand hygiene. Our mitigating strategies continue to be in effect. You will find these listed below.
Regarding visitation:
- We have implemented the Governor’s executive order to screen all visitors and essential personnel for their vaccination status. All visitors or essential support persons, when visiting a nursing home resident….
- will need to provide proof they are fully vaccinated and if eligible have received the booster
- or will provide paper or electronic proof of a negative rapid antigen test result within the previous 48 hours or a negative PCR test that was completed within the previous
72 hours – we are unable to verify a picture on your phone from a home test unless you have a physician note documenting a telemedicine visit to verify the test
- or will take a rapid test when they arrive here at McLean – please visit the family site on our website to watch a video on what to expect during the test and we also have a link to schedule a specific time to test through SimplyBook.Me if you prefer to have some assistance – you are not required to pre-book a time
- Visitors must wear tight-fitting masks into our building and be screened at the front entrance of our health center. Please bring your driver’s license or photo ID. Also, please do not visit if you are not feeling well and be sure to abide by all travel guidelines, found here: https://portal.ct.gov/coronavirus/travel.
- Everyone will wear a KN95 mask at all times while inside our building (in all inside visitation locations including the resident’s room). They are located at the Well Screen machine when you walk in.
- This also means that food and drink will not be allowed during visits.
- Social distancing must be maintained from the resident you are visiting and from all other residents and all staff.
- If you, or anyone that visits McLean, should discover you are COVID-19 positive within 14 days of visiting us, please call the nursing supervisor right away so we can take the appropriate actions immediately to assess the potential exposure and implement the necessary isolation protocols to stop potential spread.
- Visitors must follow the core principles of infection prevention during any visit.
- visitors who have a positive viral test for COVID-19, symptoms of COVID-19, or currently meet the criteria for quarantine, should not enter the facility
- hand hygiene (use of alcohol-based hand rub is preferred)
- a KN95 mask, covering your mouth and nose, will be worn inside our building at all times
- social distancing, at least six feet between people, in accordance with CDC guidance
- Small group activities, as well as socially distanced larger groups, are occurring on all neighborhoods. The Abernethy and Pfirman Dining Rooms are open; however, these may need to be closed on certain days or times due to staffing levels. We are doing our best to keep this to a minimum.
- The Beauty Salon / Barber Shop is open, by appointment, for residents not under isolation protocols.
- Unvaccinated residents who have had a direct COVID-19 exposure or a resident who tests positive for COVID-19, will have compassionate care visits for 14 days.
- A health screening process is in place at our entrance for all essential personnel entering the building and for those who are visiting residents.
- The appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is available and worn by all staff while on campus.
- Enhanced cleaning process with approved products used and an increased focus on touched surfaces remains top priority.
- Masks are provided to all residents to wear when out of their room, when they have visitors in their room, and if engaged with their care team (with the exception of face care, taking medications or eating).
- Internal campaigns and audits for infection control practices have been implemented to reinforce consistent and effective preventative measures.
- Medical appointments via telemedicine are encouraged whenever possible.
- COVID-19 testing of staff follows the current Department of Public Health requirements. We will follow isolating protocols should any resident receive a positive test result and will implement additional testing and cohorting strategies.