COVID-19

Here you will find the latest information on COVID-19 vaccines and how they impact long-term care. We are committed to educating residents, employees and the general public about the importance of vaccines in limiting the further spread of this deadly virus. Resources from the Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine (AMDA) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) were used in creating this page.

Omicron Variant Could Overwhelm the United States with COVID: Boosters are the Answer

Science Brief: Omicron (B.1.1.529) Variant | CDC

Delta Variant: What We Know About the Science | CDC

Where Should I Look for Accurate Information on COVID-19 Vaccines?

• It is important to seek information from reliable sources. Social media is full of misinformation and opinions based on that misinformation.
• Here are some helpful links:
• CDC
• FDA
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
• Pfizer
• Moderna
• Johnson & Johnson
• State and local health department websites are also great resources for locality-specific COVID-19 vaccine information.

Why Were Long-Term Care Residents & Staff Being Made First Priority for COVID-19 Vaccines?

• The average age of residents in long-term care facilities is over 80 years old. Most individuals have underlying health conditions, and some have multiple chronic conditions. According to CDC data, the risk of mortality from COVID-19 in this age group is 630 times higher than those 18-29 years old.

Is Our Facility Receiving Vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson?

• Our facility received COVID-19 mRNA vaccines from Moderna for initial vaccination clinics in late 2020/early 2021.
• As we host and schedule vaccine maintenance clinics, we will likely receive vaccines from all three distributors.

What Do I need to Know About Booster Shots?

• CDC Webpage on Booster Shots 
• Our facility will contact you as booster doses become available and we hold vaccine maintenance clinics.

How has The Laurels worked to stop the potential spread of COVID-19?

• Our facility has been implementing and acting on guidance from external agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and the Department of Health and Human Services at the state and local level since February 28, 2020.
• We have restricted visitors from entering our facility since the national advisement in mid-March, ceased group activities within the building, and have continually monitored residents and screened staff members and essential external personnel for symptoms according to CDC guidance.
• We are continually monitoring ALL residents for CDC-recognized symptoms and changes in conditions.

What happens if a resident tests positive for COVID-19?

• Residents who have tested positive receive supportive care in an appropriate care setting per CDC guidance. If additional treatment for a resident is required, we will transfer to the local hospital and communicate with loved ones accordingly.

How can I stay informed of what is happening at the facility?

• Please be sure your contact information, including email address, is current. If you need to make changes or confirm your information, please call the facility.
• Periodically visit the facility website to see if there has been new information posted.
• If you are unable to visit the facility in-person, request opportunities to attend virtual gatherings, such as care plan meetings, family council meetings or other activities, some of which may be held by platforms such as Zoom.

American Health Care Association COVID-19 Page

Center for Disease Control & Prevention COVID-19 Information

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid COVID-19 Page

CDC COVID Data Tracker

Department of Health and Human Services COVID-19 Page

Just The Facts: What Caused COVID-19 Outbreak in Nursing Homes?

New York Times COVID-19 Tracker

Health Care Association of Michigan COVID-19 Page

June 15 MDHHS Emergency Order on Skilled Nursing Facility Testing

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services COVID-19 Page

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a memo in September 2020, revised March 2022, with directives concerning nursing home visitation. Whereas previous versions of the memo outlined certain parameters for restricting visitation at nursing homes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the March 2022 update eliminates most of these restrictions.

VISITORS - What to Know Prior to Arriving for a Visit

• Indoor visitation is allowed for all residents.
• Vaccination status does not affect the ability to visit.
• However, the best and most proven way to keep your loved one in our facility safe is to stay up-to-date with your COVID vaccines
• Visitors must be willing and able to:
• Wear a face covering for the duration of their visit. The facility can provide visitors with a new surgical mask upon arrival.
• Follow hand hygiene requirements.
• Observe appropriate physical distancing for the duration of their visit.
• Visitors are encouraged to contact our facility prior to arriving for a visit. Whenever possible, we do ask that visitors observe our recommended visiting hours.
• For more information on recommended visiting hours, please contact our facility.
• Visitors are strongly encouraged to share their vaccination status with our facility and provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test prior to arrival.
• Although CMS does NOT recommend, visits are allowed for all residents even if they are in transmission-based precautions or quarantine, or if an outbreak investigation is underway at the facility.
• Visitors for residents in transmission-based precautions or quarantine will be required to wear all PPE (N-95 mask, face shield, gloves, and gown) and physical distance for entire visit.
• Visiting during an outbreak investigation or visiting a resident in transmission-based precautions or quarantine puts the visitor at increased risk of contracting COVID-19.
• Compassionate care visits are always allowed, but with the full opening of routine visitation, there are few circumstances where a purely compassionate visit would apply.

VISITORS - What You Should Know Upon Arrival

• Visitors will be screened for temperature and signs and symptoms of COVID-19.
• If a visitor has a temperature at or above 100 degrees, exhibits any symptoms of the virus, has recently tested positive for COVID-19, or currently meets the criteria for quarantine, he or she will not be permitted to enter the facility.
• Visitors must provide legal federal or state identification upon screening. A telephone number will also be required.
• Visitors must complete required education and attestation prior to their initial visit.

VISITORS - What to Expect During Your Visit

• Per CMS, in-room visitation (rather than visits in common areas) is preferred whenever possible to mitigate potential risk to other residents.
• Failure to adhere to the core principles of COVID-19 infection prevention will result in termination of the visit.
• Core infection principles should also be maintained during outdoor visits.
• Food and drink may be brought to a visit but should not be shared.
• Smoking is not permitted during a visit.
• Large gatherings of visitors should be avoided.
• To ensure smooth and timely functioning of the visitation process, please do not engage facility staff with your concerns during your visit.
• If you have questions about the established CMS guidelines, please complete your visit and address these concerns in an email or telephone call to the facility administrator following your visit.

PLEASE NOTE: A resident has the right to refuse to receive visitors and the facility staff must honor those wishes. If this occurs, facility staff will attempt to connect the resident with their visitors by offering a window visit, or a live video/phone call.

Please be mindful of our residents, associates, and other visitors to the building.If you exhibit signs and symptoms of COVID-19, have recently tested positive for COVID-19, or have had a recent exposure to COVID-19, please delay your visit.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.