LOWVILLE, NY ─ Lewis County Residential Health Care Facility (RHCF) was notified yesterday that two residents of the facility tested positive for COVID-19.
The residents are asymptomatic at this time and have been retested to verify the results. To protect the privacy of the residents, we are unable to share more specific information.
“Our focus is on ensuring the safety and well-being of the residents and staff members, and we continue following proper infection control measures to ensure their safety and well-being,” stated Gerald R. Cayer, Chief Executive Officer at Lewis County Health System.
As a result of the positive tests, the staff immediately initiated the appropriate protocols for positive COVID-19. This included isolation of the residents and initiating contact and droplet precautions as recommended by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH).
The nursing staff and environmental services are taking every recommended action to protect residents and employees.
Some of these actions include daily monitoring of residents for the onset of symptoms, weekly testing of residents and staff, and suspension of in-person and window visits until RHCF has gone fourteen days without a new onset of a COVID positive test result.
All residents, family members and staff were notified of the confirmed positive cases, along with Lewis County Public Health and the NYSDOH.
According to Mr. Cayer, “The NYS Department of Health is anticipated to make an on-site visit to evaluate and validate the infection control protocols.”
Staff will continue to be screened at the start of their shift and tested weekly for COVID-19 in compliance with state directives issued by Governor Cuomo. Any staff member who is symptomatic is not allowed to work in accordance with the CDC and NYSDOH guidelines for health care workers.
The COVID-19 outbreak in Lewis County continues to grow and has affected our residents and their families, our staff, and faith-based organizations, individuals and local businesses.
“The only way to slowing the spread and fully reopening all aspects of our community is for everyone to wear a mask, maintain six feet of physical
distancing, wash their hands with soap and water frequently or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer, and stay home if they have symptoms,” Mr. Cayer said.