As COVID-19 cases begin to increase locally and statewide, administrators at area nursing homes and assisted living facilities say they are monitoring the situation and responding accordingly, which includes continuing to ennsure all staff are vaccinated.
“We are COVID-free and are planning on staying that way,” said Carole Musante, manager at LaBelle’s Rest Home in Shelburne Falls.
Franklin County had 23 positive COVID-19 cases as of Monday, Greenfield Health Director Jennifer Hoffman told the Greenfield Board of Health at an emergency meeting earlier this week. Of those 23 cases, two of them are confirmed to be from the delta variant — though she later clarified that not all individuals are tested for the delta variant specifically when they are tested for COVID-19.
She said the delta variant is known to be more transmissible than the original COVID-19 virus, and those who are infected with the delta variant tend to have more virus particles in their respiratory tract than people infected with other variants.
The most recent data available from the state Department of Public Health, updated Aug. 7, states that of the 4.3 million Massachusetts residents who have been vaccinated, there have been 9,969 positive “breakthrough” cases — or 0.23% — of COVID-19 in vaccinated people.
Although LaBelle’s had previously relaxed its visitor policy, Musante said, visitors are once again required to call before entering the building, at which point they will have their temperature taken and be asked about their vaccination status.
“If they’re not vaccinated, they cannot come into the building,” Musante said, noting that masks continue to be required inside.
Additionally, the facility is not accepting residents nor prospective hires who aren’t fully vaccinated. The remaining staff members who are not fully vaccinated, she said, are in the midst of their vaccination process, per the recent government mandate for health care workers in skilled nursing facilities.
“I have three people who have gotten one dose and three people who are planning on getting the first dose this weekend,” she said.
Last week, Gov. Charlie Baker announced plans to implement a vaccine mandate requiring all staff in skilled nursing facilities to be vaccinated by Oct. 10.
“The only discussions we’re having center around the governor’s ever-changing directives,” said Michele Carney, co-owner of Poet’s Seat Health Care Center in Greenfield. “We’re doing our mask wearing, wearing our goggles when needed under certain situations, and we’re getting our list of employees who have to be vaccinated by … October.”
With the exception of getting the rest of its staff vaccinated, “we’re going about our business as we have,” she said. “We’re adhering to very strict infection control guidelines.”
Carney said 99%, if not 100%, of Poet’s Seat Health Care Center’s residents are vaccinated. Additionally, the High Street facility has gone back to mandated regular testing.
According to a July 30 update from Berkshire Healthcare Systems — which owns Charlene Manor Extended Care on Colrain Road in Greenfield — its affiliates have continued to “reduce the spread and impact of COVID-19 since the onset” through infection control precautions; screening staff, residents and essential visitors for an expanded set of symptoms; and testing staff and residents based on the most current protocols and availability of tests.
Overall, Carney said she feels 100% more prepared at Poet’s Seat Health Care Center than during the early days of the pandemic.
“We’re trying to make sure everybody understands it’s serious,” Carney said. “There may or may not be a resurgence, but … right now the nursing home is staying the course and is on top of everything, and (we’re) aware that the policies may change, and they may be back to changing quickly again as the situation requires.”
At LaBelle’s Rest Home, Musante said that although it’s a scary time, she feels as though the facility has taken the necessary precautions. She credited the state Department of Public Health for keeping it informed throughout the pandemic.
“We’ve done everything we can to keep people safe,” she said.
Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne.