COVID-19

COVID-19 INFORMATION AND SAFETY GUIDELINES

CoHomes cares! Our top priority is the health and safety of our residents and team. As of October 1, 2024, we have not had a single COVID-19 case at CoHomes. However, we continue to closely monitor COVID-19 data and other contagious diseases, and adjust accordingly. 

The CDC COVID-19 County Check is a new tool to help communities decide what prevention steps to take based on the latest data. Levels can be low, medium, or high and are determined by looking at hospital beds being used, hospital admissions, and the total number of new COVID-19 cases in an area. Take precautions to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 based on the COVID-19 Community Level in your area.   

On March 5, 2022, CoHomes COVID-19 guidelines changed based on the CDC COVID-19 County Check. We are watching the community levels in Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Gaston, Union, Lancaster (SC), and York (SC) counties (reference below). We are taking additional precautions to protect the elderly and immunocompromised individuals.

Here is the link to the CDC COVID-19 County Check:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/covid-by-county.html

Keep in mind that we are a small six bed community, and our residents are fully vaccinated. Everyone except for our residents, must wear a properly fitted facemask while inside of CoHomes. Plus, all new residents must be fully vaccinated before moving in. Unfortunately, most large assisted living facilities have a more relaxed COVID-19 policy and likely have active COVID-19 cases due to greater exposure and a higher probability for the transmission of the virus.

We are small, attentive, and taking preventative steps to remain COVID-Safe and COVID-Free, which includes the following:

• caregiver to resident ratio is up to 1:6
• whole house high performing air filters are used to support healthy air levels by filtering out allergens, bacteria, and viruses
• room air purifiers to filter out airborne allergens, germs, and viruses using UV light and HEPA filtration for better air quality, as needed
• providing PPE to our residents and team, as needed
• requesting everyone to use soap and warm water to frequently wash their hands for 20 seconds
• requiring everyone, except the residents, to wear face masks
• requesting everyone to cover their mouth with tissue when sneezing or coughing and to immediately wash their hands and spray disinfectant
• frequently cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces and objects
• helping residents, if needed, with video calls, social media, texting, and email to keep them connected with family and friends
• recommending the use of telehealth, if available
• requesting that residents only leave CoHomes for medical reasons, and wears a face mask at all times and social distance 6ft or more whenever possible during major outbreaks
• team members are not permitted to enter CoHomes if they are sick and are required to follow CDC guidelines to safely return to work including getting tested for COVID and receiving negative results; or having no fever for three full days without the use medicine that reduces fevers and other symptoms have improved

Our preparation, prevention, and care is based on recommendations from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), American Health Care Association (AHCA), National Center For Assisted Living (NCAL), North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), Mecklenburg County Health Department, and other health care facilities.

Here are a few helpful links:

*CDC COVID-19 information - https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

* CDC - https://www.cdc.gov/

* WHO - https://www.who.int/

* AHCA and NCAL - https://www.ahcancal.org/Assisted-Living/Pages/default.aspx

* NCDHHS - https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/dashboard

* Mecklenburg County - https://www.mecknc.gov/covid-19/Pages/Home.aspx

* Free COVID Test - https://www.covid.gov/tests

Our COVID-19 response may change without notice based on newfound information. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis.

Latest changes added on 10/1/2024.