On Friday, April 24, the Vinson Hall Retirement Community has issued the following press release:
“It is with great sadness that we share that we lost one of our residents who had tested positive for the COVID-19 virus and had other underlying medical issues. The resident died this afternoon at our campus. The resident’s daughter was at the bedside. This resident lived at Arleigh Burke Pavilion, in our skilled nursing area, receiving 24-hour care and support prior to COVID-19. Eleven days ago, after exhibiting symptoms of the COVID-19 virus, the resident was tested and confirmed positive. Our resident was immediately placed on isolation protocol, moved to our isolation area, and closely monitored and cared for by our nursing team.
Vinson Hall Retirement Community had its first staff case of COVID-19 on April 10, 2020, and its first resident case on April 11, 2020. Since then, 15 additional residents have tested positive. All residents live in Arleigh Burke Pavilion, assisted living and skilled nursing care. Nine staff members have tested positive to date for the virus: two in Dining Services at Vinson Hall and seven in Arleigh Burke Pavilion.
Senior leadership and other relevant staff, led by a full-time RN Infection Preventionist, have created all infection control measures and action steps to prepare for and now contain COVID-19. Major moments of this process include:
In February, we started sharing educational information about COVID-19 with residents and staff.
Starting in early March, a COVID-19 Emergency Operations Team was established, which has taken progressive and responsive strides to enhance infection control measures, including:
On March 8, all visitors and staff, upon entry into VHRC, were screened regarding travel and health.
On March 14, campus visitation was restricted.
All written communication, since March 6, outlining COVID-19 focused efforts is posted on our Vinson Hall Retirement Community website.
“Despite our extensive preparations, and our nursing team’s tireless efforts and care, we find ourselves here today. It’s always a deep loss when one of our residents dies. COVID-19 has created an additional layer of trauma that our residents, staff, and families have been forced to confront,” said Libby Bush, CEO, Vinson Hall Retirement Community.
Vinson Hall Retirement Community continues to work closely with the Fairfax County Health Department, and is taking all measures possible to contain the outbreak.
At this time, we have no resident confirmed cases of COVID-19 at Vinson Hall, Willow Oak, or The Sylvestery.