December 5, 2021
Dear Families and Friends,
As some of you are already aware, our latest round of facility-wide PCR testing has confirmed that two of our residents have tested positive for COVID-19. The results were received yesterday afternoon, December 4.
Despite the hour and the day, Dr. Jennifer Sheehan, our Medical Director, was able to work closely with the Vermont Health Department to fast-track our residents’ approval-to-treat with monoclonal antibodies, the most effective form of COVID-19 immunotherapy available at this time.
Both residents are under care, in quarantine, and are comfortable and stable; their families are being updated regularly.
While we remain optimistic, we also must remain cautious. To that end, we strongly urge that visits with residents occur via FaceTime/video/phone/outdoors if at all possible, until this crisis has passed. Limiting the number of outside individuals, regardless of their vaccination status, is perhaps the simplest and most effective way to prevent further spread among residents and staff.
Another round of PCR testing will occur on Monday, 12/6/21, from 6am-2pm. We invite you to be tested at no cost during this time. If you would like to be tested, please call ahead so that we can register you in our testing system and provide you with further instructions.
In sum, Thompson House now has access to the highly effective monoclonal antibody treatment, we have an extensive supply of Personal Protective Equipment (more than 100 pieces of which were generously donated by our friends at Vernon Green Nursing Home), and a team of compassionate caregivers laser-focused on keeping your loved ones, and each other, safe.
We will keep you apprised of further updates and information as they become available and, as always, thank you all for your incredible understanding and unflagging support and encouragement.
Sincerely,
Dane Rank, Administrator
Melissa Osborne, RN, Director of Nursing
