In January 2020, COVID-19 first entered the country. The staff at Jaffrey Rehab & Nursing Center worked diligently to keep our residents safe. Strict protocol began after the pandemic was announced in February.
Under guidance from Centers for Medicaid Services and Department of Health & Human Services, as well as the CDC, we followed policy and procedure for communal dining, activities and visitation. Staff worked long hours, stringently enforcing universal precautions. Masks, sanitized hands, safety goggles, gowns and shields, as well as social distancing, were commonplace.
In May of 2020, COVID testing began. JRNC staff’s cars lined up at RiverMead for the first PCR surveillance testing. From then on, biweekly testing would take place at JRNC. All staff, visitors and vendors were screened. During 2020, there were less than 10 asymptomatic residents and staff combined positive cases of COVID. Vaccinations began Dec. 29. Residents and staff received the first dose, with the second to follow in January. Staff made a choice to be vaccinated or not. Those who chose not to be vaccinated were required to be tested twice weekly.
The residents continued to be COVID-free. Until Thanksgiving Day this year, one visitor unknowingly infected with COVID came to visit a loved one. One set of footsteps, one unprotected breath and one unprotected kiss, followed by four days incubation time, and then a chain reaction of positive responses followed. New Hampshire’s COVID positives have spread fast and furiously. Many staff who had chosen not to be vaccinated have departed from JRNC. To be clear, the frontline staff consider the residents first. They are our priority. Kudos to all who continue the diligence in caring for your loved ones, the residents who have become part of our family at Jaffrey Rehab & Nursing Center.
Kathleen Taylor
Jaffrey