COVID-19 Update 10.14.20
Dear Rimland Families,
Because of the vulnerable nature of our individuals, combined with the inherent risks of congregate living, we take aggressive efforts to limit COVID-19 exposure. We must remain steadfast in our fight to shield Rimland individuals from this virus. We continue to encourage outside visits and 14 day offsite visits with family with appropriate social distancing and limited contact. Rimland will be reassessing visitations on November 5th. The 14 day home visits cannot entirely prevent the risk of COVID-19 but it can mitigate the situation. Currently, infection rates are holding steady in Illinois (click here for additional details)
In addition, Rimland is working with Abbott to get COVID-19 test kits. We hope this might be a way to ease the restrictions that we have put in place. We intend to share more details soon. We also have a partnership with the Evanston Health Department, who has information and will be working with Rimland and the community when a vaccine is available. Please see their update below and know that we are in weekly communication with them.
We know the hardship and burden. Individuals at Rimland have the opportunity to celebrate birthdays and holidays with us (although we know families would like to get together). We started celebrating Halloween early October with home decorations and in home activities.
We will be in touch soon!
The Rimland Team
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From the Director of Health & Human Services, City of Evanston:
Good day,
I hope this message finds you well. The COVID-19 vaccine is in development and may become available to priority groups as early as this November. Each priority group has yet to be finally determined and in an effort to ensure our most vulnerable are prioritized for vaccination when vaccines become available, the Department is attempting to identify Priority Providers within Evanston.
A Priority Provider serves members of the priority groups and has the ability to receive, store, and administer the COVID-19 vaccine at their facilities. Please provide an answer for the following questions by October 15, 2020.
- Briefly describe the demographics of your residents
- Do you have the capacity to vaccinate your residents?
- Do you or have you had a seasonal flu vaccine program at your facility before?
- Do you have a medical director on staff?
The Evanston mass vaccination plan requires flexibility as new information comes in and our goal is to make sure Evanston is as prepared as possible. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you and continue to have a pleasant day.
Ike C. Ogbo