September 11, 2020

To: All family members of a current Resident at St. Martin’s and to our friends

From the onset of the pandemic, the Little Sisters have exercised an overabundance of caution in dealing with the virus. We have followed every recommendation from the various government agencies and also layered additional safety precautions as more information becomes available. This has been our procedure to date and we will continue with this practice until all threats of this deadly disease are far behind us and we see a brighter future.

Our Staff testing was completed this week and most of the results have come back. Unfortunately we received word today that one of our staff tested positive for COVID-19 and has been asymptomatic.
They will self-quarantine for 14 days and will have 2 negative test results before returning to work. And the 2 staff members who previously tested positive are asymptomatic and have been cleared to return to work.

However, this new positive case does affect our ability to proceed with outdoor visits. We have been communicating with the Maryland Department of Health with instruction to test all Residents in the Home along with weekly staff testing. Once again, we are on Lockdown and cannot have outdoor visits with family members. We realize that this is very disheartening news, but in order to continue to protect your loved one, we are not allowed to open up for outdoor visits.

With limitations on visitors, it is important that we help our Residents connect with you, their loved ones. St. Martin’s Home has a Skype account for video chats, along with FaceTime, Zoom and window visits. Our Residents also welcome traditional phone calls, text messages, photo sharing, and written cards and letters. Danielle, our Activities Director, and Mary, our Social worker, are here to assist Residents with any support they need to communicate with family in their preferred way.

These past months have been a challenge for all of us. Yet, we are exceptionally grateful for the protection of dear St. Joseph and the support we receive from you. Moving forward, we will persist in doing our best in keeping our Residents, the Little Sisters and our employees as safe as possible.

The Little Sisters pray daily for your health and the health of your family. Please join us as we pray for our Residents and for an end to COVID-19.

Please pray for the good weather and the success of the Virtual Nun Run, which is tomorrow.

Most sincerely,
Mother Joseph Caroline
Little Sisters of the Poor

Previous updates:
September 4, 2020
August 28, 2020
August 21, 2020
August 17, 2020
August 14, 2020
August 7, 2020
July 31, 2020
July 24, 2020
July 17, 2020
July 10, 2020
July 3, 2020
June 26, 2020
June 21, 2020
June 19, 2020
June 12, 2020
June 5, 2020
May 29, 2020
May 22, 2020
May 15, 2020
May 8, 2020
May 2, 2020
April 22, 2020
March 19, 2020

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