FOLLOWUP: More COVID-19 cases at Providence Mount St. Vincent

After multiple tips about more coronavirus cases at Providence Mount St. Vincent in West Seattle – 2 1/2 weeks after the first case was reported – we asked Providence for comment today. We received this confirmation in response this evening:

On March 30, we reported a single confirmed case of COVID-19 at Providence Mount St. Vincent. Thanks to Providence ExpressCare, we recently conducted rapid-testing of our entire community of caregivers, residents, patients, and active volunteers for COVID-19.

Through previous onsite testing and the additional rapid testing, we have confirmed a total of 15 of our residents/patients and 10 of our caregivers have tested positive for COVID-19. All residents/patients who tested positive have been cohorted together in a separate area of the building with dedicated staff providing care. The caregivers who tested positive are quarantined at home. The Intergenerational Learning Center (ILC) continues to operate safely to support our caregivers and the community. None of the teachers nor caregiver parents tested positive.

The safety and well-being of our residents, patients, their families and our caregivers remains our top priority, especially during this time. We are committed to stopping the spread of this infectious disease. Our highly-trained caregivers are following all of our heightened infection control protocols, including the use of appropriate personal protection equipment (PPE), in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) guidelines, while providing our residents/patients expert and compassionate care.

Out of an abundance of caution, and to ensure accurate testing, we will conduct a second round of rapid testing next week for our entire community.

“Knowledge is power at a time like this,” said Charlene Boyd, Providence Mount St. Vincent Administrator. “A second round of testing will confirm an accurate count of cases at The Mount. It will also inform us of any additional spread of the virus by people not showing any symptoms. That information is critical and will enable our most fervent and directed response possible.”

We know how quickly this virus can spread. We continue daily monitoring of all residents, patients and caregivers for any signs of illness, especially a fever or cough. We are closed to visitors with the exception of end-of-life visits which are accommodated on a person-by-person basis, and we screen everyone that enters the building. In addition to our heightened disinfecting and cleaning procedures, we are wiping down high touch areas several times throughout the day.

We are working closely with state and local health authorities, as well as the CDC, to ensure we continue delivering safe, high quality care to all of our residents and patients. We have notified the families of all of our residents and patients, and the ILC families, about the situation and are sharing updates with the community as needed.

Providence Mount St. Vincent, also known as The Mount, is at 4831 35th SW and is home to more than 400 people who need either assistance or round-the-clock care.

14 Replies to "FOLLOWUP: More COVID-19 cases at Providence Mount St. Vincent"

  • Also John April 16, 2020 (8:44 pm)

    Didn’t want to hear that…..

  • I’mcoveredinbees April 16, 2020 (8:56 pm)

    Sad about this but what an amazing job they are doing! You are all in my prayers, PMSV!

  • J April 16, 2020 (8:59 pm)

    Thank you for the update Mt St. Vincent! You are right, knowledge is power! I’m so glad you were able to provide testing, and plan to do it again. It sounds like you have a plan to contain this disease the best you are able. CDC guidelines recommend inadequate PPE to meet our reality of supply shortages. CDC guidance is not best or safest practice, especially in the type of masks recommend. CDC has failed to recognize aresol and at least limited airborne transmission of SARS-COV-2. It sounds like you are doing all you can to fight for and protect your residents and staff. Do you need help obtaining N95 masks, shields or gowns? Our prayers will be with your staff and residents. Thank you for all your good work.

  • J April 16, 2020 (9:32 pm)

    Also, as you know, we are all learning as we go with this disease. There are likely multiple other care facilities in our community who are fighting COVID19 within their walls. If there is anything you discover about transmission control, or patient care, I hope you will share insights, and ideas. 

  • John Smith April 17, 2020 (1:35 am)

    Based on my  past experience as a Metro ACCESS driver, I think Mt. St. Vincent was (and probably still is) one of the better nursing homes / rehabilitation facilities. I think the foreseeable future (until we achieve herd immunity) does not look good for patients/residents of nursing/rehabilitation homes and dialysis centers. From what I have  been reading lately, the worst outcomes from this virus are for those who are obese, diabetic, and elderly, and that fits the profile of many of the patients/residents of those types of facilities. In addition, apparently there are people who work at multiple facilities wbo keep working, probably because they need to pay their bills. It gives me no joy or satisfaction to share my opinion; I am doing so because I think most people do not have my combination of work experience, willingness to share, and English as a first language combined with reading/writing/arithmetic ability.

  • Marybeth Maccauley April 17, 2020 (10:37 am)

    I worked at the Mount many years ago and was proud to be part of their team.  I am now at Horizon House which is Independent and Supportive Living.  We too have cases but more of the nursing staff in Supportive Living have tested positive.  We here in Independent Living have been confined to our apts with no group activities of any kind.  As of two days ago, we now can take walks outdoors.  We have not been able to get tested unless we have symptoms.  All of these health care workers need to be paid more.  We have come to truly value them.  Gratefully, Marybeth

    • J April 17, 2020 (2:23 pm)

      It has become apparent that transmission is common by asymptotic people and therefore testing of all persons and staff in any facility should be tested if there are any positive cases or significant suspension of a positive case. If it is not known who is likely to be contagious then the spread cannot be stopped. You can’t fight an invisible enemy. If we do not yet have testing for senior and care facilities to manage transmission then we do not have enough testing yet for any businesses to reopen. The Mount is really doing a great job in planning for another round of testing to check and control any further spread.

  • guitarman April 17, 2020 (12:14 pm)

    Sad to hear this but it’s good they are being proactive to stop the spread.  Most likely I will not play music there for some time; which I have enjoyed giving for many years.   Blessings and prayers to the residents and staff, who serve so faithfully on the ‘front lines’ there….

  • Batgirl April 17, 2020 (1:58 pm)

    The staff at The Mount are wonderful as are the many residents I met while my Mom & Dad were there at separate times in the sub-acute Rehab facility. My heart breaks thinking of the difficulty these elderly patients will have fighting (or potentially succumbing to) the disease and the caretakers that have put their lives on the line to take care of them. I hope they can keep it contained and that those that are impacted will get access to some of the trial treatments underway. 

  • It Rhymes With Fudd April 19, 2020 (5:45 pm)

    There is no place like the Mount.Thank you.

  • Janl April 28, 2020 (5:09 pm)

    Any follow up from the Mount  regarding their follow up testing lat week?

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