Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs News Release
April 24, 2020
ORTING – The Washington State Veterans Homes are working hard to combat COVID-19. After consultation with our partners at the Federal VA, we proactively tested all residents in our four State Veterans Homes. During the testing process, we learned that a resident of the Washington Soldiers Home is positive for COVID-19. The resident is asymptomatic and has been isolated in their room. Additional environmental cleaning is also taking place throughout the facility.
We realize this news is concerning and we want to reassure residents, staff and family members that we are working closely with the Tacoma Pierce County Health Department and following guidance from CDC, CMS and our State Department of Health to ensure we are taking every possible precaution.
“The Veterans and Families we serve mean so much to us and news that this virus has entered our building is upsetting to all of us,” said Lourdes E. “Alfie” Alvarado-Ramos director of the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs. “We are taking every possible precaution and will continue proactive measures to keep the virus from spreading in the Home. Our veterans and their family members are in extremely capable hands.”
Results are pending for the remaining ninety Soldiers Home residents and will be shared on our website at www.dva.wa.gov/covid.
We know that many carriers of COVID-19, of all ages, have no symptoms but are able to spread the virus without knowing it. That is why we took the proactive step of testing all residents, even if they were not experiencing symptoms. If residents experience symptoms of COVID-19, they will be tested again.
The Soldiers Home will conduct enhanced surveillance, including 4-hour symptom and temperature checks, for all residents for the next 14 days. Staff will wear appropriate personal protective equipment while caring for the COVID-19 positive resident and will also wear procedure masks throughout the nursing care building. Staff have been wearing cloth masks at all times since April 15 in an effort to prevent an asymptomatic carrier from inadvertently sharing the virus.
In addition to already testing all residents, we will begin testing all staff. We are asking our staff to continue to pay close attention to whether they have any symptoms, including the presence of a temperature. As part of our ongoing screening process, all staff are screened upon arrival at work each day. This process includes a series of questions around whether symptoms are present and a temperature check. In addition, staff will take their temperature at least twice a day and are also asked to report any symptoms that occur after coming to work.
The Soldiers Home team is working around the clock and we appreciate their commitment and dedication to ensure our residents are cared for with dignity and compassion.
All residents, families and staff are being notified and we will continue to provide updated information online at: www.dva.wa.gov/covid and through a message, which is recorded at noon each day, at 360-893-4599. Media inquiries should be addressed to heidia@dva.wa.gov.
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Media Contact
Heidi Audette
Communications and Legislative Director
(360) 725-2154 – office
(360) 791-8966 – cell
heidia@dva.wa.gov