Dear friends,

Friendship Health and Rehabilitation Center (FHRC) located on Hershberger Road was notified today that a non-direct care employee has tested positive for COVID-19.

The team member last worked in the building this past weekend, on 4/25/20 and 4/26/20.  On 4/26/20, the team member worked in a non-direct care role, not entering resident rooms.  On both dates, the team member completed the necessary entrance screening worksheet, reporting no indications of fever or other signs of illness nor risk factors that would preclude this person from entering the facility to perform essential job duties.  Per Friendship policy, the team member appropriately wore a medical facemask while performing all work duties on these days.

The team member reports noticing symptoms on an off-day on Monday, 4/27/20 and still felt ill on both Tuesday, 4/28/20 and Wednesday 4/29/20, and did not return to work on either of those days.  On 4/28/20, the team member’s physician ordered a COVID-19 test as symptoms had not subsided.  Results were returned to the team member today, on 5/1/20.

As soon as Friendship was made aware of this diagnosis, the Roanoke County Health Department was notified of this positive case and FHRC administration is currently working with local public health officials to conduct contact tracing, and potential testing for other employees or residents, as recommended by the Health Department.

Team members are, and will continue, to meet all the needs of our residents, and are taking every precaution to protect themselves.  Please know we are doing everything we can to ensure we prevent the spread of COVID-19 within our building.

Weekly updates, or more frequently as needed, will be provided as to the status of any potential new cases for staff and/or residents at Friendship Health & Rehab Center.

To stay up-to-date with our COVID-19 developments, check our website, friendship.us, and click on the Coronavirus Updates button at the top of the page, or call 540.265.2101 for a recorded message of the latest update posted online.

Take care and stay well,

Joe Hoff

President and Chief Executive Officer

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