Joshua Springs reports cases up from only 4 last Friday
BULLHEAD CITY – An apparent new hot spot in the COVID-19 pandemic seems to be located in tri-state area. More than 18 new cases have been reported over the Memorial Day weekend at Joshua Springs Senior Living, a Bullhead City retirement community. The community previously reported only a mere four cases as of last Friday.
According to Watermark spokesperson Victoria Doyle, “Joshua Springs Senior Living has 13 positive cases of COVID-19 among our memory care residents and five positive associates as of Tuesday, May 26.”
Doyle further indicated that staff, “with any symptoms are excluded from work and remain in recovery at home until they meet criteria to be to return to the community.”
In addition to a strict no-visitor policy, a daily sanitation routine with disinfectant is performed on all doors, counter surfaces and bathrooms morning and night.
Additionally, reports from the care staff and management personnel indicate the residents have been practicing self-isolation in their rooms; residents’ temperature is taken at least twice daily; meals are delivered to the rooms and staff is required to wear masks and gloves. All vendors, administrators and volunteers are also screened.
“Watermark is committed to the safety and well-being of our residents and associates at all times in following all COVID-19 protocols and reporting requirements for the Mohave County Department of Public Health and the State of Arizona,” said Doyle.
If a resident has tested positive or has presented with flu-like symptoms, has left the community or has become hospitalized, upon their return they are required to isolate in one of the community;s ‘COVID-19 specific’ isolation rooms.
These special care rooms have been setup to care for residents after they are released from the hospital. The resident must spend 14 days in isolation to safeguard the other residents and associates. “Our protocols are drawn from federal and state authorities’ best practices,” according to Doyle.
“Separately,” Doyle indicated that, “there are no cases of COVID-19 among residents or associates at our White Cliffs Senior Living community”, in Kingman.
Doyle further indicated that, “Out of privacy and sensitivity to our residents and families, we will not be communicating the information on residents who have passed. This is a delicate topic and one we do not take lightly. Our thoughts and prayers are with friends, family and loved ones during this time of shared loss.”
Watermark Retirement Communities of Tucson, AZ operates Joshua Springs Senior Living in Bullhead City as well as White Cliffs Senior Living in Kingman for a combined 211 residences.
