News & Resources
Coronavirus Memo: The Sequoias San Francisco and The Sequoias Portola Valley
COVID-19 continues to be with us, and every day brings us gratitude and grief. We are all living, learning, and living outside our comfort zones and some of the lessons are hard and humbling. We remain firmly rooted in our commitment to continue to safeguard people while simultaneously working to reactivate communities and services in the best way possible.
Yesterday we learned that an employee at The Sequoias San Francisco (SSF) has tested positive for COVID-19 and is now under a doctor’s care. The employee last worked on Saturday, July 25. At this time, we are not aware of any exposure that would have put residents at risk. We have been in communication with the San Francisco Department of Public Health to trace the staff member’s contacts.
We were also notified yesterday that an independent contractor at The Sequoias Portola Valley (SPV) has tested positive for COVID-19. The contractor last entered SPV on Thursday, July 30 and is now self-isolating at home under physician care. We have already collaborated with the San Mateo County Department of Public Health to trace this person’s contacts and residents have been informed.
My preference is to be very transparent and I also need to honor the privacy of affected people. What I can share is that each time someone is impacted by this pandemic, we learn from it and it makes us stronger against COVID-19.
In all cases, we receive guidance from our Medical Directors and local and state Departments of Public Health. We are also following the procedures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
All Sequoia Living continuing care retirement communities screen all employees, monitor residents daily, participate in surveillance testing, and ensure stringent housekeeping and disinfecting processes. Staff in all areas wear masks and implement department-specific precautions.
Four Staff Members on Self-Isolation: Four Sequoia Living staff members are still on self-isolation: two at The Tamalpais, one at The Sequoias San Francisco, and one Affordable Housing employee. All are doing well in their recovery.
One Resident on Self-Isolation: The resident at The Tamalpais who tested positive in mid-July is continuing to self-isolate and is doing well.
Cumulative Totals: In total, 669 staff members and 1,128 residents have been tested for COVID-19. Since March, 13 Sequoia Living staff members have tested positive and have recovered. We have had only had one resident case, which is mentioned above.
We are extending all possible support to affected individuals.
The impact of this virus continues to challenge us, and I am grateful for the culture of dedication, excellence, and support at Sequoia Living.
Please continue to wear your face coverings and maintain 6 feet of distance from others whenever you go outside your home, practice social distancing, and wash your hands or use hand sanitizer frequently.
My Mom was always one to give me a quip or a quote at the end of each conversation and today what comes to mind is, “We can’t stop trouble from coming but we don’t have to give it a chair to sit on.”
Be Wise. Be Kind. Be Strong.
Sara McVey
President & CEO
