Welcome to our Major News and Announcements page, which covers numerous important topics, including information related to COVID-19. Please be assured that Sharon Towers remains cautious and alert for changes in the positivity rate that might necessitate changes to our operations.
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Residents are notified in writing about COVID-19 cases and procedures. Family members and Sharon Club members (wait list members) who wish to receive copies of correspondence to residents may contact Milton McGowian via email.
Visitation (Updated 8/2/22)
According to the Centers for Disease Control, COVID-19 cases have increased over the past several weeks. As of 8/2/22 the Mecklenburg County positivity rate was 29.03% and the transmission rate changed from moderate to high. These increases highlight the importance of prevention strategies to help us reduce the spread of the virus.
All Residents and Team Members:
Due to the increased positivity and transmission rate, all team members and residents (and visitors – see below) will be required to wear a mask on campus effective today. All residents will be required to wear a mask in common areas, during group activities, and in all dining venues. It is important that you remind your visitors and guests that they are required to sign in at the screening station and to wear a mask during their visit.
All Visitors:
All visitors must wear masks and arrive and exit from the front entrance where the screening kiosk is located. In addition, all staff and outside caregivers will be screened, including temperature, before entering the building. Should you need assistance at the screening kiosk, the front entrance is staffed Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Independent Living Visitors:
After passing through the screening station, visitors to independent living may spend time in the common areas as well as the resident’s home. Visitors to independent living are welcome to accompany residents to lunch in Hunter Hall Monday – Saturday from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. We regret that we cannot accommodate dinner guests in Hunter Hall at this time because of seating limitations due to construction. However, residents may invite guests to dine in Allison’s for dinner Monday – Saturday by reservation.
Healthcare and Assisted Living Visitors:
Visitors to the healthcare or Assisted Living areas can visit with their loved ones in their private healthcare or Assisted Living room. No visits are allowed in the common areas, the hallways, another resident’s room or the dining rooms. Upon arrival at the screening kiosk, visitors to healthcare or assisted living will be asked to give their name, phone number, relationship to the resident and to sign in to the healthcare and Assisted Living Visitation kiosk. Visitors’ sing-in indicates their understanding of the visitation rules.
This information is necessary to allow us to do proper contact tracing if necessary. The visitor’s arrival time and departure time will be documented. Visitors are to log out at the kiosk when they are leaving.
Prior to your planned visit to Sharon Towers, please contact us at 704-553-1670 to check the current status for visiting healthcare and Assisted Living.
COVID-19 Update (Updated 01/18/22)
Sharon Towers asks that incoming residents be fully vaccinated upon move-in. In addition, as of October 1, 2021, staff members must be fully vaccinated. Medical and non-medical exemptions apply. Sharon Towers arranges regular COVID-19 VACCINE BOOSTER clinics on-site for residents and staff. Sharon Towers does not require the booster vaccine as a condition of residency or employment at this time. However, this booster policy may be changed in the future should city, county, state or federal regulations amend the definition of “fully vaccinated” to include this booster.
What is the process if a case of COVID-19, the illness resulting from the novel coronavirus, is diagnosed in a resident or staff member?
Any individual testing positive will be isolated in the appropriate setting (i.e., at home, in the hospital, etc.). Public health officials will be contacted as well as anyone determined to be in close contact with the person testing positive. Staff, residents and our/Board of Directors will receive written notification.
What can you tell us about COVID-19 breakthrough cases?
Because no COVID-19 vaccine is 100% effective at preventing illness in those who have been vaccinated, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that it both expects and tracks vaccine breakthrough cases. Based on this information, Sharon Towers is prepared for breakthrough cases that will occur in fully vaccinated residents and staff members. For more information on this topic, please visit this link.
What follow up information will you release about the status of any cases (i.e., recovered, hospitalized, deceased)?
Sharon Towers strives to be as transparent as possible. However, HIPAA and state privacy laws require that we maintain an individual’s medical privacy both during a person’s stay or term of employment and after a person passes away or is no longer employed by Sharon Towers. Accordingly, Sharon Towers does not release information regarding its residents and staff unless otherwise permitted under HIPAA and state privacy laws.