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.
Anyone wishing to receive the Major News and Announcements alert when updates to this page are made is encouraged to use the blue button below to sign up (If you previously signed up for this page and wish to remain informed, you do not need to take any action – you will automatically receive Major News and Announcements).
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.
Welcome! The Deerwood Residents Move In (Updated 11/16/22)
Read our new blog post about the arrival of new residents to The Deerwood.
Visitation (Updated 11/16/22)
Sharon Towers regularly reviews the Mecklenburg County positivity and transmission rates for COVID-19. Prevention strategies are important because they help us reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
All Residents and Team Members:
In independent living, masks are optional for residents in common areas, during group activities, and in dining venues. Masks are required for assisted living and healthcare staff as well as for residents who visit loved ones in the assisted living and healthcare areas. It is important that you remind your visitors and guests that they are required to sign in at the screening station during their visit.
All Visitors:
All visitors must arrive and exit from the front entrance where the screening kiosk is located. In addition, all outside caregivers will be screened 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:
Masks are optional for visitors to independent living. 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:
All those entering the healthcare and Assisted Living areas must wear a mask, including independent living residents who are coming to see friends and loved ones. 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’ sign-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.
Latest Update From Dr. Caprio (Updated 9/6/22)
Anthony J. Caprio, MD, medical director at Sharon Towers and geriatrician at Atrium Health, provides periodic updates where he answers questions from patients and families via our Blog. See his latest blog post about the bivalent COVID-19 vaccination.
COVID-19 Vaccination Status (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.