Over the past week, Quail Creek management has received many inquiries regarding the May 18
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notification that an employee tested positive for COVID-19. As previously explained, in order to protect the employee’s confidential information, as set forth in the CDC and EEOC guidance, we only provided limited information.
For reasons that will be explained below, we will now confirm that the employee who tested positive worked in the Grill. The last date the employee worked on the premises at Quail Creek was May 9
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. The employee informed management of their positive status on May 18
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, which is the date management notified employees who had close contact with this employee (as defined by CDC guidelines), as well as residents. The Grill undergoes extensive disinfection of the Grill surfaces and workspace daily as part of our normal routine. Due to the nature and location of the employee’s position, it is very unlikely that the employee came into direct contact with any homeowners during work.
A fictitious “employee”, using the name Benny Lopez, began posting reviews about the Grill online beginning May 19
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. The post included statements that someone had tested positive and management is doing nothing about it.
First, there is no one employed in Quail Creek by the name Benny Lopez. Benny’s online account was created on May 19
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specifically to post negative reviews. As many of you have seen, this fictitious “employee” is being touted as a source for a recent news article.
Secondly, the statement that management is doing nothing is absolutely false. Quail Creek management has provided all Food & Beverage employees with gloves and masks; employees are screened for symptoms prior to work; and sanitation and disinfection occurs daily for the protection of our staff and customers. Quail Creek has been proactive at every step of this unprecedented pandemic. Management closed the restaurants to dine-in on March 13
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, before the Governor’s directive on March 19
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. Quail Creek POA was one of the first to offer Groceries-to-Go, to provide our homeowners with an alternative to supermarkets. Management changed the protocol for play on the golf courses, ahead of other courses, to include one player to a cart for the protection of golfers. Finally, the POA is reopening facilities at a slower pace, and with greater restrictions, than many of our homeowners would like, for their protection.
Furthermore, the Pima County Health department performed a surprise “educational” visit to our facilities on May 20
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after receiving a “complaint”. The inspector reviewed the health and safety protocols and practices in place at the Food & Beverage operation. The only finding of note during the inspector’s visit was the lack of a warning regarding eating undercooked meat on the temporary menus.
Protocols and guidelines from the CDC, Arizona Department of Health Services and local government will continue to be closely monitored as it relates to COVID-19. We also encourage residents to review the guidelines established by the CDC for older adults.
It has been more than 14 days since the first employee worked at the Grill (May 9
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) and management was encouraged that no other employees had informed them of a positive test result. Unfortunately, Quail Creek management was informed on May 27
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, that a second Food & Beverage employee tested positive for COVID-19. This employee sought testing on May 18
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after receiving notification about the first employee and received their results yesterday. The last date this employee worked on the premises at Quail Creek was May 16
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. Management notified employees who had close contact with this employee (as defined by CDC guidelines). Again, due to the nature and location of the employee’s position, it is very unlikely that they employee came into direct contact with any homeowners during work.
Pima County Health Department has offered to perform testing for any employees who are interested. The POA has offered to cover the cost of testing for those employees who express interest.
We continue to perform extensive disinfection of the Food and Beverage surfaces and workspace daily, as set forth in the CDC guidelines and Pima County guidelines. The well-being of Quail Creek residents and staff continues to be a high priority. Your confidence and patience is greatly appreciated during these difficult times.
