Dear Family and Friends of ZHS,

We are so excited to share that our first two residents “graduated” from the COVID unit yesterday!! It was wonderful to welcome them back to their permanent rooms. We look forward to more residents graduating off the unit in the next few days.

Currently, we have had fifteen residents total who have contracted the virus. Ten residents remain on the unit until their quarantine periods end. Two residents graduated today from the unit. Sadly, three residents on the COVID unit passed away over the last few weeks. We miss them and cherish their memories, as I’m sure their families do even more.

We are so grateful for the staff who continue caring for our residents who have COVID, as well as those who are healthy. Residents, staff, and you have had struggles through these last several months, and I think the last few weeks at ZHS have increased that stress, strain, and struggle for all. As we look forward to a new year, we hope for fresh starts, a better year, and health. Nothing makes you realize what you have so much as when you lose it.

Vaccine update: ZHS (the Care Center) will be receiving vaccines mid-January for residents and staff. The facility will be receiving the Moderna vaccine and Thrifty White Pharmacy will be administering it. We are hopeful that this will provide immunity for both residents and staff, and help our lives move closer to the “normal” we knew before March. In the next couple of weeks, you will be contacted by our facility for consent for vaccination if your loved one is unable to make their own decisions. Lastly, we were just informed yesterday that one of our staff member’s tested positive for COVID-19. The staff person has not had contact with the residents, and we are hopeful there will be no spread among staff as all staff are wearing proper PPE. ZHS continues to follow strict infection control practices prescribed by MDH and the CDC.

Thank you for all your thoughtfulness and consideration, as you have generously given gifts for staff and sent cards of thanks. That really does mean the world to hear an encouraging word.

May you have a blessed and healthy new year!

Laura Erickson

Administrator