1/7/2021

This week we tested all staff of Zumbrota Health Services. Results are shown below. We continue to work with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and are following COVID-19 recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

• Zumbrota Care Center – 0 residents and 0 staff tested positive this week. No indoor visitation at this time. Testing staff twice weekly due to county positivity rates.
• Bridges of Zumbrota – 0 tenants and 0 staff tested positive. No indoor visitation at this time. Testing staff weekly due to county positivity.

Summary of COVID situation at ZCC: 15 residents contracted the virus, 6 have graduated back to their permanent rooms, 6 are still quarantined, and 3 passed away. 15 staff members have contracted the virus and all have them have recovered.

We are ringing in the New Year with new hope and excitement. We will administer our first doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine in our care center on 1/11. Interim Director of Nursing Kim Holland says, “I’m getting the COVID-19 vaccine because I want to be able to reopen the care center so families can see their loved ones!”

Regarding Assisted Living buildings, the MDH, Preferred Pharmacies and the Public Health Departments are currently working on a plan to start vaccinating tenants and staff.  We are anticipating vaccines to be administered at Bridges of Zumbrota in the coming weeks.  If you would like to become an Essential Caregiver for your tenant so they can have some contact with their loved ones, please call Virginia Cooper, Housing Director, at 507-732-8455.

We have prepared a Frequently Asked Questions to help you understand why the vaccine is so important in defeating COVID-19. You can find this along with the Moderna Fact Sheet, on our website at sfhs.org/resources/covid-19/. If you have any other concerns or questions, please contact Kim Holland, IDON/Infection Control Specialist at (507) 732-8414.

We will continue following our infection prevention and control practices along with the latest guidance from MDH and CDC regarding safe visiting for our residents. As of today, our care center plans to open for indoor visits the week of 1/18 as long as there are no more positive COVID tests. We will continue regular communication with our residents, friends and family on our COVID response, visitation guidelines and testing results.

Looking for ways to help? We have a variety of positions available with flexible scheduling and on the job training. For more information or to apply, visit www.jobswithus.org, search “Zumbrota.”

Don’t forget to get your flu shot this season to help protect our community. Please follow our Facebook page (@Zumbrota Health Services) or our website (www.zhs.sfhs.org) for all COVID updates and information on what is happening inside our care center. Please do not hesitate to reach out to Laura Erickson, Administrator, at 507-732-8132 or by email at lerickson@zhs.sfhs.org if you have any questions or concerns.