12/29/20

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

12/11/20

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). Below are the updated numbers of total residents and staff testing positive this week. A text update was sent on 12/9 with the positives we had had up to that point. We also have one resident who is symptomatic but has not tested positive.

• Zumbrota Care Center – 5 residents and 1 staff tested positive. 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.

We are eagerly awaiting the arrival of COVID-19 vaccines pending approval by the FDA. We anticipate this will occur before the end of December.  We appreciate and support the decision made by the federal government to prioritize long-term care residents and staff in the distributions of the COVID-19 vaccine. Our vaccination process for staff and residents will be based on guidance from MDH as well as official CDC recommendations that have yet to be released and we will share this with you very soon! 

The beginning of December brought a surge of cases throughout Minnesota.  Please help us protect our staff and residents by wearing a mask and social distancing.  We again ask that you refrain from taking your loved one home over the Christmas holiday and schedule video visits with Lacey Boesen, Activity Director, at lboesen@zhs.shfs.org or 507-732-8409.

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.

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 1 staff tested positive. 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.

The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) held an emergency meeting this week to review allocation recommendations for vaccines in phase 1 distribution. The advisory committee voted to include residents of long-term care communities in Phase 1A of vaccination. We anticipate a vaccine being available in the coming weeks and will keep you informed.

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 (http://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.

During routine staff testing this week, we had one staff member of our care center test positive for COVID-19. We will initiate entire-site testing for all residents and staff on 11/30/20. Our residents are now on quarantine to prevent further exposure. 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).

Please consider how your Thanksgiving plans impact others. We encourage you to stay home and gather with people within your household. Most importantly, visit with your friends and loved ones in our care center virtually as much as possible. Share family recipes over the phone or Zoom. Send letters and photos instead of an in-person visit during our current visiting limitations. For more ways you can connect with your loved one or to schedule a virtual visit, please contact Lacey, Activity Director, at lboesen@zhs.sfhs.org or 507-732-8409.

This Thanksgiving season we want to thank our residents, family and friends for their support and prayers throughout the COVID Pandemic. We thank you for your continued patience and the sacrifices you have made. With you we will work through this pandemic. Remember to wear a mask, social distance when possible and practice proper hand hygiene. On behalf of our entire team, please stay safe and healthy.

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.

Dear Family and Friends,

We recently learned that the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the federal Medicare agency (CMS) are advising against residents leaving their care center for holiday visits. As we continue to fight against COVID-19, we ask that you not take your loved ones out this Thanksgiving.

By not taking your loved one out for a holiday visit, you will help us in protecting the health of everyone who lives and works here. One of the best things that you can do for your family this holiday season is to not gather in groups and keep everyone safe by wearing a facemask when you do.

We know just how special the holiday season can be and spending time with family is what adds meaning to our celebrations.  However, we need your help to protect our residents, our staff, and yourself during this pandemic’s risky time by limiting our contact with the broader community.  As Governor Walz told us the other night, the COVID-19 surge is at a dangerous level in Minnesota.

This past year has been a challenge like no other and we deeply appreciate the sacrifices that you and your family have already made during these past months. The hope of a COVID-19 vaccine is promising, but until that time we all need to use extra caution to slow the spread of this highly contagious disease.

If a resident does choose to go to a holiday gathering outside of our care center, the resident will need to quarantine in his or her room for 14-days after returning as a necessary precaution. Even when being very careful and following all of the guidelines, the risk of being infected when being out in the general public is high.

Our staff is committed to keeping you connected during the holiday seasons. We have a variety of activities planned that will engage our residents and are doing all we can to facilitate alternative means of communication between you and your loved one. If you have any gifts or cards you would like to give to your loved one or wish to schedule a virtual visit, please contact Lacey, Activity Director, at lboesen@zhs.sfhs.org or 507-732-8409.

We know that this news may cause concern or that you may have questions about what we are doing to keep everyone safe and healthy. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me at 507-732-8132. 

Sincerely,

Laura Erickson, Administrator

11/19/20

As of today, we have no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in our care center. 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).

Our county positivity rate has risen above 10% putting our care center in the “red zone.” According to CMS calculations, all Minnesota counties but four are now in the “red zone.” Being in the “red zone” requires our care center to routinely test our staff twice weekly. We are also required to suspend all indoor visits at this time. Essential Caregivers are still able to visit if they are being tested twice per week. We encourage you to use alternate ways to connect with your loved ones such as Zoom, Facebook Portal, Phone, and Facetiming. To schedule your visit or for more information on our visitation policy, please contact Lacey, Activity Director, at lboesen@zhs.sfhs.org or 507-732-8409.

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.

Today we received the last of our results from the COVID testing we conducted on care center staff on 11/9/20. One staff person tested positive; they have not worked for a couple of weeks prior to the test and have not exposed residents or staff. We will now go from routine weekly testing to routine biweekly testing of staff due to the increased county rates. At this time residents do not need to be tested. 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).

This week Governor Walz announced new COVID-19 restrictions. These include earlier bar and restaurant closing times and 10 person limits on all indoor and outdoor gatherings. We encourage everyone in their efforts to control the spread of the virus including wearing masks, social distancing and the recent turning back of the dial by the State. At the care center and assisted living, we will continue to have modified congregate dining, following COVID-19 safety recommendations and size limitations as well as socially distanced small group activities.

We continue to see outbreaks in our rural communities and this has affected the care center’s and assisted living’s ability to allow indoor visits. Due to the increase in cases in the county (above 10% per Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) calculations), we can no longer allow indoor visits. Essential Caregivers will be allowed to continue providing cares for their loved ones.

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.

11/09/2020

As of today, we have no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in our care center or assisted living. We routinely test staff at the care center on a weekly basis. 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).

Our top priority is to support and protect our residents and dedicated caregivers. We have equipped our staff with the training and supplies needed to provide safe, quality care, services and support to our residents. We continue to urge everyone to practice proper hand hygiene and safe physical distancing.

We are committed to ensuring that physical distancing does not mean isolation. We are working to have a variety of small group activities that engage our residents such as social distanced bingo, crafts, trivia, happy hour, and exercise group. We know that you too are making sacrifices and we appreciate your patience as we continue to navigate through this Pandemic.

To schedule a visit with your loved one at the Care Center, please contact Lacey, Activity Director, at lboesen@zhs.sfhs.org or 507-732-8409

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.

As of 10/28/2020, we have no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in our care center or assisted living. We routinely test care center staff monthly. We follow all recommendations from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

While we welcome the new indoor visitation guidelines, we continue to monitor the COVID outbreak in our community and nearby counties. Our care center and assisted living may ask visitors to get tested for COVID-19 prior to visiting with your loved one. Even when not experiencing symptoms, you may test positive for COVID-19 and spread the virus without knowing. To schedule your visit or for more information on our visitation policy, please contact Lacey for the care center at lboesen@zhs.sfhs.org or (507) 732-8409 and Virginia at (507) 732-8455 or Barb at (507) 732-8414 for the assisted living.

COVID continues to change the way we celebrate holidays. This year our care center Halloween celebrations include a costume parade by staff, special decorations and projects, and a small-group social distance Halloween party!

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 and 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.