3/04/2021
This week we tested all staff of Zumbrota Care Center. 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). As of today, the MDH is not recommending any changes to our visitation process.
- Zumbrota Care Center – 0 residents and 0 staff tested positive this week. Testing staff weekly due to county positivity rates.
- Bridges of Zumbrota – 0 tenants and 0 staff tested positive.
This Saturday, March 6th, marks one year since Minnesota confirmed its first case of COVID-19. The state has since recorded 485,230 total confirmed or probable cases. Now, more than 52% of Minnesotans 65 and older have received at least one dose of either COVID vaccine. This week, Governor Tim Walz stated Minnesota will expand vaccination eligibility when 70% of that population gets their first dose. Vaccine eligibility would expand to people with high-risk health conditions and targeted essential workers. Younger groups and the general public would follow in the late spring and summer.
Johnson & Johnson has now received an emergency use authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its COVID-19 vaccine, the Janssen Ad-Vac. The J&J vaccine is different than its Moderna and Pfizer 2-dose vaccine counterparts in two ways. First, the J&J vaccine is a one-shot vaccine, not a two-dose vaccine. Second, the J&J vaccine uses a more common vaccine technology and does not utilize the mRNA vaccine delivery method. The vaccine is published as 85% effective 28 days post vaccination. Side effects listed for this vaccine are similar to those listed for Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.
Visitation will occur by appointment and not in resident rooms/apartments. In order to have an indoor visit, please follow the below guidance:
- Due to low county positivity rates, COVID tests prior to visiting are no longer required prior to indoor visits (they are still required for Essential Caregiver visits).
- 2 people may visit at one time.
- For the Care Center: Visits will be held in the Day Room and visitors will enter/exit through Day Room door.
- For the Bridges: Visitors will enter/exit through the main entrance and take place in a designated area.
- Visits are up to 25 minutes.
Zumbrota Care Center time slots starting every half hour will be available:
- Tuesday from 1-3:30 pm
- Wednesday from 10-11:30 am
- Thursday from 10-11:30 am
- Friday from 1-3:30 pm
Please contact Lacey Boesen, Activity Director, at lboesen@zhs.sfhs.org or 507-732-8409 to set up an indoor visit.
Bridges of Zumbrota time slots starting every half hour will be available:
- Monday from 10-11:30 am and 1-3 pm
- Wednesday from 10-11:30 am and 1-3 pm
- Friday 10-11:30 am and 1-3 pm
- Alternate times by appointment
Please contact Virginia Cooper at 507-732-8455 or Barb Konter at 507-732-8412 to set up an indoor visit. Visits should be set up at least 24 hours in advance.
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.