IMPORTANT NOTICE to Residents & Families 9.21.2020

September 21, 2020

Dear Sunrise residents, family and friends,

This letter is to report on COVID positive staff and residents. 

Today Sunrise is reporting 1 staff member tested positive for COVID-19.  The current number of active COVID positive staff members to 13.  All identified staff members are isolating at home.   Since April 20, a total of 35 staff members have tested positive for COVID-19.

Additionally today there are 3 new residents who have tested positive.  One resident has completed their isolation period and is considered recovered and one more will complete their isolation tomorrow.  As of today there are 4 active cases in residents.  Positive residents are quarantined to our COVID specific hot zone with dedicated staffing.  We will continue to test residents every 3-7 days as testing supplies are available or if there are any suspicions of illness.  Staff continue monitoring residents for any signs or symptoms of illness on each shift (3 times per day). 

A second letter has been posted on the website and sent in the e-news to discuss the new visitation guidance that was issued by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).  We are not able to expand visitation as much as we’d like due to the new COVID cases we have in our building.  The high community spread rate is also a concerning factor at this time.  These are both situations that CMS says should be considered for visitation.  We will continue to update residents and families about the status of visits using these communication tools.

Our staff screen for exposure, symptoms and temperature at the beginning and end of each shift and wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) throughout their shift.  This has been our policy for months now and will continue to be the policy indefinitely.  Our staff members are also testing regularly as part of our surveillance program.

We are working closely with our local public health department, the Iowa Department of Public Health, and our medical director and following their recommendations.  We are notifying our constituents and all regulatory bodies necessary to keep them informed about this current situation as required.

Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Hallie Salmen, CEO

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