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 who worked in the nursing facility. The current number of active, COVID positive staff members to 12. One staff member has completed the isolation period and another is being removed from the list due to a miscommunication (test result had actually been negative). Staff members who tested positive are isolating at home. Since April 20, a total of 35 staff members have tested positive for COVID-19.
As of today, 3 residents are quarantined for positive COVID test results. Two residents have completed their isolation periods and are considered recovered. 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).
Please be sure to read the letter regarding visitation that was posted on Monday. We are allowing closed window visits for nursing facility residents and outdoor visits for assisted living – as long as visitors are following the strict guidelines proposed by CMS.
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