Dear Sunrise residents, family and friends,
This letter is to report on COVID positive staff and residents.
In testing today, Sunrise is reporting no new staff members tested positive for COVID-19 who worked in the nursing facility or assisted living. The current number of active, COVID positive staff members is 7, after five staff members have completed the isolation period at the end of business today. Staff members who tested positive are isolating at home. Since April 20, a total of 35 staff members have tested positive for COVID-19.
We continue to test residents in the nursing facility and today 2 additional residents were identified as positive for COVID-19. These residents live in the same neighborhood where the other positive results have been obtained and their families are all directly aware of the situation. As of today, 5 residents are quarantined for positive COVID test results. Once positive test results are obtained, the individual is 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