Dear Sunrise residents, family and friends,
This letter is to report on COVID positive staff and residents.
Through surveillance testing in the past 24 hours, Sunrise is reporting one new staff member tested positive for COVID-19 who worked in the nursing facility. The current number of active, COVID positive staff members is 5, after several staff members have completed the isolation period. Staff members who tested positive are isolating at home. Since April 20, a total of 36 staff members have tested positive for COVID-19.
As of today, 4 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 aware that this information is being reported in the media, and in some cases has been erroneously reported. Nursing facilities that have more than 3 reported cases of COVID are considered in an “outbreak status” by the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) and have case information reported on their website. Please know that the information that Sunrise sends to you will be the most updated information and will count only currently active cases, while IDPH has different parameters for when they update numbers.
While the nursing facility & assisted living remain in Phase 1, 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. Please be sure to schedule these visits with the Activities department prior to coming to the facility.
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