Dear Sunrise residents, family and friends,
This letter is to report on COVID positive staff.
Sunrise continues to test staff two times per week for COVID surveillance. In testing today, no staff members tested positive. The current number of active, COVID positive staff members is 5. Staff members who test positive are isolating at home. Since April 20, a total of 62 staff members have tested positive for COVID-19.
We also continue to test residents every 3-7 days for surveillance or if there are any suspicions of illness. In testing today, 1 resident tested positive for COVID-19. There are currently 2 residents in the COVID isolation neighborhood. Staff continue monitoring residents for any signs or symptoms of illness on each shift (3 times per day).
Sunrise’s nursing facility is currently considered in “outbreak” status by the CMS definition , which is 14 days with no resident or staff infections. We will be further limiting visiting due to the recent positive cases identified. We will only be allowing closed window visits for nursing facility residents and outdoor or closed window visits for assisted living. This will continue until at least Dec 21, or 14 days from our last positive resident test. We do need our visitors to follow the visiting guidelines as established by CMS, including checking in/out for appointments, wear masks appropriately and throughout their visit & keep social distance during the visit. Visitors who refuse to comply with these requirements will not be scheduled. 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