Dear Sunrise residents, family and friends,
This letter is to report on COVID positive staff and residents.
Today Sunrise has zero residents or staff members who are isolating for COVID positive status in either the nursing or assisted living areas.
Sunrise will be testing staff one time per week for COVID surveillance, as long as the positivity rate is under 10%. Since April 20, a total of 97 staff members have tested positive for COVID-19 and all are considered recovered at this time.
We will continue to test residents for surveillance one time per week 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).
At this time CMS (Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services) has not made any changes to the regulations regarding visitation. I have posted an article on our website from 2/12/21 with comments made by the CMS Nursing Home Division chair or you can find the link here: https://www.mcknights.com/news/cms-visitation-restrictions-must-remain-prepare-for-return-of-less-collaborative-surveys/
We have one more clinic for Sunrise & Fountain View residents to finish up the 2nd shots on February 25.
Sunrise will be implementing a new visitation policy, effective Monday, February 22. We are both excited an apprehensive to begin allowing more visitors. We have heard from other facilities in Iowa that they have continued to report positive residents even after 2 vaccinations. If we have even 1 positive resident will have to return to “outbreak” for testing and visitation purposes. That said, please help us by being very mindful of your own interactions in the community if you plan to be a visitor at Sunrise. Continue to mask, social distance and stay out of crowded areas.
Sunrise Retirement Community will continue to enforce mask wearing for all staff members, visitors, contractors, and residents (as tolerated, when out of their own room). The nursing facility’s regulations have not been relaxed and mask wearing is still recommended for all congregate settings in order to minimize the potential spread of the coronavirus. Other mitigation efforts in both nursing & assisted living include staff screening at the beginning and end of shift for exposure, symptoms and temperature; wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE); increased cleaning & disinfecting of surfaces throughout the building; and regular COVID surveillance testing of staff members and residents.
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. Thank you for your continued support & understanding.
Sincerely,
Hallie Salmen, CEO