Letter to Residents & Families 2.26.2021

February 26, 2021

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.  Many families around the country are upset by this and I have heard that CMS is possibly starting to rethink their position.  We will be sure to let you know if there are changes to the CMS guidance that will change our visitation policy.

We have completed our vaccination program with Walgreens through the federal partnership this week.  We are trying to work with Siouxland District Health and our pharmacy partner to create a strategy that will continue to keep our residents and staff vaccinated as new residents are admitted and new staff join the team.

Sunrise began our new visitation plan on Monday, February 22.  It was wonderful for our residents to have the opportunity to be with family and friends!  Please remember to help us keep COVID out by complying with the testing requirements, all facets of the visitation policy and your own personal interactions in the community if you are planning to be a visitor at Sunrise. If we have even 1 positive resident will have to return to “outbreak” for testing and visitation purposes. 

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.

Thank you for your continued support, as we are continually humbled by the gratitude that so many of your express to our team!

Sincerely,

Hallie Salmen, CEO

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