Dear Family and Friends,
We conducted point prevalence testing (PPT) this week. Unfortunately we have had three residents and one staff member test positive for COVID-19. Our care center continues to test staff twice weekly and residents weekly. We are following recommendations from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Due to the positive residents, we have activated our COVID unit. The unit is segregated from the rest of our community. The designated staff that care for residents in this unit remain within the area and do not have physical contact with other non-segregated residents. The staff who test positive will be self-quarantined at home and will not be allowed to return to work until they recover from the virus; 10 days following positive test and 72 hours from last fever without using medication. Our staff are equipped with specific training and PPE to continue to provide safe, quality care, services and support to the residents of our community.
We are excited to announce that we are taking actions to distribute the 1st of the two-step COVID-19 vaccine. Staff will reach out to residents and/or family members to get consent in the coming weeks. There will be no cost to our residents or staff for the vaccine. Doses will be administered on site, 21-28 days apart. If a resident or staff person has previously tested positive for COVID-19, it is still recommended they be vaccinated.
Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is one of the best ways to protect yourself and everyone around you, particularly those who are at increased risk for severe illness. Wearing masks and social distancing help reduce your chance of being exposed to the virus or spreading it to others, but these measures are not enough. Getting the vaccination will not only protect you from being infected; it will help us reduce visitation restrictions in the future.
In the meantime, we urge you to practice social distancing, mask use, and staying home when possible. Please refrain from taking your loved one home for the holiday. If a resident does choose to go to a holiday gathering outside of our care center, the resident will need to quarantine in his or her room for 14-days after returning as a necessary precaution. Staff are also asked to only celebrate with members of their household and to follow all quarantine guidelines after traveling.
The news of a vaccine gives us hope. We are so appreciative of the support and cooperation you have given us during the past nine months. Thank you for your commitment to our community. Together, we will move toward a COVID-free future.
Looking for ways to help? We have a variety of positions available with flexible scheduling and on the job training. For more information or to apply, visit www.jobswithus.org.
Please follow our Facebook page (@Aitkin Health Services) or our website (www.sfhs.org) for all COVID updates and information on what is happening inside our care center. Please do not hesitate to reach out to Ali Meyer, Administrator, at almeyer@ahs.sfhs.org or by phone at 218-927-5514 if you have any questions or concerns.