As you know from the letter sent out last Friday, November 13th we will be testing twice a week due to an increase positivity rate in Brown county. We started testing residents and staff September 16th using the PCR testing through the Mayo Lab in Rochester. We would receive the test results within 48 hours. Since the increase in the number of people testing within our state, the Mayo Lab test results have been taking longer to process. Due to having a few residents test positive on Whispering Pines last week, we made the decision to test all residents and staff yesterday and today with the Point of Care Antigen Test which we are able to receive results within 15 minutes.
With the testing that was completed yesterday and today, we had 5 residents and 6 staff test positive. Three of the residents reside on Whispering Pines and have been moved to the COVID unit. Two of the residents reside on Deer Haven, they have also been moved to our COVID unit. Since testing we have had a total of 13 residents test positive. We have been able to move the residents that no longer need to be quarantined and have no more symptoms back to their household and off of the COVID unit. Currently we have 10 residents that are on the COVID unit, all in stable condition.
If your loved one tests positive for Covid or is at high risk of exposure, you will be notified immediately. The staff that have tested positive are quarantined at home for 14 days and until they are symptom free for 24 hours. All residents and staff that have tested positive have been on the nursing home side. We are happy to report that we have not had any positive cases on our assisted living side.
I realize that the increase numbers of positive residents, staff and positivity rate in Brown County is causing some increase anxiety and concern. The staff at Oak Hills is working tirelessly to ensure the safety of your loved ones. We are working in collaboration with the Minnesota Department of Health to ensure we are taking all appropriate steps. In addition, we are following all recommended guidance from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Service and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention to protect our residents and staff from this virus and will continue to take every action possible to prevent it from spreading in our setting.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to me at 507-233-0804 or [email protected] if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Candas Schouvieller, Administrator