COVID-19 Updates

CRMC is committed to providing the highest standards of care for patients and residents across its campus. Staff continue this work during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As part of ongoing efforts to keep residents, families, and the community informed, we have created this section on our website to give you updated information on COVID-19 activity in the Care Center.  This information includes:

• Newly confirmed COVID-19 cases in Care Center residents
• Newly confirmed COVID-19 cases in Care Center staff
• Information on residents with any new onset respiratory symptoms that have been reported/identified through daily screening processes
• Information on staff with any new onset respiratory symptoms that have been reported/identified through daily screening processes

This information will be updated weekly on Monday and more frequently as needed.  The following provides information and action steps we have taken to help prevent or mitigate the spread of this virus.

Since the pandemic first reached the United States, CRMC’s Care Center has been coordinating with industry leaders and public health officials to establish clear safeguards and protocols to prevent transmission of the virus within our senior care facilities. These aggressive efforts include:

• policies to limit outside visitors, 
• suspension of group activities,
• embracing recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), including requiring employees to wear masks at all times, increased hand washing, increased cleaning of buildings, and using personal protective equipment (PPE) when working with residents, tenants, or clients who require protection,
• twice daily screening of residents for symptoms

The Care Center also created a COVID unit on Skyview.  In the past, Skyview was dedicated primarily to the short-stay residents; those residents now needing skilled services will remain in the hospital in a swing bed status. Skyview is being used to isolate those with symptoms and/or active COVID.  In addition, there are three rooms on Skyview with negative air that are prepared to manage residents who are being monitored for respiratory medical needs and signs/symptoms of COVID, as well as to care for any confirmed COVID cases.

Senior citizens and those who live in communal settings are at greater risk of infection during this pandemic. As the virus spreads, the potential exists that some seniors and caregivers could be impacted despite the protections we have in place.

With any residents or staff who test positive for COVID-19, we work with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the CDC on the best course of action to prevent the spread of the illness.

We are so appreciative for our staff who come every day who have dedicated their working lives to caring for others, even in times of COVID.  Thank you also to our residents, families, and communities for your continued support as we navigate this uncharted territory.

COVID-19 UPDATE – March 19, 2021

All resident and staff tests were negative on Monday 3/15/2021. We will continue with weekly testing, until we have completed 14 days with all negative test results (for both residents and staff).

Our next test date is Monday March 22, 2021 from 9-11 and 1:30-4:30pm in the front lobby.

Crow Wing County positivity rate was 3.8% for week ending March 9^th, 2021.

UPDATES TO VISITATION POLICY - MARCH 19, 2021

Dear Residents and Families,

We count on springtime to bring a sense of new life and hope. Perhaps even more so after a long and difficult year navigating COVID-19. We are grateful for your continuing patience and support.

Visitation

We are overjoyed to expand visitation options at the CRMC Care Center.

Revised guidelines indicate it is safe for fully vaccinated residents (14 days after receiving the final dose) to have close contact, including touch, with their visitors. For such contact to remain safe, visitors and residents must wear well-fitting face masks and perform hand-hygiene before and after the visit.

Visitors will need to continue to follow our core principals of COVID-19 infection prevention including entrance screening, hand hygiene and wearing masks. Visitors will not move freely throughout the care center and go directly to the designated visiting area. Visitors should always physically distance from other residents and staff in the care center.

Of course, as springtime brings warmer temperatures, we always encourage outdoor visits on the patio and walking paths.

There are a few circumstances that may arise when indoor visitation must be temporarily limited or suspended for an individual or part or all of the campus due to an elevated risk of COVID-19 transmission, such as new cases of COVID-19 among residents or staff.

Quarantine

The latest guidelines also lift some quarantine requirements for current and new residents. Residents who are fully vaccinated (as defined above) are no longer required to quarantine if they have left campus overnight or are returning after a hospitalization. Quarantine is no longer required for new residents moving into care settings if they are fully vaccinated and have not had prolonged close contact with someone with COVID-19 infection in the prior 14 days.

Balancing safety and community

Even with these new guidelines, we remain cautious. The risk of infection has not gone completely away and the health and safety of all residents and team members remain a primary focus. The meticulous care of our buildings and living spaces continues to be an important part of caring for the people we serve.

Sincerely,

Daren Rife, Administrator