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 Care Center UPDATES

Date: June 16, 2021 

 We wanted to provide an update to our residents and their family members on the COVID status in our facility. We are happy to report that our facility is no longer in outbreak testing status, as defined by the Minnesota Department of Health. We tested all residents and staff on Monday, June 16 and all results came back negative.  For a facility to be considered out of outbreak testing, all staff and residents must test negative for 14 consecutive days, and we have reached that requirement.  Our last positive test was on June 1, 2021. At this time, residents will not be tested again, unless our facility develops a positive case.  We will however continue to test staff for at least one more week, on Monday, June 21, based on the Crow Wing County Positivity rate.  Crow Wing County's positivity rate is 3.2% (considered low risk).

We will continue screening all residents twice per day for symptoms, checking temperatures, and monitoring oxygen saturation levels.  We will also continue to require all staff and all visitors to also screen in before entering the building, as directed by MDH.  We are now using the passive self-screening process at the temporary entrance.  

 Our main dining room remains to be in normal operations. Tables in the main dining room remain 6-feet apart with one resident per table. Our Care Center Activities team also continues to have group activities. Residents are asked to wear masks in hallways to and from dining and activities. Masks are also be required during group activities unless residents are eating or drinking.

Our indoor visits will also be able to start again!!!  Yay!!!  Scheduled indoor visits will start on Monday, June 21, for those family and friends who are not considered Essential caregivers or visiting their loved ones at the end of life.  Please call Alicia Brown at 218-546-4301 to schedule your visit.  Scheduled visits can start to be scheduled this week.  The facility is allowing up to four essential caregivers and two end-of-life visitors, per resident with only two visitors allowed in the building at one time. CRMC Care Center does ask all visitors to our facility to please spend extra time and attention to performing good hand hygiene, which is available throughout the facility. We also ask that you always wear your isolation mask and eye protection while in the building. Please limit your interactions to your loved ones only. 

Preventing the transmission of COVID to your loved ones remains our top priority. Our staff remains dedicated to the health and safety of our residents and your loved ones. Please do not hesitate to reach out to Daren Rife at 218-546-2306 or Sheila Miller at 218-545-2019 with any questions.  

Sincerely, 

Daren Rife, LNHA, HSE

CRMC Administrator      

Sheila Miller, BSN, RN PHN

Director of Nursing

Cuyuna Regional Care Center

Crosby, MN 56441