Although not unexpected, today 12/31/20 we have been notified of 1 positive staff member of Coronavirus (COVID-19) that got tested outside of our routine testing. This employee has not worked in the last several days and is currently self-quarantining at home. Due to the active cases of COVID in our community we continue to limit visits to closed window and virtual visits. We will continue entire site testing until we have 2 weeks of negatives, we will complete point prevalence testing (staff and residents) on 01/05/2020.
We are taking aggressive infection control measures which we believe will help us manage this situation as effectively as possible. We are working with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to ensure we are taking all appropriate steps. In addition, we are following recommended COVID-19 guidance from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Service (CMS) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) 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.
We will continue to update you on any news, emerging issues, or additional changes in our operations via Bright Arrow, email, website, and our Facebook page. We appreciate all the support, prayers, and offers of help that we’ve received.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns. Autumn Herzog, LNHAAdministrator320-695-2165aherzog@bvhc.sfhs.org
As of today, we have no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in our care center. Our care center continues to test staff weekly. We will continue to test staff and residents weekly until we have 2 weeks of all negatives. 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).
This week’s results:
12/28/20 Test date
# Staff Tested: 54
Staff Positives: 0
Staff Negatives: 54
12/28/20 Test date
# Residents Tested: 29
Residents Positive: 0
Residents Negatives: 29
-Total 2020 COVID Positives
Staff: 9 Recovered: 9
Contracted Vendor: 1 Recovered: 1
Residents: 1 Recovered: 1
We are excited to announce that our care center is scheduled to receive the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine and will host 3 clinics for vaccinating our residents and staff! Our first clinic is the week of January 4th-8th. The second dose of the vaccine will be administered 4 weeks after the first round and the third will be administered 4 weeks after the second. Protection from vaccine is not immediate; vaccine is a 2-dose series and will take 1 to 2 weeks following the second dose to be considered fully vaccinated. Vaccine efficacy is 94-95%. This data was assessed with two doses being administered. It is very important to get both doses to ensure good protection.
When someone receives the vaccine they may experience side effects up to three days after vaccination. These side effects include injection site pain, tenderness and swelling of the lymph nodes in the same arm as the injection, swelling (hardness), and redness. General side effects include fatigue, headache, muscle pain, joint pain, chills, nausea, and low grade fever.
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.
While the vaccine is a significant factor in our fight against the virus, it is just the beginning to reopening our care centers. We continue to use the county positivity rate to measure the spread of the virus in our local communities and follow the recommendations from MDH and CDC on reopening.
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 (@Browns Valley Health Center) 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 Autumn Herzog, Administrator, at 320-695-2165 or by email at aherzog@bvhc.sfhs.org if you have any questions or concerns.
Our care center continues to test staff twice weekly our next test date will be 12/11/20. 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).
We are eagerly awaiting the arrival of COVID-19 vaccines pending approval by the FDA. We anticipate this will occur before the end of December. We appreciate and support the decision made by the federal government to prioritize long-term care residents and staff in the distributions of the COVID-19 vaccine. Our vaccination process for staff and residents will be based on guidance from MDH as well as official CDC recommendations that have yet to be released and we will share this with you very soon!
The beginning of December brought a surge of cases throughout Minnesota. Please help us protect our staff and residents by wearing a mask and social distancing. We again ask that you refrain from taking your loved one home over the Christmas holiday and schedule video visits with Deb Heck, Activity Director at 320-695-2165 ext. 30 or email at dheck@bvhc.sfhs.org
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 (@Browns Valley Health Center) 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 Autumn Herzog, Administrator, at 320-695-2165 or by email at aherzog@bvhc.sfhs.org if you have any questions or concerns.
This week’s results: Today we have been notified of 1 positive staff member of Coronavirus (COVID-19) that tested positive from our routine 12/1/20 test date. This staff member is currently self-quarantining at home and has not worked in the last 4 days or had direct contact with any residents. All Residents tested negative. Our care center continues to test staff twice weekly, we will conduct staff testing on 12/04/2020 and entire-site testing on 12/08/2020.
We are taking aggressive infection control measures which we believe will help us manage this situation as effectively as possible. We are working with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to ensure we are taking all appropriate steps. 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) 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.
The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) held an emergency meeting this week to review allocation recommendations for vaccines in phase 1 distribution. The advisory committee voted to include residents of long-term care communities in Phase 1A of vaccination. We anticipate a vaccine being available in the coming weeks and will keep you informed.
We will continue to update you on any news, emerging issues, or additional changes in our operations via Bright Arrow, email, website, and our Facebook page. Please follow our Facebook page (@Browns Valley Health Center) 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 Autumn Herzog, Administrator, at 320-695-2165 or by email at aherzog@bvhc.sfhs.org if you have any questions or concerns. We appreciate all the support, prayers, and offers of help that we’ve received.
Although not unexpected, yesterday late night (11/24/20) we have been notified of 2 positive staff members of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in our building through our routine testing on 11/23/20. These two staff members are currently self-quarantining at home. This event triggers a planned process of isolation to individualize rooms to aggressively minimize transmission to others. Our top priority is to keep everyone safe and healthy. We are collaborating with our Medical Director and the Minnesota Department of Health and are following all recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to ensure we are taking all appropriate steps at this time.
Browns Valley Health Center is committed to the health and safety of all the people that live and work in our community. With the confirmed case of CoVid-19 in our care center, BVHC will be performing entire site testing and will continue entire site testing until we have 2 weeks of no positives. We believe this is the best way to protect our residents, staff, and our community and track the path of the virus. Results will be shared as they come in. Our staff is equipped with specific training and personal protective equipment (PPE) to continue to provide safe, quality care, services and support to the residents of our community.
As we’ve shared several times, in early March, we initiated proactive infection control practices, screening procedures and visitor restrictions that will help us manage this situation as effectively as possible and protect the safety and health of all who live and work here.
We will continue to update you on any news, emerging issues, or additional changes in our operations via Bright Arrow, email, website, and our Facebook page.
We know that this news may concern you or that you may have questions about what we are doing to keep everyone safe and healthy. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me at 320-695-2165 or aherzog@bvhc.sfhs.org.
We recently learned that the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the federal Medicare agency (CMS) are advising against residents leaving their care center for holiday visits. As we continue to fight against COVID-19, we ask that you not take your loved ones out this Thanksgiving.
By not taking your loved one out for a holiday visit, you will help us in protecting the health of everyone who lives and works here. One of the best things that you can do for your family this holiday season is to not gather in groups and keep everyone safe by wearing a facemask when you do.
We know just how special the holiday season can be and spending time with family is what adds meaning to our celebrations. However, we need your help to protect our residents, our staff, and yourself during this pandemic’s risky time by limiting our contact with the broader community. As Governor Walz told us the other night, the COVID-19 surge is at a dangerous level in Minnesota.
This past year has been a challenge like no other and we deeply appreciate the sacrifices that you and your family have already made during these past months. The hope of a COVID-19 vaccine is promising, but until that time we all need to use extra caution to slow the spread of this highly contagious disease.
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. Even when being very careful and following all of the guidelines, the risk of being infected when being out in the general public is high.
Our staff is committed to keeping you connected during the holiday seasons. We have a variety of activities planned that will engage our residents and are doing all we can to facilitate alternative means of communication between you and your loved one. If you have any gifts or cards you would like to give to your loved one or wish to schedule a virtual visit, please contact Deb Heck at 320-695-2165 ext. 30 or email at dheck@bvhc.sfhs.org.
We know that this news may cause concern or that you may have questions about what we are doing to keep everyone safe and healthy. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me.
As of today, we have no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in our care center. We continue to work with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and are following COVID-19 recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Our county positivity rate has risen above 10% putting our care center in the “red zone.” According to CMS calculations, all Minnesota counties, but four, are now in the “red zone.” Being in the “red zone” requires our care center to routinely test our staff twice weekly. We are also required to suspend all indoor visits at this time. We encourage you to use alternate ways to connect with your loved ones such as Zoom, Facebook Portal, Phone, and Facetiming. To schedule your visit or for more information on our visitation policy, please contact Deb Heck at 320-695-2165 ext. 30 or email at dheck@bvhc.sfhs.org.
With hospital beds nearing capacity and healthcare staffing shortages, Governor Walz issued even more COVID restrictions this week. Restaurants, breweries, bowling alleys, movie theaters, and bars will be take-out only. Gyms will close and organized indoor sports will be suspended. We need your help to control the spread of the virus in our community. We encourage you to use masks, social distance and abide by the Governor’s Orders.
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 (@Browns Valley Health Center) 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 Autumn Herzog, Administrator, at 320-695-2165 or by email at aherzog@bvhc.sfhs.org if you have any questions or concerns.
We conducted our 2nd round of entire site testing on 11/10/2020. We are happy to announce that we have no additional positive cases in our care center. We continue to follow all recommendations from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
We continue to be in the “yellow” county positivity rate. Our care center will routinely test all staff weekly. Our next round of routine STAFF testing is on 11/17/2020. The “yellow” category also mandates all visitors and essential caregivers receive a negative COVID test prior to entering our care center. If you are unable to be tested at your clinic, please contact Deb Heck (320-695-2165 ext.30) for information on how to be tested at our care center.
This week Governor Walz announced new COVID-19 restrictions. These include earlier bar and restaurant closing times and 10 person limits on all indoor and outdoor gatherings. We encourage everyone in their efforts to control the spread of the virus including wearing masks, social distancing and the recent turning back of the dial by the State.
We continue to see outbreaks in our rural communities and this has the potential to impact our care center’s ability to allow indoor visits. In order for visits to occur, there can be no new onset of COVID-19 cases in the last 14 days and the care center cannot currently be conducting outbreak testing. County positivity rates could also limit our ability to allow indoor visits.
We will be resuming indoor visits on 11/16/2020. Due to high demand and the safety of our residents, all visits must be scheduled 24 hours in advance. As a reminder only two people may visit at one time. To schedule your visit or for more information on our visitation policy, please contact Deb Heck at 320-695-2165 ext. 30 or email at dheck@bvhc.sfhs.org.
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 (@Browns Valley Health Center) 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 Autumn Herzog, Administrator, at 320-695-2165 or by email at aherzog@bvhc.sfhs.org if you have any questions or concerns.
We conducted entire site testing on 11/03/2020 and all tests came back negative. We will be testing again on 11/10/2020. We continue to follow all recommendations from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
Our top priority is to support and protect our residents and dedicated caregivers. We have equipped our staff with the training and supplies needed to provide safe, quality care, services and support to our residents. We continue to urge everyone to practice proper hand hygiene and safe physical distancing.
We are committed to ensuring that physical distancing does not mean isolation. We are working to have a variety of small group activities that engage our residents such as 654 dice, crafts, hallway bingo, hallway exercise, and much more. We know that you too are making sacrifices and we appreciate your patience as we continue to navigate through this Pandemic. To schedule a visit with your loved one, please contact Deb Heck at 320-695-2165 ext. 30 or email at dheck@bvhc.sfhs.org.
We are now in the “yellow” county positivity rate. This means our care center will begin weekly routine testing for our staff members even when we are not in outbreak testing. The “yellow” category also mandates all visitors and essential caregivers receive a negative COVID test prior to entering our care center. If you are unable to be tested at your clinic, please contact (name) for information on how to be tested at our care center.
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 (@Browns Valley Health Center) 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 Autumn Herzog, Administrator, at 320-695-2165 or by email at aherzog@bvhc.sfhs.org if you have any questions or concerns.
Although not unexpected, as of 10/31/2020, we have a staff member in our care center that has tested positive for COVID-19 through our routine staff testing on 10/27/2020. This employee is considered very low risk as the employee has not worked since 10/11/2020 and currently self-quarantining at home. Our top priority is to keep everyone safe and healthy. We are collaborating with our Medical Director and the Minnesota Department of Health and are following all recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to ensure we are taking all appropriate steps at this time. Browns Valley Health Center is committed to the health and safety of all the people that live and work in our community.
With the confirmed case of CoVid-19 in our care center, BVHC will be performing entire site testing. We believe this is the best way to protect our residents, staff, and our community and track the path of the virus. Results will be shared as they come in. Our staff is equipped with specific training and personal protective equipment (PPE) to continue to provide safe, quality care, services and support to the residents of our community.
As we’ve shared several times, in early March, we initiated proactive infection control practices, screening procedures and visitor restrictions that will help us manage this situation as effectively as possible and protect the safety and health of all who live and work here. We will continue to update you on any news, emerging issues, or additional changes in our operations via Bright Arrow, email, website, and our Facebook page.
As this is consider low risk BVHC will continue to provide communal dining, activities and in house visits along with technology visits through Facetime, Facebook Messenger and Zoom. Please contact Deb Heck to set up an appointment at 320-695-2165 or by email at dheck@bvhc.sfhs.org.
We know that this news may concern you or that you may have questions about what we are doing to keep everyone safe and healthy. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me at (320)695-2165 or aherzog@bvhc.sfhs.org
Sincerely,
Autumn Herzog, LNHA
Administrator
Browns Valley Health Center
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