Date: 11/1/2020

Dear Family and Community Members,

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