COVID Positive Resident at Viewcrest

Dear Family and Friends,

Viewcrest Care Center conducted entire-site testing for both residents and staff on Wednesday, September 1st. Today, we were notified of one positive resident from that round of testing so far. We are testing again today, Friday September 3rd. Our COVID segregation unit remains open.

Due to the positive cases at Viewcrest, we are still unable to host indoor or outdoor visits at this time.

We continue to offer alternative options for visitation including, window visits, virtual visits, compassionate care and essential caregiver visits. If you would like more information on visitation please contact Jeremy Brew @ 218-279-4210.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to Tara Adkins, Administrator, at 218-279-4203 if you have any questions or concerns.

COVID Update

Dear Family and Friends,

Viewcrest Care Center conducted entire-site testing for both residents and staff on 8/26/2021. We are excited to announce that we have no additional cases of COVID-19 this week. We will be testing again on 8/30/2021. Our COVID segregation unit remains open.  

Due to the positive cases at Viewcrest, we are still unable to host indoor or outdoor visits at this time. In order for visits to occur, the facility must have complete two rounds of testing with no new cases. An update on our outbreak testing will be posted upon receiving all results from testing on 8/30/2021. 

We continue to offer alternative options for visitation including, window visits, virtual visits, compassionate care and essential caregiver visits.  If you would like more information on visitation please contact Jeremy Brew @ 218-279-4210. 

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 (@Viewcrest 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 Tara Adkins, Administrator, at 218-279-4203 if you have any questions or concerns.

Positive Resident at Viewcrest

Dear Family and Friends,

Today we were notified that a resident has tested positive for COVID-19. Due to the positive case in our care center, we have begun point-prevalence testing of all staff and residents regardless of vaccination status. This will occur until 2 rounds of testing return with no new positive cases. 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 have activated our COVID unit. The unit is segregated from the rest of our community. The designated staff that care for this resident will not have physical contact with other non-segregated residents.

MDH requires us to restrict indoor visitation until all testing results return negative. At this time, we can continue Compassionate Care visits.  Resident activities, dining, and doctor appointments will also continue in areas not impacted. We encourage our family and friends to reach out to us to schedule window visits or virtual visits during this time.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to Tara Adkins, Administrator at 218-279-4203.

COVID Update

Dear Family and Friends,

Our care center continues to test staff and residents weekly as part of outbreak testing.  While we haven’t received all results from this weeks’ testing, no new cases have been reported at this time.  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). Indoor visitation will resume once all test results are received and negative from testing completed on 4/1/21. 

As of this week, 80 percent of seniors have gotten at least one dose of coronavirus vaccine as well as 38 percent of residents aged 50 to 64. More than 1 million Minnesotans are now fully vaccinated and 1.66 million, or 38 percent have gotten at least one shot. On Tuesday, March 30th, Minnesota expanded vaccine eligibility to all Minnesotans ages 16 and up. Although vaccinations are ramping up, Minnesota’s seven-day rolling average positivity rate has been increasing, and as of the latest data, it is at 5.3%, putting the state in the “caution” status.

We encourage you to do your part in stopping the spread of COVID-19 by connecting with your primary health care provider or using the Vaccine Locator map (Vaccine Locations / COVID-19 Updates and Information – State of Minnesota (mn.gov)) to find a vaccine appointment near you.  Please continue to wear face masks, social distancing, wash your hands often and get tested if you have been exposed to someone who has tested positive or are experiencing COVID symptoms.

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 (@Viewcrest 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 Tara Adkins, Administrator at 218-279-4203 if you have any questions or concerns.

Suspected Case of COVID at Viewcrest

Dear Family and Friends,

As of today, we have 1 new suspected case of COVID-19 in our care center and no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Suncrest. Our care center is testing staff weekly at this time. 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).

Due to the case of COVID-19 in our care center, we will be suspending all visitation at this time. We will begin point prevalence testing (PPT) on 3/15/21. As a reminder, we must go two consecutive weeks without any new cases to resume indoor visits and discontinue testing.

Please follow our Facebook page (@Viewcrest 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 Tara Adkins, Administrator at 218-279-4203 if you have any questions or concerns.

COVID Update – Vaccine Connector Tool

Dear Family and Friends,

As of today, we have no new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in our care center and no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Suncrest. Our care center is testing staff monthly. 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 continue to receive questions on how and when family and friends will receive their vaccine. Health officials have created a Vaccine Connector tool found at https://vaccineconnector.mn.gov/. This tool helps Minnesotans find out when, where, and how to get a COVID-19 vaccine. After you fill out a simple form, the Vaccine Connector will alert you when you are eligible to receive a vaccine, connect you to resources to schedule a vaccine appointment, and notify you if there are vaccine opportunities in your area.

It is not necessary to sign up if:

• You have already received your COVID-19 vaccine.

• You previously registered for the COVID-19 Vaccine Pilot Program or the COVID-19 Community Vaccination Program. You’re already on the Vaccine Connector list, and there is no need to re-submit your information.

• You completed the Minnesota COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Child Care survey. You’re already on the Vaccine Connector list, and there is no need to re-submit your information.

• You completed the Health Care Connection Form, you do not need to re-submit your information. The Minnesota Department of Health will work with health systems and local public health agencies to notify you about when and where you can get vaccinated.

We look forward to the day we can throw our doors wide open to the community. Until then, there are multiple ways residents in our setting can interact with one another and with their loved ones. We have resumed socially distanced communal dining and small group activities. We are currently able to offer indoor visits, virtual visits, essential caregiver visits, and compassionate care visits. We do ask that visitors are tested prior to entering our care center. Due to cost, we will no longer be able to test essential caregivers, compassionate caregivers or visitors in the care centers.

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 (@Viewcrest 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 Tara Adkins, Administrator at 218-279-4203 if you have any questions or concerns.

Indoor Visits Coming Soon!

Dear Family and Friends,

As of today, we have no new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in our care center and no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Suncrest. Our care center will begin monthly testing next week. 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).

The CDC released a report that indicates a national average vaccination rate for care center residents of 77.8% and of care center staff, 37.5%. Minnesota is in a category with higher rates for both, with more than 80% of residents and more than 40% of staff. As of Wednesday of this week, 70,049 residents and staff of Minnesota’s long term care centers have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. We have conducted our second vaccine clinic giving many residents and staff their second dose of the Moderna vaccine! We will be hosting our 3rd Clinic in March. 

Viewcrest is excited to announce that we will begin limited indoor visitation starting on 2/8/2021.  These visits must be scheduled in advance with the activities department, please contact Jeremy Brew @ 218-279-4210 for more information.

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 (@Viewcrest 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 Tara Adkins, Administrator at 218-279-4203 if you have any questions or concerns.

COVID Update

Dear Family and Friends,

As of today, we have no new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in our care center and no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Suncrest. Our care center continues to test staff weekly. 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 plan to open for indoor visits soon. For the safety of our residents and staff we ask that any visitors have a negative COVID test prior to their visit. If you would like to be tested during our routine testing, please reach out to Tara Adkins @ 218-279-4203.

This week, MDH health officials contacted a computerized random selection of Minnesotans aged 65 and up, who signed up to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Unfortunately, with only 11,700 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to give away, many on this list will not receive the vaccine this week. If you were not contacted on Wednesday, your name will remain on the list for the next round of vaccine distributions. For staff and residents at our care center (and assisted living) our next vaccination date is on 2/4/2021.

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and like previous holidays throughout the COVID Pandemic, must be celebrated cautiously. MDH and CDC have not changed guidance regarding residents leaving our care centers during the pandemic and do require residents to quarantine upon return. With any holiday this year, we have seen an increase of visits requested. Please remember to plan ahead and schedule your virtual visit or, if available, indoor visits, with Jeremy Brew @ 218-279-4210 as soon as possible.

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 (@Viewcrest 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 Tara Adkins, Administrator at 218-279-4203 if you have any questions or concerns.

COVID Update

Dear Family and Friends,

As of today, we have had one additional resident and one staff member at Viewcrest test positive for COVID-19 in our care center. Our care center continues to test staff weekly. Suncrest has had no positive cases of COVID-19 this week. 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).

Please be patient about changes in safety protocols as vaccinations roll out across Minnesota. Even though the vaccine is here, the virus is still being transmitted throughout our state and we need to continue to be cautious to protect the health and well-being of residents and staff.

Until we receive updated guidance from the State, we ask that everyone, even those not connected directly with our care center, continue infection prevention and control practices. Please wear a mask, wash your hands, don’t touch your face when you’re out and stay home if you’re feeling sick.  These measures will help keep the positivity rate low and allow our care center to host safe and socially distanced visitation for residents.

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 (@Viewcrest 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 Melissa Hoglund, Director of Nursing at 218-279-4219 if you have any questions or concerns.

NO NEW CASES OF COVID!!

Dear Family and Friends,

As of today, we have no new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in our care center. Our care center continues to test staff weekly. 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, Minnesota is beginning a new COVID-19 vaccine pilot program. There will be nine vaccine sites that will serve persons 65 years of age and older as well as prek-12th grade educators, school staff, and child care workers. All appointments available for the nine sites were immediately booked. These sites will begin administering vaccines at the end of this week.

We are thrilled to see the enthusiasm and determination of our community to be vaccinated and help protect our most vulnerable from the COVID-19 virus.  The CDC has released data proving that this Pandemic has disproportionately affected seniors. From May 2020 to August 2020, 78% of COVID-19 deaths were aged 65 and older. As a reminder, our care center will be hosting 3 separate clinics for vaccinations for our staff and residents. Any residents or staff members who were unable to attend the first clinic are encouraged to attend the 2nd and 3rd clinics for their free vaccinations. Our next clinic is on 2/04/2021.

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 (@Viewcrest 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 Melissa Hoglund, Director of Nursing at 218-279-4219 if you have any questions or concerns.