COVID Update

February 12, 2021

Morris Health Services tested staff for COVID-19 at West Wind Village and Skyview Senior Living this week. The majority of tests results are back; you will be notified if there are any positive cases. Morris Health Services continues 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).

  • West Wind Village –There were NO positive cases of COVID-19 this week. WWV is open to indoor visits. WWV will continue essential caregiver visits. All visits must be scheduled 24 hours in advance Monday-Friday (8am-3pm) and visitors will be required to have a negative COVID test. Please contact Katlyn at 320-589-7960 for more information. 
  • Skyview Senior Living – There were NO positive cases of COVID-19 this week. All visits must be scheduled 24 hours in advance Monday-Friday (8am-4pm) and visitors will be required to have a negative COVID test prior to their visit. Visits can we scheduled with Sophie at 320-589-4582.

Since the start of the pandemic, 3,977 residents of Minnesota’s long term care facilities have died from COVID-19, accounting for 63% of the deaths from the virus statewide. However, last week, Minnesota recorded an average of just 64 new coronavirus cases per day in long-term care settings; the lowest the state has experienced since September! On Tuesday, MDH released more data showing that overall trends are improving, and not just in senior services communities. The state’s positivity rate of testing has fallen to 4%, the lowest rate since June! The rate had peaked at 15.5% in November amid an upsurge in cases.

The drop in new cases is a hopeful sign that the vaccines are starting to provide the protection we need and the infection control protocols put in place are working. Our staff continue to find creative ways to ensure social distancing does not stop social interaction. This weekend, we plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day and if you are interested in adopting a resident by sending Valentine’s flowers, please contact Morris Floral ASAP at 320-589-3344.  Please remember with any holiday, we see an increase in visits, please schedule your visit by Friday at 3 pm.

This week, the Minnesota Association for Geriatrics Inspired Clinicians (MAGIC) launched a new video resource to help providers in our community to address hesitations and misinformation related to the COVID vaccine. MAGIC COVID Vaccination Video was developed to provide accurate and up to date information and dispel myths regarding the vaccine. The goal is to increase vaccination rates, specifically among frontline health care workers, by providing meaningful information from a trusted source that allows them to make an educated decision.

Please follow our Facebook page (@Morris Health Services & @Skyview Senior Living) or our website (www.mhs.sfhs.org) for all COVID updates and information on what is happening inside our care center. Please do not hesitate to reach out to Paula at 320-589-7900, if you have any questions or concerns.