December 4, 2020

Morris Health Services tested staff for COVID-19 at West Wind Village and Skyview Senior Living this week. You will be notified if there are any additional 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 – 1 staff member and 0 residents tested positive this week. WWV will continue point prevalence testing and residents are quarantined. Indoor visits restricted until further notice.
• Skyview Senior Living – 0 staff members and 0 residents tested positive for COVID-19. Skyview Senior Living will continue point prevalence testing and residents are quarantined. Indoor visits restricted until further notice.

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.

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 (@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.

November 27, 2020

Morris Health Services tested staff for COVID-19 at West Wind Village and Skyview Senior Living on Monday and Wednesday this week and residents at both locations on Tuesday. Monday’s test results have been received and are listed below. You will be notified if there are any additional positive cases.  Morris Health Services will be testing again on 12/1/2020 and 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 – 1 staff member and 0 residents tested positive this week. WWV will continue point prevalence testing and residents are quarantined. Indoor visits restricted until further notice.
• Skyview Senior Living – 1 staff member and 0 residents tested positive for COVID-19. Skyview Senior Living will continue point prevalence testing and residents are quarantined. Indoor visits restricted until further notice.

This Thanksgiving season we want to thank our residents, family and friends for their support and prayers throughout the COVID Pandemic. We thank you for your continued patience and the sacrifices you have made.  With you we will work through this pandemic. Remember to wear a mask, social distance when possible and practice proper hand hygiene. On behalf of our entire team, please stay safe and healthy.

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 (@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.

November 23, 2020

Morris Health Services tested all staff for COVID-19 at West Wind Village and Skyview Senior Living on 11/20/2020. Results are starting to come in and we have been notified of at least three additional staff members at WWV who has tested positive for COVID-19 and one additional staff member at Skyview Senior Living. We will continue to update you on any positive cases resulting from this week’s testing.  

We want to remind you that we are following 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 staff are being screened for COVID symptoms before the start of each shift and tested twice weekly. Staff are equipped with surgical masks, eye protection and gowns when providing care. Both locations of Morris Health Services are quarantined to reduce exposure.  Our residents have their full vitals checked in the morning and screened and monitored throughout the day for signs and symptoms of COVID-19.

We appreciate all the support, prayers, and offers of help that we’ve received. Thank you again for being partners with us in fighting the COVID-19 virus. For updated information on Coronavirus or activities within our community please follow our Facebook page or visit our website (www.sfhs.org). If you have specific questions or concerns, please contact Paula at 320-589-7900.

Dear Family and Friends,

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.

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 at 320-589-7900. 

Sincerely,

Paula

Administrator

November 20, 2020

Morris Health Services tested residents and staff for COVID-19 at West Wind Village and Skyview Senior Living this week. A majority of the test results have been received; however, tests are still pending. You will be notified if there are any additional positive cases.  Morris Health Services will be testing again on 11/23/2020 and 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 – 4 additional staff members and 0 residents tested positive this week. WWV will continue point prevalence testing and residents are quarantined.
• Skyview Senior Living – 0 staff members, 2 additional residents, and 1 “other” tested positive for COVID-19. Skyview Senior Living will continue point prevalence testing and residents are quarantined.

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, Phone, and Facetiming.

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 (@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.

November 15, 2020

As you are aware, Morris Health Services (MHS) tested residents and staff for COVID-19 at West Wind Village and staff at Skyview Senior Living this week. In addition to the notification that was sent out on Friday, MHS was notified that one essential visitor at West Wind Village and a resident at Skyview Senior Living tested positive for CoVid-19 on Saturday, 11/14/2020.   A majority of the test results have been received; however, a few tests are still pending. You will be notified if there are any additional positive cases.

Morris Health Services will be testing residents and staff at both locations again Tuesday, 11/17/2020 and 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).

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. Morris Health Services encourages everyone to control the spread of the virus by wearing masks, social distancing and abiding by the Governor’s new restrictions.

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.

November 13, 2020

Morris Health Services tested residents and staff for COVID-19 at West Wind Village and staff at Skyview Senior Living this week. A majority of the test results have been received; however, tests are still pending. You will be notified if there are any additional positive cases.  Morris Health Services will be testing again on 11/17/2020 and 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 – 4 new staff members and 0 residents tested positive this week. WWV will continue point prevalence testing and residents are quarantined. Unfortunately, this means that WWV is still not eligible for indoor visiting.
• Skyview Senior Living – 1 staff member and 0 residents tested positive for COVID-19 this week. Due to the positive case, point prevalence testing will be initiated next week for all residents and staff.  Plaza residents that were potentially exposed are quarantined and all indoor visits at the Plaza have been discontinued.

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. Morris Health Services encourages everyone to control the spread of the virus by wearing masks, social distancing and abiding by the Governor’s new restrictions.

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 (@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.

November 6, 2020

Morris Health Services tested residents and staff for COVID-19 at West Wind Village and staff at Skyview Senior Living this week. During our facility-wide testing this week, we had one staff member at West Wind Village test positive. 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).

Unfortunately, WWV is currently not eligible for indoor visitation at this time. MDH and CDC both require 14 days with no additional positive cases before allowing indoor visitation. Skyview Senior Living continues to be open for visitors.

Our county positivity rate in the “yellow” category. This category requires weekly testing of all staff at our care centers, West Wind Village and Skyview Senior Living. We are also required to have all visitors and essential care givers provide a negative COVID test prior to their visit and continue to be tested on the same schedule as staff. If you are unable to be tested at your clinic, please contact Elizabeth Koehl at 320-589-4924 for information on how to get tested at West Wind Village. If you or your loved one wants more information regarding essential care givers, please contact Elizabeth at 320-589-4924 or ekoehl@sfhs.org.

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.  We know that you too are making sacrifices and we appreciate your patience as we continue to navigate through this Pandemic. To schedule your visits at Skyview Senior Living or for more information on our visitation policy, please contact the new housing director, Sophie at 320-589-4582.

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 (@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.

Morris Health Services tested residents and staff for COVID-19 at West Wind Village and staff at Skyview Senior Living this week. During our point prevalence/facility-wide testing this week, we had no additional positive cases of COVID-19 at WWV or Skyview Senior Living. 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).

Unfortunately, WWV is currently not eligible for indoor visitation at this time. MDH and CDC both require 14 days with no additional positive cases before allowing indoor visitation.

While we welcome the new indoor visitation guidelines, we continue to monitor the COVID outbreak in our community and nearby counties. Our care center may ask visitors to get tested for COVID-19 prior to visiting with your loved one. Even when not experiencing symptoms, you may test positive for COVID-19 and spread the virus without knowing. To schedule your visits at Skyview Senior Living or for more information on our visitation policy, please contact the new housing director, Sophie at 320-589-4582.

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 (@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.

October 23, 2020

Morris Health Services tested residents and staff for COVID-19 at West Wind Village and staff at Skyview Senior Living this week. During our facility-wide testing this week, we had no additional positive cases of COVID-19 at WWV or Skyview Senior Living. 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).

Unfortunately, WWV is currently not eligible for indoor visitation at this time. MDH and CDC both require 14 days with no additional positive cases before allowing indoor visitation.

Skyview Senior Living is planning to implement indoor visitation next week. As a reminder, we will follow state and federal guidance for visitation, which includes following the core infection control protocols, including screening of all visitors for signs & symptoms of COVID, proper hand hygiene, face coverings, and social distancing. Visitors who are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms or have had a COVID-19 exposure will not be allowed to visit.  Please recognize that this virus is still spreading throughout our state and that we may need to restrict visitation if we experience positive cases of COVID-19 in our setting, identify a broader risk of exposure both in our setting and/or the broader community, or encounter other factors that affect the safety of visitation.

Due to high demand and the safety of our residents, all visits must be scheduled 24 hours in advance, only two people may visit at a time and visits will be limited to thirty minutes. To schedule your visits at Skyview Senior Living or for more information on our visitation policy, please contact the new housing manager, Sophie at 320-589-4582.

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 (@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.