Dear Family and Friends,

Pennington Health Services continues to test staff bi-weekly because the Pennington County infection rate continues to be over 10%. We also test when an employee or resident show signs or symptoms of COVID-19. As of today, we have no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in our care center. 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).

Window Visits: As the weather warms up, some of you have asked us how to go about doing window visits. Call activities to schedule an appointment ahead of time so we can help residents use the phone. Resident windows may not be opened for visits. 

Inside Visits: Last week, CMS released new recommendations regarding indoor visitation. We meet the criteria to accommodate indoor visitations and have indoor visitation available at two stations set up at the front entrance.  Please call Activities at 683-8106 to schedule an appointment for inside visitation.  We will take appointments for two visits at a time. All visitors are required to be screened prior to the visit.  We ask that you limit visitors to 3 at a time, and children under age 12 must be controlled by an adult. We are asking that all visitors and residents continue to use appropriate hand hygiene, masks and social distancing, however residents who have had their vaccinations can decide if they would like to share physical contact with their visitors and can choose do so.  Inside visits appointment times may vary based on demand, we may set limitations so all residents have access to the stations.

Outside visits: We can do outside visits anytime that weather is appropriate, but we are asking they be scheduled ahead of time. Please call activities to coordinate. While we can accommodate  inside and outside visits, outdoor visits are preferred when the weather is appropriate because of the ventilation and reduced risk of spreading infectious diseases. 

Dear Family and Friends of Thief River Care Center,

This week we have no positive cases of COVID-19 in our care center.  We are currently testing residents and staff twice weekly due to county positivity. We are also unable to open to indoor visits at the 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).

This Saturday, March 6^th, marks one year since Minnesota confirmed its first case of COVID-19. The state has since recorded 485,230 total confirmed or probable cases. Now, more than 52% of Minnesotans 65 and older have received at least one dose of either COVID vaccine. This week, Governor Tim Walz stated Minnesota will expand vaccination eligibility when 70% of that population gets their first dose. Vaccine eligibility would expand to people with high-risk health conditions and targeted essential workers. Younger groups and the general public would follow in the late spring and summer.

Johnson & Johnson has now received an emergency use authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its COVID-19 vaccine, the Janssen Ad-Vac. The J&J vaccine is different than its Moderna and Pfizer 2-dose vaccine counterparts in two ways. First, the J&J vaccine is a one-shot vaccine, not a two-dose vaccine. Second, the J&J vaccine uses a more common vaccine technology and does not utilize the mRNA vaccine delivery method. The vaccine is published as 85% effective 28 days post vaccination. Side effects listed for this vaccine are similar to those listed for Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.

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.

Don’t forget to get your flu shot this season to help protect our community. Please follow our Facebook page (@Thief River Care Center) or our website (www.trcc.sfhs.org) for all COVID updates and information on what is happening inside our care center. Please do not hesitate to reach out us.

Dear Family and Friends of Thief River Care Center,

This week we have 0 staff and 0 residents test positive for COVID-19.  We are currently testing residents and staff weekly. Due to being in PPT, we are unable to open to indoor visits at the 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).

Currently, vaccines are being distributed to adults 65 and older, educators, school staff, child care workers, health care workers, and residents and staff of long-term care facilities. We have received many calls requesting information about vaccinations. If you qualify in one of the above categories, please check the state’s online vaccine locations map (https://mn.gov/covid19/vaccine/find-vaccine/locations/index.jsp) or contact your health care provider about appointment availability. Our staff and residents continue to have opportunities for on-site vaccinations through our pharmacy partnership. Our next clinic is on February 25^th.

Minnesota continues to see new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations as MN lessons the restrictions in public areas.  The numbers of cases and attributable deaths are declining as vaccinations roll out. State and local health officials continue to stress social distancing, mask use, and frequent hand washing or sanitizing.

With vaccinations becoming more prevalent, and knowledge that vaccinations are providing a positive impact in reduction of active outbreaks; it is frustrating that use of PPE and visitation constraints must continue within our care centers.  Until the CDC and MDH have supporting science to assure the spread of COVID-19 is reduced with vaccinations, we are required to maintain the same infection control protocol.  

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.

Don’t forget to get your flu shot this season to help protect our community. Please follow our Facebook page (@Thief River Care Center) or our website (www.trcc.sfhs.org) for all COVID updates and information on what is happening inside our care center. Please do not hesitate to reach out us.

Dear Family and Friends of Thief River Care Center,

This week we have 1 staff and 0 residents test positive for COVID-19.  We are currently testing residents and staff weekly. Due to being in PPT, we are unable to open to indoor visits at the 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). As of today, the MDH is not recommending any changes to our visitation process. Currently we are offering virtual visits and essential care visits.

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 week we plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day with Valentine’s cupcakes.  In attrition, we have been having Valentine themes with all activities. Please remember with any holiday, we see an increase in virtual visits. Please schedule your visit by Friday with Lori Thompson, Activities Director.

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. Our care centers next vaccine clinic is on February 25^th.

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.

Don’t forget to get your flu shot this season to help protect our community. Please follow our Facebook page (@Thief River Care Center) or our website (www.trcc.sfhs.org) for all COVID updates and information on what is happening inside our care center. Please do not hesitate to reach out us.

Dear Family and Friends of Thief River Care Center,

This week we have 1 staff and 0 residents test positive for COVID-19.  We are currently testing residents and staff weekly. Due to being in PPT, we are unable to open to indoor visits at the 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).

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 are excited to announce we have conducted our second vaccine clinic giving many residents and staff their second dose of the Moderna vaccine! We will be hosting our 2nd clinic on date and our 3^rd on 2/24/21. As of today, 92% of residents have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 Vaccine and employees 30%.

This weekend we plan to celebrate Super Bowl Sunday by Super Bowl Snacks. We want to remind our friends and family that may be participating in Super Bowl activities to please social distance, wear a mask, and wash or sanitize your hands often.

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.

Don’t forget to get your flu shot this season to help protect our community. Please follow our Facebook page (@Thief River Care Center) or our website (www.trcc.sfhs.org) for all COVID updates and information on what is happening inside our care center. Please do not hesitate to reach out us.

Dear Family and Friends of Thief River Care Center,

This week we have 0 staff and 0 residents test positive for COVID-19.  We are currently testing residents and staff weekly. Due to being in PPT, we are unable to open to indoor visits at the 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).

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 our next vaccination date is on 1/28/2021.

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 Lori Thompson 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.

Don’t forget to get your flu shot this season to help protect our community. Please follow our Facebook page (@Thief River Care Center) or our website (www.trcc.sfhs.org) for all COVID updates and information on what is happening inside our care center. Please do not hesitate to reach out us.

Dear Family and Friends of Thief River Care Center,

This week we have 1 staff and 3 residents test positive for COVID-19.  We are currently testing residents and staff weekly. Due to being in PPT, we are unable to open to indoor visits at the 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).

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-12^th 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 2^nd and 3^rd clinics for their free vaccinations. Our next clinic is on 1/28/2021

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. Don’t forget to get your flu shot this season to help protect our community. Please follow our Facebook page (@Thief River Care Center) or our website (www.trcc.sfhs.org) for all COVID updates and information on what is happening inside our care center. Please do not hesitate to reach out to our care center.

01/12/2021

Thief River Falls Care Center has had two additional residents test positive for COVID-19. We now have seven residents residing in our COVID unit. 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 tested all residents and staff members for COVID-19 on Monday, January 11th. We will update residents and family should any new positive cases arise. Due to the positive cases in our care center, we are unable to host indoor visits or essential caregiver visits at this time. Following MDH and CDC guidelines, we are required to go two consecutive weeks without any additional positive COVID cases in residents or staff prior to resuming visitation.

We appreciate all the support, prayers, and offers of help that we’ve received. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our care center.

01/08/2021

We regret to inform you that Thief River Falls Care Center has had five residents test positive for COVID-19 as of 01/08/2021.  We have now opened our COVID unit. The five residents testing positive have been transferred to the unit where they will receive all the cares required to see them through this illness.  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).

As a reminder, staff that work in our segregated unit will not care for residents outside of the unit or interact with any employees that are providing direct care to residents outside of the unit. All staff in the segregated unit are equipped with N95 masks, face shields, gowns, and foot covers. Staff enter and exit the segregated unit from a separate door to prevent exposure to the rest of our care center, residents and employees.

We appreciate all the support, prayers, and offers of help that we’ve received. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our care center.

Dear Family and Friends of Thief River Care Center,

This week we have 0 staff and 0 residents test positive for COVID-19.  We are currently testing residents and staff weekly. Due to being in PPT, we are unable to open to indoor visits at the 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).

We are bringing in the New Year with new hope and excitement. We have administered our first doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine in our care center. Our next vaccine clinic will be on 1/27. Farrah Benitt, RN Manager, who has been eagerly awaiting the COVID-19 vaccine says, “I want to resume my life, I am concerned about bringing it into the facility or taking it home to my family”.

We have prepared a Frequently Asked Questions to help you understand why the vaccine is so important in defeating COVID-19. You can find this along with the Moderna Fact Sheet, on our website at sfhs.org/resources/covid-19/. If you have any other concerns or questions, please contact (Diane Lee at 218-683-8102), DON/Infection Control Specialist.

We will continue following our infection prevention and control practices along with the latest guidance from MDH and CDC regarding safe visiting for our residents. As of today, our care center plans to open for indoor visits on date. We will continue regular communication with our residents, friends and family on our COVID response, visitation guidelines and testing results.

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.

Don’t forget to get your flu shot this season to help protect our community. Please follow our Facebook page (@Thief River Care Center) or our website (www.trcc.sfhs.org) for all COVID updates and information on what is happening inside our care center. Please do not hesitate to reach out us.