Good Afternoon –

Please see the results from this week below. You will be notified if any tests return positive.

• RenVilla – 0 residents and 0 staff tested positive. Conducting surveillance testing only due to no new positives in over 4 weeks.
• Meadows on Main – 0 tenants and 0 staff tested positive. Conducting surveillance testing only due to no new positives in over 8 weeks.
• Prairie View – 0 tenants and 0 staff tested positive. Conducting surveillance testing only due to no new positives in over 6 weeks.

We continue to follow recommendations from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

MOM, PV, and RenVilla are conducting indoor visits. 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: Deb Vizecky 320.329.4374 (RenVilla), Deb Wertish 320.329.4377 (MOM), Amy Klawitter 320.848.2093 (PV). These visits must be prescheduled.

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 that the RenVilla has conducted their second vaccine clinic giving many residents and staff their second dose of the Moderna vaccine! We will be hosting our 2nd clinic at MOM and PV next week. As of today, 97% of RenVilla residents have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 Vaccine and RenVilla employees 70%.

This weekend we plan to celebrate Super Bowl Sunday by special activities per building. 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.

We continue to work with Cami Peterson-DeVries, AGNP on our infection control practices, policies, and emergency management. If you have any questions on this, she can be reached at CPeterson-DeVries@sfhs.org or 320.287.0313.

Thank you,

Casie Knoshal

Good Afternoon –

Please see the results from this week below. You will be notified if any tests return positive.

• RenVilla – 0 residents and 0 staff tested positive. Conducting surveillance testing only due to no new positives in over 3 weeks.
• Meadows on Main – 0 tenants and 0 staff tested positive. Conducting surveillance testing only due to no new positives in over 7 weeks.
• Prairie View – 0 tenants and 0 staff tested positive. Conducting surveillance testing only due to no new positives in over 5 weeks.

We continue to follow recommendations from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

MOM and PV are conducting indoor visits. RenVilla will open for indoor visits 2/1. 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: Deb Vizecky 320.329.4374 (RenVilla), Deb Wertish 320.329.4377 (MOM), Amy Klawitter 320.848.2093 (PV).

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 RHS our next vaccination dates are as follows: RenVilla 2/4, MOM 2/10, PV 2/9.

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 Deb Vizecky 320.329.4374 (RenVilla), Deb Wertish 320.329.4377 (MOM), Amy Klawitter 320.848.2093 (PV) as soon as possible.

We continue to work with Cami Peterson-DeVries, AGNP on our infection control practices, policies, and emergency management. If you have any questions on this, she can be reached at CPeterson-DeVries@sfhs.org or 320.287.0313.

Thank you,

Casie Knoshal

  Administrator

  Renville Health Services

   Phone: (320) 329-4373

   Fax: (320) 329-3678

Good Afternoon –

Please see the results from this week’s testing below. You will be notified if any additional tests return positive.

• RenVilla – 0 residents and 0 staff tested positive. Testing staff weekly (last tested 1/12) due to point-prevalence testing.
• Meadows on Main – 0 tenants and 0 staff tested positive. We have paused testing at MOM due to no new positives in over 6 weeks.
• Prairie View – 0 tenants and 0 staff tested positive. We have paused testing at PV due to no new positives in over 4 weeks.

We continue to follow 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 date.

We continue to work with Cami Peterson-DeVries, AGNP on our infection control practices, policies, and emergency management. If you have any questions on this, she can be reached at CPeterson-DeVries@sfhs.org or 320.287.0313.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you,

Casie Knoshal

  Administrator

  Renville Health Services

   Phone: (320) 329-4373

   Fax: (320) 329-3678

Good Afternoon –

Please see the results from this week’s testing below. You will be notified if any additional tests return positive.

• RenVilla – 0 residents and 0 staff tested positive. Testing staff weekly (last tested 1/12) due to point-prevalence testing.
• Meadows on Main – 0 tenants and 0 staff tested positive. We have paused testing at MOM due to no new positives in over 6 weeks.
• Prairie View – 0 tenants and 0 staff tested positive. We have paused testing at PV due to no new positives in over 4 weeks.

We continue to follow 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 as able.

We continue to work with Cami Peterson-DeVries, AGNP on our infection control practices, policies, and emergency management. If you have any questions on this, she can be reached at CPeterson-DeVries@sfhs.org or 320.287.0313.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you,

Casie Knoshal

  Administrator

  Renville Health Services

   Phone: (320) 329-4373

   Fax: (320) 329-3678

Good Morning –

Please see the results from this week’s Surveillance Testing below. You will be notified if any additional tests return positive.

• RenVilla – 0 residents and 0 staff tested positive. Testing staff weekly due to county positivity.
• Meadows on Main – 0 tenants and 0 staff tested positive. We will pause testing at MOM due to no new positives in over 5 weeks.
• Prairie View – 0 tenants and 0 staff tested positive. We will pause testing at PV due to no new positives in over 3 weeks.

We continue to follow 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 will administer our first doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine in our buildings. RenVilla’s 1^st vaccination clinic for RenVilla staff and residents through Thrifty White Pharmacy is today, 1/7/2020. MOM and PV staff have already started receiving the vaccine through Olivia Hospital and Clinic, and MOM and PV tenants will be vaccinated in house through Renville County Public Health soon. When a date is received for vaccination clinics at MOM and PV, we will inform tenants and families. Our next vaccination clinic for RenVilla will be approximately 28 days after the 1^st clinic. Staff member, Robin Feldman, who has been eagerly awaiting the COVID-19 vaccine says, “I’m getting the vaccine, and there is a reason behind it. I’ve seen what it [C-19] can do. I sat on pins and needles for 30 days not knowing if he was going to make it, and he is still in the hospital.”

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 Kayla Fitzner, ADON/Infection Control Specialist at (320) 329-4386.

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, RenVilla, MOM, and PV plan to open for indoor visits on 1/18/2020. Please read the attached documents for further information regarding indoor visitation. When sharing information with friends/family regarding visitation, please provide them the attached documents as well. We will continue regular communication with our residents, friends and family on our COVID response, visitation guidelines and testing results.

We continue to work with Cami Peterson-DeVries, AGNP on our infection control practices, policies, and emergency management. If you have any questions on this, she can be reached at CPeterson-DeVries@sfhs.org or 320.287.0313.

Good Afternoon –

Please see the results from this week’s testing below. You will be notified if any additional tests return positive.

• RenVilla – 0 residents and 0 staff tested positive. No indoor visitation at this time. Testing staff twice weekly due to county positivity rate.
• Meadows on Main – Testing is on pause. No new positives in over 30 days.
• Prairie View – 0 tenant and 0 staff tested positive. Staff and tenants are testing weekly.

We continue to follow 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 prepare for vaccinations in all 3 building. Staff will be reaching out to residents, tenants, and representatives regarding vaccinations as this becomes available on a per building basis.

We continue to work with Cami Paterson-Devries, AGNP on our infection control practices, policies, and emergency management. If you have any questions on this, she can be reached at CPeterson-DeVries@sfhs.org or 320.287.0313.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Have a Safe and Happy New Year,

Casie Knoshal

  Administrator

  Renville Health Services

   Phone: (320) 329-4373

   Fax: (320) 329-3678

Good Afternoon –

Please see the results from this week’s point prevalence testing (PPT) below. You will be notified if any additional tests return positive.

• RenVilla – 0 residents and 1 staff tested positive. No indoor visitation at this time. Testing residents weekly. Testing staff twice weekly due to county positivity.
• Meadows on Main – 0 tenant and 0 staff tested positive. No indoor visitation at this time. Weekly testing for tenants and staff.
• Prairie View – 1 tenant and 3 staff tested positive. Weekly testing for tenants and staff.

We continue to follow 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 eagerly awaiting the arrival of COVID-19 vaccines pending approval by the FDA. We anticipate this will occur before the end of December.  We appreciate and support the decision made by the federal government to prioritize long-term care residents and staff in the distributions of the COVID-19 vaccine. Our vaccination process for staff and residents will be based on guidance from MDH as well as official CDC recommendations that have yet to be released and we will share this with you very soon! 

The beginning of December brought a surge of cases throughout Minnesota.  Please help us protect our staff and residents by wearing a mask and social distancing.  We again ask that you refrain from taking your loved one home over the Christmas holiday and schedule video visits with Deb Vizecky, Amy Klawitter, or Deb Wertish respectively.

We continue to work with Cami Paterson-Devries, AGNP on our infection control practices, policies, and emergency management. If you have any questions on this, she can be reached at CPeterson-DeVries@sfhs.org or 320.287.0313.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you,

Casie Knoshal

  Administrator

  Renville Health Services

   Phone: (320) 329-4373

   Fax: (320) 329-3678

Good Afternoon –

Please see the results from this week’s point prevalence testing (PPT) below. You will be notified if any additional tests return positive.

• RenVilla – 0 residents and 0 staff tested positive. No indoor visitation at this time. Testing residents weekly. Testing staff twice weekly due to county positivity.
• Meadows on Main – 1 tenant and 0 staff tested positive. No indoor visitation at this time. Weekly testing for tenants and staff.
• Prairie View – 8 tenants and 2 staff tested positive. Weekly testing for tenants and staff.

We continue to follow 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 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 the vaccination program. We anticipate a vaccine being available in the coming weeks and will keep you informed.

With the increase in cases at PV, we have brought in additional assistance to the building to help support tenants and staff through this incredibly difficult time. Also, we are continuing to work with Cami Paterson-Devries, AGNP on our infection control practices, policies, and emergency management. If you have any questions on this she can be reached at CPeterson-DeVries@sfhs.org or 320.287.0313.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you,

Casie Knoshal

  Administrator

  Renville Health Services

   Phone: (320) 329-4373

   Fax: (320) 329-3678

Good Afternoon –

I want to provide an update from testing conducted 11/24 in all 3 RHS buildings.

• PV – All results are back. 2 tenants tested positive. No employees tested positive.
• MOM – All results are back. No tenants or staff tested positive.
• RenVilla – 50% of results are back. There are no new positives that were not already reported.

An update will go out if there are any further positives. We will continue PPT/Outbreak testing in all 3 building.

In attempts to try and reduce any confusion, any updates that are not specifically Covid related (i.e. activities) will be made by the Housing Manager or Home Care Director for MOM and PV tenants/families. The 3 buildings are different from one another in some of the services provided.

Thank you,

Casie Knoshal

  Administrator

  Renville Health Services

   Phone: (320) 329-4373

   Fax: (320) 329-3678