Update from the Administrator 10-15-2023

DATE: 10/15/2023

Dear Residents, Families and Representatives,

We had one resident and one staff person test positive for COVID-19 today. Our total for this outbreak is 2 residents and 2 staff members. All individuals who have tested positive live or work on Willow Lane. We are keeping that household under quarantine and residents with COVID or suspected COVID will remain on precautions in their rooms until symptoms subside. It can take from 48 hours to 14 days to test positive after exposure to COVID-19. Most people tend to develop symptoms within the first 5 days following exposure. We will be in outbreak status until we have 14 days with no new resident and staff cases.

We will continue to test residents and staff who may have had contact with a positive person every 48 hours and immediately if symptoms develop. We are actively monitoring residents for symptoms. Symptoms of COVID-19 include runny/stuffy nose, sore throat, cough, body aches, diarrhea, vomiting and headache. Residents should notify staff immediately if they are not feeling well.

We are working with the Monroe County Health Department to get COVID vaccines out to residents and staff as soon as we can get them. Please let the nurse or social worker know if you / your resident wants to receive the vaccine. It is highly recommended that residents receive the new vaccine. It was updated to be more effective in protecting people from the new variants of COVID that are now circulating. If you have any questions please speak with the unit nurse.

The number of hospitalizations and emergency room visits for COVID-19 have been steadily rising in Wisconsin and Minnesota. We will continue with mandatory masking for staff and visitors. Residents are strongly encouraged to wear masks when out of their room. Preventive measures include good hand washing, surface disinfection, wearing masks and use of hand sanitizer. These steps are for the protection of all individuals living, working and visiting Rolling Hills.

Residents may continue to have visitors, however, we are encouraging use of good safety measures. Visitors should wear masks, use good hand hygiene and check with staff for other required personal protective equipment that may be needed if a resident is on precautions. Visitors should also limit visits to only their resident and maintain distance from other residents and staff. If visitors have any symptoms of illness they should postpone visiting until they are feeling better and symptoms are gone! If a visitor develops COVID within a few days of visiting with a resident they should contact the nurse. We will do testing and monitoring of that resident for several days.

I will keep you informed of any new staff or resident cases. Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Linda Smith LNHA

Administrator