The results from the 5th round of Point Prevalence Testing (PPT) is shown below. At this time, we have had no additional staff or residents test positive for COVID-19. Additionally, we have now closed our COVID unit. We are waiting on the results of 2 staff members. If these results are negative, we will resume patio and open-window visits soon.
| Tests Positive | Tests Negative | Tests Pending | Total Tested | |
| Residents | 0 | 60 | 0 | 60 |
| Staff | 0 | 125 | 2 | 125 |
This week, CMS and MDH released new testing requirements for our care center’s staff and residents that are effective immediately. “Facility Staff” is defined broadly, to include employees, consultants, contractors, volunteers, and caregivers who provide care and services to residents on behalf of the facility, and students in the facility’s nurse aide training programs or from affiliated academic institutions. The requirements outline routine testing depending on our county positivity rate:
- Low: Monthly testing in counties with less than 5% positivity
- Medium: Weekly testing in counties with 5-10% positivity
- High: Bi-weekly testing in counties with greater than 10% positivity
The rule also requires testing in three scenarios: (i) symptomatic individual identified; (ii) outbreak (new case arises in facility); and (iii) routine testing. While CMS does not recommend routine testing of residents unless the resident leaves the facility regularly, it does require routine testing of staff.
Currently, our policy is to test residents and staff if they are symptomatic, had exposure to someone positive and during a known outbreak in our facility like we currently experiencing. Due to our county positivity rate, we will now be conducting “routine” Staff testing weekly. This frequency is subject to change pending our county positivity rate.
We are optimistic the last 2 staff results will return negative and we will be able to lift some of the precautions introduced during the threat of COVID-19. We are finalizing our policy on the Essential Caregiver program and will have more information for our residents and families next week.
We appreciate all the support, prayers, and offers of help that we’ve received. If you have specific questions or concerns, please contact Elizabeth Letich, Administrator, at 651-460-1138 or eletich@trinity@sfhs.org.
