Dear Sholom Community,

The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak is a rapidly evolving situation that has made national and international news.  While at this time the risk of becoming sick with COVID-19 is very low, Sholom clinical leadership is closely monitoring the developing situation related to COVID-19 and is committed to taking steps necessary to protect the health and safety of our residents, tenants, and staff at all of Sholom’s locations.

The purpose of this communication is to provide information on what Sholom is doing regarding the recent reporting about coronavirus and what steps you can take to limit potential exposure.

Sholom’s leadership team has a safety committee and a robust emergency preparedness plan that meets regularly to assess conditions.  Sholom’s front line health care staff are well-trained on established protocols for these types of health care situations, maintains emergency preparedness strategies for a variety of possible scenarios, and stands ready to work with local, state and national health authorities in responding to any confirmed case which could affect members of our community.

We will continue to constantly monitor reports, guidance and recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the U.S. State Department and review this action on a recurring basis.

Resources and information that you may find helpful are below:

• We are cooperating with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and are conveying their information and guidance related to COVID-19 to Sholom. MDH is working to develop regular communication channels to proactively address senior care topics with regard to COVID-19.
• To date, there have been no positive cases of COVID-19 reported in Minnesota.
• Anyone in the U.S. who has not traveled to China or been in contact with someone confirmed or suspected to have COVID-19 in the last 14 days is at low risk of becoming sick with the virus.
• As with any other virus, including Influenza, we ask that all residents, guests, and staff remain vigilant in practicing precautions to prevent the spread of infection. CDC guidelines for prevention and treatment are similar to the recommendations to prevent the spread of any virus:

We encourage all residents, tenants and staff to:

• Practice respiratory (coughing and sneezing) etiquette and hand hygiene
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
• Stay at home when sick
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe
• Other Informational Resources:  There are many sources of information on COVID-19 including state, national and international organizations. Primarily sources for Minnesota State monitoring, planning, and response are:

Minnesota Department of Health (MDH): 

COVID-19 Home:  https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/index.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): 

COVID-19 Home:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Travel:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html

For additional questions regarding this communication, please contact the Ackerberg campus administrator at our St. Louis Park location, Chuck Heidbrink at cheidbrink@sholom.com or call 952-935-6311.  For our Shaller campus administrator at our St. Paul location, please contact Andrea Krebs at akrebs@sholom.com or call 651-328-2000.  They will direct your questions to the appropriate clinical team member.

We thank you for practicing good personal hygiene.  We remain dedicated to providing the best care possible to our residents/tenants and continue to protect the health of our employees and community.

Sincerely,

Barbara Klick, RN, MBA

Chief Executive Officer