Dear Sholom residents, tenants, staff and families,
In keeping with our commitment to transparency, I wanted to provide an update regarding Sholom’s position in the fight against COVID-19.
As of today, our Shaller Family Sholom East Campus in St. Paul has 4 resident and 1 staff confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 at Chapman Sholom Home East. Weinberg Apartments, Bentson Assisted Living and Phillips Center for Memory Care have no cases at this time.
At the Ackerberg Family Sholom West Campus in St. Louis Park, at Sholom Home West, there have been seven resident and three staff positive cases with four deaths due to COVID-19. Menorah Plaza has had one resident positive case and that resident has passed away. At Roitenberg Assisted Living, there is one resident positive and one staff positive. At Roitenberg’s Hodroff Memory Care we have experienced 14 resident and 3 staff positives with 4 resident deaths. Many of these positive cases at Roitenberg will be completing their required quarantine period very soon. Knollwood Place Apartments and Menorah West have no cases at this time.
For the most up to date information, please refer to www.sholom.com and click on the link: Sholom’s COVID-19 numbers.
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is leading the investigation to determine exposure risk for any residents or staff who may have had contact with any resident or staff that tests positive for COVID-19.
We understand that this creates a lot of unease in our community. As early as March 10, 2020, we began proactive measures. We continue these best practices in prevention through: proactive monitoring for any signs or symptoms, and require all staff and private duty caregivers in all buildings to wear masks to protect residents and themselves, masking residents/tenants as tolerated by the resident/tenant, ongoing reminders to tenants and residents to maintain appropriate social distancing; and daily monitoring and planning by executive and clinical staff for all residents/buildings with the support of updates by national, state and local medical professionals and organizations. We will continue to take all the necessary steps to keep residents and staff safe.
There is no doubt that our early actions helped reduce the transmission of COVID-19, but we are now seeing what other countries and states have experienced—COVID-19 can be slowed, but it can’t yet be stopped. We are working closely with MDH and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to reduce the impact of this virus. We are committed to putting all the resources we have to continue this critical, life-saving work and to be there for your loved ones in all the ways you need us to be.
In the face of this invisible enemy, our senior care workers give it 150%. We recognize their heroism every day by the great stories and the photos of smiling residents that are shared. We are amazed with their creative ideas to keep spirits high for the residents and fellow team members—and all accomplished with beautiful smiles and abundant grace.
I am so thankful for our extraordinary team, along with you, our supportive community! Like all of you, we look forward to a day when the gathering places at Sholom are once again filled with the joyful presence of community. Until then, together, we will stand firm in the fight against COVID-19!
If you have specific questions about the coronavirus related to your loved one, please contact your campus administrator. We are dedicated to being responsive with transparency.
With warmest regard for your health, safety and well-being,
Barbara Klick, RN, MBA
Sholom CEO
