12/22/21 Update: Lyngblomsten experiences drastic reduction in case counts throughout 2021, attributable to vaccines

December 22, 2021

Hand washing, social distancing, mask wearing, symptom screening—all of these practices and more have been part of daily life for Lyngblomsten since the COVID-19 pandemic first impacted our community in March 2020. As we approach the two-year mark of responding to the pandemic, we’re thankful for the many positive developments that have occurred in 2021, while also conscious of the challenges that lie ahead.

Since our last web update about a month ago, we’ve identified a handful of cases in staff and residents from the Lyngblomsten Care Center, such that as of December 22, we have 3 active resident cases and 2 active employee cases. Still, this uptick is significantly lower than the case counts we recorded a year earlier. In 2020 (before vaccines were available), Lyngblomsten experienced 149 resident cases, 7 tenant cases, and 168 employee cases of the virus. Thus far in 2021 (from January 1 through December 22), we’ve identified 16 resident cases, 1 tenant case, and 24 employee cases.

While we’re grateful to have high vaccination rates among our residents, tenants, and employees, our current experience suggests we likely will continue to identify new cases in the months ahead. The highly contagious delta and omicron variants are driving up case counts across the country and are even infecting persons who are fully vaccinated. Knowing this, we remain vigilant in adhering to our infection control policies and following all guidance from federal and state health agencies.

Thank you to everyone who has been supporting the Lyngblomsten family during the COVID-19 pandemic. Your prayers, encouragement, donations, and more have strengthened us in 2021 and will prepare us for whatever we will face in the new year. Merry Christmas, and blessings on your new year!

P.S. Throughout 2021, the Minnesota Department of Health has been posting on its website the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases and deaths for the state’s senior care facilities. It has updated this data weekly, typically on Thursdays. In early December 2021, MDH announced that it would cease publishing this data on its website.