12/22/2022 Update: 2022 brought encouraging developments for COVID-19

December 22, 2022

The end of the calendar year often is a time that people will reflect on the preceding 12 months.  This holds true for the Lyngblomsten community.  As 2022 winds down, we’re thankful for all the advances we’ve made in regards to the COVID-19 pandemic, and we remain aware of how it continues to impact our campus (and the entire world, for that matter).

Periodically we continue to identify new cases of the virus among our care center residents, housing tenants, and employees.  However, we’re better equipped to respond to these new cases today than we were in 2020.  More knowledge about the virus, new treatments, vaccines, and the availability of COVID tests and personal protective equipment all have contributed to better outcomes for our older adults.  Plus, our dedicated and compassionate staff—the vast majority of whom have continued working with us throughout the pandemic—have helped ensure our residents, tenants, and community participants receive the best possible care amidst challenging circumstances.

As part of our continued response to the pandemic, we keep abreast of any new or updated guidance for senior care facilities from federal and state health agencies.  In late September of this year, new guidance was released from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.  Noting that there are “high levels of vaccine- and infection-induced immunity [to the virus] and the availability of effective treatments and prevention tools,” the guidance:

1. Removes the requirement to screen employees and visitors for symptoms of COVID-19 when they arrive on campus AND
2. Makes facemasks optional for staff in resident-care areas when the community transmission level is not high.

Lyngblomsten implemented both of these changes shortly after the guidance was released.  As the community transmission level for Ramsey County (where our Lyngblomsten campus is located) has changed, we’ve adjusted our masking requirements accordingly.

What changes will transpire in 2023?  Time will tell.  What we do know is that Lyngblomsten’s commitment to serving older adults and their loved ones will remain unchanged.