9/3/21 Update: Lyngblomsten experiences new cases—the first in months

September 3, 2021

Since early August, Minnesota has been experiencing an increase in its number of confirmed COVID-19 cases, due in large part to the spread of the Delta variant. Here at Lyngblomsten, we have been following all guidance from federal and state health agencies for mitigating the potential introduction and spread of this new, highly contagious variant of concern.

Unfortunately, during the last week-and-a-half, we have identified three new cases of the virus: one in a care center resident and two in care center employees. These are the first new cases identified in employees since May 2021 and in a resident since mid-January 2021.

In response to these positive cases, we’ve conducted two rounds of house-wide testing—one last week and another this week—for care center residents and employees. As of September 3, 2021, we’ve identified no additional cases of the virus beyond the three mentioned earlier. Per Minnesota Department of Health guidelines, we will conduct another house-wide test of residents and employees next week.

Because the care center is now in an “outbreak” status as defined by MDH (i.e., at least one new case of COVID-19 in a resident or employee), we have temporarily suspended indoor visits with non–Essential Caregivers for residents. Visitors can still participate in compassionate care visits, Essential Caregiver visits, outdoor visits, indoor visits in our Newman-Benson Chapel, and virtual/online visits with care center residents.

We are hopeful that our high vaccination rates** will lead to no additional cases being identified over the next several weeks. Still, we know from data that vaccines are not 100 percent effective and that the situation is ever-evolving in the broader community. This is why we’re continuing to do everything we can to mitigate the potential spread of the virus, including:

• Monitoring care center residents for symptoms of the virus and conducting additional testing when needed
• Screening staff and visitors for symptoms of the virus when they arrive on campus, and if they are exhibiting symptoms, prohibiting them from working or visiting
• Having residents, staff, and visitors wear required personal protective equipment (e.g., facemasks, eye protection)
• Disinfecting high-touch surfaces in our building and encouraging everyone to wash their hands frequently (with soap and water and/or hand sanitizer).

We continue to encourage unvaccinated residents and staff to roll up their sleeves for the Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson vaccine, knowing that we will soon be receiving direction from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (the federal organization that oversees long-term care facilities) for implementing a vaccine mandate for our nursing home staff. (This mandate was first announced by President Biden on August 18, 2021.)

Lyngblomsten is grateful for the encouragement and prayers we continue to receive from so many of our supporters: family members, friends, volunteers, our member congregations, corporate sponsors, and many, many others. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Together, we will get through this new (hopefully short) chapter of our COVID-19 journey.

**96 percent of our care center residents and 85 percent of our care center staff are fully vaccinated.