NOTICE: Visitors are not allowed, as Bethesda prepares for coronavirus (COVID-19).
Bethesda is actively preparing for possible cases of coronavirus (COVID-19). Bethesda has no known cases of COVID-19. However, Bethesda is following recommendations from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and as of 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 11, 2020, is restricting all visitors at this time. Emergency situations/visits will be considered on an individual basis.
“Bethesda is acting now to help prevent the exposure to and spread of this virus, and to reduce the risk to our residents, tenants and clients, as well as the caregiving teams who support them,” said Michelle Haefner, president and chief executive officer at Bethesda.
“The population Bethesda serves – older adults and those with underlying medical conditions – seem to be at greater risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,” Haefner said. “We are staying abreast of the latest information from the Minnesota Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We are working with state and local public health officials and emergency preparedness officials to strengthen our preparation for a possible local outbreak of COVID-19.”
Bethesda has infection prevention and control policies and procedures in place, which are key to helping prevent the spread of COVID-19, a respiratory illness, and other common viruses.
Bethesda is educating staff, residents and families on symptom awareness for COVID-19. Bethesda has clear protocols for staff to stay home and not come to work if they are ill, symptomatic, or have been in contact with anyone who is being screened for COVID-19, and to contact Human Resources if they have recently returned from traveling out of state.
“As we navigate this challenge, we remain focused on the health and well-being of our residents, tenants and clients as our number one priority,” Haefner said.
Bethesda will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available.
For more information about COVID-19, visit the following websites:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Minnesota Department of Health
Bethesda is a not-for-profit social ministry organization dedicated to serving seniors in West Central Minnesota through residential and community-based health and wellness services. Bethesda has been caring for seniors for more than 100 years. We provide a full continuum of care, including skilled nursing care, short-stay therapy centers, home health care, outpatient therapy, independent and assisted living, adult day services, and a wellness center.
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