At Bethesda, our everyday actions and service to others continue to be built on trust, dignity, compassion, and stewardship. Our value of stewardship reminds us that we are to be responsible and conscientious guardians of the resources and relationships entrusted to us. Daily we see you live out that value in the way you put our mission of serving others together in faith, community, and life in action.
Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new guidance regarding masking requirements for long-term care. This new guidance, also adopted at a state level, allows for loosened mask mandates for communities such as Bethesda so long as specific parameters are met. Valuing the trust our community has placed in Bethesda; we also will adopt these new measures for our residents and guests.
Effective immediately, masking will be optional for all residents, visitors, and team members in neighborhoods that meet the identified guidelines. Please understand that these guidelines are fully dependent upon coronavirus transmission rates with the county and neighborhood/location outbreak status. This status may change immediately without notice at any given time. (An outbreak is defined as a positive case of coronavirus detected within a neighborhood resident or staff population within the past 14-days). Masking and protective eyewear will continue to be required while caring for suspected or COVID positive residents.
We also request that all team members and visitors remain mindful and respectful of resident masking preferences. We are given the opportunity to visit and care for the residents of Bethesda at their HOME. If a resident has placed a request for masking of staff or visitors, we ask that their wishes are honored with dignity and compassion.
Each area of Bethesda will be equipped with signage to help identify if the location is in a ‘masking optional’ or ‘please mask’ status. Please familiarize yourself with the posted signage and frequently monitor it for changes. As always, we encourage everyone at Bethesda to be conscious of infection control practices here and at home.
We look forward to seeing your smiling faces as we continue to navigate this journey together. Please contact Marissa Croatt, infection control nurse, at (320) 214-5608 with any questions or concerns.
Visitor Guidelines:
Do NOT visit if you have the following symptoms:
• Fever (over 100.0 degrees F)
• New cough
• New congestion/runny nose
• Fatigue
• Nausea/vomiting
• New shortness of breath
• Sore throat
• Headache that is not typical/usual for you
• Muscle/body aches
• Diarrhea
• Loss of taste or smell
• Chills
Do NOT visit if:
• You have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 10 days
• You have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19 in the last 10 days.
Visitor Guidelines:
• Please follow the masking recommendations for each neighborhood. This can be found at the entrance to the neighborhood. If masks are recommended, you should wear a mask to enter the building, in the hallways, in common areas, and within 6ft of other residents or staff. While it is encouraged for visitors at all times, you may remove your mask when you are in the personal room of the resident you are visiting, unless other residents or staff are present.
• When masks are recommended for the neighborhood, visits should take place in the resident’s room, outside, or in a designated visitation area
• If you are visiting, we encourage that you stay up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines as defined by the CDC.
• Please note: by visiting you may be putting yourself, the person you are visiting, or the organization at risk for contracting COVID-19.
Federal guidelines require families and representatives to access the facility’s most recent positive case. Per this recommendation, we will update this neighborhood chart daily by 5:00 p.m. (CT) with notice of any new positive cases among staff or resident populations.
- Bethesda Grand First Floor Neighborhood: 3/2/24
- Bethesda Grand Second Floor Neighborhood: 3/5/2024
- Bethesda Grand Memory Care Neighborhood: 3/11/2024
- Bethesda Grand East Neighborhood: 3/12/24
- Bethesda Grand West Neighborhood: 3/17/2024
- Bethesda Club Suites: 12/30/23
- Non-resident care team (office, etc.): 3/15/24
All Areas are Open to Indoor Visitation
Due to guidance changes from CMS, indoor visitation will no longer be adjusted due to positive case results.
Visitation Guidelines
- Visitors must continue to enter via the main entrance of whichever Bethesda location they are visiting. All visitors must be actively screened and check-in and check-out at their entry point. Please review the screening questions prior to visiting here.
- Visitors must immediately travel to their intended resident/tenant’s room.
- Eating and drinking of any kind are still not allowed for visitors under the new guidance.
- Children and pets are welcome to visit. All visitors over 5-years-old must wear a mask at all times, under 5 please wear as tolerated.
- All visitors must be able to remain in the intended room for the duration of the visit.
- We encourage all visitors to consider participating in COVID-19 vaccination if they have not already done so. Learn more at Kandiyohi County Public Health COVID-19 Information Hub
SPECIAL NOTE: Masking guidance is posted at each entrance. Please notice and follow posted recommendations.
Bethesda addresses novel coronavirus (COVID-19)
This page contains all relevant COVID-19 information including visitation options, current COVID-19 status of all communities, and all communication updates. Please scroll for more information and details under provided headings.
The health of our residents, tenants, and team members is our top priority. We appreciate the trust and support they, their families, and the community have placed in Bethesda. We follow strict infection control procedures to help reduce and prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).
The population Bethesda serves – older adults and those with underlying medical conditions – are at greater risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As a licensed skilled nursing and assisted-living facility, we must follow state and federal regulations regarding visitors, infection control, and procedures.
Bethesda is among the 10 largest skilled nursing facilities in Minnesota, with 248 skilled nursing beds. In addition, Bethesda provides 152 senior housing apartments, with 132 in Willmar and 20 in Olivia. Bethesda employs approximately 500 individuals throughout it’s system of care.
Indoor visits
We continue to monitor all COVID-19 guidance, which determines whether visitors can be allowed inside our buildings. We must follow directives from both Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Minnesota Department of Health, as well as consider Bethesda’s current COVID-19 status. Each area of information is evaluated to best determine our ability to maintain our commitment to protecting our residents, tenants, and staff while balancing the desires to remain connected with those we love.
Emergency situations/visits are considered on an individual basis. All who enter Bethesda, including staff, are screened for COVID-19 symptoms.
E-Connect: Virtual visits using technology
We value the importance of relationships and remaining connected. Bethesda has iPads ready for residents and tenants to borrow and use as a way to connect with family and friends through FaceTime, Skype, Zoom, or another program. We encourage family and friends to connect with their loved one at Bethesda through this type of virtual visit. Family and friends can schedule an E-Connect call with their loved one at Bethesda Grand by calling Rebecca at 320-214-5638. Then, prior to the designated E-Connect time that’s been scheduled, a Bethesda team member will bring an iPad (if needed) to the resident or tenant, help them get it set up and ready to use. The team members can help as much or as little as needed. To learn more, click here.
COVID-19 testing, cases, and vaccinations
Bethesda tests all staff in accordance to all CMS and MDH guidance. Bethesda has been conducting COVID-19 testing since May 2020, when we independently arranged weekly testing for all staff, as well as ongoing testing of residents and tenants.
Bethesda, in partnership with Thrifty White Pharmacy, began administering the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to more than 200 residents and staff on Dec. 29, 2020. Bethesda received more vaccines in subsequent weeks and administered additional first doses. Bethesda began administering second doses on Jan. 26, 2021.
COVID-19 contact information
If an issue related to COVID-19 arises that is connected to a specific resident, their designated family/loved ones will be contacted promptly. To ensure Bethesda has updated family contact information, family members are encouraged to connect with Bethesda through the following method:
- Bethesda’s COVID-19 Email: [email protected]
The Minnesota Department of Health takes responsibility for contact tracing and notifications outside of the Bethesda organization.
Spiritual care
Our three chaplains provide daily pastoral care to residents and tenants. Each week, the chaplains record a Sunday worship service and Pastor’s Corner (Bible study), which are available to the public to watch on our YouTube channel. Bethesda’s Sunday worship service also is shown on our Facebook page. Learn more by visiting our Spiritual Care page.
Timeline and public statements
- March 18, 2021: MDH releases new guidance for visitation and outings. Read more.
- Dec. 29, 2020: Bethesda administers first doses of COVID-19 vaccine. Read more.
- Nov. 24, 2020: Bethesda responds to growing rate of positive COVID-19 cases. Read more.
- Oct. 13, 2020: Bethesda Grand, Club Suites currently unable to allow visitors. Read more.
- Sept. 21, 2020: Bethesda lifts 48-hour hold on items delivered to residents. Read more.
- Aug. 26, 2020: Bethesda currently unable to allow indoor visitors. Read more.
- July 24, 2020: Bethesda announces plan for Essential Caregiver program. Read more.
- June 19, 2020: Bethesda to facilitate outdoor visits. Read more.
- May 21, 2020: Bethesda residents, AL tenants clear of COVID-19, 14 staff test positive. Read more.
- May 13, 2020: Bethesda announces private lab partnership for COVID-19 testing. Read more.
- May 4, 2020: Bethesda teams up with area healthcare providers for testing. Read more.
- April 28, 2020: Bethesda Grand has two positive cases. Read more.
- April 27, 2020: Bethesda confirms one case of COVID-19. Read more.
- April 25, 2020: Bethesda announces team member tested positive for COVID-19. Read more.
- April 10, 2020: Safety of residents, tenants and staff is Bethesda’s main priority. Read more.
- March 11, 2020: Bethesda begins aggressive infection control measures and screening procedures. Read more.
More information
- For a daily update on COVID-19 in Minnesota – Visit the Minnesota Department of Health website.
- For more information – For general information about COVID-19, visit the following websites:
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, which has been caring for seniors for more than 100 years, provides 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.