COVID-19 Update

May 25, 2022

As we enter the late stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, with precautionary guidelines for the public recently changing again, we wanted to provide an update on the practices that we are implementing at LBSA.

We are committed to the health and safety of our clients, employees, and community. Because we provide long-term care to extremely vulnerable people, we will continue to develop and implement standards designed to address the unique challenges in long-term care settings. Our standards are based on information and recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), and the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS). We also consider changes in the COVID-19 transmission level in Minnesota, and particularly in Rice County. This is different from the COVID-19 “community level” established to guide the general public. Therefore, our practices will be different from those recommended for the general public in our state.

We continue to require the following from our staff: the wearing of masks, personal hygiene including hand washing and use of hand sanitizer, social distancing, increased cleaning and disinfecting, and prompt identification and isolation of anyone with symptoms. Our staff support our clients to meet these standards to the extent possible.

Visitors are currently allowed for all residents, without restrictions, in accordance with MDH and CDC guidelines. Visitors will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms and are encouraged to wear masks and conduct hand hygiene when entering LBSA households.

As of June 1, 2022, Laura Baker Center (Main Building) is returning to its pre-pandemic weekday hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Our main phone line will be staffed live during these hours. For a listing of our staff phone numbers, click here.

Our full COVID-19 Preparedness Plan is available here: COVID-19 Preparedness Plan

We will continue to update this situation on our website, and by other means. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns. In the meantime, we hope you are all staying well.

Respectfully,
Sandra Gerdes