CORONAVIRUS PREVENTION UPDATES
Last updated 3/21/2020
What is Primus Incorporated plan for dealing with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)?
Primus Inc. maintains standard protocols and procedures to prevent or limit the spread of infectious disease in Primus Inc locations. Every staff member is trained annually on these procedures and our employees have demonstrated excellent infection control practices over the years.
To specifically address COVID-19:
- An interdisciplinary team is receiving and reviewing information from the CDC and state departments of health daily. The team will evaluate the risks and determine appropriate actions as needed, including updating standard plans.
- Primus Inc. staff are receiving additional training to recognize and report symptoms of COVID-19 or respiratory illness experienced by residents, volunteers or themselves.
- While maintaining standard practices for good hygiene and infection control, all Primus locations are increasing disinfection of frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Clinical care staff are monitoring the health of residents in our care.
- Signs are posted throughout the community reminding everyone to be vigilant about infection control practices.
- Hand washing stations and/or sanitizer dispensers are at all Primus locations.
- All Primus employees who serve are being screened every shift.
- We are working with our suppliers for needed supplies while avoiding stockpiling that could exacerbate shortages.
- Reliable and verified information is being communicated by the management of Primus Inc to staff, residents and the public through our website, social media, email and/or print notifications.
Can I visit the community?
We are following guidance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to restrict all visitors, volunteers and vendors to only essential visits, such as end-of-life or required care and services. Such visits will be limited to minimize potential exposure in resident living spaces in the building.
We are also requiring that these visitors be screened prior to any access to resident living spaces. The screening will include a form that records the name, contact information, duration and purpose of the visit and who is being visited, if applicable, and responses to the following:
- Do you have any of these symptoms: cough, sore throat, runny nose, muscle ache,headache, nausea, vomiting, lost of appetite, lost of smell and/or shortness of breath AND a fever?
- Have you traveled outside of the country or been on a cruise in the last 14 days?
- Have you been in close contact with anyone who is/has been ill with a cough, sore throat, runny nose, and/or shortness of breath AND a fever?
- Which states have you traveled to within the last 14 days?
Are you accepting new residents?
We continue to accept new residents in all living options with appropriate health screening, following the lead of the CDC. According tp Minnesota Department of Health, all new residents or returning residents must be isolated for 14days. If the results of the screening raise any cause for concern, we will further assess and determine next steps before a move-in takes place.
Can I take a tour of a community?
We continue to offer scheduled tours for all Primus locations, also with appropriate health screening. If the results of the screening raise any cause for concern, we will reschedule the tour.
Will I be notified if there is an outbreak at a Primus Inc location?
In the event of a localized outbreak, we will notify residents, staff, volunteers and family. We will post signs at the entrance to the building letting anyone who comes to the building know if there are widespread respiratory symptoms. We will also utilize our community websites and social media channels to inform the public as to the accessibility of the community.
Do you have enough supplies and staff to care for residents in the case of an outbreak?
Supplies will be available and distributed when the need arises. We are working with our suppliers for needed supplies while avoiding stockpiling that will exacerbate shortages. Please note that at this time there is no medication (antibiotic or antiviral) that is effective against the Coronavirus.
What can I do to help?
You can be helpful in the following ways:
- Stay healthy and prevent spreading germs by following recommended actions: frequent hand-washing; avoiding touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and dispose all used tissues; avoid contact with people who are ill.
- Stay in touch with your loved one by phone, text, email or other means that do not require physical proximity.
- Be in prayer with us for those who have already been impacted by this disease; for the well-being of our residents and staff; for those working diligently to provide means of prevention, treatment and cure; and for calm, wisdom and mutual respect to prevail in our greater communities.