COVID-19 UPDATE | OCTOBER 30, 2020

Friends and Family of Santa Marta,

After last week’s setback, we’re pleased to report we have no new resident cases this week. On Monday, we tested nearly 100 residents in our Health Services Center (assisted living, skilled nursing, and memory care), all of which returned negative for the virus.

From a staff perspective, our latest round of proactive tests for approximately 200 healthcare team members again found no new cases. Unfortunately, two team members, a nurse and an independent living server, recently tested positive off campus. Fortunately, contact tracing did not identify any close contacts with other staff or residents in either case.

Both individuals are currently quarantined at their respective homes, as are the five additional COVID-positive team members previously identified. We continue to wish them and our two positive independent living residents a speedy recovery. We’re optimistic we’ll be in a position to announce some recoveries in the coming days.

On a more upbeat note, we’ve been very pleased how efficiently outdoor visitation has gone for independent living residents and their families. On Wednesday, Nov. 4, we’ll expand these visits indoors. For information on protocols or how to schedule an indoor visit, please contact updates@www.santamartaretirement.com.

For residents in our Health Services Center, we’re eager to offer these same visitation opportunities. Per guidance from health authorities, the resumption of visits to higher levels of living can only continue 14 days after the last positive diagnosis. Currently, we’re aiming for indoor and outdoor visitation in assisted living, skilled nursing, and memory care the week of Nov. 9 – barring any further cases.

We all know how prevalent this virus remains in Johnson County and the metro. As we transition into colder months, we must redouble our efforts to stay safe and healthy. Please continue to take all appropriate mitigation efforts and remind your loved ones to do the same.

Please note: we fully support residents’ civic duty to vote, and on Tuesday we will assist any resident who wishes to cast their ballot. Please contact the leadership team at the above email for assistance, or with any other questions you may have. Weekly updates will also be shared on our website and Facebook page.

Thank you and God bless,

Chet Surmaczewicz

Executive Director