COVID-19 UPDATE | MAY 28, 2020

May 28, 2020

Friends and Family of Santa Marta,

Earlier this week we shared that a team member tested positive for COVID-19 and that we would conduct contact tracing. While most have shown negative results, three team members were positive. A fourth additional team member tested positive separately and made us aware. While on campus, these four team members were wearing appropriate personal protective equipment while interacting with residents. These affected team members are asymptomatic and are self-isolating at home consistent with our protocols.

This brings our total active cases to five – all team members predominantly working in skilled nursing. Thankfully, at this time, we continue to have no COVID-positive residents at Santa Marta. We’re also pleased to share that our team member who first tested positive, as reported on May 1, has recovered after receiving two consecutive negative tests.

Based on these four new cases, we have already identified a group of residents and team members potentially at risk of exposure. This identified group will be tested today, and per our protocols, residents will be asked to quarantine in their apartments and team members to self-isolate at home until results are confirmed.

I understand this is disheartening news and is likely to raise uncertainty and anxiety for some of us who live and work here and their respective loved ones. We have implemented and continue to follow stringent protocols to keep this virus at bay and identify positive cases. We will continue to follow these protocols, including appropriate testing.

That’s why, out of an abundance of caution, we will test all team members communitywide and residents in health services (assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing), as well as those we believe could be at risk due to substantial time spent in these areas. We anticipate testing will occur by early next week, and we’re grateful for support from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment in this endeavor.

As we’ve seen with many cases throughout the metro, Kansas and Missouri, and nationwide, our COVID-positive team members are currently asymptomatic. This adds a layer of complexity to this pandemic. It also reinforces our need as individuals and a community to maintain and strictly adhere to the prudent policies we have in place.

To streamline communication, we’ve established a dedicated email – updates@www.santamartaretirement.com – for those within the Santa Marta family to ask questions, share concerns or seek additional information. We’ll strive to respond to all inquiries in a timely manner.

Thank you for your continued cooperation, prayers, and messages of encouragement. Our focus and determination remain undeterred. Please continue to watch our website and Facebook page closely for further updates.

Stay safe, and God bless.

Chet Surmaczewicz

Executive Director