News from the HLRC

I would like to thank all the residents, family, staff, local community, Phillips County Hospital, and the HLRC Board of Directors for all their support during these trying times.

President Donald Trump declared a national emergency March 13 amid the global pandemic, stopping all nursing home visits. Hi-Line Retirement Center restricted all visitors into the facility.

Since the first nursing home case in Kirkland, Washington reported an outbreak resulting in 19 deaths, 147 skilled nursing facilities in 27 states, have at least one resident with COVID-19, according to data that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released Monday. In a Shelby, Mont., nursing home, there have been five COVID-19 cases and two deaths reported.

Two leading industry groups and the federal government told family and friends earlier this month to stay away from senior living centers because some people can have a COVID-19 infection without symptoms. Others may be contagious days before showing symptoms.

The challenge we have here at HLRC is protecting our residents and staff without disrupting the day to day routine of residents.

Please be patient with us during these perilous times. Our goal is to weather this storm with no residents becoming infected. This is only possible with the support of the whole community.

We are deeply concerned that residents are cut off from loved ones and vice versa, HLRC has set up a computer for the resident to Skype their family. You must have internet access and a Skype account. Please call the nursing station and set up an appointment, so we can have your family member ready and log in.

Here are five more things to remember, per the CDC:

*Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

*Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

*Stay home when you are sick.

*Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

*Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.