Heritage Specialty Care in Cedar Rapids

CEDAR RAPIDS — Novel coronavirus has been confirmed in four residents at a nursing home where two staff members previously tested positive for the virus.

Heritage Specialty Care, 200 Clive Dr. SW, sent a media release on Thursday, March 26, 2020, noting that the four residents had tested positive and were isolated from the rest of the care center’s population.

On March 24, two staff members learned they had tested positive for coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.

More: Coronavirus confirmed at Cedar Rapids nursing home

The center, with 125 staff and 110 residents in its most recent count, offers rehabilitation services, skilled nursing care, long term care and hospice care.

Spokesman Jason Bridie sent the following today:

Cedar Rapids, IA (March 26, 2020) – Heritage Specialty Care in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, learned
today four residents have tested positive for Covid-19 (Coronavirus). Specific details of
resident conditions are not available at this time. Upon learning of the test results we
immediately isolated the affected residents from the rest of the resident population and they
will remain segregated for at least 14 days.

We have been communicating with the Iowa Department of Public Health about today’s
findings and are following their recommendations for resident care and Covid-19 infection
control. The IDPH recommends we continue our enhanced infection control and medical
screening of all residents, which has been in effect since Tuesday when two staff members
tested positive for Covid-19. Residents are being screened two times per day for fever and
respiratory illness. For more than two weeks employees have been screened for fever and
respiratory illness upon entering the building and no visitors have been allowed. We
discontinued communal dining and activities last week.

Staff, residents and family members are being notified by Heritage administration of this latest development. We have taken every precaution to protect our residents throughout the heightened Covid-19 awareness period. We continue to implement recommended infection control procedures to remain vigilant against further exposure.

Family members of residents are welcome to contact us at 319-396-7171 with questions.

A public hotline has been established for Iowans with questions about COVID-19. The line is available 24/7 by calling 2-1-1 or 1-800-244-7431.

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