MN Department of Health confirms outbreaks at two Rochester senior living facilities

Two local senior living facilities have confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Rochester East Health Services, 501 8th Avenue Southeast, and Rochester Rehabilitation and Living Center, 1900 Ballington Boulevard Northwest, are now listed on the Minnesota Department of Health website alongside more than 30 other long-term care facilities statewide with outbreaks.

In a statement posted to its website Saturday, Rochester East confirmed that two residents have died due to complications from COVID-19.

Additionally, four non-clinical staff members and one other resident have tested positive for the coronavirus. The resident is receiving care at Rochester East in an isolation setting in compliance with CDC guidance, while the staff members are recovering at home, the facility said.

“Following confirmation of positive test results, we immediately informed our residents, their family and their responsible parties, as well as our staff and medical partners,” the statement read. “We are taking all precautionary steps possible to stop the spread of this virus within our center.”

A spokesperson for Rochester Rehabilitation and Living Center said it was notified on March 26 that one employee had tested positive for the virus.

However, because that employee did not work during their exposure window, the Minnesota Department of Health has advised the facility that the situation “poses a low risk” to employees and residents.

(If even one case is confirmed in connection to a long-term care facility, the Minnesota Department of Health is classifying it as an outbreak.)

Both facilities have implemented restrictions on visitor access. Staff are also being screened for symptoms before entering the building.

As of Saturday, 865 Minnesotans have tested positive for COVID-19.

Of the 24 people statewide who have died from the disease, the vast majority have lived in senior care facilities. Public health officials say that while the disease does not discriminate, individuals over the age of 65 are more at risk of developing severe or life-threatening symptoms.

Additional information on COVID-19 in Minnesota can be found here.