Bethany Retirement Living FAQs and COVID-19 Cases as of 9/21/21 9:30am:

Dear families and friends of Bethany Retirement Living:

We continue to have no new positive patient or resident Covid-19 cases at Bethany.  We also have no new employee cases and have cleared all prior positive employee cases.  CMS has issued new testing guidance that finally allows us to contact trace rather than performing whole house testing.  This means that, in the future, if an employee tests positive for COVID-19, we will be allowed to trace where that employee has worked for the past 10 days and isolate testing to a particular unit/household/floor and/or department.  This will help cut down on the number of times a resident/patient has to be swab tested.

We strongly encourage anyone visiting Bethany to get fully vaccinated 2 weeks before your visit.  By doing your part, you will help us reduce the chances of the newest COVID-19 variants getting introduced to vulnerable patients and residents.  We continue to test employees, patients and residents according to CMS regulations and ND Department of Health guidelines.  Daily employee and visitor Covid-19 health screenings remain in effect.  Please review our FAQs below for answers to questions you may have.

We have introduced new non-vaccinated visitor restrictions.  Whether you are vaccinated or not, please visit the visitation section on our website for complete visitation guidelines.  Bethany on 42^nd Skilled Care and Bethany on University Skilled Care continue to allow compassionate care visits.

To keep residents healthy and safe, please consider getting vaccinated as soon as you are able.  If you have not been vaccinated, please consider getting tested before you visit and bring proof of current COVID-19 testing results with you.  The Fargo testing site is offering rapid tests, so you can have the results in 15 minutes.  We prefer proof of a negative COVID-19 test that was taken within the past 5 days.  If you do not get rapid tested, we recommend that you get a PCR test on the same day every week so you get an idea of when you will be receiving the test results from the Department of Health in either ND or MN.  Free testing is available at the following locations:

• Testing site for Fargo/West Fargo, 3051 25^th Street S, Suite K, Fargo.

This site is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, and no appointment is necessary.

• Former Thomas Edison Elementary School, 1110 14^th Street S, Moorhead.

This is saliva testing.  Schedule Appointment with Vault Health

Thrifty White Pharmacy is providing vaccinations for new admissions, new employees and any current resident or employee who wishes to be vaccinated at a scheduled time, one time per week.  Please visit Thriftywhite.com for eligibility details and to sign up for an appointment time.  Please do not call the pharmacy as they cannot schedule appointments.

COVID-19 testing frequency for staff and residents may change quickly as it is dependent on CMS outbreak guidelines.  Resident testing takes place in the residents’ rooms and is coordinated by the Skilled Care and Assisted Living/Basic Care nursing teams.  The test is free of charge.

Bethany employees will contact all residents with positive test results.  If you have any questions or concerns about the test, please contact the social worker or unit manager in Skilled Care or the Nurse in Assisted Living/Basic Care.

At Bethany, if an employee tests positive for COVID-19, they are immediately removed from the schedule and told to quarantine at home.

Bethany will continue to provide updates via our website as our COVID-19 cases change.  You are also able to call us with any questions.  We are providing this link to the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) COVID19 website for your convenience: https://www.health.nd.gov/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/north-dakota-coronavirus-cases .  As we update our information, here are a few guidelines we will be following:

• We are following recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the North Dakota Department of Health.
• We will not be identifying employees, residents or patients who test positive due to confidentiality.
• We will not give information on resident deaths due to confidentiality.

Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers.  We may add or subtract cases as new test results arrive or as cases are resolved.  Due to the timing of the results, they may not be reflected on the State website at the time of this posting.

Sincerely, Shawn Stuhaug, CEO

Frequently Asked Questions:

What have you done to decrease the risk of COVID-19 for residents and educate family members?

• We are following recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), American Health Care Association (AHCA) and the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH).
• Among the first acts undertaken to limit potential exposure was to restrict visitors and lock the entrances to Bethany buildings. As Cass County positivity rates change, we modify our visitation restrictions.  Please visit our website for visiting hours.
• All visitors are screened as they enter Bethany buildings. Visitors are also encouraged to get regular COVID testing that is offered in our community.  Please practice physical distancing when participating in the screening process.
• When available, we strongly urge you to receive the COVID vaccine and present proof of vaccine during the screening process.
• The Bethany website has been enhanced by adding a “Coronavirus Information” tab to share up-to-date information about the pandemic in general and at Bethany Retirement Living.
• Numerous emails have been sent to families from our Social Services team. Please contact a member of the social service team if you would like to be added to the email list.
• Everbridge (Mass Communication System) messages have been distributed by the CEO for education to family member primary contact.
• Letters have been mailed to primary Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) resident contacts, SNF residents without dementia/memory issues, and residents of Towers, Gables and Grace Pointe.
• Potential admissions are screened for symptoms, fever and close contact with a current COVID-positive person. We will also ask your vaccination status.
• Most SNF admissions are initially processed through one unit (TCU) with increased monitoring of potential symptoms.
• A negative COVID test is required prior to a skilled care admission or return from hospital. Even with a negative COVID test, we still quarantine new non-vaccinated skilled care admissions.
• Bethany may admit COVID positive residents periodically if we have a COVID-positive area set up.
• Daily Screening of SNF residents follows CMS recommendations. Monitoring for of any of the following: coughing, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, sore throat, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, muscle aches and loss of taste/smell.
• Screening of Assisted Living and Basic Care residents occurs daily. Symptoms monitored include temperature, pulse and O2 sats along with observation of any of the following: coughing, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, sore throat, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, muscle aches and loss of taste/smell.
• Resident group activities have resumed with the use of facemasks. Some activities are also live streamed.
• Use of hand sanitizer is encouraged for each resident interaction.
• Use of masks is encouraged for all residents.
• Each Bethany campus has a designated Infection Preventionist to provide surveillance and oversight.
• Visual alerts such as signage and posters have been added throughout the facility to encourage hand sanitizing for both residents and staff.

What have you done to educate staff and decrease the risk of COVID-19?

• See questions above as some information applies to both questions.
• Everbridge (Mass Communication System) messages to staff related to education.
• Many YouTube videos have been produced and sent to ALL staff cell phones.
• Educational videos and verbal education are reviewed at shift change/daily huddles, etc.
• Mandatory Healthcare Academy education on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), hand hygiene, COVID-19 and infection prevention have been assigned and made mandatory for all employees.
• Surveillance and auditing of employees is being conducted to ensure proper use of PPE and handwashing is occurring.
• Hand sanitizer is required for all nursing staff to have on the person (this is not new, but an uncommon practice for many SNFs).
• Surgical or N95 facemasks are required for staff when in resident areas. N-95 mask are required for non-vaccinated staff.
• Facemask and face shield requirements may evolve as guidance changes.
• All employees are required to wear face masks when outside of their office spaces.
• Educational resources from the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) that pertain to COVID-19 have been provided to employees.
• Employees are monitored for COVID-19 symptoms at the start of each shift, as well as with staff that call in ill prior to their shift. A detailed spreadsheet enables close tracking of all employees with symptoms and tracks adherence to the Return-to-Work guidance from the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH).
• Employees that have been taken off the schedule due to COVID-19 symptoms, close contact, or having received a positive COVID-19 test result are contacted frequently to monitor symptoms and to determine a safe timeline for return.
• A COVID-19 Leadership team meets to discuss PPE supply and to analyze additional vendors for increased PPE supply, new guidance on COVID-19, vaccination availability etc.
• Leadership team members are on-call 24 hours per day/7 days a week to deal with employee and family questions and concerns.
• Meetings and/or conference calls/webinars/education reviews are held with the NDDoH, Centers for Disease Control, Public Health, ND Long Term Care Association, State immunization offices and American Health Care Association.
• Contact tracing if/when applicable is coordinated with the ND Department of Health.
• Visual alerts such as signs and posters have been added throughout all buildings that encourage staff hand hygiene, resident hand hygiene and proper use of PPE.
• Increased hand hygiene stations have been installed throughout all buildings.
• Staff competencies are routinely completed to establish/verify adherence to infection prevention.

We have received notification that a resident at Bethany has tested positive for COVID-19 and we have the following questions.

Will all residents now be tested?

• Resident testing (mass surveillance testing of all residents) is coordinated and directed by the ND Department of Health. A resident that is symptomatic is tested at the direction of the resident’s physician.

Will all staff be tested?

• Bethany employees complete a health screening at the start of their shift. If an employee triggers a concern on the health screening, they are immediately removed from the schedule.  A Bethany staff member then works with the employee on symptom monitoring, communication with their physician and return to work protocol.
• Staff testing (mass surveillance testing of all staff) is coordinated by Cass County Public Health and directed by the ND Department of Health and is based on the Cass County COVID positivity rate.
• Non-vaccinated employees are tested according to CMS guidelines.

Will COVID-19 positive residents be taken to the hospital?

• A transfer to the hospital is coordinated by the resident’s physician and Bethany staff. Residents who are in a declining health status may be transferred to the hospital as directed by their physician.  Bethany would call 911 in an emergency situation.

What is the vaccination plan for new residents, patients and staff?

• Bethany is working closely with Thrifty White Pharmacy to vaccinate new residents, patients and staff. Thrifty White has secured a weekly allocation of vaccine.  At this time, Thrifty White Pharmacy has enough vaccine allocation to vaccinate new patients, new residents and new staff on a weekly basis if they choose to get vaccinated.  This plan can change quickly based on availability.

Are there any risks I should know before I visit a Long Term Care Facility?

• General visitation or compassionate care visitation for a resident/patient in isolation and/or non-vaccinated should be discussed with your medical provider prior to your Bethany visit as you may be at a greater risk of exposure. We strongly prefer video visits or regular phone calls until a resident or patient isolation is done.

Bethany Retirement Living FAQs and COVID-19 Cases as of 9/07/21 3:00pm:

Dear families and friends of Bethany Retirement Living:

We continue to have no new positive patient or resident Covid-19 cases at Bethany.  From Monday (8/30) through Monday (9/06) we had 2 new positive staff cases at Bethany – one positive employee case in skilled nursing at Bethany on University and one positive employee case in skilled nursing at Bethany on 42nd.  Since learning of the positive cases, we have completed two rounds of testing at Bethany on University and one round of testing at Bethany on 42^nd with no new staff cases.

We strongly encourage anyone visiting Bethany to get fully vaccinated 2 weeks before your visit.  By doing your part, you will help us reduce the chances of the newest COVID-19 variants getting introduced to vulnerable patients and residents.  We continue to test employees, patients and residents according to the updated CMS regulations and ND Department of Health Guidelines.  Daily employee and visitor Covid-19 health screenings remain in effect.  Please review our FAQs below for answers to questions you may have.

We have introduced new non-vaccinated visitor restrictions.  Whether you are vaccinated or not, please visit the visitation section on our website for complete visitation guidelines.  Bethany on 42^nd Skilled Care and Bethany on University Skilled Care continue to allow compassionate care visits.

To keep residents healthy and safe, please consider getting vaccinated as soon as you are able.  If you have not been vaccinated, please consider getting tested before you visit and bring proof of current COVID-19 testing results with you.  The Fargo testing site is offering rapid tests, so you can have the results in 15 minutes.  We prefer proof of a negative COVID-19 test that was taken within the past 5 days.  If you do not get rapid tested, we recommend that you get a PCR test on the same day every week so you get an idea of when you will be receiving the test results from the Department of Health in either ND or MN.  Free testing is available at the following locations:

• Testing site for Fargo/West Fargo, 3051 25^th Street S, Suite K, Fargo.

This site is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, and no appointment is necessary.

• Former Thomas Edison Elementary School, 1110 14^th Street S, Moorhead.

This is saliva testing.  Schedule Appointment with Vault Health

Thrifty White Pharmacy is providing vaccinations for new admissions, new employees and any current resident or employee who wishes to be vaccinated at a scheduled time, one time per week.  Please visit Thriftywhite.com for eligibility details and to sign up for an appointment time.  Please do not call the pharmacy as they cannot schedule appointments.

COVID-19 testing frequency for staff and residents may change quickly as it is dependent on CMS outbreak guidelines.  Resident testing takes place in the residents’ rooms and is coordinated by the Skilled Care and Assisted Living/Basic Care nursing teams.  The test is free of charge.

Bethany employees will contact all residents with positive test results.  If you have any questions or concerns about the test, please contact the social worker or unit manager in Skilled Care or the Nurse in Assisted Living/Basic Care.

At Bethany, if an employee tests positive for COVID-19, they are immediately removed from the schedule and told to quarantine at home.

Bethany will continue to provide updates via our website as our COVID-19 cases change.  You are also able to call us with any questions.  We are providing this link to the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) COVID19 website for your convenience: https://www.health.nd.gov/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/north-dakota-coronavirus-cases .  As we update our information, here are a few guidelines we will be following:

• We are following recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the North Dakota Department of Health.
• We will not be identifying employees, residents or patients who test positive due to confidentiality.
• We will not give information on resident deaths due to confidentiality.

Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers.  We may add or subtract cases as new test results arrive or as cases are resolved.  Due to the timing of the results, they may not be reflected on the State website at the time of this posting.

Sincerely, Shawn Stuhaug, CEO

Frequently Asked Questions:

What have you done to decrease the risk of COVID-19 for residents and educate family members?

• We are following recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), American Health Care Association (AHCA) and the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH).
• Among the first acts undertaken to limit potential exposure was to restrict visitors and lock the entrances to Bethany buildings. As Cass County positivity rates change, we modify our visitation restrictions.  Please visit our website for visiting hours.
• All visitors are screened as they enter Bethany buildings. Visitors are also encouraged to get regular COVID testing that is offered in our community.  Please practice physical distancing when participating in the screening process.
• When available, we strongly urge you to receive the COVID vaccine and present proof of vaccine during the screening process.
• The Bethany website has been enhanced by adding a “Coronavirus Information” tab to share up-to-date information about the pandemic in general and at Bethany Retirement Living.
• Numerous emails have been sent to families from our Social Services team. Please contact a member of the social service team if you would like to be added to the email list.
• Everbridge (Mass Communication System) messages have been distributed by the CEO for education to family member primary contact.
• Letters have been mailed to primary Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) resident contacts, SNF residents without dementia/memory issues, and residents of Towers, Gables and Grace Pointe.
• Potential admissions are screened for symptoms, fever and close contact with a current COVID-positive person. We will also ask your vaccination status.
• Most SNF admissions are initially processed through one unit (TCU) with increased monitoring of potential symptoms.
• A negative COVID test is required prior to a skilled care admission or return from hospital. Even with a negative COVID test, we still quarantine new non-vaccinated skilled care admissions.
• Bethany may admit COVID positive residents periodically if we have a COVID-positive area set up.
• Daily Screening of SNF residents follows CMS recommendations. Monitoring for of any of the following: coughing, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, sore throat, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, muscle aches and loss of taste/smell.
• Screening of Assisted Living and Basic Care residents occurs daily. Symptoms monitored include temperature, pulse and O2 sats along with observation of any of the following: coughing, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, sore throat, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, muscle aches and loss of taste/smell.
• Resident group activities have resumed with the use of facemasks. Some activities are also live streamed.
• Use of hand sanitizer is encouraged for each resident interaction.
• Use of masks is encouraged for all residents.
• Each Bethany campus has a designated Infection Preventionist to provide surveillance and oversight.
• Visual alerts such as signage and posters have been added throughout the facility to encourage hand sanitizing for both residents and staff.

What have you done to educate staff and decrease the risk of COVID-19?

• See questions above as some information applies to both questions.
• Everbridge (Mass Communication System) messages to staff related to education.
• Many YouTube videos have been produced and sent to ALL staff cell phones.
• Educational videos and verbal education are reviewed at shift change/daily huddles, etc.
• Mandatory Healthcare Academy education on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), hand hygiene, COVID-19 and infection prevention have been assigned and made mandatory for all employees.
• Surveillance and auditing of employees is being conducted to ensure proper use of PPE and handwashing is occurring.
• Hand sanitizer is required for all nursing staff to have on the person (this is not new, but an uncommon practice for many SNFs).
• Surgical or N95 facemasks are required for staff when in resident areas. N-95 mask are required for non-vaccinated staff.
• Facemask and face shield requirements may evolve as guidance changes.
• All employees are required to wear face masks when outside of their office spaces.
• Educational resources from the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) that pertain to COVID-19 have been provided to employees.
• Employees are monitored for COVID-19 symptoms at the start of each shift, as well as with staff that call in ill prior to their shift. A detailed spreadsheet enables close tracking of all employees with symptoms and tracks adherence to the Return-to-Work guidance from the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH).
• Employees that have been taken off the schedule due to COVID-19 symptoms, close contact, or having received a positive COVID-19 test result are contacted frequently to monitor symptoms and to determine a safe timeline for return.
• A COVID-19 Leadership team meets to discuss PPE supply and to analyze additional vendors for increased PPE supply, new guidance on COVID-19, vaccination availability etc.
• Leadership team members are on-call 24 hours per day/7 days a week to deal with employee and family questions and concerns.
• Meetings and/or conference calls/webinars/education reviews are held with the NDDoH, Centers for Disease Control, Public Health, ND Long Term Care Association, State immunization offices and American Health Care Association.
• Contact tracing if/when applicable is coordinated with the ND Department of Health.
• Visual alerts such as signs and posters have been added throughout all buildings that encourage staff hand hygiene, resident hand hygiene and proper use of PPE.
• Increased hand hygiene stations have been installed throughout all buildings.
• Staff competencies are routinely completed to establish/verify adherence to infection prevention.

We have received notification that a resident at Bethany has tested positive for COVID-19 and we have the following questions.

Will all residents now be tested?

• Resident testing (mass surveillance testing of all residents) is coordinated and directed by the ND Department of Health. A resident that is symptomatic is tested at the direction of the resident’s physician.

Will all staff be tested?

• Bethany employees complete a health screening at the start of their shift. If an employee triggers a concern on the health screening, they are immediately removed from the schedule.  A Bethany staff member then works with the employee on symptom monitoring, communication with their physician and return to work protocol.
• Staff testing (mass surveillance testing of all staff) is coordinated by Cass County Public Health and directed by the ND Department of Health and is based on the Cass County COVID positivity rate.
• Non-vaccinated employees are tested according to CMS guidelines.

Will COVID-19 positive residents be taken to the hospital?

• A transfer to the hospital is coordinated by the resident’s physician and Bethany staff. Residents who are in a declining health status may be transferred to the hospital as directed by their physician.  Bethany would call 911 in an emergency situation.

What is the vaccination plan for new residents, patients and staff?

• Bethany is working closely with Thrifty White Pharmacy to vaccinate new residents, patients and staff. Thrifty White has secured a weekly allocation of vaccine.  At this time, Thrifty White Pharmacy has enough vaccine allocation to vaccinate new patients, new residents and new staff on a weekly basis if they choose to get vaccinated.  This plan can change quickly based on availability.

Are there any risks I should know before I visit a Long Term Care Facility?

• General visitation or compassionate care visitation for a resident/patient in isolation and/or non-vaccinated should be discussed with your medical provider prior to your Bethany visit as you may be at a greater risk of exposure. We strongly prefer video visits or regular phone calls until a resident or patient isolation is done.

Bethany Retirement Living FAQs and COVID-19 Cases as of 8/31/21 9:30am:

Dear families and friends of Bethany Retirement Living:

We continue to have no new positive patient or resident Covid-19 cases at Bethany.  From Monday (8/23) through Sunday (8/29) we had 2 new positive staff cases at Bethany on University.  We strongly encourage anyone visiting Bethany to get fully vaccinated 2 weeks before your visit.  By doing your part, you will help us reduce the chances of the newest COVID-19 variants getting introduced to vulnerable patients and residents.  We continue to test vaccinated and non-vaccinated employees, patients and residents according to the updated CMS regulations and ND Department of Health Guidelines.  Daily employee and visitor Covid-19 health screenings remain in effect.  Please review our FAQs below for answers to questions you may have.

We have introduced new non-vaccinated visitor restrictions.  Whether you are vaccinated or not, please visit the visitation section on our website for complete visitation guidelines.  Bethany on 42^nd Skilled Care and Bethany on University Skilled Care continue to allow compassionate care visits.

To keep residents healthy and safe, please consider getting vaccinated as soon as you are able.  If you have not been vaccinated, please consider getting tested before you visit and bring proof of current COVID-19 testing results with you.  The Fargo testing site is offering rapid tests, so you can have the results in 15 minutes.  We prefer proof of a negative COVID-19 test that was taken within the past 5 days.  If you do not get rapid tested, we recommend that you get a PCR test on the same day every week so you get an idea of when you will be receiving the test results from the Department of Health in either ND or MN.  Free testing is available at the following locations:

• Testing site for Fargo/West Fargo, 3051 25^th Street S, Suite K, Fargo.

This site is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, and no appointment is necessary.

• Former Thomas Edison Elementary School, 1110 14^th Street S, Moorhead.

This is saliva testing.  Schedule Appointment with Vault Health

Thrifty White Pharmacy is providing vaccinations for new admissions, new employees and any current resident or employee who wishes to be vaccinated at a scheduled time, one time per week.  Please visit Thriftywhite.com for eligibility details and to sign up for an appointment time.  Please do not call the pharmacy as they cannot schedule appointments.

COVID-19 testing frequency for staff and residents may change quickly as it is dependent on CMS outbreak guidelines.  Resident testing takes place in the residents’ rooms and is coordinated by the Skilled Care and Assisted Living/Basic Care nursing teams.  The test is free of charge.

Bethany employees will contact all residents with positive test results.  If you have any questions or concerns about the test, please contact the social worker or unit manager in Skilled Care or the Nurse in Assisted Living/Basic Care.

At Bethany, if an employee tests positive for COVID-19, they are immediately removed from the schedule and told to quarantine at home.  A positive resident is moved to a confined COVID-19 skilled care area with designated staff.

Bethany will continue to provide updates via our website as our COVID-19 cases change.  You are also able to call us with any questions.  We are providing this link to the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) COVID19 website for your convenience https://www.health.nd.gov/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/north-dakota-coronavirus-cases .  As we update our information, here are a few guidelines we will be following:

• We are following recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the North Dakota Department of Health.
• We will not be identifying employees, residents or patients who test positive due to confidentiality.
• We will not give information on resident deaths due to confidentiality.

Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers.  We may add or subtract cases as new test results arrive or as cases are resolved.  Due to the timing of the results, they may not be reflected on the State website at the time of this posting.

Sincerely, Shawn Stuhaug, CEO

Frequently Asked Questions:

What have you done to decrease the risk of COVID-19 for residents and educate family members?

• We are following recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), American Health Care Association (AHCA) and the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH).
• Among the first acts undertaken to limit potential exposure was to restrict visitors and lock the entrances to Bethany buildings. As Cass County positivity rates change, we modify our visitation restrictions.  Please visit our website for visiting hours.
• All visitors are screened as they enter Bethany buildings. Visitors are also encouraged to get regular COVID testing that is offered in our community.  Please practice physical distancing when participating in the screening process.
• When available, we strongly urge you to receive the COVID vaccine and present proof of vaccine during the screening process.
• The Bethany website has been enhanced by adding a “Coronavirus Information” tab to share up-to-date information about the pandemic in general and at Bethany Retirement Living.
• Numerous emails have been sent to families from our Social Services team. Please contact a member of the social service team if you would like to be added to the email list.
• Everbridge (Mass Communication System) messages have been distributed by the CEO for education to family member primary contact.
• Letters have been mailed to primary Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) resident contacts, SNF residents without dementia/memory issues, and residents of Towers, Gables and Grace Pointe.
• Potential admissions are screened for symptoms, fever and close contact with a current COVID-positive person. We will also ask your vaccination status.
• Most SNF admissions are initially processed through one unit (TCU) with increased monitoring of potential symptoms.
• A negative COVID test is required prior to a skilled care admission or return from hospital. Even with a negative COVID test, we still quarantine new non-vaccinated skilled care admissions.
• Bethany may admit COVID positive residents periodically if we have a COVID-positive area set up.
• Daily Screening of SNF residents follows CMS recommendations. Monitoring for of any of the following: coughing, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, sore throat, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, muscle aches and loss of taste/smell.
• Screening of Assisted Living and Basic Care residents occurs daily. Symptoms monitored include temperature, pulse and O2 sats along with observation of any of the following: coughing, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, sore throat, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, muscle aches and loss of taste/smell.
• Resident group activities have resumed with the use of facemasks. Some activities are also live streamed.
• Use of hand sanitizer is encouraged for each resident interaction.
• Use of masks is encouraged for all residents.
• Each Bethany campus has a designated Infection Preventionist to provide surveillance and oversight.
• Visual alerts such as signage and posters have been added throughout the facility to encourage hand sanitizing for both residents and staff.

What have you done to educate staff and decrease the risk of COVID-19?

• See questions above as some information applies to both questions.
• Everbridge (Mass Communication System) messages to staff related to education.
• Many YouTube videos have been produced and sent to ALL staff cell phones.
• Educational videos and verbal education are reviewed at shift change/daily huddles, etc.
• Mandatory Healthcare Academy education on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), hand hygiene, COVID-19 and infection prevention have been assigned and made mandatory for all employees.
• Surveillance and auditing of employees is being conducted to ensure proper use of PPE and handwashing is occurring.
• Hand sanitizer is required for all nursing staff to have on the person (this is not new, but an uncommon practice for many SNFs).
• Surgical or N95 facemasks are required for staff when in resident areas. N-95 mask are required for non-vaccinated staff.
• Facemask and face shield requirements may evolve as guidance changes.
• All employees are required to wear face masks when outside of their office spaces.
• Educational resources from the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) that pertain to COVID-19 have been provided to employees.
• Employees are monitored for COVID-19 symptoms at the start of each shift, as well as with staff that call in ill prior to their shift. A detailed spreadsheet enables close tracking of all employees with symptoms and tracks adherence to the Return-to-Work guidance from the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH).
• Employees that have been taken off the schedule due to COVID-19 symptoms, close contact, or having received a positive COVID-19 test result are contacted frequently to monitor symptoms and to determine a safe timeline for return.
• A COVID-19 Leadership team meets to discuss PPE supply and to analyze additional vendors for increased PPE supply, new guidance on COVID-19, vaccination availability etc.
• Leadership team members are on-call 24 hours per day/7 days a week to deal with employee and family questions and concerns.
• Meetings and/or conference calls/webinars/education reviews are held with the NDDoH, Centers for Disease Control, Public Health, ND Long Term Care Association, State immunization offices and American Health Care Association.
• Contact tracing if/when applicable is coordinated with the ND Department of Health.
• Visual alerts such as signs and posters have been added throughout all buildings that encourage staff hand hygiene, resident hand hygiene and proper use of PPE.
• Increased hand hygiene stations have been installed throughout all buildings.
• Staff competencies are routinely completed to establish/verify adherence to infection prevention.

We have received notification that a resident at Bethany has tested positive for COVID-19 and we have the following questions.

Will all residents now be tested?

• Resident testing (mass surveillance testing of all residents) is coordinated and directed by the ND Department of Health. A resident that is symptomatic is tested at the direction of the resident’s physician.

Will all staff be tested?

• Bethany employees complete a health screening at the start of their shift. If an employee triggers a concern on the health screening, they are immediately removed from the schedule.  A Bethany staff member then works with the employee on symptom monitoring, communication with their physician and return to work protocol.
• Staff testing (mass surveillance testing of all staff) is coordinated by Cass County Public Health and directed by the ND Department of Health and is based on the Cass County COVID positivity rate.
• Non-vaccinated employees are tested according to CMS guidelines.

Will COVID-19 positive residents be taken to the hospital?

• A transfer to the hospital is coordinated by the resident’s physician and Bethany staff. Residents who are in a declining health status may be transferred to the hospital as directed by their physician.  Bethany would call 911 in an emergency situation.

What is the vaccination plan for new residents, patients and staff?

• Bethany is working closely with Thrifty White Pharmacy to vaccinate new residents, patients and staff. Thrifty White has secured a weekly allocation of vaccine.  At this time, Thrifty White Pharmacy has enough vaccine allocation to vaccinate new patients, new residents and new staff on a weekly basis if they choose to get vaccinated.  This plan can change quickly based on availability.

Are there any risks I should know before I visit a Long Term Care Facility?

• General visitation or compassionate care visitation for a resident/patient in isolation and/or non-vaccinated should be discussed with your medical provider prior to your Bethany visit as you may be at a greater risk of exposure. We strongly prefer video visits or regular phone calls until a resident or patient isolation is done.

Bethany Retirement Living FAQs and COVID-19 Cases as of 8/23/21 4:30pm:

Dear families and friends of Bethany Retirement Living:

We continue to have no new positive patient or resident Covid-19 cases at Bethany.  We have 3 new positive staff cases–two at Bethany on 42^nd Skilled Care and one at Bethany on University Skilled Care.  We strongly encourage anyone visiting Bethany to get fully vaccinated 2 weeks before your visit.  By doing your part, you will help us reduce the chances of the newest COVID-19 variants getting introduced to vulnerable patients and residents.  We continue to test vaccinated and non-vaccinated employees, patients and residents according to the updated CMS regulations and ND Department of Health Guidelines.  Daily employee and visitor Covid-19 health screenings will remain in effect.  Please review our FAQs below for answers to questions you may have.

We have introduced new non-vaccinated visitor restrictions.  Whether you are vaccinated or not, please visit the visitation section on our website for complete visitation guidelines.  Bethany on 42^nd Skilled Care and Bethany on University Skilled Care continue to allow compassionate care visits.

To keep residents healthy and safe, please consider getting vaccinated as soon as you are able.  If you have not been vaccinated, please consider getting tested before you visit and bring proof of current COVID-19 testing results with you.  The Fargo testing site is offering rapid tests, so you can have the results in 15 minutes.  We prefer proof of a negative COVID-19 test that was taken within the past 5 days.  If you do not get rapid tested, we recommend that you get a PCR test on the same day every week so you get an idea of when you will be receiving the test results from the Department of Health in either ND or MN.  Free testing is available at the following locations:

• Testing site for Fargo/West Fargo, 3051 25^th Street S, Suite K, Fargo.

This site is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, and no appointment is necessary.

• Former Thomas Edison Elementary School, 1110 14^th Street S, Moorhead.

This is saliva testing.  Schedule Appointment with Vault Health

Thrifty White Pharmacy is providing vaccinations for new admissions, new employees and any current resident or employee who wishes to be vaccinated at a scheduled time, one time per week.  Please visit Thriftywhite.com for eligibility details and to sign up for an appointment time.  Please do not call the pharmacy as they cannot schedule appointments.

COVID-19 testing frequency for staff and residents may change quickly as it is dependent on CMS outbreak guidelines.  Resident testing takes place in the residents’ rooms and is coordinated by the Skilled Care and Assisted Living/Basic Care nursing teams.  The test is free of charge.

Bethany employees will contact all residents with positive test results.  If you have any questions or concerns about the test, please contact the social worker or unit manager in Skilled Care or the Nurse in Assisted Living/Basic Care.

At Bethany, if an employee tests positive for COVID-19, they are immediately removed from the schedule and told to quarantine at home.  A positive resident is moved to a confined COVID-19 skilled care area with designated staff.

Bethany will continue to provide updates via our website as our COVID-19 cases change.  You are also able to call us with any questions.  We are providing this link to the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) COVID19 website for your convenience https://www.health.nd.gov/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/north-dakota-coronavirus-cases .  As we update our information, here are a few guidelines we will be following:

• We are following recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the North Dakota Department of Health.
• We will not be identifying employees, residents or patients who test positive due to confidentiality.
• We will not give information on resident deaths due to confidentiality.

Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers.  We may add or subtract cases as new test results arrive or as cases are resolved.  Due to the timing of the results, they may not be reflected on the State website at the time of this posting.

Sincerely, Shawn Stuhaug, CEO

Frequently Asked Questions:

What have you done to decrease the risk of COVID-19 for residents and educate family members?

• We are following recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), American Health Care Association (AHCA) and the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH).
• Among the first acts undertaken to limit potential exposure was to restrict visitors and lock the entrances to Bethany buildings. As Cass County positivity rates change, we modify our visitation restrictions.  Please visit our website for visiting hours.
• All visitors are screened as they enter Bethany buildings. Visitors are also encouraged to get regular COVID testing that is offered in our community.  Please practice physical distancing when participating in the screening process.
• When available, we strongly urge you to receive the COVID vaccine and present proof of vaccine during the screening process.
• The Bethany website has been enhanced by adding a “Coronavirus Information” tab to share up-to-date information about the pandemic in general and at Bethany Retirement Living.
• Numerous emails have been sent to families from our Social Services team. Please contact a member of the social service team if you would like to be added to the email list.
• Everbridge (Mass Communication System) messages have been distributed by the CEO for education to family member primary contact.
• Letters have been mailed to primary Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) resident contacts, SNF residents without dementia/memory issues, and residents of Towers, Gables and Grace Pointe.
• Potential admissions are screened for symptoms, fever and close contact with a current COVID-positive person. We will also ask your vaccination status.
• Most SNF admissions are initially processed through one unit (TCU) with increased monitoring of potential symptoms.
• A negative COVID test is required prior to a skilled care admission or return from hospital. Even with a negative COVID test, we still quarantine new non-vaccinated skilled care admissions.
• Bethany may admit COVID positive residents periodically if we have a COVID-positive area set up.
• Daily Screening of SNF residents follows CMS recommendations. Monitoring for of any of the following: coughing, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, sore throat, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, muscle aches and loss of taste/smell.
• Screening of Assisted Living and Basic Care residents occurs daily. Symptoms monitored include temperature, pulse and O2 sats along with observation of any of the following: coughing, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, sore throat, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, muscle aches and loss of taste/smell.
• Resident group activities have resumed with the use of facemasks. Some activities are also live streamed.
• Use of hand sanitizer is encouraged for each resident interaction.
• Use of masks is encouraged for all residents.
• Each Bethany campus has a designated Infection Preventionist to provide surveillance and oversight.
• Visual alerts such as signage and posters have been added throughout the facility to encourage hand sanitizing for both residents and staff.

What have you done to educate staff and decrease the risk of COVID-19?

• See questions above as some information applies to both questions.
• Everbridge (Mass Communication System) messages to staff related to education.
• Many YouTube videos have been produced and sent to ALL staff cell phones.
• Educational videos and verbal education are reviewed at shift change/daily huddles, etc.
• Mandatory Healthcare Academy education on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), hand hygiene, COVID-19 and infection prevention have been assigned and made mandatory for all employees.
• Surveillance and auditing of employees is being conducted to ensure proper use of PPE and handwashing is occurring.
• Hand sanitizer is required for all nursing staff to have on the person (this is not new, but an uncommon practice for many SNFs).
• Surgical or N95 facemasks are required for staff when in resident areas. N-95 mask are required for non-vaccinated staff.
• Facemask and face shield requirements may evolve as guidance changes.
• All employees are required to wear face masks when outside of their office spaces.
• Educational resources from the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) that pertain to COVID-19 have been provided to employees.
• Employees are monitored for COVID-19 symptoms at the start of each shift, as well as with staff that call in ill prior to their shift. A detailed spreadsheet enables close tracking of all employees with symptoms and tracks adherence to the Return-to-Work guidance from the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH).
• Employees that have been taken off the schedule due to COVID-19 symptoms, close contact, or having received a positive COVID-19 test result are contacted frequently to monitor symptoms and to determine a safe timeline for return.
• A COVID-19 Leadership team meets to discuss PPE supply and to analyze additional vendors for increased PPE supply, new guidance on COVID-19, vaccination availability etc.
• Leadership team members are on-call 24 hours per day/7 days a week to deal with employee and family questions and concerns.
• Meetings and/or conference calls/webinars/education reviews are held with the NDDoH, Centers for Disease Control, Public Health, ND Long Term Care Association, State immunization offices and American Health Care Association.
• Contact tracing if/when applicable is coordinated with the ND Department of Health.
• Visual alerts such as signs and posters have been added throughout all buildings that encourage staff hand hygiene, resident hand hygiene and proper use of PPE.
• Increased hand hygiene stations have been installed throughout all buildings.
• Staff competencies are routinely completed to establish/verify adherence to infection prevention.

We have received notification that a resident at Bethany has tested positive for COVID-19 and we have the following questions.

Will all residents now be tested?

• Resident testing (mass surveillance testing of all residents) is coordinated and directed by the ND Department of Health. A resident that is symptomatic is tested at the direction of the resident’s physician.

Will all staff be tested?

• Bethany employees complete a health screening at the start of their shift. If an employee triggers a concern on the health screening, they are immediately removed from the schedule.  A Bethany staff member then works with the employee on symptom monitoring, communication with their physician and return to work protocol.
• Staff testing (mass surveillance testing of all staff) is coordinated by Cass County Public Health and directed by the ND Department of Health and is based on the Cass County COVID positivity rate.
• Non-vaccinated employees are tested according to CMS guidelines.

Will COVID-19 positive residents be taken to the hospital?

• A transfer to the hospital is coordinated by the resident’s physician and Bethany staff. Residents who are in a declining health status may be transferred to the hospital as directed by their physician.  Bethany would call 911 in an emergency situation.

What is the vaccination plan for new residents, patients and staff?

• Bethany is working closely with Thrifty White Pharmacy to vaccinate new residents, patients and staff. Thrifty White has secured a weekly allocation of vaccine.  At this time, Thrifty White Pharmacy has enough vaccine allocation to vaccinate new patients, new residents and new staff on a weekly basis if they choose to get vaccinated.  This plan can change quickly based on availability.

Are there any risks I should know before I visit a Long Term Care Facility?

• General visitation or compassionate care visitation for a resident/patient in isolation and/or non-vaccinated should be discussed with your medical provider prior to your Bethany visit as you may be at a greater risk of exposure. We strongly prefer video visits or regular phone calls until a resident or patient isolation is done.

8/20/2021 COVID-19 update.  2:00pm

Bethany has been notified that an unvaccinated employee at Bethany on University Skilled Nursing has tested positive for COVID-19.  Following CMS guidelines, all employees and residents in skilled nursing at Bethany on University will be tested for COVID-19.

Visitation will be suspended at Bethany on University for Skilled Residents except for compassionate visitation.

8/19/2021 COVID-19 update.  4:00pm

Bethany Retirement Living has been notified that a vaccinated employee at Bethany on 42nd has tested positive for COVID-19.  Following CMS guidelines, all employees and residents in skilled nursing and assisted living at Bethany on 42nd will be tested for COVID-19.

            Normal visitation should not be affected at this time and compassionate care visits will continue.

            Continue to check the Bethany website (www.bethanynd.org) for updates.

August 11, 2021

Bethany Retirement Living Requires Employee COVID-19 Vaccinations

In light of the growing threat posed by the Delta variant of COVID-19, Bethany Retirement Living will now require COVID-19 vaccinations for all employees, volunteers, vendors and contractors.

Due to age or underlying conditions, residents and patients at nursing homes and assisted living facilities are at greater risk of severe illness if they contract COVID-19.  As we prepare for an anticipated wave of new infections, exposure to the coronavirus can be reduced significantly through universal COVID-19 vaccinations.

The safety and comfort of residents and patients is always the highest priority at Bethany Retirement Living. More than 93 percent of Bethany employees are already vaccinated – among the highest vaccination rates among North Dakota long-term care facilities.  Requiring vaccination among all employees will help protect those who live and work at Bethany.

Unvaccinated Bethany employees will need to begin the vaccination series by September 15 and complete the series by October 15, 2021.  Beginning August 31, all new employees will need to have received the COVID-19 vaccine. Additionally, contractors, vendors and volunteers entering Bethany buildings will be required to be vaccinated by September 15.

“We are very proud of our employees for embracing the importance of being vaccinated for COVID-19.  This new requirement will provide an additional layer of protection for our residents and patients and for those who work at Bethany Retirement Living.  As challenging as staffing is today, ensuring the safety of our residents, patients and staff takes priority,” said Shawn Stuhaug, President and CEO at Bethany Retirement Living.

Following the lead of the American Medical Association, American Nurses Association, LeadingAge (a national long-term care association), American Health Care Association and others, Bethany Retirement Living is doing everything possible to combat the virus and requiring vaccinations for employees is an important step.

8/6/2021 COVID-19 update.  12:00pm

Bethany Retirement Living has been notified that a vaccinated employee in Skilled Nursing at Bethany on University has tested positive for COVID-19.  Following CMS guidelines, all employees and residents in skilled nursing at Bethany on University will be tested for COVID-19 today (Friday 8/6) and again on Monday (8/9).

Normal visitation is also suspended until Tuesday, 8/10, depending on test results.  Compassionate care visits will continue.

Continue to check the Bethany website (www.bethanynd.org) for updates.

Bethany Retirement Living FAQs and COVID-19 Cases as of 7/7/21 8:00am:

Dear families and friends of Bethany Retirement Living:

We continue to have no new positive staff, patient or resident Covid-19 cases at Bethany as of 7/7/2021.  We strongly encourage anyone visiting Bethany to get fully vaccinated 2 weeks before your visit.  By doing your part, you will help us reduce the chances of the newest COVID-19 variants getting introduced to vulnerable residents.   We continue to test non-vaccinated employees according to the updated CMS regulations.  Daily employee and visitor Covid-19 health screenings will remain in effect.  Please review our FAQs below for answers to questions you may have.

Bethany Towers I & II and Bethany Gables are continuing to offer expanded hours of visitation.  Bethany on 42^nd Skilled Care and Bethany on University Skilled Care are allowing expanded hours visitation and compassionate care visits.  Please see visitation section on our website for complete details.

To keep residents healthy and safe, please consider getting vaccinated as soon as you are able.  If you have not been vaccinated, please consider getting tested before you visit and bring proof of current COVID-19 testing results with you.  The Fargo testing site is offering rapid tests, so you can have the results in 15 minutes.  We prefer proof of a negative COVID-19 test that was taken within the past 5 days.  If you do not get rapid tested, we recommend that you get a PCR test on the same day every week so you get an idea of when you will be receiving the test results from the Department of Health in either ND or MN.  Free testing is available at the following locations:

• Testing site for Fargo/West Fargo, 3051 25^th Street S, Suite K, Fargo.

This site is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, and no appointment is necessary.

• Former Thomas Edison Elementary School, 1110 14^th Street S, Moorhead.

This is saliva testing.  Schedule Appointment with Vault Health

Thrifty White Pharmacy is providing vaccinations for new admissions, new employees and any current resident or employee who wishes to be vaccinated at a scheduled time, one time per week.  Please visit Thriftywhite.com for eligibility details and to sign up for an appointment time.  Please do not call the pharmacy as they cannot schedule appointments.

COVID-19 testing frequency for staff and residents may change quickly as it is dependent on CMS outbreak guidelines.  Resident testing takes place in the residents’ rooms and is coordinated by the Skilled Care and Assisted Living/Basic Care nursing teams.  The test is free of charge.

Bethany employees will contact all residents with positive test results.  If you have any questions or concerns about the test, please contact the social worker or unit manager in Skilled Care or the Nurse in Assisted Living/Basic Care.

At Bethany, if an employee tests positive for COVID-19, they are immediately removed from the schedule and told to quarantine at home.  A positive resident is moved to a confined COVID-19 skilled care area with designated staff.

Bethany will continue to provide updates via our website as our COVID-19 cases change.  You are also able to call us with any questions.  We are providing this link to the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) COVID19 website for your convenience https://www.health.nd.gov/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/north-dakota-coronavirus-cases .  As we update our information, here are a few guidelines we will be following:

• We are following recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the North Dakota Department of Health.
• We will not be identifying employees, residents or patients who test positive due to confidentiality.
• We will not give information on resident deaths due to confidentiality.

Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers.  We may add or subtract cases as new test results arrive or as cases are resolved.  Due to the timing of the results, they may not be reflected on the State website at the time of this posting.

Sincerely, Shawn Stuhaug, CEO

Frequently Asked Questions:

What have you done to decrease the risk of COVID-19 for residents and educate family members?

• We are following recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), American Health Care Association (AHCA) and the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH).
• Among the first acts undertaken to limit potential exposure was to restrict visitors and lock the entrances to Bethany buildings. As Cass County positivity rates change, we modify our visitation restrictions.  Please visit our website for visiting hours.
• All visitors are screened as they enter Bethany buildings. Visitors are also encouraged to get regular COVID testing that is offered in our community.  Please practice physical distancing when participating in the screening process.
• When available, we strongly urge you to receive the COVID vaccine and present proof of vaccine during the screening process.
• The Bethany website has been enhanced by adding a “Coronavirus Information” tab to share up-to-date information about the pandemic in general and at Bethany Retirement Living.
• Numerous emails have been sent to families from our Social Services team. Please contact a member of the social service team if you would like to be added to the email list.
• Everbridge (Mass Communication System) messages have been distributed by the CEO for education to family member primary contact.
• Letters have been mailed to primary Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) resident contacts, SNF residents without dementia/memory issues, and residents of Towers, Gables and Grace Pointe.
• Potential admissions are screened for symptoms, fever and close contact with a current COVID-positive person. We will also ask your vaccination status.
• Most SNF admissions are initially processed through one unit (TCU) with increased monitoring of potential symptoms.
• A negative COVID test is required prior to a skilled care admission or return from hospital. Even with a negative COVID test, we still quarantine new non-vaccinated skilled care admissions.
• Bethany may admit COVID positive residents periodically if we have a COVID-positive area set up.
• Daily Screening of SNF residents follows CMS recommendations. Monitoring for of any of the following: coughing, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, sore throat, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, muscle aches and loss of taste/smell.
• Screening of Assisted Living and Basic Care residents occurs daily. Symptoms monitored include temperature, pulse and O2 sats along with observation of any of the following: coughing, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, sore throat, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, muscle aches and loss of taste/smell.
• Resident group activities have resumed with the use of facemasks. Some activities are also live streamed.
• Use of hand sanitizer is encouraged for each resident interaction.
• Use of masks is encouraged for all residents.
• Each Bethany campus has a designated Infection Preventionist to provide surveillance and oversight.
• Visual alerts such as signage and posters have been added throughout the facility to encourage hand sanitizing for both residents and staff.

What have you done to educate staff and decrease the risk of COVID-19?

• See questions above as some information applies to both questions.
• Everbridge (Mass Communication System) messages to staff related to education.
• Many YouTube videos have been produced and sent to ALL staff cell phones.
• Educational videos and verbal education are reviewed at shift change/daily huddles, etc.
• Mandatory Healthcare Academy education on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), hand hygiene, COVID-19 and infection prevention have been assigned and made mandatory for all employees.
• Surveillance and auditing of employees is being conducted to ensure proper use of PPE and handwashing is occurring.
• Hand sanitizer is required for all nursing staff to have on the person (this is not new, but an uncommon practice for many SNFs).
• Surgical or N95 facemasks are required for staff when in resident areas. N-95 mask are required for non-vaccinated staff.
• Facemask and face shield requirements may evolve as guidance changes.
• All employees are required to wear face masks when outside of their office spaces.
• Educational resources from the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) that pertain to COVID-19 have been provided to employees.
• Employees are monitored for COVID-19 symptoms at the start of each shift, as well as with staff that call in ill prior to their shift. A detailed spreadsheet enables close tracking of all employees with symptoms and tracks adherence to the Return-to-Work guidance from the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH).
• Employees that have been taken off the schedule due to COVID-19 symptoms, close contact, or having received a positive COVID-19 test result are contacted frequently to monitor symptoms and to determine a safe timeline for return.
• A COVID-19 Leadership team meets to discuss PPE supply and to analyze additional vendors for increased PPE supply, new guidance on COVID-19, vaccination availability etc.
• Leadership team members are on-call 24 hours per day/7 days a week to deal with employee and family questions and concerns.
• Meetings and/or conference calls/webinars/education reviews are held with the NDDoH, Centers for Disease Control, Public Health, ND Long Term Care Association, State immunization offices and American Health Care Association.
• Contact tracing if/when applicable is coordinated with the ND Department of Health.
• Visual alerts such as signs and posters have been added throughout all buildings that encourage staff hand hygiene, resident hand hygiene and proper use of PPE.
• Increased hand hygiene stations have been installed throughout all buildings.
• Staff competencies are routinely completed to establish/verify adherence to infection prevention.

We have received notification that a resident at Bethany has tested positive for COVID-19 and we have the following questions.

Will all residents now be tested?

• Resident testing (mass surveillance testing of all residents) is coordinated and directed by the ND Department of Health. A resident that is symptomatic is tested at the direction of the resident’s physician.

Will all staff be tested?

• Bethany employees complete a health screening at the start of their shift. If an employee triggers a concern on the health screening, they are immediately removed from the schedule.  A Bethany staff member then works with the employee on symptom monitoring, communication with their physician and return to work protocol.
• Staff testing (mass surveillance testing of all staff) is coordinated by Cass County Public Health and directed by the ND Department of Health and is based on the Cass County COVID positivity rate.
• Non-vaccinated employees are tested according to CMS guidelines.

Will COVID-19 positive residents be taken to the hospital?

• A transfer to the hospital is coordinated by the resident’s physician and Bethany staff. Residents who are in a declining health status may be transferred to the hospital as directed by their physician.  Bethany would call 911 in an emergency situation.

What is the vaccination plan for new residents, patients and staff?

• Bethany is working closely with Thrifty White Pharmacy to vaccinate new residents, patients and staff. Thrifty White has secured a weekly allocation of vaccine.  At this time, Thrifty White Pharmacy has enough vaccine allocation to vaccinate new patients, new residents and new staff on a weekly basis if they choose to get vaccinated.  This plan can change quickly based on availability.

Are there any risks I should know before I visit a Long Term Care Facility?

• General visitation or compassionate care visitation for a resident/patient in isolation and/or non-vaccinated should be discussed with your medical provider prior to your Bethany visit as you may be at a greater risk of exposure. We strongly prefer video visits or regular phone calls until a resident or patient isolation is done.

Bethany Retirement Living FAQs and COVID-19 Cases as of 6/8/21 3:00pm:

Dear families and friends of Bethany Retirement Living:

We continue to have no new positive staff, patient or resident Covid-19 cases at Bethany as of 6/8/2021.  Since the vaccinations appear to be containing the virus well and our internal case count has remained at zero, I will be providing updates on a less-frequent basis.  Future updates will occur if CMS or North Dakota Department of Health regulations change or if we have a new positive COVID-19 case.   Thank you for following these updates throughout the pandemic.  We continue to test non-vaccinated employees according to the updated regulations.  Daily employee and visitor Covid-19 health screenings will remain in effect.  Please review our FAQs below for answers to questions you may have.

CDC  has released Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People .  These new guidelines do not apply to healthcare settings; therefore we will continue to follow all of the guidelines we currently have in place at Bethany.  The guidelines under which we are operating comply with CMS and the ND Department of Health rules and regulations.

Bethany Towers I & II and Bethany Gables are allowing expanded hours of visitation.  Bethany on 42^nd Skilled Care and Bethany on University Skilled Care are allowing expanded hours visitation and compassionate care visits.  Please see visitation section on our website for complete details.

To keep residents healthy and safe, please consider getting vaccinated as soon as you are able.  If you have not been vaccinated, please consider getting tested before you visit and bring proof of current COVID-19 testing results with you.  The Fargo testing site is now offering rapid tests, so you can have the results in 15 minutes.  We prefer proof of a negative COVID-19 test that was taken within the past 5 days.  If you do not get rapid tested, we recommend that you get a PCR test on the same day every week so you get an idea of when you will be receiving the test results from the Department of Health in either ND or MN.  Free testing is available at the following locations:

• Testing site for Fargo/West Fargo, 3051 25^th Street S, Suite K, Fargo.

This site is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, and no appointment is necessary.

• Former Thomas Edison Elementary School, 1110 14^th Street S, Moorhead.

This is saliva testing.  Schedule Appointment with Vault Health

Thrifty White Pharmacy is now providing vaccinations for new admissions, new employees and any current resident or employee who wishes to be vaccinated at a scheduled time, one time per week.  Please visit Thriftywhite.com for eligibility details and to sign up for an appointment time.  Please do not call the pharmacy as they cannot schedule appointments.

COVID-19 testing frequency for staff and residents may change quickly as it is dependent on CMS outbreak guidelines.  Resident testing takes place in the residents’ rooms and is coordinated by the Skilled Care and Assisted Living/Basic Care nursing teams.  The test is free of charge.

Bethany employees will contact all residents with positive test results.  If you have any questions or concerns about the test, please contact the social worker or unit manager in Skilled Care or the Nurse in Assisted Living/Basic Care.

At Bethany, if an employee tests positive for COVID-19, they are immediately removed from the schedule and told to quarantine at home.  A positive resident is moved to a confined COVID-19 skilled care area with designated staff.

Bethany will continue to provide updates via our website as our COVID-19 cases change.  You are also able to call us with any questions.  We are providing this link to the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) COVID19 website for your convenience https://www.health.nd.gov/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/north-dakota-coronavirus-cases .  As we update our information, here are a few guidelines we will be following:

• We are following recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the North Dakota Department of Health.
• We will not be identifying employees, residents or patients who test positive due to confidentiality.
• We will not give information on resident deaths due to confidentiality.

Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers.  We may add or subtract cases as new test results arrive or as cases are resolved.  Due to the timing of the results, they may not be reflected on the State website at the time of this posting.

Sincerely, Shawn Stuhaug, CEO

Frequently Asked Questions:

What have you done to decrease the risk of COVID-19 for residents and educate family members?

• We are following recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), American Health Care Association (AHCA) and the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH).
• Among the first acts undertaken to limit potential exposure was to restrict visitors and lock the entrances to Bethany buildings. As Cass County positivity rates change, we modify our visitation restrictions.  Please visit our website for visiting hours.
• All visitors are screened as they enter Bethany buildings. Visitors are also encouraged to get regular COVID testing that is offered in our community.  Please practice physical distancing when participating in the screening process.
• When available, we strongly urge you to receive the COVID vaccine and present proof of vaccine during the screening process.
• The Bethany website has been enhanced by adding a “Coronavirus Information” tab to share up-to-date information about the pandemic in general and at Bethany Retirement Living.
• Numerous emails have been sent to families from our Social Services team. Please contact a member of the social service team if you would like to be added to the email list.
• Everbridge (Mass Communication System) messages have been distributed by the CEO for education to family member primary contact.
• Letters have been mailed to primary Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) resident contacts, SNF residents without dementia/memory issues, and residents of Towers, Gables and Grace Pointe.
• Potential admissions are screened for symptoms, fever and close contact with a current COVID-positive person. We will also ask your vaccination status.
• Most SNF admissions are initially processed through one unit (TCU) with increased monitoring of potential symptoms.
• A negative COVID test is required prior to a skilled care admission or return from hospital. Even with a negative COVID test, we still quarantine new non-vaccinated skilled care admissions.
• Bethany may admit COVID positive residents periodically if we have a COVID-positive area set up.
• Daily Screening of SNF residents follows CMS recommendations. Monitoring for of any of the following: coughing, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, sore throat, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, muscle aches and loss of taste/smell.
• Screening of Assisted Living and Basic Care residents occurs daily. Symptoms monitored include temperature, pulse and O2 sats along with observation of any of the following: coughing, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, sore throat, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, muscle aches and loss of taste/smell.
• Resident group activities have resumed with the use of facemasks. Some activities are also live streamed.
• Use of hand sanitizer is encouraged for each resident interaction.
• Use of masks is encouraged for all residents.
• Each Bethany campus has a designated Infection Preventionist to provide surveillance and oversight.
• Visual alerts such as signage and posters have been added throughout the facility to encourage hand sanitizing for both residents and staff.

What have you done to educate staff and decrease the risk of COVID-19?

• See questions above as some information applies to both questions.
• Everbridge (Mass Communication System) messages to staff related to education.
• Many YouTube videos have been produced and sent to ALL staff cell phones.
• Educational videos and verbal education are reviewed at shift change/daily huddles, etc.
• Mandatory Healthcare Academy education on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), hand hygiene, COVID-19 and infection prevention have been assigned and made mandatory for all employees.
• Surveillance and auditing of employees is being conducted to ensure proper use of PPE and handwashing is occurring.
• Hand sanitizer is required for all nursing staff to have on the person (this is not new, but an uncommon practice for most SNFs).
• Surgical or N95 facemasks are required for staff when in resident areas. N-95 mask are required for non-vaccinated staff.
• Facemask and face shield requirements may evolve as guidance changes.
• All employees are required to wear face masks when outside of their office spaces.
• Educational resources from the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) that pertain to COVID-19 have been provided to employees.
• Employees are monitored for COVID-19 symptoms at the start of each shift, as well as with staff that call in ill prior to their shift. A detailed spreadsheet enables close tracking of all employees with symptoms and tracks adherence to the Return-to-Work guidance from the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH).
• Employees that have been taken off the schedule due to COVID-19 symptoms, close contact, or having received a positive COVID-19 test result are contacted frequently to monitor symptoms and to determine a safe timeline for return.
• A COVID-19 Leadership team meets regularly to discuss PPE supply and to analyze additional vendors for increased PPE supply, new guidance on COVID-19,vaccination availability etc.
• Leadership team members are on-call 24 hours per day/7 days a week to deal with employee and family questions and concerns.
• Weekly or bi-weekly meetings and/or conference calls/webinars/education reviews are held with the NDDoH, Centers for Disease Control, Public Health, ND Long Term Care Association, State immunization offices and American Health Care Association.
• Contact tracing if/when applicable is coordinated with the ND Department of Health.
• Visual alerts such as signs and posters have been added throughout all buildings that encourage staff hand hygiene, resident hand hygiene and proper use of PPE.
• Increased hand hygiene stations have been installed throughout all buildings.
• Staff competencies are routinely completed to establish/verify adherence to infection prevention.

We have received notification that a resident at Bethany has tested positive for COVID-19 and we have the following questions.

Will all residents now be tested?

• Resident testing (mass surveillance testing of all residents) is coordinated and directed by the ND Department of Health. A resident that is symptomatic is tested at the direction of the resident’s physician.

Will all staff be tested?

• Bethany employees complete a health screening at the start of their shift. If an employee triggers a concern on the health screening, they are immediately removed from the schedule.  A Bethany staff member then works with the employee on symptom monitoring, communication with their physician and return to work protocol.
• Staff testing (mass surveillance testing of all staff) is coordinated by Cass County Public Health and directed by the ND Department of Health and is based on the Cass County COVID positivity rate.
• Non-vaccinated employees are tested according to CMS guidelines.

Will COVID-19 positive residents be taken to the hospital?

• A transfer to the hospital is coordinated by the resident’s physician and Bethany staff. Residents who are in a declining health status may be transferred to the hospital as directed by their physician.  Bethany would call 911 in an emergency situation.

What is the vaccination plan for new residents, patients and staff?

• Bethany is working closely with Thrifty White Pharmacy to vaccinate new residents, patients and staff. Thrifty White has secured a weekly allocation of vaccine.  At this time, Thrifty White Pharmacy has enough vaccine allocation to vaccinate new patients, new residents and new staff on a weekly basis if they choose to get vaccinated.  This plan can change quickly based on availability.

Are there any risks I should know before I visit a Long Term Care Facility?

• General visitation or compassionate care visitation for a resident/patient in isolation and/or non-vaccinated should be discussed with your medical provider prior to your Bethany visit as you may be at a greater risk of exposure. We strongly prefer video visits or regular phone calls until a resident or patient isolation is done.

Bethany Retirement Living FAQs and COVID-19 Cases as of 6/1/21 3:00pm:

Dear families and friends of Bethany Retirement Living:

We had no new positive staff, patient or resident Covid-19 cases at Bethany from Monday (5/24) through Sunday (5/30).  We continue to test non-vaccinated employees according to the updated regulations.  Daily employee and visitor Covid-19 health screenings will remain in effect.  Please review our FAQs below for answers to questions you may have.

CDC  has released Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People .  These new guidelines do not apply to healthcare settings; therefore we will continue to follow all of the guidelines we currently have in place at Bethany.  The guidelines under which we are operating comply with CMS and the ND Department of Health rules and regulations.

Bethany Towers I & II and Bethany Gables are allowing expanded hours of visitation.  Bethany on 42^nd Skilled Care and Bethany on University Skilled Care are allowing expanded hours visitation and compassionate care visits.  Please see visitation section on our website for complete details.

To keep residents healthy and safe, please consider getting vaccinated as soon as you are able.  If you have not been vaccinated, please consider getting tested before you visit and bring proof of current COVID-19 testing results with you.  The Fargo testing site is now offering rapid tests, so you can have the results in 15 minutes.  We prefer proof of a negative COVID-19 test that was taken within the past 5 days.  If you do not get rapid tested, we recommend that you get a PCR test on the same day every week so you get an idea of when you will be receiving the test results from the Department of Health in either ND or MN.  Free testing is available at the following locations:

• Testing site for Fargo/West Fargo, 3051 25^th Street S, Suite K, Fargo.

This site is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, and no appointment is necessary.

• Former Thomas Edison Elementary School, 1110 14^th Street S, Moorhead.

This is saliva testing.  Schedule Appointment with Vault Health

Thrifty White Pharmacy is now providing vaccinations for new admissions, new employees and any current resident or employee who wishes to be vaccinated at a scheduled time, one time per week.  Please visit Thriftywhite.com for eligibility details and to sign up for an appointment time.  Please do not call the pharmacy as they cannot schedule appointments.

COVID-19 testing frequency for staff and residents may change quickly as it is dependent on CMS outbreak guidelines.  Resident testing takes place in the residents’ rooms and is coordinated by the Skilled Care and Assisted Living/Basic Care nursing teams.  The test is free of charge.

Bethany employees will contact all residents with positive test results.  If you have any questions or concerns about the test, please contact the social worker or unit manager in Skilled Care or the Nurse in Assisted Living/Basic Care.

At Bethany, if an employee tests positive for COVID-19, they are immediately removed from the schedule and told to quarantine at home.  A positive resident is moved to a confined COVID-19 skilled care area with designated staff.

Bethany will continue to provide updates via our website as our COVID-19 cases change.  You are also able to call us with any questions.  We are providing this link to the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) COVID19 website for your convenience https://www.health.nd.gov/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/north-dakota-coronavirus-cases .  As we update our information, here are a few guidelines we will be following:

• We are following recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the North Dakota Department of Health.
• We will not be identifying employees, residents or patients who test positive due to confidentiality.
• We will not give information on resident deaths due to confidentiality.

Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers.  We may add or subtract cases as new test results arrive or as cases are resolved.  Due to the timing of the results, they may not be reflected on the State website at the time of this posting.

Sincerely, Shawn Stuhaug, CEO

Frequently Asked Questions:

What have you done to decrease the risk of COVID-19 for residents and educate family members?

• We are following recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), American Health Care Association (AHCA) and the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH).
• Among the first acts undertaken to limit potential exposure was to restrict visitors and lock the entrances to Bethany buildings. As Cass County positivity rates change, we modify our visitation restrictions.  Please visit our website for visiting hours.
• All visitors are screened as they enter Bethany buildings. Visitors are also encouraged to get regular COVID testing that is offered in our community.  Please practice physical distancing when participating in the screening process.
• When available, we strongly urge you to receive the COVID vaccine and present proof of vaccine during the screening process.
• The Bethany website has been enhanced by adding a “Coronavirus Information” tab to share up-to-date information about the pandemic in general and at Bethany Retirement Living.
• Numerous emails have been sent to families from our Social Services team. Please contact a member of the social service team if you would like to be added to the email list.
• Everbridge (Mass Communication System) messages have been distributed by the CEO for education to family member primary contact.
• Letters have been mailed to primary Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) resident contacts, SNF residents without dementia/memory issues, and residents of Towers, Gables and Grace Pointe.
• Potential admissions are screened for symptoms, fever and close contact with a current COVID-positive person. We will also ask your vaccination status.
• Most SNF admissions are initially processed through one unit (TCU) with increased monitoring of potential symptoms.
• A negative COVID test is required prior to a skilled care admission or return from hospital. Even with a negative COVID test, we still quarantine new non-vaccinated skilled care admissions.
• Bethany may admit COVID positive residents periodically if we have a COVID-positive area set up.
• Daily Screening of SNF residents follows CMS recommendations. Monitoring for of any of the following: coughing, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, sore throat, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, muscle aches and loss of taste/smell.
• Screening of Assisted Living and Basic Care residents occurs daily. Symptoms monitored include temperature, pulse and O2 sats along with observation of any of the following: coughing, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, sore throat, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, muscle aches and loss of taste/smell.
• Resident group activities have resumed with the use of facemasks. Some activities are also live streamed.
• Use of hand sanitizer is encouraged for each resident interaction.
• Use of masks is encouraged for all residents.
• Each Bethany campus has a designated Infection Preventionist to provide surveillance and oversight.
• Visual alerts such as signage and posters have been added throughout the facility to encourage hand sanitizing for both residents and staff.

What have you done to educate staff and decrease the risk of COVID-19?

• See questions above as some information applies to both questions.
• Everbridge (Mass Communication System) messages to staff related to education.
• Many YouTube videos have been produced and sent to ALL staff cell phones.
• Educational videos and verbal education are reviewed at shift change/daily huddles, etc.
• Mandatory Healthcare Academy education on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), hand hygiene, COVID-19 and infection prevention have been assigned and made mandatory for all employees.
• Surveillance and auditing of employees is being conducted to ensure proper use of PPE and handwashing is occurring.
• Hand sanitizer is required for all nursing staff to have on the person (this is not new, but an uncommon practice for most SNFs).
• Surgical or N95 facemasks are required for staff when in resident areas. N-95 mask are required for non-vaccinated staff.
• Facemask and face shield requirements may evolve as guidance changes.
• All employees are required to wear face masks when outside of their office spaces.
• Educational resources from the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) that pertain to COVID-19 have been provided to employees.
• Employees are monitored for COVID-19 symptoms at the start of each shift, as well as with staff that call in ill prior to their shift. A detailed spreadsheet enables close tracking of all employees with symptoms and tracks adherence to the Return-to-Work guidance from the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH).
• Employees that have been taken off the schedule due to COVID-19 symptoms, close contact, or having received a positive COVID-19 test result are contacted frequently to monitor symptoms and to determine a safe timeline for return.
• A COVID-19 Leadership team meets regularly to discuss PPE supply and to analyze additional vendors for increased PPE supply, new guidance on COVID-19,vaccination availability etc.
• Leadership team members are on-call 24 hours per day/7 days a week to deal with employee and family questions and concerns.
• Weekly or bi-weekly meetings and/or conference calls/webinars/education reviews are held with the NDDoH, Centers for Disease Control, Public Health, ND Long Term Care Association, State immunization offices and American Health Care Association.
• Contact tracing if/when applicable is coordinated with the ND Department of Health.
• Visual alerts such as signs and posters have been added throughout all buildings that encourage staff hand hygiene, resident hand hygiene and proper use of PPE.
• Increased hand hygiene stations have been installed throughout all buildings.
• Staff competencies are routinely completed to establish/verify adherence to infection prevention.

We have received notification that a resident at Bethany has tested positive for COVID-19 and we have the following questions.

Will all residents now be tested?

• Resident testing (mass surveillance testing of all residents) is coordinated and directed by the ND Department of Health. A resident that is symptomatic is tested at the direction of the resident’s physician.

Will all staff be tested?

• Bethany employees complete a health screening at the start of their shift. If an employee triggers a concern on the health screening, they are immediately removed from the schedule.  A Bethany staff member then works with the employee on symptom monitoring, communication with their physician and return to work protocol.
• Staff testing (mass surveillance testing of all staff) is coordinated by Cass County Public Health and directed by the ND Department of Health and is based on the Cass County COVID positivity rate.
• Non-vaccinated employees are tested according to CMS guidelines.

Will COVID-19 positive residents be taken to the hospital?

• A transfer to the hospital is coordinated by the resident’s physician and Bethany staff. Residents who are in a declining health status may be transferred to the hospital as directed by their physician.  Bethany would call 911 in an emergency situation.

What is the vaccination plan for new residents, patients and staff?

• Bethany is working closely with Thrifty White Pharmacy to vaccinate new residents, patients and staff. Thrifty White has secured a weekly allocation of vaccine.  At this time, Thrifty White Pharmacy has enough vaccine allocation to vaccinate new patients, new residents and new staff on a weekly basis if they choose to get vaccinated.  This plan can change quickly based on availability.

Are there any risks I should know before I visit a Long Term Care Facility?

• General visitation or compassionate care visitation for a resident/patient in isolation and/or non-vaccinated should be discussed with your medical provider prior to your Bethany visit as you may be at a greater risk of exposure. We strongly prefer video visits or regular phone calls until a resident or patient isolation is done.

Bethany Retirement Living FAQs and COVID-19 Cases as of 5/25/21 2:30pm:

Dear families and friends of Bethany Retirement Living:

We had no new positive staff, patient or resident Covid-19 cases at Bethany from Monday (5/17) through Sunday (5/23).  We continue to test non-vaccinated employees according to the updated regulations.  Daily employee and visitor Covid-19 health screenings will remain in effect.  Please review our FAQs below for answers to questions you may have.

CDC  has released Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People .  These new guidelines do not apply to healthcare settings; therefore we will continue to follow all of the guidelines we currently have in place at Bethany.  The guidelines under which we are operating comply with CMS and the ND Department of Health rules and regulations.

Bethany Towers I & II and Bethany Gables are allowing expanded hours of visitation.  Bethany on 42^nd Skilled Care and Bethany on University Skilled Care are allowing expanded hours visitation and compassionate care visits.  Please see visitation section on our website for complete details.

To keep residents healthy and safe, please consider getting vaccinated as soon as you are able.  If you have not been vaccinated, please consider getting tested before you visit and bring proof of current COVID-19 testing results with you.  The Fargo testing site is now offering rapid tests, so you can have the results in 15 minutes.  We prefer proof of a negative COVID-19 test that was taken within the past 5 days.  If you do not get rapid tested, we recommend that you get a PCR test on the same day every week so you get an idea of when you will be receiving the test results from the Department of Health in either ND or MN.  Free testing is available at the following locations:

• Testing site for Fargo/West Fargo, 3051 25^th Street S, Suite K, Fargo.

This site is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, and no appointment is necessary.

• Former Thomas Edison Elementary School, 1110 14^th Street S, Moorhead.

This is saliva testing.  Schedule Appointment with Vault Health

Thrifty White Pharmacy is now providing vaccinations for new admissions, new employees and any current resident or employee who wishes to be vaccinated at a scheduled time, one time per week.  Please visit Thriftywhite.com for eligibility details and to sign up for an appointment time.  Please do not call the pharmacy as they cannot schedule appointments.

COVID-19 testing frequency for staff and residents may change quickly as it is dependent on CMS outbreak guidelines.  Resident testing takes place in the residents’ rooms and is coordinated by the Skilled Care and Assisted Living/Basic Care nursing teams.  The test is free of charge.

Bethany employees will contact all residents with positive test results.  If you have any questions or concerns about the test, please contact the social worker or unit manager in Skilled Care or the Nurse in Assisted Living/Basic Care.

At Bethany, if an employee tests positive for COVID-19, they are immediately removed from the schedule and told to quarantine at home.  A positive resident is moved to a confined COVID-19 skilled care area with designated staff.

Bethany will continue to provide updates via e-mail and our website as our COVID-19 cases change.  You are also able to call us with any questions.  We are providing this link to the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) COVID19 website for your convenience https://www.health.nd.gov/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/north-dakota-coronavirus-cases .  As we update our information, here are a few guidelines we will be following:

• We are following recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the North Dakota Department of Health.
• We will not be identifying employees, residents or patients who test positive due to confidentiality.
• We will not give information on resident deaths due to confidentiality.

Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers.  We may add or subtract cases as new test results arrive or as cases are resolved.  Due to the timing of the results, they may not be reflected on the State website at the time of this posting.

Sincerely, Shawn Stuhaug, CEO

Frequently Asked Questions:

What have you done to decrease the risk of COVID-19 for residents and educate family members?

• We are following recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), American Health Care Association (AHCA) and the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH).
• Among the first acts undertaken to limit potential exposure was to restrict visitors and lock the entrances to Bethany buildings. As Cass County positivity rates change, we modify our visitation restrictions.  Please visit our website for visiting hours.
• All visitors are screened as they enter Bethany buildings. Visitors are also encouraged to get regular COVID testing that is offered in our community.  Please practice physical distancing when participating in the screening process.
• When available, we strongly urge you to receive the COVID vaccine and present proof of vaccine during the screening process.
• The Bethany website has been enhanced by adding a “Coronavirus Information” tab to share up-to-date information about the pandemic in general and at Bethany Retirement Living.
• Numerous emails have been sent to families from our Social Services team. Please contact a member of the social service team if you would like to be added to the email list.
• Everbridge (Mass Communication System) messages have been distributed by the CEO for education to family member primary contact.
• Letters have been mailed to primary Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) resident contacts, SNF residents without dementia/memory issues, and residents of Towers, Gables and Grace Pointe.
• Potential admissions are screened for symptoms, fever and close contact with a current COVID-positive person. We will also ask your vaccination status.
• Most SNF admissions are initially processed through one unit (TCU) with increased monitoring of potential symptoms.
• A negative COVID test is required prior to a skilled care admission or return from hospital. Even with a negative COVID test, we still quarantine new non-vaccinated skilled care admissions.
• Bethany may admit COVID positive residents periodically if we have a COVID-positive area set up.
• Daily Screening of SNF residents follows CMS recommendations. Monitoring for of any of the following: coughing, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, sore throat, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, muscle aches and loss of taste/smell.
• Screening of Assisted Living and Basic Care residents occurs daily. Symptoms monitored include temperature, pulse and O2 sats along with observation of any of the following: coughing, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, sore throat, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, muscle aches and loss of taste/smell.
• Resident group activities have resumed with the use of facemasks. Some activities are also live streamed.
• Use of hand sanitizer is encouraged for each resident interaction.
• Use of masks is encouraged for all residents.
• Each Bethany campus has a designated Infection Preventionist to provide surveillance and oversight.
• Visual alerts such as signage and posters have been added throughout the facility to encourage hand sanitizing for both residents and staff.

What have you done to educate staff and decrease the risk of COVID-19?

• See questions above as some information applies to both questions.
• Everbridge (Mass Communication System) messages to staff related to education.
• Many YouTube videos have been produced and sent to ALL staff cell phones.
• Educational videos and verbal education are reviewed at shift change/daily huddles, etc.
• Mandatory Healthcare Academy education on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), hand hygiene, COVID-19 and infection prevention have been assigned and made mandatory for all employees.
• Surveillance and auditing of employees is being conducted to ensure proper use of PPE and handwashing is occurring.
• Hand sanitizer is required for all nursing staff to have on the person (this is not new, but an uncommon practice for most SNFs).
• Surgical or N95 facemasks are required for staff when in resident areas. N-95 mask are required for non-vaccinated staff.
• Facemask and face shield requirements may evolve as guidance changes.
• All employees are required to wear face masks when outside of their office spaces.
• Educational resources from the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) that pertain to COVID-19 have been provided to employees.
• Employees are monitored for COVID-19 symptoms at the start of each shift, as well as with staff that call in ill prior to their shift. A detailed spreadsheet enables close tracking of all employees with symptoms and tracks adherence to the Return-to-Work guidance from the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH).
• Employees that have been taken off the schedule due to COVID-19 symptoms, close contact, or having received a positive COVID-19 test result are contacted frequently to monitor symptoms and to determine a safe timeline for return.
• A COVID-19 Leadership team meets regularly to discuss PPE supply and to analyze additional vendors for increased PPE supply, new guidance on COVID-19,vaccination availability etc.
• Leadership team members are on-call 24 hours per day/7 days a week to deal with employee and family questions and concerns.
• Weekly or bi-weekly meetings and/or conference calls/webinars/education reviews are held with the NDDoH, Centers for Disease Control, Public Health, ND Long Term Care Association, State immunization offices and American Health Care Association.
• Contact tracing if/when applicable is coordinated with the ND Department of Health.
• Visual alerts such as signs and posters have been added throughout all buildings that encourage staff hand hygiene, resident hand hygiene and proper use of PPE.
• Increased hand hygiene stations have been installed throughout all buildings.
• Staff competencies are routinely completed to establish/verify adherence to infection prevention.

We have received notification that a resident at Bethany has tested positive for COVID-19 and we have the following questions.

Will all residents now be tested?

• Resident testing (mass surveillance testing of all residents) is coordinated and directed by the ND Department of Health. A resident that is symptomatic is tested at the direction of the resident’s physician.

Will all staff be tested?

• Bethany employees complete a health screening at the start of their shift. If an employee triggers a concern on the health screening, they are immediately removed from the schedule.  A Bethany staff member then works with the employee on symptom monitoring, communication with their physician and return to work protocol.
• Staff testing (mass surveillance testing of all staff) is coordinated by Cass County Public Health and directed by the ND Department of Health and is based on the Cass County COVID positivity rate.
• Non-vaccinated employees are tested according to CMS guidelines.

Will COVID-19 positive residents be taken to the hospital?

• A transfer to the hospital is coordinated by the resident’s physician and Bethany staff. Residents who are in a declining health status may be transferred to the hospital as directed by their physician.  Bethany would call 911 in an emergency situation.

What is the vaccination plan for new residents, patients and staff?

• Bethany is working closely with Thrifty White Pharmacy to vaccinate new residents, patients and staff. Thrifty White has secured a weekly allocation of vaccine.  At this time, Thrifty White Pharmacy has enough vaccine allocation to vaccinate new patients, new residents and new staff on a weekly basis if they choose to get vaccinated.  This plan can change quickly based on availability.

Are there any risks I should know before I visit a Long Term Care Facility?

• General visitation or compassionate care visitation for a resident/patient in isolation and/or non-vaccinated should be discussed with your medical provider prior to your Bethany visit as you may be at a greater risk of exposure. We strongly prefer video visits or regular phone calls until a resident or patient isolation is done.

Bethany Retirement Living FAQs and COVID-19 Cases as of 5/17/21 2:30pm:

Dear families and friends of Bethany Retirement Living:

We had no new positive staff, patient or resident Covid-19 cases at Bethany from Monday (5/10) through Sunday (5/16).  We continue to test non-vaccinated employees according to the updated regulations.  Daily employee and visitor Covid-19 health screenings will remain in effect.  Please review our FAQs below for answers to questions you may have.

On Thursday, May 13^th, the CDC released Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People .  These new guidelines do not apply to healthcare settings; therefore we will continue to follow all of the guidelines we currently have in place at Bethany.  The guidelines under which we are operating comply with CMS and the ND Department of Health rules and regulations.

Bethany Towers I & II and Bethany Gables are allowing expanded hours of visitation.  Bethany on 42^nd Skilled Care and Bethany on University Skilled Care are allowing expanded hours visitation and compassionate care visits.  Please see visitation section on our website for complete details.

To keep residents healthy and safe, please consider getting vaccinated as soon as you are able.  If you have not been vaccinated, please consider getting tested before you visit and bring proof of current COVID-19 testing results with you.  The Fargo testing site is now offering rapid tests, so you can have the results in 15 minutes.  We prefer proof of a negative COVID-19 test that was taken within the past 5 days.  If you do not get rapid tested, we recommend that you get a PCR test on the same day every week so you get an idea of when you will be receiving the test results from the Department of Health in either ND or MN.  Free testing is available at the following locations:

• Testing site for Fargo/West Fargo, 3051 25^th Street S, Suite K, Fargo.

This site is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, and no appointment is necessary.

• Former Thomas Edison Elementary School, 1110 14^th Street S, Moorhead.

This is saliva testing.  Schedule Appointment with Vault Health

Thrifty White Pharmacy is now providing vaccinations for new admissions, new employees and any current resident or employee who wishes to be vaccinated at a scheduled time, one time per week.  Please visit Thriftywhite.com for eligibility details and to sign up for an appointment time.  Please do not call the pharmacy as they cannot schedule appointments.

COVID-19 testing frequency for staff and residents may change quickly as it is dependent on CMS outbreak guidelines.  Resident testing takes place in the residents’ rooms and is coordinated by the Skilled Care and Assisted Living/Basic Care nursing teams.  The test is free of charge.

Bethany employees will contact all residents with positive test results.  If you have any questions or concerns about the test, please contact the social worker or unit manager in Skilled Care or the Nurse in Assisted Living/Basic Care.

At Bethany, if an employee tests positive for COVID-19, they are immediately removed from the schedule and told to quarantine at home.  A positive resident is moved to a confined COVID-19 skilled care area with designated staff.

Bethany will continue to provide updates via e-mail and our website as our COVID-19 cases change.  You are also able to call us with any questions.  We are providing this link to the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) COVID19 website for your convenience https://www.health.nd.gov/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/north-dakota-coronavirus-cases .  As we update our information, here are a few guidelines we will be following:

• We are following recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the North Dakota Department of Health.
• We will not be identifying employees, residents or patients who test positive due to confidentiality.
• We will not give information on resident deaths due to confidentiality.

Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers.  We may add or subtract cases as new test results arrive or as cases are resolved.  Due to the timing of the results, they may not be reflected on the State website at the time of this posting.

Sincerely, Shawn Stuhaug, CEO

Frequently Asked Questions:

What have you done to decrease the risk of COVID-19 for residents and educate family members?

• We are following recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), American Health Care Association (AHCA) and the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH).
• Among the first acts undertaken to limit potential exposure was to restrict visitors and lock the entrances to Bethany buildings. As Cass County positivity rates change, we modify our visitation restrictions.  Please visit our website for visiting hours.
• All visitors are screened as they enter Bethany buildings. Visitors are also encouraged to get regular COVID testing that is offered in our community.  Please practice physical distancing when participating in the screening process.
• When available, we strongly urge that you receive the COVID vaccine and present proof of vaccine during the screening process.
• The Bethany website has been enhanced by adding a “Coronavirus Information” tab to share up-to-date information about the pandemic in general and at Bethany Retirement Living.
• Numerous emails have been sent to families from our Social Services team. Please contact a member of the social service team if you would like to be added to the email list.
• Everbridge (Mass Communication System) messages have been distributed by the CEO for education to family member primary contact.
• Letters have been mailed to primary Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) resident contacts, SNF residents without dementia/memory issues, and residents of Towers, Gables and Grace Pointe.
• Potential admissions are screened for symptoms, fever and close contact to a current COVID-positive person. We will also ask your vaccination status.
• SNF admissions are initially processed through one unit (TCU) with increased monitoring of potential symptoms.
• A negative COVID test is required prior to a skilled care admission or return from hospital. Even with a negative COVID test, we still quarantine new skilled care admissions and hospital/ER returns for 14 days.
• Bethany may admit COVID positive residents periodically if we have a COVID-positive area set up.
• Screening of SNF residents occurs daily and at times two or three times/day. Symptoms monitored include a set of vital signs along with the observation of any of the following: coughing, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, sore throat, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, muscle aches and loss of taste/smell.
• Screening of Assisted Living and Basic Care residents occurs daily and, at times, two times/day. Symptoms monitored include temperature, pulse and O2 sats along with observation of any of the following: coughing, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, sore throat, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, muscle aches and loss of taste/smell.
• Resident Activities of Daily Living (ADL) sheets are updated to include prompts for hand sanitizing of resident hands and resident mask placement.
• Non-emergent resident appointments are being decreased, if able.
• Resident group activities are starting to resume while also practicing social distancing and use of facemasks. Some activities are also live streamed.
• Residents are encouraged to remain in their room when not attending an activity, therapy or exercise.
• Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy is being conducted in both the resident rooms and in the therapy/wellness center as long as the resident/patient is not in isolation.
• We are slowly introducing communal dining that promotes physical distancing in our assisted living, basic care and skilled care settings. Communal dining plans may change quickly as ND Department of Health guidelines change.
• Use of hand sanitizer is encouraged for each resident interaction.
• Use of masks is encouraged for all residents.
• Each Bethany campus has a designated Infection Preventionist to provide surveillance and oversight.
• Visual alerts such as signage and posters have been added throughout the facility to encourage hand sanitizing for both residents and staff.

What have you done to educate staff and decrease the risk of COVID-19?

• See questions above as some information applies to both questions.
• Everbridge (Mass Communication System) messages to staff related to education.
• Many YouTube videos have been produced and sent to ALL staff cell phones.
• Educational videos and verbal education are reviewed at shift change/daily huddles, etc.
• Mandatory Healthcare Academy education on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), hand hygiene, COVID-19 and infection prevention have been assigned and made mandatory for all employees.
• Surveillance and auditing of employees is being conducted to ensure proper use of PPE and handwashing is occurring.
• Hand sanitizer is required for all nursing staff to have on the person (this is not new, but an uncommon practice for most SNFs).
• Surgical or N95 facemasks are required for staff when in resident areas. Face shields and an N-95 mask are required for non-vaccinated staff.
• Facemask and face shield requirements may evolve as guidance changes.
• All employees are required to wear face masks when outside of their office spaces.
• High-touch surfaces are sanitized multiple times per day in office spaces, common areas, etc.
• Educational resources from the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) that pertain to COVID-19 have been provided to employees.
• Employees are monitored for COVID-19 symptoms at the start of each shift, as well as with staff that call in ill prior to their shift. A detailed spreadsheet enables close tracking of all employees with symptoms and tracks adherence to the Return-to-Work guidance from the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH).
• Employees that have been taken off the schedule due to COVID-19 symptoms, close contact, or having received a positive COVID-19 test result are contacted frequently to monitor symptoms and to determine a safe timeline for return.
• A COVID-19 Leadership team meets regularly to discuss PPE supply and to analyze additional vendors for increased PPE supply, new guidance on COVID-19,vaccination availability etc.
• Meetings are held weekly to discuss employees who are furloughed and their plans for return to work.
• Leadership team members are on-call 24 hours per day/7 days a week to deal with employee and family questions and concerns.
• Weekly or bi-weekly meetings and/or conference calls/webinars/education reviews are held with the NDDoH, Centers for Disease Control, Public Health, ND Long Term Care Association, State immunization offices and American Health Care Association.
• Contact tracing if/when applicable is coordinated with the ND Department of Health.
• Excess chairs have been removed in break room areas to limit tables to two staff members at a table only. Additional space has been opened up for employee breaks to allow for social distancing.
• Visual alerts such as signs and posters have been added throughout all buildings that encourage staff hand hygiene, resident hand hygiene and proper use of PPE.
• Increased hand hygiene stations have been installed throughout all buildings.
• Staff competencies are routinely completed to establish/verify adherence to infection prevention.

We have received notification that a resident at Bethany has tested positive for COVID-19 and we have the following questions.

Will all residents now be tested?

• Resident testing (mass surveillance testing of all residents) is coordinated and directed by the ND Department of Health. A resident that is symptomatic is tested at the direction of the resident’s physician.

Will all staff be tested?

• Bethany employees complete a health screening at the start of their shift. If an employee triggers a concern on the health screening, they are immediately removed from the schedule.  A Bethany staff member then works with the employee on symptom monitoring, communication with their physician and return to work protocol.
• Staff testing (mass surveillance testing of all staff) is coordinated by Cass County Public Health and directed by the ND Department of Health and is based on the Cass County COVID positivity rate.
• Non-vaccinated staff are tested weekly.

Will COVID-19 positive residents be taken to the hospital?

• A transfer to the hospital is coordinated by the resident’s physician and Bethany staff. Residents who are in a declining health status may be transferred to the hospital as directed by their physician.  Bethany would call 911 in an emergency situation.

What is the vaccination plan for new residents, patients and staff?

• Bethany is working closely with Thrifty White Pharmacy to vaccinate new residents, patients and staff. Thrifty White has secured a weekly allocation of vaccine.  At this time, Thrifty White Pharmacy should have enough vaccine allocation to vaccinate new patients, new residents and new staff on a weekly basis if they chose to get vaccinated.  This plan can change quickly as the federal government can change distribution plans at any time.

Bethany Retirement Living FAQs and COVID-19 Cases as of 5/10/21 2:30pm:

Dear families and friends of Bethany Retirement Living:

Happy National Skilled Nursing Care Week.  Cass County continues to be classification level “Green” by the ND Department of Health; therefore, we will now be testing non-vaccinated employees one time per month.  CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) and the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) released updated staff testing rules and regulations that state vaccinated staff no longer have to be Covid-19 tested during routine testing.

We had one positive staff case at Bethany on University from Monday (5/3) through Sunday (5/9).  There were no other positive resident or staff cases.  We will continue to test non-vaccinated employees according to the updated regulations.  Daily employee and visitor Covid-19 health screenings will remain in effect.  Please review our FAQs below for answers to questions you may have.

Bethany Towers I & II and Bethany Gables are allowing expanded hours of visitation.  Bethany on 42^nd Skilled Care and Bethany on University Skilled Care are allowing expanded hours visitation and compassionate care visits.  Please see visitation section on our website for complete details.

To keep residents healthy and safe, please consider getting vaccinated as soon as you are able.  If you have not been vaccinated, please consider getting tested before you visit and bring proof of current COVID-19 testing results with you.  The Fargo testing site is now offering rapid tests, so you can have the results in 15 minutes.  We prefer proof of a negative COVID-19 test that was taken within the past 5 days.  If you do not get rapid tested, we recommend that you get a PCR test on the same day every week so you get an idea of when you will be receiving the test results from the Department of Health in either ND or MN.  Free testing is available at the following locations:

• Testing site for Fargo/West Fargo, 3051 25^th Street S, Suite K, Fargo.

This site is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, and no appointment is necessary.

• Former Thomas Edison Elementary School, 1110 14^th Street S, Moorhead.

This is saliva testing.  Schedule Appointment with Vault Health

Thrifty White Pharmacy is now providing vaccinations for new admissions, new employees and any current resident or employee who wishes to be vaccinated at a scheduled time, one time per week.  Please visit Thriftywhite.com for eligibility details and to sign up for an appointment time.  Please do not call the pharmacy as they cannot schedule appointments.

COVID-19 testing frequency for staff and residents may change quickly as it is dependent on CMS outbreak guidelines.  Resident testing takes place in the residents’ rooms and is coordinated by the Skilled Care and Assisted Living/Basic Care nursing teams.  The test is free of charge.

Bethany employees will contact all residents with positive test results.  If you have any questions or concerns about the test, please contact the social worker or unit manager in Skilled Care or the Nurse in Assisted Living/Basic Care.

At Bethany, if an employee tests positive for COVID-19, they are immediately removed from the schedule and told to quarantine at home.  A positive resident is moved to a confined COVID-19 skilled care area with designated staff.

Bethany will continue to provide updates via e-mail and our website as our COVID-19 cases change.  You are also able to call us with any questions.  We are providing this link to the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) COVID19 website for your convenience https://www.health.nd.gov/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/north-dakota-coronavirus-cases .  As we update our information, here are a few guidelines we will be following:

• We are following recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the North Dakota Department of Health.
• We will not be identifying employees, residents or patients who test positive due to confidentiality.
• We will not give information on resident deaths due to confidentiality.

Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers.  We may add or subtract cases as new test results arrive or as cases are resolved.  Due to the timing of the results, they may not be reflected on the State website at the time of this posting.

Sincerely, Shawn Stuhaug, CEO

Frequently Asked Questions:

What have you done to decrease the risk of COVID-19 for residents and educate family members?

• We are following recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), American Health Care Association (AHCA) and the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH).
• Among the first acts undertaken to limit potential exposure was to restrict visitors and lock the entrances to Bethany buildings. As Cass County positivity rates change, we modify our visitation restrictions.  Please visit our website for visiting hours.
• All visitors are screened as they enter Bethany buildings. Visitors are also encouraged to get regular COVID testing that is offered in our community.  Please practice physical distancing when participating in the screening process.
• When available, we strongly urge that you receive the COVID vaccine and present proof of vaccine during the screening process.
• The Bethany website has been enhanced by adding a “Coronavirus Information” tab to share up-to-date information about the pandemic in general and at Bethany Retirement Living.
• Numerous emails have been sent to families from our Social Services team. Please contact a member of the social service team if you would like to be added to the email list.
• Everbridge (Mass Communication System) messages have been distributed by the CEO for education to family member primary contact.
• Letters have been mailed to primary Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) resident contacts, SNF residents without dementia/memory issues, and residents of Towers, Gables and Grace Pointe.
• Potential admissions are screened for symptoms, fever and close contact to a current COVID-positive person. We will also ask your vaccination status.
• SNF admissions are initially processed through one unit (TCU) with increased monitoring of potential symptoms.
• A negative COVID test is required prior to a skilled care admission or return from hospital. Even with a negative COVID test, we still quarantine new skilled care admissions and hospital/ER returns for 14 days.
• Bethany may admit COVID positive residents periodically if we have a COVID-positive area set up.
• Screening of SNF residents occurs daily and at times two or three times/day. Symptoms monitored include a set of vital signs along with the observation of any of the following: coughing, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, sore throat, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, muscle aches and loss of taste/smell.
• Screening of Assisted Living and Basic Care residents occurs daily and, at times, two times/day. Symptoms monitored include temperature, pulse and O2 sats along with observation of any of the following: coughing, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, sore throat, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, muscle aches and loss of taste/smell.
• Resident Activities of Daily Living (ADL) sheets are updated to include prompts for hand sanitizing of resident hands and resident mask placement.
• Non-emergent resident appointments are being decreased, if able.
• Resident group activities are starting to resume while also practicing social distancing and use of facemasks. Some activities are also live streamed.
• Residents are encouraged to remain in their room when not attending an activity, therapy or exercise.
• Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy is being conducted in both the resident rooms and in the therapy/wellness center as long as the resident/patient is not in isolation.
• We are slowly introducing communal dining that promotes physical distancing in our assisted living, basic care and skilled care settings. Communal dining plans may change quickly as ND Department of Health guidelines change.
• Use of hand sanitizer is encouraged for each resident interaction.
• Use of masks is encouraged for all residents.
• Each Bethany campus has a designated Infection Preventionist to provide surveillance and oversight.
• Visual alerts such as signage and posters have been added throughout the facility to encourage hand sanitizing for both residents and staff.

What have you done to educate staff and decrease the risk of COVID-19?

• See questions above as some information applies to both questions.
• Everbridge (Mass Communication System) messages to staff related to education.
• Many YouTube videos have been produced and sent to ALL staff cell phones.
• Educational videos and verbal education are reviewed at shift change/daily huddles, etc.
• Mandatory Healthcare Academy education on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), hand hygiene, COVID-19 and infection prevention have been assigned and made mandatory for all employees.
• Surveillance and auditing of employees is being conducted to ensure proper use of PPE and handwashing is occurring.
• Hand sanitizer is required for all nursing staff to have on the person (this is not new, but an uncommon practice for most SNFs).
• Surgical or N95 facemasks are required for staff when in resident areas. Face shields and an N-95 mask are required for non-vaccinated staff.
• Facemask and face shield requirements may evolve as guidance changes.
• All employees are required to wear face masks when outside of their office spaces.
• High-touch surfaces are sanitized multiple times per day in office spaces, common areas, etc.
• Educational resources from the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) that pertain to COVID-19 have been provided to employees.
• Employees are monitored for COVID-19 symptoms at the start of each shift, as well as with staff that call in ill prior to their shift. A detailed spreadsheet enables close tracking of all employees with symptoms and tracks adherence to the Return-to-Work guidance from the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH).
• Employees that have been taken off the schedule due to COVID-19 symptoms, close contact, or having received a positive COVID-19 test result are contacted frequently to monitor symptoms and to determine a safe timeline for return.
• A COVID-19 Leadership team meets regularly to discuss PPE supply and to analyze additional vendors for increased PPE supply, new guidance on COVID-19,vaccination availability etc.
• Meetings are held weekly to discuss employees who are furloughed and their plans for return to work.
• Leadership team members are on-call 24 hours per day/7 days a week to deal with employee and family questions and concerns.
• Weekly or bi-weekly meetings and/or conference calls/webinars/education reviews are held with the NDDoH, Centers for Disease Control, Public Health, ND Long Term Care Association, State immunization offices and American Health Care Association.
• Contact tracing if/when applicable is coordinated with the ND Department of Health.
• Excess chairs have been removed in break room areas to limit tables to two staff members at a table only. Additional space has been opened up for employee breaks to allow for social distancing.
• Visual alerts such as signs and posters have been added throughout all buildings that encourage staff hand hygiene, resident hand hygiene and proper use of PPE.
• Increased hand hygiene stations have been installed throughout all buildings.
• Staff competencies are routinely completed to establish/verify adherence to infection prevention.

We have received notification that a resident at Bethany has tested positive for COVID-19 and we have the following questions.

Will all residents now be tested?

• Resident testing (mass surveillance testing of all residents) is coordinated and directed by the ND Department of Health. A resident that is symptomatic is tested at the direction of the resident’s physician.

Will all staff be tested?

• Bethany employees complete a health screening at the start of their shift. If an employee triggers a concern on the health screening, they are immediately removed from the schedule.  A Bethany staff member then works with the employee on symptom monitoring, communication with their physician and return to work protocol.
• Staff testing (mass surveillance testing of all staff) is coordinated by Cass County Public Health and directed by the ND Department of Health and is based on the Cass County COVID positivity rate.
• Non-vaccinated staff are tested weekly.

Will COVID-19 positive residents be taken to the hospital?

• A transfer to the hospital is coordinated by the resident’s physician and Bethany staff. Residents who are in a declining health status may be transferred to the hospital as directed by their physician.  Bethany would call 911 in an emergency situation.

What is the vaccination plan for new residents, patients and staff?

• Bethany is working closely with Thrifty White Pharmacy to vaccinate new residents, patients and staff. Thrifty White has secured a weekly allocation of vaccine.  At this time, Thrifty White Pharmacy should have enough vaccine allocation to vaccinate new patients, new residents and new staff on a weekly basis if they chose to get vaccinated.  This plan can change quickly as the federal government can change distribution plans at any time.

Bethany Retirement Living FAQs and COVID-19 Cases as of 5/04/21 9:30am:

Dear families and friends of Bethany Retirement Living:

From Monday (4/26) through Sunday (5/2), Bethany conducted 713 standard surveillance COVID-19 swab tests for residents and staff at both Bethany on 42^nd and Bethany on University.  There were no new positive resident or staff cases.  Cass County continues to be classification level “Green” by the ND Department of Health; therefore, we will move to testing non-vaccinated employees one time per month.  CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) and the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) released updated staff testing rules and regulations that state vaccinated staff no longer have to be Covid-19 tested during routine testing.  We will continue to test non-vaccinated employees according to the updated regulations.  Daily employee and visitor Covid-19 health screenings will remain in effect.  Please review our FAQs below for answers to questions you may have.

Bethany Towers I & II and Bethany Gables are allowing expanded hours of visitation.  Bethany on 42^nd Skilled Care and Bethany on University Skilled Care are allowing expanded hours visitation and compassionate care visits.  Please see visitation section on our website for complete details.

To keep residents healthy and safe, please consider getting vaccinated as soon as you are able.  If you have not been vaccinated, please consider getting tested before you visit and bring proof of current COVID-19 testing results with you.  The Fargo testing site is now offering rapid tests, so you can have the results in 15 minutes.  We prefer proof of a negative COVID-19 test that was taken within the past 5 days.  If you do not get rapid tested, we recommend that you get a PCR test on the same day every week so you get an idea of when you will be receiving the test results from the Department of Health in either ND or MN.  Free testing is available at the following locations:

• Testing site for Fargo/West Fargo, 3051 25^th Street S, Suite K, Fargo.

This site is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, and no appointment is necessary.

• Former Thomas Edison Elementary School, 1110 14^th Street S, Moorhead.

This is saliva testing and the site is open Monday/Tuesday/Friday from 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm and Saturday/Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.  Schedule Appointment with Vault Health

Thrifty White Pharmacy is now providing vaccinations for new admissions, new employees and any current resident or employee who wishes to be vaccinated at a scheduled time, one time per week.  Please visit Thriftywhite.com for eligibility details and to sign up for an appointment time.  Please do not call the pharmacy as they cannot schedule appointments.

COVID-19 testing frequency for staff and residents may change quickly as it is dependent on CMS outbreak guidelines.  Resident testing takes place in the residents’ rooms and is coordinated by the Skilled Care and Assisted Living/Basic Care nursing teams.  The test is free of charge.

Bethany employees will contact all residents with positive test results.  If you have any questions or concerns about the test, please contact the social worker or unit manager in Skilled Care or the Nurse in Assisted Living/Basic Care.

At Bethany, if an employee tests positive for COVID-19, they are immediately removed from the schedule and told to quarantine at home.  A positive resident is moved to a confined COVID-19 skilled care area with designated staff.

Bethany will continue to provide updates via e-mail and our website as our COVID-19 cases change.  You are also able to call us with any questions.  We are providing this link to the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) COVID19 website for your convenience https://www.health.nd.gov/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/north-dakota-coronavirus-cases .  As we update our information, here are a few guidelines we will be following:

• We are following recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the North Dakota Department of Health.
• We will not be identifying employees, residents or patients who test positive due to confidentiality.
• We will not give information on resident deaths due to confidentiality.

Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers.  We may add or subtract cases as new test results arrive or as cases are resolved.  Due to the timing of the results, they may not be reflected on the State website at the time of this posting.

Sincerely, Shawn Stuhaug, CEO

Frequently Asked Questions:

What have you done to decrease the risk of COVID-19 for residents and educate family members?

• We are following recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), American Health Care Association (AHCA) and the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH).
• Among the first acts undertaken to limit potential exposure was to restrict visitors and lock the entrances to Bethany buildings. As Cass County positivity rates change, we modify our visitation restrictions.  Please visit our website for visiting hours.
• All visitors are screened as they enter Bethany buildings. Visitors are also encouraged to get regular COVID testing that is offered in our community.  Please practice physical distancing when participating in the screening process.
• When available, we strongly urge that you receive the COVID vaccine and present proof of vaccine during the screening process.
• The Bethany website has been enhanced by adding a “Coronavirus Information” tab to share up-to-date information about the pandemic in general and at Bethany Retirement Living.
• Numerous emails have been sent to families from our Social Services team. Please contact a member of the social service team if you would like to be added to the email list.
• Everbridge (Mass Communication System) messages have been distributed by the CEO for education to family member primary contact.
• Letters have been mailed to primary Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) resident contacts, SNF residents without dementia/memory issues, and residents of Towers, Gables and Grace Pointe.
• Potential admissions are screened for symptoms, fever and close contact to a current COVID-positive person. We will also ask your vaccination status.
• SNF admissions are initially processed through one unit (TCU) with increased monitoring of potential symptoms.
• A negative COVID test is required prior to a skilled care admission or return from hospital. Even with a negative COVID test, we still quarantine new skilled care admissions and hospital/ER returns for 14 days.
• Bethany may admit COVID positive residents periodically if we have a COVID-positive area set up.
• Screening of SNF residents occurs daily and at times two or three times/day. Symptoms monitored include a set of vital signs along with the observation of any of the following: coughing, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, sore throat, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, muscle aches and loss of taste/smell.
• Screening of Assisted Living and Basic Care residents occurs daily and, at times, two times/day. Symptoms monitored include temperature, pulse and O2 sats along with observation of any of the following: coughing, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, sore throat, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, muscle aches and loss of taste/smell.
• Resident Activities of Daily Living (ADL) sheets are updated to include prompts for hand sanitizing of resident hands and resident mask placement.
• Non-emergent resident appointments are being decreased, if able.
• Resident group activities are starting to resume while also practicing social distancing and use of facemasks. Some activities are also live streamed.
• Residents are encouraged to remain in their room when not attending an activity, therapy or exercise.
• Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy is being conducted in both the resident rooms and in the therapy/wellness center as long as the resident/patient is not in isolation.
• We are slowly introducing communal dining that promotes physical distancing in our assisted living, basic care and skilled care settings. Communal dining plans may change quickly as ND Department of Health guidelines change.
• Use of hand sanitizer is encouraged for each resident interaction.
• Use of masks is encouraged for all residents.
• Each Bethany campus has a designated Infection Preventionist to provide surveillance and oversight.
• Visual alerts such as signage and posters have been added throughout the facility to encourage hand sanitizing for both residents and staff.

What have you done to educate staff and decrease the risk of COVID-19?

• See questions above as some information applies to both questions.
• Everbridge (Mass Communication System) messages to staff related to education.
• Many YouTube videos have been produced and sent to ALL staff cell phones.
• Educational videos and verbal education are reviewed at shift change/daily huddles, etc.
• Mandatory Healthcare Academy education on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), hand hygiene, COVID-19 and infection prevention have been assigned and made mandatory for all employees.
• Surveillance and auditing of employees is being conducted to ensure proper use of PPE and handwashing is occurring.
• Hand sanitizer is required for all nursing staff to have on the person (this is not new, but an uncommon practice for most SNFs).
• Surgical or N95 facemasks are required for staff when in resident areas. Face shields and an N-95 mask are required for non-vaccinated staff.
• Facemask and face shield requirements may evolve as guidance changes.
• All employees are required to wear face masks when outside of their office spaces.
• High-touch surfaces are sanitized multiple times per day in office spaces, common areas, etc.
• Educational resources from the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) that pertain to COVID-19 have been provided to employees.
• Employees are monitored for COVID-19 symptoms at the start of each shift, as well as with staff that call in ill prior to their shift. A detailed spreadsheet enables close tracking of all employees with symptoms and tracks adherence to the Return-to-Work guidance from the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH).
• Employees that have been taken off the schedule due to COVID-19 symptoms, close contact, or having received a positive COVID-19 test result are contacted frequently to monitor symptoms and to determine a safe timeline for return.
• A COVID-19 Leadership team meets regularly to discuss PPE supply and to analyze additional vendors for increased PPE supply, new guidance on COVID-19,vaccination availability etc.
• Meetings are held weekly to discuss employees who are furloughed and their plans for return to work.
• Leadership team members are on-call 24 hours per day/7 days a week to deal with employee and family questions and concerns.
• Weekly or bi-weekly meetings and/or conference calls/webinars/education reviews are held with the NDDoH, Centers for Disease Control, Public Health, ND Long Term Care Association, State immunization offices and American Health Care Association.
• Contact tracing if/when applicable is coordinated with the ND Department of Health.
• Excess chairs have been removed in break room areas to limit tables to two staff members at a table only. Additional space has been opened up for employee breaks to allow for social distancing.
• Visual alerts such as signs and posters have been added throughout all buildings that encourage staff hand hygiene, resident hand hygiene and proper use of PPE.
• Increased hand hygiene stations have been installed throughout all buildings.
• Staff competencies are routinely completed to establish/verify adherence to infection prevention.

We have received notification that a resident at Bethany has tested positive for COVID-19 and we have the following questions.

Will all residents now be tested?

• Resident testing (mass surveillance testing of all residents) is coordinated and directed by the ND Department of Health. A resident that is symptomatic is tested at the direction of the resident’s physician.

Will all staff be tested?

• Bethany employees complete a health screening at the start of their shift. If an employee triggers a concern on the health screening, they are immediately removed from the schedule.  A Bethany staff member then works with the employee on symptom monitoring, communication with their physician and return to work protocol.
• Staff testing (mass surveillance testing of all staff) is coordinated by Cass County Public Health and directed by the ND Department of Health and is based on the Cass County COVID positivity rate.
• Non-vaccinated staff are tested weekly.

Will COVID-19 positive residents be taken to the hospital?

• A transfer to the hospital is coordinated by the resident’s physician and Bethany staff. Residents who are in a declining health status may be transferred to the hospital as directed by their physician.  Bethany would call 911 in an emergency situation.

What is the vaccination plan for new residents, patients and staff?

• Bethany is working closely with Thrifty White Pharmacy to vaccinate new residents, patients and staff. Thrifty White has secured a weekly allocation of vaccine.  At this time, Thrifty White Pharmacy should have enough vaccine allocation to vaccinate new patients, new residents and new staff on a weekly basis if they chose to get vaccinated.  This plan can change quickly as the federal government can change distribution plans at any time.

Bethany Retirement Living FAQs and COVID-19 Cases as of 4/27/21 9:45am:

Dear families and friends of Bethany Retirement Living:

From Monday (4/19) through Sunday (4/25), Bethany conducted 715 standard surveillance COVID-19 swab tests for residents and staff at both Bethany on 42^nd and Bethany on University.  There was one new positive employee in Towers I basic care.  There were no other positive resident or staff cases.  This week, Cass County changed to classification level “Green” by the ND Department of Health; therefore we will continue testing employees one time per week through next week.  If the county stays green, we will discontinue testing the week of May 9th.  Daily employee and visitor Covid-19 screenings will remain in effect.  Please review our FAQs below for answers to questions you may have.

Bethany Towers I & II and Bethany Gables are allowing expanded hours of visitation.  Bethany on 42^nd Skilled Care and Bethany on University Skilled Care are allowing expanded hours visitation and compassionate care visits.  Please see visitation section on our website for complete details.

To keep residents healthy and safe please consider getting vaccinated as soon as you are able.  If you have not been vaccinated, please consider getting tested before you visit and bring proof of current COVID-19 testing results with you.  The Fargo testing site is now offering rapid tests, so you can have the results in 15 minutes.  We prefer proof of a negative COVID-19 test that was taken within the past 5 days.  If you do not get rapid tested, we recommend that you get a PCR test on the same day every week so you get an idea of when you will be receiving the test results from the Department of Health in either ND or MN.  Free testing is available at the following locations:

• Testing site for Fargo/West Fargo, 3051 25^th Street S, Suite K, Fargo.

This site is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, and no appointment is necessary.

• Former Thomas Edison Elementary School, 1110 14^th Street S, Moorhead.

This is saliva testing and the site is open Monday/Tuesday/Friday from 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm and Saturday/Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.  Schedule Appointment with Vault Health

Thrifty White Pharmacy is now providing vaccinations for new admissions, new employees and any current resident or employee who wishes to be vaccinated at a scheduled time, one time per week.  Please visit Thriftywhite.com for eligibility details and to sign up for an appointment time.  Please do not call the pharmacy, as they cannot schedule appointments.

COVID-19 testing frequency for staff and residents may change quickly as it is dependent on CMS outbreak guidelines.  Resident testing takes place in the residents’ rooms and is coordinated by the Skilled Care and Assisted Living/Basic Care nursing teams.  The test is free of charge.

Bethany employees will contact all residents with positive test results.  If you have any questions or concerns about the test, please contact the social worker or unit manager in Skilled Care or the Nurse in Assisted Living/Basic Care.

At Bethany, if an employee tests positive for COVID-19, they are immediately removed from the schedule and told to quarantine at home.  A positive resident is moved to a confined COVID-19 skilled care area with designated staff.

Bethany will continue to provide updates via e-mail and our website as our COVID-19 cases change.  You are also able to call us with any questions.  We are providing this link to the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) COVID19 website for your convenience https://www.health.nd.gov/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/north-dakota-coronavirus-cases .  As we update our information, here are a few guidelines we will be following:

• We are following recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the North Dakota Department of Health.
• We will not be identifying employees, residents or patients who test positive due to confidentiality.
• We will not give information on resident deaths due to confidentiality.

Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers.  We may add or subtract cases as new test results arrive or as cases are resolved.  Due to the timing of the results, they may not be reflected on the State website at the time of this posting.

Sincerely, Shawn Stuhaug, CEO

Frequently Asked Questions:

What have you done to decrease the risk of COVID-19 for residents and educate family members?

• We are following recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), American Health Care Association (AHCA) and the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH).
• Among the first acts undertaken to limit potential exposure was to restrict visitors and lock the entrances to Bethany buildings. As Cass County positivity rates change, we modify our visitation restrictions.  Please visit our website for visiting hours.
• All visitors are screened as they enter Bethany buildings. Visitors are also encouraged to get regular COVID testing that is offered in our community.  Please practice physical distancing when participating in the screening process.
• When available, we strongly urge that you receive the COVID vaccine and present proof of vaccine during the screening process.
• The Bethany website has been enhanced by adding a “Coronavirus Information” tab to share up-to-date information about the pandemic in general and at Bethany Retirement Living.
• Numerous emails have been sent to families from our Social Services team. Please contact a member of the social service team if you would like to be added to the email list.
• Everbridge (Mass Communication System) messages have been distributed by the CEO for education to family member primary contact.
• Letters have been mailed to primary Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) resident contacts, SNF residents without dementia/memory issues, and residents of Towers, Gables and Grace Pointe.
• Potential admissions are screened for symptoms, fever and close contact to a current COVID-positive person. We will also ask your vaccination status.
• SNF admissions are initially processed through one unit (TCU) with increased monitoring of potential symptoms.
• A negative COVID test is required prior to a skilled care admission or return from hospital. Even with a negative COVID test, we still quarantine new skilled care admissions and hospital/ER returns for 14 days.
• Bethany may admit COVID positive residents periodically if we have a COVID-positive area set up.
• Screening of SNF residents occurs daily and at times two or three times/day. Symptoms monitored include a set of vital signs along with the observation of any of the following: coughing, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, sore throat, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, muscle aches and loss of taste/smell.
• Screening of Assisted Living and Basic Care residents occurs daily and, at times, two times/day. Symptoms monitored include temperature, pulse and O2 sats along with observation of any of the following: coughing, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, sore throat, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, muscle aches and loss of taste/smell.
• Resident Activities of Daily Living (ADL) sheets are updated to include prompts for hand sanitizing of resident hands and resident mask placement.
• Non-emergent resident appointments are being decreased, if able.
• Resident group activities are starting to resume while also practicing social distancing and use of facemasks. Some activities are also live streamed.
• Residents are encouraged to remain in their room when not attending an activity, therapy or exercise.
• Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy is being conducted in both the resident rooms and in the therapy/wellness center as long as the resident/patient is not in isolation.
• We are slowly introducing communal dining that promotes physical distancing in our assisted living, basic care and skilled care settings. Communal dining plans may change quickly as ND Department of Health guidelines change.
• Use of hand sanitizer is encouraged for each resident interaction.
• Use of masks is encouraged for all residents.
• Each Bethany campus has a designated Infection Preventionist to provide surveillance and oversight.
• Visual alerts such as signage and posters have been added throughout the facility to encourage hand sanitizing for both residents and staff.

What have you done to educate staff and decrease the risk of COVID-19?

• See questions above as some information applies to both questions.
• Everbridge (Mass Communication System) messages to staff related to education.
• Many YouTube videos have been produced and sent to ALL staff cell phones.
• Educational videos and verbal education are reviewed at shift change/daily huddles, etc.
• Mandatory Healthcare Academy education on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), hand hygiene, COVID-19 and infection prevention have been assigned and made mandatory for all employees.
• Surveillance and auditing of employees is being conducted to ensure proper use of PPE and handwashing is occurring.
• Hand sanitizer is required for all nursing staff to have on the person (this is not new, but an uncommon practice for most SNFs).
• Surgical or N95 facemasks are required for staff when in resident areas. Face shields and an N-95 mask are required for non-vaccinated staff.
• Facemask and face shield requirements may evolve as guidance changes.
• All employees are required to wear face masks when outside of their office spaces.
• High-touch surfaces are sanitized multiple times per day in office spaces, common areas, etc.
• Educational resources from the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) that pertain to COVID-19 have been provided to employees.
• Employees are monitored for COVID-19 symptoms at the start of each shift, as well as with staff that call in ill prior to their shift. A detailed spreadsheet enables close tracking of all employees with symptoms and tracks adherence to the Return-to-Work guidance from the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH).
• Employees that have been taken off the schedule due to COVID-19 symptoms, close contact, or having received a positive COVID-19 test result are contacted frequently to monitor symptoms and to determine a safe timeline for return.
• A COVID-19 Leadership team meets regularly to discuss PPE supply and to analyze additional vendors for increased PPE supply, new guidance on COVID-19,vaccination availability etc.
• Meetings are held weekly to discuss employees who are furloughed and their plans for return to work.
• Leadership team members are on-call 24 hours per day/7 days a week to deal with employee and family questions and concerns.
• Weekly or bi-weekly meetings and/or conference calls/webinars/education reviews are held with the NDDoH, Centers for Disease Control, Public Health, ND Long Term Care Association, State immunization offices and American Health Care Association.
• Contact tracing if/when applicable is coordinated with the ND Department of Health.
• Excess chairs have been removed in break room areas to limit tables to two staff members at a table only. Additional space has been opened up for employee breaks to allow for social distancing.
• Visual alerts such as signs and posters have been added throughout all buildings that encourage staff hand hygiene, resident hand hygiene and proper use of PPE.
• Increased hand hygiene stations have been installed throughout all buildings.
• Staff competencies are routinely completed to establish/verify adherence to infection prevention.

We have received notification that a resident at Bethany has tested positive for COVID-19 and we have the following questions.

Will all residents now be tested?

• Resident testing (mass surveillance testing of all residents) is coordinated and directed by the ND Department of Health. A resident that is symptomatic is tested at the direction of the resident’s physician.

Will all staff be tested?

• Bethany employees complete a health screening at the start of their shift. If an employee triggers a concern on the health screening, they are immediately removed from the schedule.  A Bethany staff member then works with the employee on symptom monitoring, communication with their physician and return to work protocol.
• Staff testing (mass surveillance testing of all staff) is coordinated by Cass County Public Health and directed by the ND Department of Health and is based on the Cass County COVID positivity rate.
• Non-vaccinated staff are tested weekly.

Will COVID-19 positive residents be taken to the hospital?

• A transfer to the hospital is coordinated by the resident’s physician and Bethany staff. Residents who are in a declining health status may be transferred to the hospital as directed by their physician.  Bethany would call 911 in an emergency situation.

What is the vaccination plan for new residents, patients and staff?

• Bethany is working closely with Thrifty White Pharmacy to vaccinate new residents, patients and staff. Thrifty White has secured a weekly allocation of vaccine.  At this time, Thrifty White Pharmacy should have enough vaccine allocation to vaccinate new patients, new residents and new staff on a weekly basis if they chose to get vaccinated.  This plan can change quickly as the federal government can change distribution plans at any time.

Bethany Retirement Living FAQs and COVID-19 Cases as of 4/20/21 2:00pm:

Dear families and friends of Bethany Retirement Living:

From Monday (4/12) through Sunday (4/18), Bethany conducted 672 standard surveillance COVID-19 swab tests for residents and staff at both Bethany on 42^nd and Bethany on University.  There was one new positive employee in Towers I basic care.  There were no other positive resident or staff cases.  Cass County continues to be classification level “Yellow” by the Department of Health; therefore we will continue testing employees one time per week.  Please review our FAQs below for answers to questions you may have.

Bethany Towers I & II and Bethany Gables are allowing expanded hours of visitation.  Bethany on 42^nd Skilled Care and Bethany on University Skilled Care are allowing expanded hours visitation and compassionate care visits.  Please see visitation section on our website for complete details.

To keep residents healthy and safe please consider getting vaccinated as soon as you are able.  If you have not been vaccinated, please consider getting tested before you visit and bring proof of current COVID-19 testing results with you.  The Fargo testing site is now offering rapid tests, so you can have the results in 15 minutes.  We prefer proof of a negative COVID-19 test that was taken within the past 5 days.  If you do not get rapid tested, we recommend that you get a PCR test on the same day every week so you get an idea of when you will be receiving the test results from the Department of Health in either ND or MN.  Free testing is available at the following locations:

• Testing site for Fargo/West Fargo, 3051 25^th Street S, Suite K, Fargo.

This site is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, and no appointment is necessary.

• Former Thomas Edison Elementary School, 1110 14^th Street S, Moorhead.

This is saliva testing and the site is open Monday/Tuesday/Friday from 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm and Saturday/Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.  Schedule Appointment with Vault Health

Thrifty White Pharmacy is now providing vaccinations for new admissions, new employees and any current resident or employee who wishes to be vaccinated at a scheduled time, one time per week.  Please visit Thriftywhite.com for eligibility details and to sign up for an appointment time.  Please do not call the pharmacy, as they cannot schedule appointments.

COVID-19 testing frequency for staff and residents may change quickly as it is dependent on CMS outbreak guidelines.  Resident testing takes place in the residents’ rooms and is coordinated by the Skilled Care and Assisted Living/Basic Care nursing teams.  The test is free of charge.

Bethany employees will contact all residents with positive test results.  If you have any questions or concerns about the test, please contact the social worker or unit manager in Skilled Care or the Nurse in Assisted Living/Basic Care.

At Bethany, if an employee tests positive for COVID-19, they are immediately removed from the schedule and told to quarantine at home.  A positive resident is moved to a confined COVID-19 skilled care area with designated staff.

Bethany will continue to provide updates via e-mail and our website as our COVID-19 cases change.  You are also able to call us with any questions.  We are providing this link to the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) COVID19 website for your convenience https://www.health.nd.gov/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/north-dakota-coronavirus-cases .  As we update our information, here are a few guidelines we will be following:

• We are following recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the North Dakota Department of Health.
• We will not be identifying employees, residents or patients who test positive due to confidentiality.
• We will not give information on resident deaths due to confidentiality.

Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers.  We may add or subtract cases as new test results arrive or as cases are resolved.  Due to the timing of the results, they may not be reflected on the State website at the time of this posting.

Sincerely, Shawn Stuhaug, CEO

Frequently Asked Questions:

What have you done to decrease the risk of COVID-19 for residents and educate family members?

• We are following recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), American Health Care Association (AHCA) and the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH).
• Among the first acts undertaken to limit potential exposure was to restrict visitors and lock the entrances to Bethany buildings. As Cass County positivity rates change, we modify our visitation restrictions.  Please visit our website for visiting hours.
• All visitors are screened as they enter Bethany buildings. Visitors are also encouraged to get regular COVID testing that is offered in our community.  Please practice physical distancing when participating in the screening process.
• When available, we strongly urge that you receive the COVID vaccine and present proof of vaccine during the screening process.
• The Bethany website has been enhanced by adding a “Coronavirus Information” tab to share up-to-date information about the pandemic in general and at Bethany Retirement Living.
• Numerous emails have been sent to families from our Social Services team. Please contact a member of the social service team if you would like to be added to the email list.
• Everbridge (Mass Communication System) messages have been distributed by the CEO for education to family member primary contact.
• Letters have been mailed to primary Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) resident contacts, SNF residents without dementia/memory issues, and residents of Towers, Gables and Grace Pointe.
• Potential admissions are screened for symptoms, fever and close contact to a current COVID-positive person. We will also ask your vaccination status.
• SNF admissions are initially processed through one unit (TCU) with increased monitoring of potential symptoms.
• A negative COVID test is required prior to a skilled care admission or return from hospital. Even with a negative COVID test, we still quarantine new skilled care admissions and hospital/ER returns for 14 days.
• Bethany may admit COVID positive residents periodically if we have a COVID-positive area set up.
• Screening of SNF residents occurs daily and at times two or three times/day. Symptoms monitored include a set of vital signs along with the observation of any of the following: coughing, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, sore throat, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, muscle aches and loss of taste/smell.
• Screening of Assisted Living and Basic Care residents occurs daily and, at times, two times/day. Symptoms monitored include temperature, pulse and O2 sats along with observation of any of the following: coughing, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, sore throat, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, muscle aches and loss of taste/smell.
• Resident Activities of Daily Living (ADL) sheets are updated to include prompts for hand sanitizing of resident hands and resident mask placement.
• Non-emergent resident appointments are being decreased, if able.
• Resident group activities are starting to resume while also practicing social distancing and use of facemasks. Some activities are also live streamed.
• Residents are encouraged to remain in their room when not attending an activity, therapy or exercise.
• Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy is being conducted in both the resident rooms and in the therapy/wellness center as long as the resident/patient is not in isolation.
• We are slowly introducing communal dining that promotes physical distancing in our assisted living, basic care and skilled care settings. Communal dining plans may change quickly as ND Department of Health guidelines change.
• Use of hand sanitizer is encouraged for each resident interaction.
• Use of masks is encouraged for all residents.
• Each Bethany campus has a designated Infection Preventionist to provide surveillance and oversight.
• Visual alerts such as signage and posters have been added throughout the facility to encourage hand sanitizing for both residents and staff.

What have you done to educate staff and decrease the risk of COVID-19?

• See questions above as some information applies to both questions.
• Everbridge (Mass Communication System) messages to staff related to education.
• Many YouTube videos have been produced and sent to ALL staff cell phones.
• Educational videos and verbal education are reviewed at shift change/daily huddles, etc.
• Mandatory Healthcare Academy education on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), hand hygiene, COVID-19 and infection prevention have been assigned and made mandatory for all employees.
• Surveillance and auditing of employees is being conducted to ensure proper use of PPE and handwashing is occurring.
• Hand sanitizer is required for all nursing staff to have on the person (this is not new, but an uncommon practice for most SNFs).
• Surgical or N95 facemasks are required for staff when in resident areas. Face shields and an N-95 mask are required for non-vaccinated staff.
• Facemask and face shield requirements may evolve as guidance changes.
• All employees are required to wear face masks when outside of their office spaces.
• High-touch surfaces are sanitized multiple times per day in office spaces, common areas, etc.
• Educational resources from the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) that pertain to COVID-19 have been provided to employees.
• Employees are monitored for COVID-19 symptoms at the start of each shift, as well as with staff that call in ill prior to their shift. A detailed spreadsheet enables close tracking of all employees with symptoms and tracks adherence to the Return-to-Work guidance from the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH).
• Employees that have been taken off the schedule due to COVID-19 symptoms, close contact, or having received a positive COVID-19 test result are contacted frequently to monitor symptoms and to determine a safe timeline for return.
• A COVID-19 Leadership team meets regularly to discuss PPE supply and to analyze additional vendors for increased PPE supply, new guidance on COVID-19,vaccination availability etc.
• Meetings are held weekly to discuss employees who are furloughed and their plans for return to work.
• Leadership team members are on-call 24 hours per day/7 days a week to deal with employee and family questions and concerns.
• Weekly or bi-weekly meetings and/or conference calls/webinars/education reviews are held with the NDDoH, Centers for Disease Control, Public Health, ND Long Term Care Association, State immunization offices and American Health Care Association.
• Contact tracing if/when applicable is coordinated with the ND Department of Health.
• Excess chairs have been removed in break room areas to limit tables to two staff members at a table only. Additional space has been opened up for employee breaks to allow for social distancing.
• Visual alerts such as signs and posters have been added throughout all buildings that encourage staff hand hygiene, resident hand hygiene and proper use of PPE.
• Increased hand hygiene stations have been installed throughout all buildings.
• Staff competencies are routinely completed to establish/verify adherence to infection prevention.

We have received notification that a resident at Bethany has tested positive for COVID-19 and we have the following questions.

Will all residents now be tested?

• Resident testing (mass surveillance testing of all residents) is coordinated and directed by the ND Department of Health. A resident that is symptomatic is tested at the direction of the resident’s physician.

Will all staff be tested?

• Bethany employees complete a health screening at the start of their shift. If an employee triggers a concern on the health screening, they are immediately removed from the schedule.  A Bethany staff member then works with the employee on symptom monitoring, communication with their physician and return to work protocol.
• Staff testing (mass surveillance testing of all staff) is coordinated by Cass County Public Health and directed by the ND Department of Health and is based on the Cass County COVID positivity rate.
• Non-vaccinated staff are tested weekly.

Will COVID-19 positive residents be taken to the hospital?

• A transfer to the hospital is coordinated by the resident’s physician and Bethany staff. Residents who are in a declining health status may be transferred to the hospital as directed by their physician.  Bethany would call 911 in an emergency situation.

What is the vaccination plan for new residents, patients and staff?

• Bethany is working closely with Thrifty White Pharmacy to vaccinate new residents, patients and staff. Thrifty White has secured a weekly allocation of vaccine.  At this time, Thrifty White Pharmacy should have enough vaccine allocation to vaccinate new patients, new residents and new staff on a weekly basis if they chose to get vaccinated.  This plan can change quickly as the federal government can change distribution plans at any time.

Bethany Retirement Living FAQs and COVID-19 Cases as of 4/13/21 11:30am:

Dear families and friends of Bethany Retirement Living:

From Monday (4/05) through Sunday (4/11), Bethany conducted 679 standard surveillance COVID-19 swab tests for residents and staff at both Bethany on 42^nd and Bethany on University.  There were no new positive resident or staff cases.  Cass County continues to be classification level “Yellow” by the Department of Health; therefore we will continue testing employees one time per week.  Please review our FAQs below for answers to questions you may have.

Bethany Towers I & II and Bethany Gables are allowing expanded hours of visitation.  Bethany on 42^nd Skilled Care and Bethany on University Skilled Care are allowing expanded hours visitation and compassionate care visits.  Please see visitation section on our website for complete details.

To keep residents healthy and safe please consider getting vaccinated as soon as you are able.  If you have not been vaccinated, please consider getting tested before you visit and bring proof of current COVID-19 testing results with you.  The Fargo testing site is now offering rapid tests, so you can have the results in 15 minutes.  We prefer proof of a negative COVID-19 test that was taken within the past 5 days.  If you do not get rapid tested, we recommend that you get a PCR test on the same day every week so you get an idea of when you will be receiving the test results from the Department of Health in either ND or MN.  Free testing is available at the following locations:

• Testing site for Fargo/West Fargo, 3051 25^th Street S, Suite K, Fargo.

This site is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, and no appointment is necessary.

• Former Thomas Edison Elementary School, 1110 14^th Street S, Moorhead.

This is saliva testing and the site is open Monday/Tuesday/Friday from 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm and Saturday/Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.  Schedule Appointment with Vault Health

Thrifty White Pharmacy is now providing vaccinations for new admissions, new employees and any current resident or employee who wishes to be vaccinated at a scheduled time, one time per week.  Please visit Thriftywhite.com for eligibility details and to sign up for an appointment time.  Please do not call the pharmacy, as they cannot schedule appointments.

COVID-19 testing frequency for staff and residents may change quickly as it is dependent on CMS outbreak guidelines.  Resident testing takes place in the residents’ rooms and is coordinated by the Skilled Care and Assisted Living/Basic Care nursing teams.  The test is free of charge.

Bethany employees will contact all residents with positive test results.  If you have any questions or concerns about the test, please contact the social worker or unit manager in Skilled Care or the Nurse in Assisted Living/Basic Care.

At Bethany, if an employee tests positive for COVID-19, they are immediately removed from the schedule and told to quarantine at home.  A positive resident is moved to a confined COVID-19 skilled care area with designated staff.

Bethany will continue to provide updates via e-mail and our website as our COVID-19 cases change.  You are also able to call us with any questions.  We are providing this link to the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) COVID19 website for your convenience https://www.health.nd.gov/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/north-dakota-coronavirus-cases .  As we update our information, here are a few guidelines we will be following:

• We are following recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the North Dakota Department of Health.
• We will not be identifying employees, residents or patients who test positive due to confidentiality.
• We will not give information on resident deaths due to confidentiality.

Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers.  We may add or subtract cases as new test results arrive or as cases are resolved.  Due to the timing of the results, they may not be reflected on the State website at the time of this posting.

Sincerely, Shawn Stuhaug, CEO

Frequently Asked Questions:

What have you done to decrease the risk of COVID-19 for residents and educate family members?

• We are following recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), American Health Care Association (AHCA) and the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH).
• Among the first acts undertaken to limit potential exposure was to restrict visitors and lock the entrances to Bethany buildings. As Cass County positivity rates change, we modify our visitation restrictions.  Please visit our website for visiting hours.
• All visitors are screened as they enter Bethany buildings. Visitors are also encouraged to get regular COVID testing that is offered in our community.  Please practice physical distancing when participating in the screening process.
• When available, we strongly urge that you receive the COVID vaccine and present proof of vaccine during the screening process.
• The Bethany website has been enhanced by adding a “Coronavirus Information” tab to share up-to-date information about the pandemic in general and at Bethany Retirement Living.
• Numerous emails have been sent to families from our Social Services team. Please contact a member of the social service team if you would like to be added to the email list.
• Everbridge (Mass Communication System) messages have been distributed by the CEO for education to family member primary contact.
• Letters have been mailed to primary Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) resident contacts, SNF residents without dementia/memory issues, and residents of Towers, Gables and Grace Pointe.
• Potential admissions are screened for symptoms, fever and close contact to a current COVID-positive person. We will also ask your vaccination status.
• SNF admissions are initially processed through one unit (TCU) with increased monitoring of potential symptoms.
• A negative COVID test is required prior to a skilled care admission or return from hospital. Even with a negative COVID test, we still quarantine new skilled care admissions and hospital/ER returns for 14 days.
• Bethany may admit COVID positive residents periodically if we have a COVID-positive area set up.
• Screening of SNF residents occurs daily and at times two or three times/day. Symptoms monitored include a set of vital signs along with the observation of any of the following: coughing, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, sore throat, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, muscle aches and loss of taste/smell.
• Screening of Assisted Living and Basic Care residents occurs daily and, at times, two times/day. Symptoms monitored include temperature, pulse and O2 sats along with observation of any of the following: coughing, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, sore throat, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, muscle aches and loss of taste/smell.
• Resident Activities of Daily Living (ADL) sheets are updated to include prompts for hand sanitizing of resident hands and resident mask placement.
• Non-emergent resident appointments are being decreased, if able.
• Resident group activities are starting to resume while also practicing social distancing and use of facemasks. Some activities are also live streamed.
• Residents are encouraged to remain in their room when not attending an activity, therapy or exercise.
• Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy is being conducted in both the resident rooms and in the therapy/wellness center as long as the resident/patient is not in isolation.
• We are slowly introducing communal dining that promotes physical distancing in our assisted living, basic care and skilled care settings. Communal dining plans may change quickly as ND Department of Health guidelines change.
• Use of hand sanitizer is encouraged for each resident interaction.
• Use of masks is encouraged for all residents.
• Each Bethany campus has a designated Infection Preventionist to provide surveillance and oversight.
• Visual alerts such as signage and posters have been added throughout the facility to encourage hand sanitizing for both residents and staff.

What have you done to educate staff and decrease the risk of COVID-19?

• See questions above as some information applies to both questions.
• Everbridge (Mass Communication System) messages to staff related to education.
• Many YouTube videos have been produced and sent to ALL staff cell phones.
• Educational videos and verbal education are reviewed at shift change/daily huddles, etc.
• Mandatory Healthcare Academy education on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), hand hygiene, COVID-19 and infection prevention have been assigned and made mandatory for all employees.
• Surveillance and auditing of employees is being conducted to ensure proper use of PPE and handwashing is occurring.
• Hand sanitizer is required for all nursing staff to have on the person (this is not new, but an uncommon practice for most SNFs).
• Surgical or N95 facemasks are required for staff when in resident areas. Face shields and an N-95 mask are required for non-vaccinated staff.
• Facemask and face shield requirements may evolve as guidance changes.
• All employees are required to wear face masks when outside of their office spaces.
• High-touch surfaces are sanitized multiple times per day in office spaces, common areas, etc.
• Educational resources from the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) that pertain to COVID-19 have been provided to employees.
• Employees are monitored for COVID-19 symptoms at the start of each shift, as well as with staff that call in ill prior to their shift. A detailed spreadsheet enables close tracking of all employees with symptoms and tracks adherence to the Return-to-Work guidance from the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH).
• Employees that have been taken off the schedule due to COVID-19 symptoms, close contact, or having received a positive COVID-19 test result are contacted frequently to monitor symptoms and to determine a safe timeline for return.
• A COVID-19 Leadership team meets regularly to discuss PPE supply and to analyze additional vendors for increased PPE supply, new guidance on COVID-19,vaccination availability etc.
• Meetings are held weekly to discuss employees who are furloughed and their plans for return to work.
• Leadership team members are on-call 24 hours per day/7 days a week to deal with employee and family questions and concerns.
• Weekly or bi-weekly meetings and/or conference calls/webinars/education reviews are held with the NDDoH, Centers for Disease Control, Public Health, ND Long Term Care Association, State immunization offices and American Health Care Association.
• Contact tracing if/when applicable is coordinated with the ND Department of Health.
• Excess chairs have been removed in break room areas to limit tables to two staff members at a table only. Additional space has been opened up for employee breaks to allow for social distancing.
• Visual alerts such as signs and posters have been added throughout all buildings that encourage staff hand hygiene, resident hand hygiene and proper use of PPE.
• Increased hand hygiene stations have been installed throughout all buildings.
• Staff competencies are routinely completed to establish/verify adherence to infection prevention.

We have received notification that a resident at Bethany has tested positive for COVID-19 and we have the following questions.

Will all residents now be tested?

• Resident testing (mass surveillance testing of all residents) is coordinated and directed by the ND Department of Health. A resident that is symptomatic is tested at the direction of the resident’s physician.

Will all staff be tested?

• Bethany employees complete a health screening at the start of their shift. If an employee triggers a concern on the health screening, they are immediately removed from the schedule.  A Bethany staff member then works with the employee on symptom monitoring, communication with their physician and return to work protocol.
• Staff testing (mass surveillance testing of all staff) is coordinated by Cass County Public Health and directed by the ND Department of Health and is based on the Cass County COVID positivity rate.
• Non-vaccinated staff are tested weekly.

Will COVID-19 positive residents be taken to the hospital?

• A transfer to the hospital is coordinated by the resident’s physician and Bethany staff. Residents who are in a declining health status may be transferred to the hospital as directed by their physician.  Bethany would call 911 in an emergency situation.

What is the vaccination plan for new residents, patients and staff?

• Bethany is working closely with Thrifty White Pharmacy to vaccinate new residents, patients and staff. Thrifty White has secured a weekly allocation of vaccine.  At this time, Thrifty White Pharmacy should have enough vaccine allocation to vaccinate new patients, new residents and new staff on a weekly basis if they chose to get vaccinated.  This plan can change quickly as the federal government can change distribution plans at any time.

Bethany Retirement Living FAQs and COVID-19 Cases as of 4/06/21 1:30pm:

Dear families and friends of Bethany Retirement Living:

From Monday (3/29) through Sunday (4/4), Bethany conducted 714 standard surveillance COVID-19 swab tests for residents and staff at both Bethany on 42^nd and Bethany on University.  There were no new positive resident or staff cases.  Cass County continues to be classification level “Yellow” by the Department of Health; therefore we will continue testing employees one time per week.  Please review our FAQs below for answers to questions you may have.

Bethany Towers I & II and Bethany Gables are allowing expanded hours of visitation.  Bethany on 42^nd Skilled Care and Bethany on University Skilled Care are allowing expanded hours visitation and compassionate care visits.  Please see visitation section on our website for complete details.

To keep residents healthy and safe please consider getting vaccinated as soon as you are able.  If you have not been vaccinated, please consider getting tested before you visit and bring proof of current COVID-19 testing results with you.  The Fargo testing site is now offering rapid tests, so you can have the results in 15 minutes.  We prefer proof of a negative COVID-19 test that was taken within the past 5 days.  If you do not get rapid tested, we recommend that you get a PCR test on the same day every week so you get an idea of when you will be receiving the test results from the Department of Health in either ND or MN.  Free testing is available at the following locations:

• Testing site for Fargo/West Fargo, 3051 25^th Street S, Suite K, Fargo.

This site is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, and no appointment is necessary.

• Former Thomas Edison Elementary School, 1110 14^th Street S, Moorhead.

This is saliva testing and the site is open Monday/Tuesday/Friday from 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm and Saturday/Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.  Schedule Appointment with Vault Health

Thrifty White Pharmacy is now providing vaccinations for new admissions, new employees and any current resident or employee who wishes to be vaccinated at a scheduled time, one time per week.  Please visit Thriftywhite.com for eligibility details and to sign up for an appointment time.  Please do not call the pharmacy, as they cannot schedule appointments.

COVID-19 testing frequency for staff and residents may change quickly as it is dependent on CMS outbreak guidelines.  Resident testing takes place in the residents’ rooms and is coordinated by the Skilled Care and Assisted Living/Basic Care nursing teams.  The test is free of charge.

Bethany employees will contact all residents with positive test results.  If you have any questions or concerns about the test, please contact the social worker or unit manager in Skilled Care or the Nurse in Assisted Living/Basic Care.

At Bethany, if an employee tests positive for COVID-19, they are immediately removed from the schedule and told to quarantine at home.  A positive resident is moved to a confined COVID-19 skilled care area with designated staff.

Bethany will continue to provide updates via e-mail and our website as our COVID-19 cases change.  You are also able to call us with any questions.  We are providing this link to the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) COVID19 website for your convenience https://www.health.nd.gov/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/north-dakota-coronavirus-cases .  As we update our information, here are a few guidelines we will be following:

• We are following recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the North Dakota Department of Health.
• We will not be identifying employees, residents or patients who test positive due to confidentiality.
• We will not give information on resident deaths due to confidentiality.

Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers.  We may add or subtract cases as new test results arrive or as cases are resolved.  Due to the timing of the results, they may not be reflected on the State website at the time of this posting.

Sincerely, Shawn Stuhaug, CEO

Frequently Asked Questions:

What have you done to decrease the risk of COVID-19 for residents and educate family members?

• We are following recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), American Health Care Association (AHCA) and the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH).
• Among the first acts undertaken to limit potential exposure was to restrict visitors and lock the entrances to Bethany buildings. As Cass County positivity rates decrease, we modify our visitation restrictions.  Please visit our website for visiting hours.
• All visitors are screened as they enter the buildings. Visitors are also encouraged to get regular COVID testing that is offered in our community.  Please practice physical distancing when participating in the screening process.
• When available, we strongly urge that you receive the COVID vaccine and present proof of vaccine during the screening process.
• The Bethany website has been enhanced by adding a “Coronavirus Information” tab to share up-to-date information about the pandemic in general and at Bethany Retirement Living.
• Numerous emails have been sent to families from our Social Services team. Please contact a member of the social service team if you would like to be added to the e-mail list.
• Everbridge (Mass Communication System) messages have been distributed by the CEO for education to family member primary contact.
• Letters have been mailed to primary Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) resident contacts, SNF residents without dementia/memory issues, and residents of Towers, Gables and Grace Pointe.
• Potential admissions are screened for symptoms, fever and close contact to a current COVID-positive person. We will also ask your vaccination status.
• SNF admissions are initially processed through one unit (TCU) with increased monitoring of potential symptoms.
• A negative COVID test is required prior to a skilled care admission or return from hospital. Even with a negative COVID test, we still quarantine new skilled care admissions and hospital/ER returns for 14 days.
• Bethany may admit COVID positive residents periodically if we have a COVID-positive area set up.
• Screening of SNF residents occurs daily and at times two or three times/day. Symptoms monitored include a set of vital signs along with the observation of any of the following: coughing, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, sore throat, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, muscle aches and loss of taste/smell.
• Screening of Assisted Living and Basic Care residents occurs daily and, at times, two times/day. Symptoms monitored include temperature, pulse and O2 sats along with observation of any of the following: coughing, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, sore throat, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, muscle aches and loss of taste/smell.
• Resident Activities of Daily Living (ADL) sheets are updated to include prompts for hand sanitizing of resident hands and resident mask placement.
• Non-emergent resident appointments are being decreased, if able.
• Resident group activities are starting to occur while also practicing social distancing and use of facemasks. Some activities are also live streamed.
• Residents are encouraged to remain in their room when not attending an activity, therapy or exercise.
• Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy is being conducted in both the resident rooms and in the therapy/wellness center as long as the resident/patient is not in isolation.
• We are slowly introducing communal dining that promotes physical distancing in our assisted living, basic care and skilled care settings. Communal dining plans may change quickly as ND Department of Health guidelines change.
• Use of hand sanitizer is encouraged for each resident interaction.
• Use of masks is encouraged for all residents.
• Each Bethany campus has a designated Infection Preventionist to provide surveillance and oversight.
• Visual alerts such as signage and posters have been added throughout the facility to encourage hand sanitizing for both residents and staff.

What have you done to educate staff and decrease the risk of COVID-19?

• See questions above as some information applies to both questions.
• Everbridge (Mass Communication System) messages to staff related to education.
• Many YouTube videos have been produced and sent to ALL staff cell phones.
• Educational videos and verbal education are reviewed at shift change/daily huddles etc.
• Mandatory Healthcare Academy education on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), hand hygiene, COVID-19 and infection prevention have been assigned and made mandatory for all employees.
• Surveillance and auditing of employees is being conducted to ensure proper use of PPE and handwashing is occurring.
• Hand sanitizer is required for all nursing staff to have on the person (this is not new, but an uncommon practice for most SNFs).
• Surgical or N95 Facemasks are required for staff when in resident areas. Face shields and an N-95 mask are required for non-vaccinated staff.
• Facemask and face shield requirements may evolve as guidance changes.
• All employees are required to wear face masks when outside of their office spaces.
• High-touch surfaces are sanitized multiple times per day in office spaces, common areas, etc.
• Educational resources from the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) that pertain to COVID-19 have been provided to employees.
• Employees are monitored for COVID-19 symptoms at the start of each shift, as well as with staff that call in ill prior to their shift. A detailed spreadsheet enables close tracking of all employees with symptoms and tracks adherence to the Return-to-Work guidance from the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH).
• Employees that have been taken off the schedule due to COVID-19 symptoms, close contact, or having received a positive COVID-19 test result are contacted frequently to monitor symptoms and to determine a safe timeline for return.
• A COVID-19 Leadership team meets regularly to discuss PPE supply and to analyze additional vendors for increased PPE supply, new guidance on COVID-19,vaccination availability etc.
• Meetings are held weekly to discuss employees who are furloughed and their plans for return to work.
• Leadership team members are on-call 24 hours per day/7 days a week to deal with employee and family questions and concerns.
• Weekly or bi-weekly meetings and/or conference calls/webinars/education reviews are held with the NDDoH, Centers for Disease Control, Public Health, ND Long Term Care Association, State immunization offices and American Health Care Association.
• Contact tracing if/when applicable is coordinated with the ND Department of Health.
• Excess chairs have been removed in break room areas to limit tables to two staff members at a table only. Additional space has been opened up for employee breaks to allow for social distancing.
• Visual alerts such as signs and posters have been added throughout all buildings that encourage staff hand hygiene, resident hand hygiene and proper use of PPE.
• Increased hand hygiene stations have been installed throughout all buildings.
• Staff competencies are routinely completed to establish/verify adherence to infection prevention.

We have received notification that a resident at Bethany has tested positive for COVID-19 and we have the following questions.

Will all residents now be tested?

• Resident testing (mass surveillance testing of all residents) is coordinated and directed by the ND Department of Health. A resident that is symptomatic is tested at the direction of the resident’s physician.

Will all staff be tested?

• Bethany employees complete a health screening at the start of their shift. If an employee triggers a concern on the health screening, they are immediately removed from the schedule.  A Bethany staff member then works with the employee on symptom monitoring, communication with their physician and return to work protocol.
• Staff testing (mass surveillance testing of all staff) is coordinated by Cass County Public Health and directed by the ND Department of Health and is based on the Cass County COVID positivity rate.
• Non-vaccinated staff are tested weekly.

Will COVID-19 positive residents be taken to the hospital?

• A transfer to the hospital is coordinated by the resident’s physician and Bethany staff. Residents who are in a declining health status may be transferred to the hospital as directed by their physician.  Bethany would call 911 in an emergency situation.

What is the vaccination plan for new residents, patients and staff?

• Bethany is working closely with Thrifty White Pharmacy to vaccinate new residents, patients and staff. Thrifty White has secured a weekly allocation of vaccine.   At this time, Thrifty White Pharmacy should have enough vaccine allocation to vaccinate new patients, new residents and new staff on a weekly basis if they chose to get vaccinated.  This plan can change quickly as the federal government can change distribution plans at any time.

Bethany Retirement Living FAQs and COVID-19 Cases as of 3/30/21 11:30am:

Dear families and friends of Bethany Retirement Living:

From Tuesday (3/23) through Sunday (3/28), Bethany conducted 902 standard surveillance COVID-19 swab tests for residents and staff at both Bethany on 42^nd and Bethany on University.  There were no new positive resident or staff cases.  Cass County continues to be classification level “Yellow” by the Department of Health; therefore we will continue testing employees one time per week.  Please review our FAQs below for answers to questions you may have.

Bethany Towers I & II and Bethany Gables are allowing expanded hours of visitation.  Bethany on 42^nd Skilled Care and Bethany on University Skilled Care are allowing expanded hours visitation and compassionate care visits.  Please see visitation section on our website for complete details.

To keep residents healthy and safe please consider getting vaccinated as soon as you are able.  If you have not been vaccinated, please consider getting tested before you visit and bring proof of current COVID-19 testing results with you.  The Fargo testing site is now offering rapid tests, so you can have the results in 15 minutes.  We prefer proof of a negative COVID-19 test that was taken within the past 5 days.  If you do not get rapid tested, we recommend that you get a PCR test on the same day every week so you get an idea of when you will be receiving the test results from the Department of Health in either ND or MN.  Free testing is available at the following locations:

• NOTE NEW SITE ADDRESS! Testing site for Fargo/West Fargo, 3051 25^th Street S., Suite K, Fargo.

This site is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, and no appointment is necessary.

• Former Thomas Edison Elementary School, 1110 14^th Street S, Moorhead.

This is saliva testing and the site is open Monday/Tuesday/Friday from 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm and Saturday/Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.  Schedule Appointment with Vault Health

Thrifty White Pharmacy is now providing vaccinations for new admissions, new employees and any current resident or employee who wishes to be vaccinated at a scheduled time, one time per week.  Please visit Thriftywhite.com for eligibility details and to sign up for an appointment time.  Please do not call the pharmacy, as they cannot schedule appointments.

COVID-19 testing frequency for staff and residents may change quickly as it is dependent on CMS outbreak guidelines.  Resident testing takes place in the residents’ rooms and is coordinated by the Skilled Care and Assisted Living/Basic Care nursing teams.  The test is free of charge.

Bethany employees will contact all residents with positive test results.  If you have any questions or concerns about the test, please contact the social worker or unit manager in Skilled Care or the Nurse in Assisted Living/Basic Care.

At Bethany, if an employee tests positive for COVID-19, they are immediately removed from the schedule and told to quarantine at home.  A positive resident is moved to a confined COVID-19 skilled care area with designated staff.

Bethany will continue to provide updates via e-mail and our website as our COVID-19 cases change.  You are also able to call us with any questions.  We are providing this link to the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) COVID19 website for your convenience https://www.health.nd.gov/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/north-dakota-coronavirus-cases .  As we update our information, here are a few guidelines we will be following:

• We are following recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the North Dakota Department of Health.
• We will not be identifying employees, residents or patients who test positive due to confidentiality.
• We will not give information on resident deaths due to confidentiality.

Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers.  We may add or subtract cases as new test results arrive or as cases are resolved.  Due to the timing of the results, they may not be reflected on the State website at the time of this posting.

Sincerely, Shawn Stuhaug, CEO

Frequently Asked Questions:

What have you done to decrease the risk of COVID-19 for residents and educate family members?

• We are following recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), American Health Care Association (AHCA) and the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH).
• Among the first acts undertaken to limit potential exposure was to restrict visitors and lock the entrances to Bethany buildings. As Cass County positivity rates decrease, we modify our visitation restrictions.  Please visit our website for visiting hours.
• All visitors are screened as they enter the buildings. Visitors are also encouraged to get regular COVID testing that is offered in our community.  Please practice physical distancing when participating in the screening process.
• When available, we strongly urge that you receive the COVID vaccine and present proof of vaccine during the screening process.
• The Bethany website has been enhanced by adding a “Coronavirus Information” tab to share up-to-date information about the pandemic in general and at Bethany Retirement Living.
• Numerous emails have been sent to families from our Social Services team. Please contact a member of the social service team if you would like to be added to the e-mail list.
• Everbridge (Mass Communication System) messages have been distributed by the CEO for education to family member primary contact.
• Letters have been mailed to primary Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) resident contacts, SNF residents without dementia/memory issues, and residents of Towers, Gables and Grace Pointe.
• Potential admissions are screened for symptoms, fever and close contact to a current COVID-positive person. We will also ask your vaccination status.
• SNF admissions are initially processed through one unit (TCU) with increased monitoring of potential symptoms.
• A negative COVID test is required prior to a skilled care admission or return from hospital. Even with a negative COVID test, we still quarantine new skilled care admissions and hospital/ER returns for 14 days.
• Bethany may admit COVID positive residents periodically if we have a COVID-positive area set up.
• Screening of SNF residents occurs daily and at times two or three times/day. Symptoms monitored include a set of vital signs along with the observation of any of the following: coughing, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, sore throat, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, muscle aches and loss of taste/smell.
• Screening of Assisted Living and Basic Care residents occurs daily and, at times, two times/day. Symptoms monitored include temperature, pulse and O2 sats along with observation of any of the following: coughing, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, sore throat, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, muscle aches and loss of taste/smell.
• Resident Activities of Daily Living (ADL) sheets are updated to include prompts for hand sanitizing of resident hands and resident mask placement.
• Non-emergent resident appointments are being decreased, if able.
• Resident group activities are starting to occur while also practicing social distancing and use of facemasks. Some activities are also live streamed.
• Residents are encouraged to remain in their room when not attending an activity, therapy or exercise.
• Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy is being conducted in both the resident rooms and in the therapy/wellness center as long as the resident/patient is not in isolation.
• We are slowly introducing communal dining that promotes physical distancing in our assisted living, basic care and skilled care settings. Communal dining plans may change quickly as ND Department of Health guidelines change.
• Use of hand sanitizer is encouraged for each resident interaction.
• Use of masks is encouraged for all residents.
• Each Bethany campus has a designated Infection Preventionist to provide surveillance and oversight.
• Visual alerts such as signage and posters have been added throughout the facility to encourage hand sanitizing for both residents and staff.

What have you done to educate staff and decrease the risk of COVID-19?

• See questions above as some information applies to both questions.
• Everbridge (Mass Communication System) messages to staff related to education.
• Many YouTube videos have been produced and sent to ALL staff cell phones.
• Educational videos and verbal education are reviewed at shift change/daily huddles etc.
• Mandatory Healthcare Academy education on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), hand hygiene, COVID-19 and infection prevention have been assigned and made mandatory for all employees.
• Surveillance and auditing of employees is being conducted to ensure proper use of PPE and handwashing is occurring.
• Hand sanitizer is required for all nursing staff to have on the person (this is not new, but an uncommon practice for most SNFs).
• Surgical or N95 Facemasks are required for staff when in resident areas. Face shields are also required for non-vaccinated staff.
• Facemask and face shield requirements may evolve as guidance changes.
• All employees are required to wear face masks when outside of their office spaces. Staff may wear a surgical or N95 mask when in resident areas.
• High-touch surfaces are sanitized multiple times per day in office spaces, common areas, etc.
• Educational resources from the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) that pertain to COVID-19 have been provided to employees.
• Employees are monitored for COVID-19 symptoms at the start of each shift, as well as with staff that call in ill prior to their shift. A detailed spreadsheet enables close tracking of all employees with symptoms and tracks adherence to the Return-to-Work guidance from the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH).
• Employees that have been taken off the schedule due to COVID-19 symptoms, close contact, or having received a positive COVID-19 test result are contacted frequently to monitor symptoms and to determine a safe timeline for return.
• A COVID-19 Leadership team meets regularly to discuss PPE supply and to analyze additional vendors for increased PPE supply, new guidance on COVID-19,vaccination availability etc.
• Meetings are held weekly to discuss employees who are furloughed and their plans for return to work.
• Leadership team members are on-call 24 hours per day/7 days a week to deal with employee and family questions and concerns.
• Weekly or bi-weekly meetings and/or conference calls/webinars/education reviews are held with the NDDoH, Centers for Disease Control, Public Health, ND Long Term Care Association, State immunization offices and American Health Care Association.
• Contact tracing if/when applicable is coordinated with the ND Department of Health.
• Excess chairs have been removed in break room areas to limit tables to two staff members at a table only. Additional space has been opened up for employee breaks to allow for social distancing.
• Visual alerts such as signs and posters have been added throughout all buildings that encourage staff hand hygiene, resident hand hygiene and proper use of PPE.
• Increased hand hygiene stations have been installed throughout all buildings.
• Staff competencies are routinely completed to establish/verify adherence to infection prevention.

We have received notification that a resident at Bethany has tested positive for COVID-19 and we have the following questions.

Will all residents now be tested?

• Resident testing (mass surveillance testing of all residents) is coordinated and directed by the ND Department of Health. A resident that is symptomatic is tested at the direction of the resident’s physician.

Will all staff be tested?

• Bethany employees complete a health screening at the start of their shift. If an employee triggers a concern on the health screening, they are immediately removed from the schedule.  A Bethany staff member then works with the employee on symptom monitoring, communication with their physician and return to work protocol.
• Staff testing (mass surveillance testing of all staff) is coordinated by Cass County Public Health and directed by the ND Department of Health and is based on the Cass County COVID positivity rate.
• Non-vaccinated staff are tested weekly.

Will COVID-19 positive residents be taken to the hospital?

• A transfer to the hospital is coordinated by the resident’s physician and Bethany staff. Residents who are in a declining health status may be transferred to the hospital as directed by their physician.  Bethany would call 911 in an emergency situation.

What is the vaccination plan for new residents, patients and staff?

• Bethany is working closely with Thrifty White Pharmacy to vaccinate new residents, patients and staff. Thrifty White has secured a weekly allocation of vaccine.   At this time, Thrifty White Pharmacy should have enough vaccine allocation to vaccinate new patients, new residents and new staff on a weekly basis if they chose to get vaccinated.  This plan can change quickly as the federal government can change distribution plans at any time.

Bethany Retirement Living FAQs and COVID-19 Cases as of 3/23/21 2:00pm:

Dear families and friends of Bethany Retirement Living:

From Wednesday (3/16) through Monday (3/22), Bethany conducted 103 standard surveillance COVID-19 swab tests for residents and staff at both Bethany on 42^nd and Bethany on University.  During our Monday testing event, one Bethany on University Skilled Care employee on Cedar Square tested positive for COVID-19.  CMS defines a COVID outbreak as one staff person testing positive regardless of how many employees you have.  Due to this positive case, visitation is suspended on Cedar Square until Monday, April 5^th if no other positive cases are identified.  Compassionate Care Visitation will still be allowed.  This week Cass County also moved to classification level “Yellow” by the Department of Health.  This new classification level and the positive COVID test by a Bethany on University SNF employee will change our testing plans for the next few weeks.  For the next 3 weeks all Bethany employees will be tested one time per week.  Our Bethany on University Skilled Care Units are testing all residents one time and all Cedar Square residents and staff again on Friday (3/26).  Until the Cass County moves to a “Green” classification, weekly testing of all employees will continue.  Please review our FAQs below for answers to questions you may have.

Bethany Towers I & II and Bethany Gables are allowing expanded hours visitation.  Bethany on 42^nd Skilled Care and Bethany on University Skilled Care are allowing expanded hours visitation and compassionate care visits.  Please see visitation section on our website for complete details.

To keep residents healthy and safe please consider getting vaccinated as soon as you are able.  If you have not been vaccinated, please consider getting tested before you visit and bring proof of current COVID-19 testing results with you.  The Fargo testing site is now offering rapid tests, so you can have the results in 15 minutes.  We prefer proof of a negative COVID-19 test that was taken within the past 5 days.  If you do not get rapid tested, we recommend that you get a PCR test on the same day every week so you get an idea of when you will be receiving the test results from the Department of Health in either ND or MN.  Free testing is available at the following locations:

• NOTE NEW SITE ADDRESS! Testing site for Fargo/West Fargo, 3051 25^th Street S., Suite K, Fargo, ND. 

This site is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday, and no appointment is necessary.

• Former Thomas Edison Elementary School, 1110 14th Street South, Moorhead.

This is saliva testing and the site is open Monday/Tuesday/Friday from 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm and Saturday/Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.  Schedule Appointment with Vault Health

Thrifty White Pharmacy is now providing vaccinations for new admissions, new employees and any current resident or employee that wishes to be vaccinated at a scheduled time, one time per week.  Please visit Thriftywhite.com for eligibility details and to sign up for an appointment time.  Please do not call the pharmacy, as they cannot schedule appointments.

COVID-19 testing frequency for staff and residents may change quickly as it is dependent on CMS outbreak guidelines.  Resident testing takes place in the residents’ rooms and is coordinated by the Skilled Care and Assisted Living/Basic Care nursing teams.  The test is free of charge.

Bethany employees will contact all residents with positive test results.  If you have any questions or concerns about the test, please contact the social worker or unit manager in Skilled Care or the Nurse in Assisted Living/Basic Care.

At Bethany, if an employee tests positive for COVID-19, they are immediately removed from the schedule and told to quarantine at home.  A positive resident is moved to a confined COVID-19 skilled care area with designated staff.

Bethany will continue to provide updates via e-mail and our website as our COVID-19 cases change.  You are also able to call us with any questions.  We are providing this link to the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) COVID19 website for your convenience https://www.health.nd.gov/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/north-dakota-coronavirus-cases .  As we update our information, here are a few guidelines we will be following:

• We are following recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the North Dakota Department of Health.
• We will not be identifying employees, residents or patients who test positive due to confidentiality.
• We will not give information on resident deaths due to confidentiality.

Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers.  We may add or subtract cases as new test results arrive or as cases are resolved.  Due to the timing of the results, they may not be reflected on the State website at the time of this posting.

Sincerely, Shawn Stuhaug, CEO

Frequently Asked Questions:

What have you done to decrease the risk of COVID-19 for residents and educate family members?

• We are following recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), American Health Care Association (AHCA) and the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH).
• Among the first acts undertaken to limit potential exposure was to restrict visitors and lock the entrances to Bethany buildings. As Cass County positivity rates decrease, we modify our visitation restrictions.  Please visit our website for visiting hours.
• All visitors are screened as they enter the buildings. Visitors are also encouraged to get regular COVID testing that is offered in our community.  Please practice physical distancing when participating in the screening process.
• When available, we strongly urge that you receive the COVID vaccine and present proof of vaccine during the screening process.
• The Bethany website has been enhanced by adding a “Coronavirus Information” tab to share up-to-date information about the pandemic in general and at Bethany Retirement Living.
• Numerous emails have been sent to families from our Social Services team. Please contact a member of the social service team if you would like to be added to the e-mail list.
• Everbridge (Mass Communication System) messages have been distributed by the CEO for education to family member primary contact.
• Letters have been mailed to primary Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) resident contacts, SNF residents without dementia/memory issues, and residents of Towers, Gables and Grace Pointe.
• Potential admissions are screened for symptoms, fever and close contact to a current COVID-positive person. We will also ask your vaccination status.
• SNF admissions are initially processed through one unit (TCU) with increased monitoring of potential symptoms.
• A negative COVID test is required prior to a skilled care admission or return from hospital. Even with a negative COVID test, we still quarantine new skilled care admissions and hospital/ER returns for 14 days.
• Bethany may admit COVID positive residents periodically if we have a COVID-positive area set up.
• Screening of SNF residents occurs daily and at times two or three times/day. Symptoms monitored include a set of vital signs along with the observation of any of the following: coughing, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, sore throat, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, muscle aches and loss of taste/smell.
• Screening of Assisted Living and Basic Care residents occurs daily and, at times, two times/day. Symptoms monitored include temperature, pulse and O2 sats along with observation of any of the following: coughing, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, sore throat, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, muscle aches and loss of taste/smell.
• Resident Activities of Daily Living (ADL) sheets are updated to include prompts for hand sanitizing of resident hands and resident mask placement.
• Non-emergent resident appointments are being decreased, if able.
• Resident group activities are starting to occur while also practicing social distancing and use of facemasks. Some activities are also live streamed.
• Residents are encouraged to remain in their room when not attending an activity, therapy or exercise.
• Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy is being conducted in both the resident rooms and in the therapy/wellness center as long as the resident/patient is not in isolation.
• We are slowly introducing communal dining that promotes physical distancing in our assisted living, basic care and skilled care settings. Communal dining plans may change quickly as ND Department of Health guidelines change.
• Use of hand sanitizer is encouraged for each resident interaction.
• Use of masks is encouraged for all residents.
• Each Bethany campus has a designated Infection Preventionist to provide surveillance and oversight.
• Visual alerts such as signage and posters have been added throughout the facility to encourage hand sanitizing for both residents and staff.

What have you done to educate staff and decrease the risk of COVID-19?

• See questions above as some information applies to both questions.
• Everbridge (Mass Communication System) messages to staff related to education.
• Many YouTube videos have been produced and sent to ALL staff cell phones.
• Educational videos and verbal education are reviewed at shift change/daily huddles etc.
• Mandatory Healthcare Academy education on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), hand hygiene, COVID-19 and infection prevention have been assigned and made mandatory for all employees.
• Surveillance and auditing of employees is being conducted to ensure proper use of PPE and handwashing is occurring.
• Hand sanitizer is required for all nursing staff to have on the person (this is not new, but an uncommon practice for most SNFs).
• Surgical or N95 Facemasks are required for staff when in resident areas. Face shields are also required for non-vaccinated staff.
• Facemask and face shield requirements may evolve as guidance changes.
• All employees are required to wear face masks when outside of their office spaces. Staff may wear a surgical or N95 mask when in resident areas.
• High-touch surfaces are sanitized multiple times per day in office spaces, common areas, etc.
• Educational resources from the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) that pertain to COVID-19 have been provided to employees.
• Employees are monitored for COVID-19 symptoms at the start of each shift, as well as with staff that call in ill prior to their shift. A detailed spreadsheet enables close tracking of all employees with symptoms and tracks adherence to the Return-to-Work guidance from the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH).
• Employees that have been taken off the schedule due to COVID-19 symptoms, close contact, or having received a positive COVID-19 test result are contacted frequently to monitor symptoms and to determine a safe timeline for return.
• A COVID-19 Leadership team meets regularly to discuss PPE supply and to analyze additional vendors for increased PPE supply, new guidance on COVID-19,vaccination availability etc.
• Meetings are held weekly to discuss employees who are furloughed and their plans for return to work.
• Leadership team members are on-call 24 hours per day/7 days a week to deal with employee and family questions and concerns.
• Weekly or bi-weekly meetings and/or conference calls/webinars/education reviews are held with the NDDoH, Centers for Disease Control, Public Health, ND Long Term Care Association, State immunization offices and American Health Care Association.
• Contact tracing if/when applicable is coordinated with the ND Department of Health.
• Excess chairs have been removed in break room areas to limit tables to two staff members at a table only. Additional space has been opened up for employee breaks to allow for social distancing.
• Visual alerts such as signs and posters have been added throughout all buildings that encourage staff hand hygiene, resident hand hygiene and proper use of PPE.
• Increased hand hygiene stations have been installed throughout all buildings.
• Staff competencies are routinely completed to establish/verify adherence to infection prevention.

We have received notification that a resident at Bethany has tested positive for COVID-19 and we have the following questions.

Will all residents now be tested?

• Resident testing (mass surveillance testing of all residents) is coordinated and directed by the ND Department of Health. A resident that is symptomatic is tested at the direction of the resident’s physician.

Will all staff be tested?

• Bethany employees complete a health screening at the start of their shift. If an employee triggers a concern on the health screening, they are immediately removed from the schedule.  A Bethany staff member then works with the employee on symptom monitoring, communication with their physician and return to work protocol.
• Staff testing (mass surveillance testing of all staff) is coordinated by Cass County Public Health and directed by the ND Department of Health and is based on the Cass County COVID positivity rate.
• Non-vaccinated staff are tested weekly.

Will COVID-19 positive residents be taken to the hospital?

• A transfer to the hospital is coordinated by the resident’s physician and Bethany staff. Residents who are in a declining health status may be transferred to the hospital as directed by their physician.  Bethany would call 911 in an emergency situation.

What is the vaccination plan for new residents, patients and staff?

• Bethany is working closely with Thrifty White Pharmacy to vaccinate new residents, patients and staff. Thrifty White has secured a weekly allocation of vaccine.   At this time, Thrifty White Pharmacy should have enough vaccine allocation to vaccinate new patients, new residents and new staff on a weekly basis if they chose to get vaccinated.  This plan can change quickly as the federal government can change distribution plans at any time.

Bethany Retirement Living FAQs and COVID-19 Cases as of 3/16/21 10:00am:

Dear families and friends of Bethany Retirement Living:

CMS recently updated the skilled nursing visitation and testing guidelines.  Along with the CMS update, Governor Burgum ended his Executive Orders for Assisted Living, Basic Care and Nursing Homes.  These updates helped long term care facilities move towards increased visitation, but it doesn’t mean we are back to pre-pandemic operations just yet.  We still need to follow screening protocols, masking and other CMS and CDC guidance for infection control.  Please continue to monitor our website for visitation guidance as we navigate this pandemic.

We will now be testing vaccinated staff monthly and moving away from testing vaccinated residents.  We will continue to monitor vaccinated residents for symptoms and test if needed.  We continue testing non-vaccinated staff and residents weekly.  From Wednesday (3/10) through Tuesday (3/15), Bethany conducted 212 standard surveillance COVID-19 swab tests for residents and staff at both Bethany on 42^nd and Bethany on University.  There were no new positive resident or staff cases.  Please review our FAQs below for answers to questions you may have.

Bethany Towers I & II and Bethany Gables are allowing expanded hours visitation.  Bethany on 42^nd Skilled Care and Bethany on University Skilled Care are allowing expanded hours visitation and compassionate care visits.  Please see visitation section on our website for complete details.

To keep residents healthy and safe please consider getting vaccinated as soon as you are able.  If you have not been vaccinated, please consider getting tested before you visit and bring proof of current COVID-19 testing results with you.  The Fargo testing site is now offering rapid tests, so you can have the results in 15 minutes.  We prefer proof of a negative COVID-19 test that was taken within the past 5 days.  If you do not get rapid tested, we recommend that you get a PCR test on the same day every week so you get an idea of when you will be receiving the test results from the Department of Health in either ND or MN.  Free testing is available at the following locations:

1. NOTE NEW SITE ADDRESS! Testing site for Fargo/West Fargo, 3051 25^th Street S., Suite K, Fargo, ND.

        This site is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday, and no appointment is necessary.

2. Former Thomas Edison Elementary School, 1110 14th Street South, Moorhead, MN.

        This is saliva testing and the site is open Monday/Tuesday/Friday from 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm and Saturday/Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.  Schedule Appointment with Vault Health

Thrifty White Pharmacy is now providing vaccinations for new admissions, new employees and any current resident or employee that wishes to be vaccinated at a scheduled time, one time per week.  Please visit Thriftywhite.com for eligibility details and to sign up for an appointment time.  Please do not call the pharmacy, as they cannot schedule appointments.

COVID-19 testing frequency for staff and residents may change quickly as it is dependent on CMS outbreak guidelines.  Resident testing takes place in the residents’ rooms and is coordinated by the Skilled Care and Assisted Living/Basic Care nursing teams.  The test is free of charge.

Bethany employees will contact all residents with positive test results.  If you have any questions or concerns about the test, please contact the social worker or unit manager in Skilled Care or the Nurse in Assisted Living/Basic Care.

At Bethany, if an employee tests positive for COVID-19, they are immediately removed from the schedule and told to quarantine at home.  A positive resident is moved to a confined COVID-19 skilled care area with designated staff.

Bethany will continue to provide updates via e-mail and our website as our COVID-19 cases change.  You are also able to call us with any questions.  We are providing this link to the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) COVID19 website for your convenience https://www.health.nd.gov/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/north-dakota-coronavirus-cases.  As we update our information, here are a few guidelines we will be following:

• We are following recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the North Dakota Department of Health.
• We will not be identifying employees, residents or patients who test positive due to confidentiality.
• We will not give information on resident deaths due to confidentiality.

Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers.  We may add or subtract cases as new test results arrive or as cases are resolved.  Due to the timing of the results, they may not be reflected on the State website at the time of this posting.

Sincerely, Shawn Stuhaug, CEO

Frequently Asked Questions:

What have you done to decrease the risk of COVID-19 for residents and educate family members?

• We are following recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), American Health Care Association (AHCA) and the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH).
• Among the first acts undertaken to limit potential exposure was to restrict visitors and lock the entrances to Bethany buildings.  As Cass County positivity rates decrease, we modify our visitation restrictions.  Please visit our website for visiting hours.
• All visitors are screened as they enter the buildings.  Visitors are also encouraged to get regular COVID testing that is offered in our community.  Please practice physical distancing when participating in the screening process.
• When available, we strongly urge that you receive the COVID vaccine and present proof of vaccine during the screening process.
• The Bethany website has been enhanced by adding a “Coronavirus Information” tab to share up-to-date information about the pandemic in general and at Bethany Retirement Living.
• Numerous emails have been sent to families from our Social Services team.  Please contact a member of the social service team if you would like to be added to the e-mail list.
• Everbridge (Mass Communication System) messages have been distributed by the CEO for education to family member primary contact.
• Letters have been mailed to primary Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) resident contacts, SNF residents without dementia/memory issues, and residents of Towers, Gables and Grace Pointe.
• Potential admissions are screened for symptoms, fever and close contact to a current COVID-positive person.  We will also ask your vaccination status.
• SNF admissions are initially processed through one unit (TCU) with increased monitoring of potential symptoms.
• A negative COVID test is required prior to a skilled care admission or return from hospital.  Even with a negative COVID test, we still quarantine new skilled care admissions and hospital/ER returns for 14 days.
• Bethany may admit COVID positive residents periodically if we have a COVID-positive area set up.
• Screening of SNF residents occurs daily and at times two or three times/day.  Symptoms monitored include a set of vital signs along with the observation of any of the following: coughing, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, sore throat, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, muscle aches and loss of taste/smell.
• Screening of Assisted Living and Basic Care residents occurs daily and, at times, two times/day.  Symptoms monitored include temperature, pulse and O2 sats along with observation of any of the following: coughing, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, sore throat, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, muscle aches and loss of taste/smell.
• Resident Activities of Daily Living (ADL) sheets are updated to include prompts for hand sanitizing of resident hands and resident mask placement.
• Non-emergent resident appointments are being decreased, if able.
• Resident group activities are starting to occur while also practicing social distancing and use of facemasks.  Some activities are also live streamed.
• Residents are encouraged to remain in their room when not attending an activity, therapy or exercise.
• Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy is being conducted in both the resident rooms and in the therapy/wellness center as long as the resident/patient is not in isolation.
• We are slowly introducing communal dining that promotes physical distancing in our assisted living, basic care and skilled care settings.  Communal dining plans may change quickly as ND Department of Health guidelines change.
• Use of hand sanitizer is encouraged for each resident interaction.
• Use of masks is encouraged for all residents.
• Each Bethany campus has a designated Infection Preventionist to provide surveillance and oversight.
• Visual alerts such as signage and posters have been added throughout the facility to encourage hand sanitizing for both residents and staff.

What have you done to educate staff and decrease the risk of COVID-19?

• See questions above as some information applies to both questions.
• Everbridge (Mass Communication System) messages to staff related to education.
• Many YouTube videos have been produced and sent to ALL staff cell phones.
• Educational videos and verbal education are reviewed at shift change/daily huddles etc.
• Mandatory Healthcare Academy education on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), hand hygiene, COVID-19 and infection prevention have been assigned and made mandatory for all employees.
• Surveillance and auditing of employees is being conducted to ensure proper use of PPE and hand washing is occurring.
• Hand sanitizer is required for all nursing staff to have on the person (this is not new, but an uncommon practice for most SNFs).
• Surgical or N95 Facemasks are required for staff when in resident areas.  Face shields are also required for non-vaccinated staff.
• Facemask and face shield requirements may evolve as guidance changes.
• All employees are required to wear face masks when outside of their office spaces.  Staff may wear a surgical or N95 mask when in resident areas.
• High-touch surfaces are sanitized multiple times per day in office spaces, common areas, etc.
• Educational resources from the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) that pertain to COVID-19 have been provided to employees.
• Employees are monitored for COVID-19 symptoms at the start of each shift, as well as with staff that call in ill prior to their shift.  A detailed spreadsheet enables close tracking of all employees with symptoms and tracks adherence to the Return-to-Work guidance from the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH).
• Employees that have been taken off the schedule due to COVID-19 symptoms, close contact, or having received a positive COVID-19 test result are contacted frequently to monitor symptoms and to determine a safe timeline for return.
• A COVID-19 Leadership team meets regularly to discuss PPE supply and to analyze additional vendors for increased PPE supply, new guidance on COVID-19,vaccination availability etc.
• Meetings are held weekly to discuss employees who are furloughed and their plans for return to work.
• Leadership team members are on-call 24 hours per day/7 days a week to deal with employee and family questions and concerns.
• Weekly or bi-weekly meetings and/or conference calls/webinars/education reviews are held with the NDDoH, Centers for Disease Control, Public Health, ND Long Term Care Association, State immunization offices and American Health Care Association.
• Contact tracing if/when applicable is coordinated with the ND Department of Health.
• Excess chairs have been removed in break room areas to limit tables to two staff members at a table only.  Additional space has been opened up for employee breaks to allow for social distancing.
• Visual alerts such as signs and posters have been added throughout all buildings that encourage staff hand hygiene, resident hand hygiene and proper use of PPE.
• Increased hand hygiene stations have been installed throughout all buildings.
• Staff competencies are routinely completed to establish/verify adherence to infection prevention.

We have received notification that a resident at Bethany has tested positive for COVID-19 and we have the following questions.

Will all residents now be tested?

• Resident testing (mass surveillance testing of all residents) is coordinated and directed by the ND Department of Health.  A resident that is symptomatic is tested at the direction of the resident’s physician.

Will all staff be tested?

• Bethany employees complete a health screening at the start of their shift.  If an employee triggers a concern on the health screening, they are immediately removed from the schedule.  A Bethany staff member then works with the employee on symptom monitoring, communication with their physician and return to work protocol.
• Staff testing (mass surveillance testing of all staff) is coordinated by Cass County Public Health and directed by the ND Department of Health and is based on the Cass County COVID positivity rate.
• Non-vaccinated staff are tested weekly.

Will COVID-19 positive residents be taken to the hospital?

• A transfer to the hospital is coordinated by the resident’s physician and Bethany staff.  Residents who are in a declining health status may be transferred to the hospital as directed by their physician.  Bethany would call 911 in an emergency situation.

What is the vaccination plan for new residents, patients and staff?

• Bethany is working closely with Thrifty White Pharmacy to vaccinate new residents, patients and staff.  Thrifty White has secured a weekly allocation of vaccine.   At this time, Thrifty White Pharmacy should have enough vaccine allocation to vaccinate new patients, new residents and new staff on a weekly basis if they chose to get vaccinated.  This plan can change quickly as the federal government can change distribution plans at any time.

Fargo Cass Public Health COVID Testing Site Moving – 3/12/2021 2:30 pm

Effective Monday, March 15^th, the Journey/Faith Church CoVID-19 testing location in West Fargo will be closed.  The new Fargo Cass Public Health COVID-19 testing location is 3051 25^th Street S, Suite K, Fargo ND.

• This site is in the Family Fare shopping center located between Grand Junction and Midwest Vision. Park in the available parking spots and walk inside to test.

The Moorhead testing location remains the same at the Former Thomas Edison Elementary School, 1110 14^th Street South, Moorhead MN.

• This is saliva testing and the site is open Monday/Tuesday/Friday from 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm and Saturday/Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Schedule Appointment with Vault Health

Bethany Retirement Living FAQs and COVID-19 Cases as of 3/9/21 11:45am:

Dear families and friends of Bethany Retirement Living:

We continue with testing vaccinated staff and residents every other week so our total testing numbers will fluctuate and not be as high as previous months when we were testing one or two times per week.  Our testing days fluctuate each week based on the lab schedule so we will now report on the number of tests between dates.  We continue to test non-vaccinated staff and residents two times per week.  From Wednesday (3/3) through Tuesday (3/9), Bethany conducted 216 standard surveillance COVID-19 swab tests for residents and staff at both Bethany on 42^nd and Bethany on University.  There were no new positive resident or staff cases.  Please review our FAQs below for answers to questions you may have.

Bethany Towers I & II and Bethany Gables are allowing expanded hours visitation.  Bethany on 42^nd Skilled Care and Bethany on University Skilled Care are allowing expanded hours visitation and compassionate care visits.  Please see visitation section on our website for complete details.

To keep residents healthy and safe please consider getting vaccinated as soon as you are able.  If you have not been vaccinated, please consider getting tested before you visit and bring proof of current COVID-19 testing results with you.  The Faith and Journey testing site is now offering rapid tests, so you can have the results in 15 minutes.  We prefer proof of a negative COVID-19 test that was taken within the past 5 days.  If you do not get rapid tested, we recommend that you get a PCR test on the same day every week so you get an idea of when you will be receiving the test results from the Department of Health in either ND or MN.  Free testing is available at the following locations:

• Faith Journey Lutheran Church, 650 40^th Avenue SE, West Fargo. (some map programs list it as East-not SE) The church is directly West of Sheyenne High School.

This site is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday, and no appointment is necessary.

• Former Thomas Edison Elementary School, 1110 14th Street South, Moorhead.

This is saliva testing and the site is open Monday/Tuesday/Friday from 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm and Saturday/Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.  Schedule Appointment with Vault Health

Thrifty White Pharmacy is now providing vaccinations for new admissions, new employees and any current resident or employee that wishes to be vaccinated at a scheduled time, one time per week.  Please visit Thriftywhite.com for eligibility details and to sign up for an appointment time.  Please do not call the pharmacy, as they cannot schedule appointments.

We are conducting twice-a-week COVID-19 surveillance swab testing on skilled care, basic care, and assisted living residents and staff who are not vaccinated.  We test vaccinated residents and staff every other week unless we need to conduct increased testing according to CMS outbreak guidelines.  Resident testing will take place in the residents’ rooms and will be coordinated by the Skilled Care and Assisted Living/Basic Care nursing teams.  The test is free of charge.

Bethany employees will contact all residents with positive test results.  If you have any questions or concerns about the test, please contact the social worker or unit manager in Skilled Care or the Nurse in Assisted Living/Basic Care.

At Bethany, if an employee tests positive for COVID-19, they are immediately removed from the schedule and told to quarantine at home.  A positive resident is moved to a confined COVID-19 skilled care area with designated staff.

Bethany will continue to provide updates via e-mail and our website as our COVID-19 cases change.  You are also able to call us with any questions.  We are providing this link to the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) COVID19 website for your convenience https://www.health.nd.gov/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/north-dakota-coronavirus-cases .  As we update our information, here are a few guidelines we will be following:

• We are following recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the North Dakota Department of Health.
• We will not be identifying employees, residents or patients who test positive due to confidentiality.
• All employees who are ill are not allowed to work for 14 days and will need two negative COVID-19 tests prior to return to work.
• We will not give information on resident deaths due to confidentiality.

Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers.  We may add or subtract cases as new test results arrive or as cases are resolved.  Due to the timing of the results, they may not be reflected on the State website at the time of this posting.

Sincerely, Shawn Stuhaug, CEO

Frequently Asked Questions:

What have you done to decrease the risk of COVID-19 for residents and educate family members?

• We are following recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), American Health Care Association (AHCA) and the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH).
• Among the first acts undertaken to limit potential exposure was to restrict visitors and lock the entrances to Bethany buildings. As Cass County positivity rates decrease, we modify our visitation restrictions.  Please visit our website for visiting hours.
• All visitors are screened as they enter the buildings. Visitors are also encouraged to get regular COVID testing that is offered in our community.  Please practice physical distancing when participating in the screening process.
• When available, we strongly urge that you receive the COVID vaccine and present proof of vaccine during the screening process.
• The Bethany website has been enhanced by adding a “Coronavirus Information” tab to share up-to-date information about the pandemic in general and at Bethany Retirement Living.
• Numerous emails have been sent to families from our Social Services team. Please contact a member of the social service team if you would like to be added to the e-mail list.
• Everbridge (Mass Communication System) messages have been distributed by the CEO for education to family member primary contact.
• Letters have been mailed to primary Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) resident contacts, SNF residents without dementia/memory issues, and residents of Towers, Gables and Grace Pointe.
• Potential admissions are screened for symptoms, fever and close contact to a current COVID-positive person. We will also ask your vaccination status.
• SNF admissions are initially processed through one unit (TCU) with increased monitoring of potential symptoms.
• A negative COVID test is required prior to a skilled care admission or return from hospital. Even with a negative COVID test, we still quarantine new skilled care admissions and hospital/ER returns for 14 days.
• Bethany may admit COVID positive residents periodically if we have a COVID-positive area set up.
• Screening of SNF residents occurs daily and at times two or three times/day. Symptoms monitored include a set of vital signs along with the observation of any of the following: coughing, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, sore throat, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, muscle aches and loss of taste/smell.
• Screening of Assisted Living and Basic Care residents occurs daily and, at times, two times/day. Symptoms monitored include temperature, pulse and O2 sats along with observation of any of the following: coughing, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, sore throat, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, muscle aches and loss of taste/smell.
• Resident Activities of Daily Living (ADL) sheets are updated to include prompts for hand sanitizing of resident hands and resident mask placement.
• Non-emergent resident appointments are being decreased, if able.
• Resident group activities are starting to occur while also practicing social distancing and use of facemasks. Some activities are also live streamed.
• Residents are encouraged to remain in their room when not attending an activity, therapy or exercise.
• Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy is being conducted in both the resident rooms and in the therapy/wellness center as long as the resident/patient is not in isolation.
• We are slowly introducing communal dining that promotes physical distancing in our assisted living, basic care and skilled care settings. Communal dining plans may change quickly as ND Department of Health guidelines change.
• Use of hand sanitizer is encouraged for each resident interaction.
• Use of masks is encouraged for all residents.
• Each Bethany campus has a designated Infection Preventionist to provide surveillance and oversight.
• Visual alerts such as signage and posters have been added throughout the facility to encourage hand sanitizing for both residents and staff.

What have you done to educate staff and decrease the risk of COVID-19?

• See questions above as some information applies to both questions.
• Everbridge (Mass Communication System) messages to staff related to education.
• Many YouTube videos have been produced and sent to ALL staff cell phones.
• Educational videos and verbal education are reviewed at shift change/daily huddles etc.
• Mandatory Healthcare Academy education on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), hand hygiene, COVID-19 and infection prevention have been assigned and made mandatory for all employees.
• Surveillance and auditing of employees is being conducted to ensure proper use of PPE and handwashing is occurring.
• Hand sanitizer is required for all nursing staff to have on the person (this is not new, but an uncommon practice for most SNFs).
• Surgical or N95 Facemasks are required for staff when in resident areas. Face shields are also required for non-vaccinated staff.
• Facemask and face shield requirements may evolve as guidance changes.
• All employees are required to wear face masks when outside of their office spaces. Staff may wear a surgical or N95 mask when in resident areas.
• High-touch surfaces are sanitized multiple times per day in office spaces, common areas, etc.
• Educational resources from the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) that pertain to COVID-19 have been provided to employees.
• Employees are monitored for COVID-19 symptoms at the start of each shift, as well as with staff that call in ill prior to their shift. A detailed spreadsheet enables close tracking of all employees with symptoms and tracks adherence to the Return-to-Work guidance from the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH).
• Employees that have been taken off the schedule due to COVID-19 symptoms, close contact, or having received a positive COVID-19 test result are contacted frequently to monitor symptoms and to determine a safe timeline for return.
• A COVID-19 Leadership team meets regularly to discuss PPE supply and to analyze additional vendors for increased PPE supply, new guidance on COVID-19,vaccination availability etc.
• Meetings are held weekly to discuss employees who are furloughed and their plans for return to work.
• Leadership team members are on-call 24 hours per day/7 days a week to deal with employee and family questions and concerns.
• Weekly or bi-weekly meetings and/or conference calls/webinars/education reviews are held with the NDDoH, Centers for Disease Control, Public Health, ND Long Term Care Association, State immunization offices and American Health Care Association.
• Contact tracing if/when applicable is coordinated with the ND Department of Health.
• Excess chairs have been removed in break room areas to limit tables to two staff members at a table only. Additional space has been opened up for employee breaks to allow for social distancing.
• Visual alerts such as signs and posters have been added throughout all buildings that encourage staff hand hygiene, resident hand hygiene and proper use of PPE.
• Increased hand hygiene stations have been installed throughout all buildings.
• Staff competencies are routinely completed to establish/verify adherence to infection prevention.

We have received notification that a resident at Bethany has tested positive for COVID-19 and we have the following questions.

Will all residents now be tested?

• Resident testing (mass surveillance testing of all residents) is coordinated and directed by the ND Department of Health. A resident that is symptomatic is tested at the direction of the resident’s physician.

Will all staff be tested?

• Bethany employees complete a health screening at the start of their shift. If an employee triggers a concern on the health screening, they are immediately removed from the schedule.  A Bethany staff member then works with the employee on symptom monitoring, communication with their physician and return to work protocol.
• Staff testing (mass surveillance testing of all staff) is coordinated by Cass County Public Health and directed by the ND Department of Health and is based on the Cass County COVID positivity rate.
• Non-vaccinated staff are tested two times per week.

Will COVID-19 positive residents be taken to the hospital?

• A transfer to the hospital is coordinated by the resident’s physician and Bethany staff. Residents who are in a declining health status may be transferred to the hospital as directed by their physician.  Bethany would call 911 in an emergency situation.

What is the vaccination plan for new residents, patients and staff?

• Bethany is working closely with Thrifty White Pharmacy to vaccinate new residents, patients and staff. Thrifty White has secured a weekly allocation of vaccine starting on February 23^rd,   At this time, Thrifty White Pharmacy should have enough vaccine allocation to vaccinate new patients, residents and staff as they arrive after 2/23/21.  This plan can change quickly as the federal government can change distribution plans at any time.

Bethany Retirement Living FAQs and COVID-19 Cases as of 3/2/21 1:30pm:

Dear families and friends of Bethany Retirement Living:

We continue with testing vaccinated staff and residents every other week so our total testing numbers will fluctuate and not be as high as previous months when we were testing one or two times per week.  Our testing days fluctuate each week based on the lab schedule so we will now report on the number of tests between dates.  We continue to test non-vaccinated staff and residents two times per week.  From Tuesday (2/23) through Tuesday (3/3), Bethany conducted 1610 standard surveillance COVID-19 swab tests for residents and staff at both Bethany on 42^nd and Bethany on University.  There were no new positive resident or staff cases.  Please review our FAQs below for answers to questions you may have.

Bethany Towers I & II and Bethany Gables are allowing expanded hours visitation.  Bethany on 42^nd Skilled Care and Bethany on University Skilled Care are allowing expanded hours visitation and compassionate care visits.  Please see visitation section on our website for complete details.

To keep residents healthy and safe please consider getting vaccinated as soon as you are able.  If you have not been vaccinated, please consider getting tested before you visit and bring proof of current COVID-19 testing results with you.  The Faith and Journey testing site is now offering rapid tests, so you can have the results in 15 minutes.  We prefer proof of a negative COVID-19 test that was taken within the past 5 days.  If you do not get rapid tested, we recommend that you get a PCR test on the same day every week so you get an idea of when you will be receiving the test results from the Department of Health in either ND or MN.  Free testing is available at the following locations:

• Faith Journey Lutheran Church, 650 40^th Avenue SE, West Fargo. (some map programs list it as East-not SE) The church is directly West of Sheyenne High School.

This site is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday, and no appointment is necessary.

• Former Thomas Edison Elementary School, 1110 14th Street South, Moorhead.

This is saliva testing and the site is open Monday/Tuesday/Friday from 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm and Saturday/Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.  Schedule Appointment with Vault Health

Thrifty White Pharmacy is now providing vaccinations for new admissions, new employees and any current resident or employee that wishes to be vaccinated at a scheduled time, one time per week.

We are conducting twice-a-week COVID-19 surveillance swab testing on skilled care, basic care, and assisted living residents and staff who are not vaccinated.  We test vaccinated residents and staff every other week unless we need to conduct increased testing according to CMS outbreak guidelines.  Resident testing will take place in the residents’ rooms and will be coordinated by the Skilled Care and Assisted Living/Basic Care nursing teams.  The test is free of charge.

Bethany employees will contact all residents with positive test results.  If you have any questions or concerns about the test, please contact the social worker or unit manager in Skilled Care or the Nurse in Assisted Living/Basic Care.

At Bethany, if an employee tests positive for COVID-19, they are immediately removed from the schedule and told to quarantine at home.  A positive resident is moved to a confined COVID-19 skilled care area with designated staff.

Bethany will continue to provide updates via e-mail and our website as our COVID-19 cases change.  You are also able to call us with any questions.  We are providing this link to the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) COVID19 website for your convenience https://www.health.nd.gov/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/north-dakota-coronavirus-cases .  As we update our information, here are a few guidelines we will be following:

• We are following recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the North Dakota Department of Health.
• We will not be identifying employees, residents or patients who test positive due to confidentiality.
• All employees who are ill are not allowed to work for 14 days and will need two negative COVID-19 tests prior to return to work.
• We will not give information on resident deaths due to confidentiality.

Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers.  We may add or subtract cases as new test results arrive or as cases are resolved.  Due to the timing of the results, they may not be reflected on the State website at the time of this posting.

Sincerely, Shawn Stuhaug, CEO

Frequently Asked Questions:

What have you done to decrease the risk of COVID-19 for residents and educate family members?

• We are following recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), American Health Care Association (AHCA) and the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH).
• Among the first acts undertaken to limit potential exposure was to restrict visitors and lock the entrances to Bethany buildings. As Cass County positivity rates decrease, we modify our visitation restrictions.  Please visit our website for visiting hours.
• All visitors are screened as they enter the buildings. Visitors are also encouraged to get regular COVID testing that is offered in our community.  Please practice physical distancing when participating in the screening process.
• When available, we strongly urge that you receive the COVID vaccine and present proof of vaccine during the screening process.
• The Bethany website has been enhanced by adding a “Coronavirus Information” tab to share up-to-date information about the pandemic in general and at Bethany Retirement Living.
• Numerous emails have been sent to families from our Social Services team. Please contact a member of the social service team if you would like to be added to the e-mail list.
• Everbridge (Mass Communication System) messages have been distributed by the CEO for education to family member primary contact.
• Letters have been mailed to primary Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) resident contacts, SNF residents without dementia/memory issues, and residents of Towers, Gables and Grace Pointe.
• Potential admissions are screened for symptoms, fever and close contact to a current COVID-positive person. We will also ask your vaccination status.
• SNF admissions are initially processed through one unit (TCU) with increased monitoring of potential symptoms.
• A negative COVID test is required prior to a skilled care admission or return from hospital. Even with a negative COVID test, we still quarantine new skilled care admissions and hospital/ER returns for 14 days.
• Bethany may admit COVID positive residents periodically if we have a COVID-positive area set up.
• Screening of SNF residents occurs daily and at times two or three times/day. Symptoms monitored include a set of vital signs along with the observation of any of the following: coughing, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, sore throat, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, muscle aches and loss of taste/smell.
• Screening of Assisted Living and Basic Care residents occurs daily and, at times, two times/day. Symptoms monitored include temperature, pulse and O2 sats along with observation of any of the following: coughing, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, sore throat, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, muscle aches and loss of taste/smell.
• Resident Activities of Daily Living (ADL) sheets are updated to include prompts for hand sanitizing of resident hands and resident mask placement.
• Non-emergent resident appointments are being decreased, if able.
• Resident group activities are starting to occur while also practicing social distancing and use of facemasks. Some activities are also live streamed.
• Residents are encouraged to remain in their room when not attending an activity, therapy or exercise.
• Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy is being conducted in both the resident rooms and in the therapy/wellness center as long as the resident/patient is not in isolation.
• We are slowly introducing communal dining that promotes physical distancing in our assisted living, basic care and skilled care settings. Communal dining plans may change quickly as ND Department of Health guidelines change.
• Use of hand sanitizer is encouraged for each resident interaction.
• Use of masks is encouraged for all residents.
• Each Bethany campus has a designated Infection Preventionist to provide surveillance and oversight.
• Visual alerts such as signage and posters have been added throughout the facility to encourage hand sanitizing for both residents and staff.

What have you done to educate staff and decrease the risk of COVID-19?

• See questions above as some information applies to both questions.
• Everbridge (Mass Communication System) messages to staff related to education.
• Many YouTube videos have been produced and sent to ALL staff cell phones.
• Educational videos and verbal education are reviewed at shift change/daily huddles etc.
• Mandatory Healthcare Academy education on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), hand hygiene, COVID-19 and infection prevention have been assigned and made mandatory for all employees.
• Surveillance and auditing of employees is being conducted to ensure proper use of PPE and handwashing is occurring.
• Hand sanitizer is required for all nursing staff to have on the person (this is not new, but an uncommon practice for most SNFs).
• Surgical or N95 Facemasks and face shields are required for staff when in resident areas. Face shields may be discontinued for vaccinated staff only as early as March 1, 2021.
• Facemask and face shield requirements may evolve as guidance changes.
• All employees are required to wear face masks when outside of their office spaces. Staff may wear a surgical or N95 mask when in resident areas.
• High-touch surfaces are sanitized multiple times per day in office spaces, common areas, etc.
• Educational resources from the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) that pertain to COVID-19 have been provided to employees.
• Employees are monitored for COVID-19 symptoms at the start of each shift, as well as with staff that call in ill prior to their shift. A detailed spreadsheet enables close tracking of all employees with symptoms and tracks adherence to the Return-to-Work guidance from the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH).
• Employees that have been taken off the schedule due to COVID-19 symptoms, close contact, or having received a positive COVID-19 test result are contacted frequently to monitor symptoms and to determine a safe timeline for return.
• A COVID-19 Leadership team meets regularly to discuss PPE supply and to analyze additional vendors for increased PPE supply, new guidance on COVID-19,vaccination availability etc.
• Meetings are held weekly to discuss employees who are furloughed and their plans for return to work.
• Leadership team members are on-call 24 hours per day/7 days a week to deal with employee and family questions and concerns.
• Weekly or bi-weekly meetings and/or conference calls/webinars/education reviews are held with the NDDoH, Centers for Disease Control, Public Health, ND Long Term Care Association, State immunization offices and American Health Care Association.
• Contact tracing if/when applicable is coordinated with the ND Department of Health.
• Excess chairs have been removed in break room areas to limit tables to two staff members at a table only. Additional space has been opened up for employee breaks to allow for social distancing.
• Visual alerts such as signs and posters have been added throughout all buildings that encourage staff hand hygiene, resident hand hygiene and proper use of PPE.
• Increased hand hygiene stations have been installed throughout all buildings.
• Staff competencies are routinely completed to establish/verify adherence to infection prevention.

We have received notification that a resident at Bethany has tested positive for COVID-19 and we have the following questions.

Will all residents now be tested?

• Resident testing (mass surveillance testing of all residents) is coordinated and directed by the ND Department of Health. A resident that is symptomatic is tested at the direction of the resident’s physician.

Will all staff be tested?

• Bethany employees complete a health screening at the start of their shift. If an employee triggers a concern on the health screening, they are immediately removed from the schedule.  A Bethany staff member then works with the employee on symptom monitoring, communication with their physician and return to work protocol.
• Staff testing (mass surveillance testing of all staff) is coordinated by Cass County Public Health and directed by the ND Department of Health and is based on the Cass County COVID positivity rate.
• Non-vaccinated staff are tested two times per week.

Will COVID-19 positive residents be taken to the hospital?

• A transfer to the hospital is coordinated by the resident’s physician and Bethany staff. Residents who are in a declining health status may be transferred to the hospital as directed by their physician.  Bethany would call 911 in an emergency situation.

What is the vaccination plan for new residents, patients and staff?

• Bethany is working closely with Thrifty White Pharmacy to vaccinate new residents, patients and staff. Thrifty White has secured a weekly allocation of vaccine starting on February 23^rd,   At this time, Thrifty White Pharmacy should have enough vaccine allocation to vaccinate new patients, residents and staff as they arrive after 2/23/21.  This plan can change quickly as the federal government can change distribution plans at any time.

Bethany Retirement Living FAQs and COVID-19 Cases as of 2/22/21 3:00pm:

Dear families and friends of Bethany Retirement Living:

Starting tomorrow, February 23^rd, Thrifty White Pharmacy will provide vaccinations for new admissions, new employees and any current resident or employee that wishes to be vaccinated at a scheduled time, one time per week.

We continue with testing vaccinated staff and residents every other week so our total testing numbers will fluctuate and not be as high as previous months when we were testing one or two times per week.  Our testing days fluctuate each week based on the lab schedule so we will now report on the number of tests between dates.  We continue to test non-vaccinated staff and residents two times per week.  From Tuesday (2/16) through Monday (2/22), Bethany conducted 602 standard surveillance COVID-19 swab tests for residents and staff at both Bethany on 42^nd and Bethany on University.  There were no new positive resident or staff cases.  Please review our FAQs below for answers to questions you may have.

Bethany Towers I & II and Bethany Gables are allowing expanded hours visitation.  Bethany on 42^nd Skilled Care and Bethany on University Skilled Care are allowing expanded hours visitation and compassionate care visits.  Please see visitation section on our website for complete details.

To keep residents healthy and safe, please get tested and bring proof of current COVID-19 testing results with you.  The Faith and Journey testing site is now offering rapid tests, so you can have the results in 15 minutes.  We prefer proof of a negative COVID-19 test that was taken within the past 5 days.  If you do not get rapid tested, we recommend that you get a PCR test on the same day every week so you get an idea of when you will be receiving the test results from the Department of Health in either ND or MN.  Free testing is available at the following locations:

• Faith Journey Lutheran Church, 650 40^th Avenue SE, West Fargo. (some map programs list it as East-not SE) The church is directly West of Sheyenne High School.

This site is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday, and no appointment is necessary.

• Former Thomas Edison Elementary School, 1110 14th Street South, Moorhead.

This is saliva testing and the site is open Monday/Tuesday/Friday from 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm and Saturday/Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.  Schedule Appointment with Vault Health

We are conducting twice-a-week COVID-19 surveillance swab testing on skilled care, basic care, and assisted living residents and staff who were not vaccinated.  We test vaccinated residents and staff every other week.  Resident testing will take place in the residents’ rooms and will be coordinated by the Skilled Care and Assisted Living/Basic Care nursing teams.  The test is free of charge.

Bethany employees will contact all residents with positive test results.  If you have any questions or concerns about the test, please contact the social worker or unit manager in Skilled Care or the Nurse in Assisted Living/Basic Care.

At Bethany, if an employee tests positive for COVID-19, they are immediately removed from the schedule and told to quarantine at home.  A positive resident is moved to a confined COVID-19 skilled care area with designated staff.

Bethany will continue to provide updates via e-mail and our website as our COVID-19 cases change.  You are also able to call us with any questions.  We are providing this link to the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) COVID19 website for your convenience https://www.health.nd.gov/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/north-dakota-coronavirus-cases .  As we update our information, here are a few guidelines we will be following:

• We are following recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the North Dakota Department of Health.
• We will not be identifying employees, residents or patients who test positive due to confidentiality.
• All employees who are ill are not allowed to work for 14 days and will need two negative COVID-19 tests prior to return to work.
• We will not give information on resident deaths due to confidentiality.

Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers.  We may add or subtract cases as new test results arrive or as cases are resolved.  Due to the timing of the results, they may not be reflected on the State website at the time of this posting.

Sincerely, Shawn Stuhaug, CEO

Frequently Asked Questions:

What have you done to decrease the risk of COVID-19 for residents and educate family members?

• We are following recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), American Health Care Association (AHCA) and the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH).
• Among the first acts undertaken to limit potential exposure was to restrict visitors and lock the entrances to Bethany buildings. As Cass County positivity rates decrease, we modify our visitation restrictions.  Please visit our website for visiting hours.
• All visitors are screened as they enter the buildings. Visitors are also encouraged to get regular COVID testing that is offered in our community.  Please practice physical distancing when participating in the screening process.
• When available, we strongly urge that you receive the COVID vaccine and present proof of vaccine during the screening process.
• The Bethany website has been enhanced by adding a “Coronavirus Information” tab to share up-to-date information about the pandemic in general and at Bethany Retirement Living.
• Numerous emails have been sent to families from our Social Services team. Please contact a member of the social service team if you would like to be added to the e-mail list.
• Everbridge (Mass Communication System) messages have been distributed by the CEO for education to family member primary contact.
• Letters have been mailed to primary Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) resident contacts, SNF residents without dementia/memory issues, and residents of Towers, Gables and Grace Pointe.
• Potential admissions are screened for symptoms, fever and close contact to a current COVID-positive person. We will also ask your vaccination status.
• SNF admissions are initially processed through one unit (TCU) with increased monitoring of potential symptoms.
• A negative COVID test is required prior to a skilled care admission or return from hospital. Even with a negative COVID test, we still quarantine new skilled care admissions and hospital/ER returns for 14 days.
• Bethany may admit COVID positive residents periodically if we have a COVID-positive area set up.
• Screening of SNF residents occurs daily and at times two or three times/day. Symptoms monitored include a set of vital signs along with the observation of any of the following: coughing, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, sore throat, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, muscle aches and loss of taste/smell.
• Screening of Assisted Living and Basic Care residents occurs daily and, at times, two times/day. Symptoms monitored include temperature, pulse and O2 sats along with observation of any of the following: coughing, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, sore throat, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, muscle aches and loss of taste/smell.
• Resident Activities of Daily Living (ADL) sheets are updated to include prompts for hand sanitizing of resident hands and resident mask placement.
• Non-emergent resident appointments are being decreased, if able.
• Resident group activities are starting to occur while also practicing social distancing and use of facemasks. Some activities are also live streamed.
• Residents are encouraged to remain in their room when not attending an activity, therapy or exercise.
• Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy is being conducted in both the resident rooms and in the therapy/wellness center as long as the resident/patient is not in isolation.
• We are slowly introducing communal dining that promotes physical distancing in our assisted living, basic care and skilled care settings. Communal dining plans may change quickly as ND Department of Health guidelines change.
• Use of hand sanitizer is encouraged for each resident interaction.
• Use of masks is encouraged for all residents.
• Each Bethany campus has a designated Infection Preventionist to provide surveillance and oversight.
• Visual alerts such as signage and posters have been added throughout the facility to encourage hand sanitizing for both residents and staff.

What have you done to educate staff and decrease the risk of COVID-19?

• See questions above as some information applies to both questions.
• Everbridge (Mass Communication System) messages to staff related to education.
• Many YouTube videos have been produced and sent to ALL staff cell phones.
• Educational videos and verbal education are reviewed at shift change/daily huddles etc.
• Mandatory Healthcare Academy education on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), hand hygiene, COVID-19 and infection prevention have been assigned and made mandatory for all employees.
• Surveillance and auditing of employees is being conducted to ensure proper use of PPE and handwashing is occurring.
• Hand sanitizer is required for all nursing staff to have on the person (this is not new, but an uncommon practice for most SNFs).
• Surgical or N95 Facemasks and face shields are required for staff when in resident areas. Face shields may be discontinued for vaccinated staff only as early as March 1, 2021.
• Facemask and face shield requirements may evolve as guidance changes.
• All employees are required to wear face masks when outside of their office spaces. Staff may wear a surgical or N95 mask when in resident areas.
• High-touch surfaces are sanitized multiple times per day in office spaces, common areas, etc.
• Educational resources from the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) that pertain to COVID-19 have been provided to employees.
• Employees are monitored for COVID-19 symptoms at the start of each shift, as well as with staff that call in ill prior to their shift. A detailed spreadsheet enables close tracking of all employees with symptoms and tracks adherence to the Return-to-Work guidance from the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH).
• Employees that have been taken off the schedule due to COVID-19 symptoms, close contact, or having received a positive COVID-19 test result are contacted frequently to monitor symptoms and to determine a safe timeline for return.
• A COVID-19 Leadership team meets regularly to discuss PPE supply and to analyze additional vendors for increased PPE supply, new guidance on COVID-19,vaccination availability etc.
• Meetings are held weekly to discuss employees who are furloughed and their plans for return to work.
• Leadership team members are on-call 24 hours per day/7 days a week to deal with employee and family questions and concerns.
• Weekly or bi-weekly meetings and/or conference calls/webinars/education reviews are held with the NDDoH, Centers for Disease Control, Public Health, ND Long Term Care Association, State immunization offices and American Health Care Association.
• Contact tracing if/when applicable is coordinated with the ND Department of Health.
• Excess chairs have been removed in break room areas to limit tables to two staff members at a table only. Additional space has been opened up for employee breaks to allow for social distancing.
• Visual alerts such as signs and posters have been added throughout all buildings that encourage staff hand hygiene, resident hand hygiene and proper use of PPE.
• Increased hand hygiene stations have been installed throughout all buildings.
• Staff competencies are routinely completed to establish/verify adherence to infection prevention.

We have received notification that a resident at Bethany has tested positive for COVID-19 and we have the following questions.

Will all residents now be tested?

• Resident testing (mass surveillance testing of all residents) is coordinated and directed by the ND Department of Health. A resident that is symptomatic is tested at the direction of the resident’s physician.

Will all staff be tested?

• Bethany employees complete a health screening at the start of their shift. If an employee triggers a concern on the health screening, they are immediately removed from the schedule.  A Bethany staff member then works with the employee on symptom monitoring, communication with their physician and return to work protocol.
• Staff testing (mass surveillance testing of all staff) is coordinated by Cass County Public Health and directed by the ND Department of Health and is based on the Cass County COVID positivity rate.
• Non-vaccinated staff are tested two times per week.

Will COVID-19 positive residents be taken to the hospital?

• A transfer to the hospital is coordinated by the resident’s physician and Bethany staff. Residents who are in a declining health status may be transferred to the hospital as directed by their physician.  Bethany would call 911 in an emergency situation.

What is the vaccination plan for new residents, patients and staff?

• Bethany is working closely with Thrifty White Pharmacy to vaccinate new residents, patients and staff. Thrifty White has secured a weekly allocation of vaccine starting on February 23^rd,   At this time, Thrifty White Pharmacy should have enough vaccine allocation to vaccinate new patients, residents and staff as they arrive after 2/23/21.  This plan can change quickly as the federal government can change distribution plans at any time.

Bethany Retirement Living FAQs and COVID-19 Cases as of 2/17/21 9:00am:

Dear families and friends of Bethany Retirement Living:

We have completed all of our mass vaccination clinics in partnership with Thrifty White Pharmacy.  Starting on February 23^rd, Thrifty White Pharmacy will provide vaccinations for new admissions, new employees and any current resident or employee that wishes to be vaccinated at a scheduled time one time per week.

We are now testing vaccinated staff and residents every other week so our total testing numbers will fluctuate and not be as high as previous months when we were testing one or two times per week.  Our testing days each week fluctuate based on the lab schedule so we will now report on the number of tests between dates.  We continue to test non-vaccinated staff and residents two times per week.  Between Tuesday (2/9) and Monday (2/15), Bethany conducted 839 standard surveillance COVID-19 swab tests for residents and staff at both Bethany on 42^nd and Bethany on University.  There were no new positive resident or staff cases.  We found out that one employee tested positive at Altru in Grand Forks while they were away from work, but has since been cleared so we will not count as an active case.  Please review our FAQs below for answers to questions you may have.

Bethany Towers I & II and Bethany Gables are allowing expanded hours visitation.  Bethany on 42^nd Skilled Care and Bethany on University Skilled Care are allowing expanded hours visitation and compassionate care visits.  Please see visitation section on our website for complete details.

To keep residents health and safe, please get tested and bring proof of current COVID-19 testing results with you.  The Faith and Journey testing site is now offering rapid tests, so you can have the results in 15 minutes.  We prefer proof of a negative COVID-19 test that was taken within the past 5-7 days.  If you do not get rapid tested, we recommend that you get a PCR test on the same day every week so you get an idea of when you will be receiving the test results from the Department of Health in either ND or MN.  Free testing is available at the following locations:

• Faith Journey Lutheran Church, 650 40^th Avenue SE, West Fargo. (some map programs list it as East-not SE) The church is directly West of Sheyenne High School.

This site is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday, and no appointment is necessary.

• Former Thomas Edison Elementary School, 1110 14th Street South, Moorhead.

This is saliva testing and the site is open Monday/Tuesday/Friday from 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm and Saturday/Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.  Schedule Appointment with Vault Health

We are conducting twice-a-week COVID-19 surveillance swab testing on skilled care, basic care, and assisted living residents and staff who were not vaccinated.  We test vaccinated residents and staff every other week.  Resident testing will take place in the residents’ rooms and will be coordinated by the Skilled Care and Assisted Living/Basic Care nursing teams.  The test is free of charge.

Bethany employees will contact all residents with positive test results.  If you have any questions or concerns about the test, please contact the social worker or unit manager in Skilled Care or the Nurse in Assisted Living/Basic Care.

At Bethany, if an employee tests positive for COVID-19, they are immediately removed from the schedule and told to quarantine at home.  A positive resident is moved to a confined COVID-19 skilled care area with designated staff.

Bethany will continue to provide updates via e-mail and our website as our COVID-19 cases change.  You are also able to call us with any questions.  We are providing this link to the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) COVID19 website for your convenience https://www.health.nd.gov/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/north-dakota-coronavirus-cases .  As we update our information, here are a few guidelines we will be following:

• We are following recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the North Dakota Department of Health.
• We will not be identifying employees, residents or patients who test positive due to confidentiality.
• All employees who are ill are not allowed to work for 14 days and will need two negative COVID-19 tests prior to return to work.
• We will not give information on resident deaths due to confidentiality.

Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers.  We may add or subtract cases as new test results arrive or as cases are resolved.  Due to the timing of the results, they may not be reflected on the State website at the time of this posting.

Sincerely, Shawn Stuhaug, CEO

Frequently Asked Questions:

What have you done to decrease the risk of COVID-19 for residents and educate family members?

• We are following recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), American Health Care Association (AHCA) and the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH).
• Among the first acts undertaken to limit potential exposure was to restrict visitors and lock the entrances to Bethany buildings. As Cass County positivity rates decrease, we modify our visitation restrictions.  Please visit our website for visiting hours.
• All visitors are screened as they enter the buildings. Visitors are also encouraged to get regular COVID testing that is offered in our community.  Please practice physical distancing when participating in the screening process.
• When available, we strongly urge that you receive the COVID vaccine and present proof of vaccine during the screening process.
• The Bethany website has been enhanced by adding a “Coronavirus Information” tab to share up-to-date information about the pandemic in general and at Bethany Retirement Living.
• Numerous emails have been sent to families from our Social Services team. Please contact a member of the social service team if you would like to be added to the e-mail list.
• Everbridge (Mass Communication System) messages have been distributed by the CEO for education to family member primary contact.
• Letters have been mailed to primary Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) resident contacts, SNF residents without dementia/memory issues, and residents of Towers, Gables and Grace Pointe.
• Potential admissions are screened for symptoms, fever and close contact to a current COVID-positive person. We will also ask your vaccination status.
• SNF admissions are initially processed through one unit (TCU) with increased monitoring of potential symptoms.
• A negative COVID test is required prior to a skilled care admission or return from hospital. Even with a negative COVID test, we still quarantine new skilled care admissions and hospital/ER returns for 14 days.
• Bethany may admit COVID positive residents periodically if we have a COVID-positive area set up.
• Screening of SNF residents occurs daily and at times two or three times/day. Symptoms monitored include a set of vital signs along with the observation of any of the following: coughing, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, sore throat, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, muscle aches and loss of taste/smell.
• Screening of Assisted Living and Basic Care residents occurs daily and, at times, two times/day. Symptoms monitored include temperature, pulse and O2 sats along with observation of any of the following: coughing, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, sore throat, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, muscle aches and loss of taste/smell.
• Resident Activities of Daily Living (ADL) sheets are updated to include prompts for hand sanitizing of resident hands and resident mask placement.
• Non-emergent resident appointments are being decreased, if able.
• Resident group activities are starting to occur while also practicing social distancing and use of facemasks. Some activities are also live streamed.
• Residents are encouraged to remain in their room when not attending an activity, therapy or exercise.
• Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy is being conducted in both the resident rooms and in the therapy/wellness center as long as the resident/patient is not in isolation.
• We are slowly introducing communal dining that promotes physical distancing in our assisted living, basic care and skilled care settings. Communal dining plans may change quickly as ND Department of Health guidelines change.
• Use of hand sanitizer is encouraged for each resident interaction.
• Use of masks is encouraged for all residents.
• Each Bethany campus has a designated Infection Preventionist to provide surveillance and oversight.
• Visual alerts such as signage and posters have been added throughout the facility to encourage hand sanitizing for both residents and staff.

What have you done to educate staff and decrease the risk of COVID-19?

• See questions above as some information applies to both questions.
• Everbridge (Mass Communication System) messages to staff related to education.
• Many YouTube videos have been produced and sent to ALL staff cell phones.
• Educational videos and verbal education are reviewed at shift change/daily huddles etc.
• Mandatory Healthcare Academy education on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), hand hygiene, COVID-19 and infection prevention have been assigned and made mandatory for all employees.
• Surveillance and auditing of employees is being conducted to ensure proper use of PPE and handwashing is occurring.
• Hand sanitizer is required for all nursing staff to have on the person (this is not new, but an uncommon practice for most SNFs).
• Surgical or N95 Facemasks and face shields are required for staff when in resident areas. Face shields may be discontinued for vaccinated staff only as early as March 1, 2021.
• Facemask and face shield requirements may evolve as guidance changes.
• All employees are required to wear face masks when outside of their office spaces. Staff may wear a surgical or N95 mask when in resident areas.
• High-touch surfaces are sanitized multiple times per day in office spaces, common areas, etc.
• Educational resources from the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) that pertain to COVID-19 have been provided to employees.
• Employees are monitored for COVID-19 symptoms at the start of each shift, as well as with staff that call in ill prior to their shift. A detailed spreadsheet enables close tracking of all employees with symptoms and tracks adherence to the Return-to-Work guidance from the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH).
• Employees that have been taken off the schedule due to COVID-19 symptoms, close contact, or having received a positive COVID-19 test result are contacted frequently to monitor symptoms and to determine a safe timeline for return.
• A COVID-19 Leadership team meets regularly to discuss PPE supply and to analyze additional vendors for increased PPE supply, new guidance on COVID-19,vaccination availability etc.
• Meetings are held weekly to discuss employees who are furloughed and their plans for return to work.
• Leadership team members are on-call 24 hours per day/7 days a week to deal with employee and family questions and concerns.
• Weekly or bi-weekly meetings and/or conference calls/webinars/education reviews are held with the NDDoH, Centers for Disease Control, Public Health, ND Long Term Care Association, State immunization offices and American Health Care Association.
• Contact tracing if/when applicable is coordinated with the ND Department of Health.
• Excess chairs have been removed in break room areas to limit tables to two staff members at a table only. Additional space has been opened up for employee breaks to allow for social distancing.
• Visual alerts such as signs and posters have been added throughout all buildings that encourage staff hand hygiene, resident hand hygiene and proper use of PPE.
• Increased hand hygiene stations have been installed throughout all buildings.
• Staff competencies are routinely completed to establish/verify adherence to infection prevention.

We have received notification that a resident at Bethany has tested positive for COVID-19 and we have the following questions.

Will all residents now be tested?

• Resident testing (mass surveillance testing of all residents) is coordinated and directed by the ND Department of Health. A resident that is symptomatic is tested at the direction of the resident’s physician.

Will all staff be tested?

• Bethany employees complete a health screening at the start of their shift. If an employee triggers a concern on the health screening, they are immediately removed from the schedule.  A Bethany staff member then works with the employee on symptom monitoring, communication with their physician and return to work protocol.
• Staff testing (mass surveillance testing of all staff) is coordinated by Cass County Public Health and directed by the ND Department of Health and is based on the Cass County COVID positivity rate.
• Non-vaccinated staff are tested two times per week.

Will COVID-19 positive residents be taken to the hospital?

• A transfer to the hospital is coordinated by the resident’s physician and Bethany staff. Residents who are in a declining health status may be transferred to the hospital as directed by their physician.  Bethany would call 911 in an emergency situation.

What is the vaccination plan for new residents, patients and staff?

• Bethany is working closely with Thrifty White Pharmacy to vaccinate new residents, patients and staff. Thrifty White has secured a weekly allocation of vaccine starting on February 23^rd,   At this time, Thrifty White Pharmacy should have enough vaccine allocation to vaccinate new patients, residents and staff as they arrive after 2/23/21.  This plan can change quickly as the federal government can change distribution plans at any time.

Bethany Retirement Living FAQs and COVID-19 Cases as of 2/10/21 8:00am:

Dear families and friends of Bethany Retirement Living:

As I stated in earlier updates, Bethany has completed 2^nd dose vaccination clinics for employees, Bethany on University Skilled care patients and residents, Bethany on 42^nd Skilled Care residents, Towers I & II residents, Gables residents and Grace Pointe residents.  This week we are wrapping up our 3^rd vaccination clinic for those that had their 1^st dose 21 days ago.  Starting on February 23^rd, Thrifty White Pharmacy will provide vaccinations for new admissions, new employees and any current resident or employee that wishes to be vaccinated.

Bethany conducted standard surveillance COVID-19 testing on Tuesday (2/2), Friday (2/5) and Monday (2/8).  During these testing events 540 swab tests were conducted for residents and staff at both Bethany on 42^nd and Bethany on University.  There were no new positive resident or staff cases.  Please review our FAQs below for answers to questions you may have.

Bethany Towers I & II and Bethany Gables are allowing expanded hours visitation.  Bethany on 42^nd Skilled Care and Bethany on University Skilled Care are allowing expanded hours visitation and compassionate care visits.  Please see visitation section on our website for complete details.

To keep residents health and safe, please get tested and bring proof of current COVID-19 testing results with you.  The Faith and Journey testing site is now offering rapid tests, so you can have the results in 15 minutes.  We prefer proof of a negative COVID-19 test that was taken within the past 5-7 days.  If you do not get rapid tested, we recommend that you get a PCR test on the same day every week so you get an idea of when you will be receiving the test results from the Department of Health in either ND or MN.  Free testing is available at the following locations:

• Faith Journey Lutheran Church, 650 40^th Avenue SE, West Fargo. (some map programs list it as East-not SE) The church is directly West of Sheyenne High School.

This site is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday, and no appointment is necessary.

• Former Thomas Edison Elementary School, 1110 14th Street South, Moorhead.

This is saliva testing and the site is open Monday/Tuesday/Friday from 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm and Saturday/Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.  Schedule Appointment with Vault Health

We are conducting twice-a-week COVID-19 surveillance swab testing on skilled care, basic care, and assisted living residents and staff who were not vaccinated.  This week we moved to every-other-week testing for vaccinated residents and staff.  Resident testing will take place in the residents’ rooms and will be coordinated by the Skilled Care and Assisted Living/Basic Care nursing teams.  The test is free of charge.

Bethany employees will contact all residents with positive test results.  If you have any questions or concerns about the test, please contact the social worker or unit manager in Skilled Care or the Nurse in Assisted Living/Basic Care.

At Bethany, if an employee tests positive for COVID-19, they are immediately removed from the schedule and told to quarantine at home.  A positive resident is moved to a confined COVID-19 skilled care area with designated staff.

Bethany will continue to provide updates via e-mail and our website as our COVID-19 cases change.  You are also able to call us with any questions.  We are providing this link to the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) COVID19 website for your convenience https://www.health.nd.gov/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/north-dakota-coronavirus-cases .  As we update our information, here are a few guidelines we will be following:

• We are following recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the North Dakota Department of Health.
• We will not be identifying employees, residents or patients who test positive due to confidentiality.
• All employees who are ill are not allowed to work for 14 days and will need two negative COVID-19 tests prior to return to work.
• We will not give information on resident deaths due to confidentiality.

Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers.  We may add or subtract cases as new test results arrive or as cases are resolved.  Due to the timing of the results, they may not be reflected on the State website at the time of this posting.

Sincerely, Shawn Stuhaug, CEO

Frequently Asked Questions:

What have you done to decrease the risk of COVID-19 for residents and educate family members?

• We are following recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), American Health Care Association (AHCA) and the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH).
• Among the first acts undertaken to limit potential exposure was to restrict visitors and lock the entrances to Bethany buildings. As Cass County positivity rates decrease, we modify our visitation restrictions.  Please visit our website for visiting hours.
• All visitors are screened as they enter the buildings. Visitors are also encouraged to get regular COVID testing that is offered in our community.  Please practice physical distancing when participating in the screening process.
• When available, we strongly urge that you receive the COVID vaccine and present proof of vaccine during the screening process.
• The Bethany website has been enhanced by adding a “Coronavirus Information” tab to share up-to-date information about the pandemic in general and at Bethany Retirement Living.
• Numerous emails have been sent to families from our Social Services team. Please contact a member of the social service team if you would like to be added to the e-mail list.
• Everbridge (Mass Communication System) messages have been distributed by the CEO for education to family member primary contact.
• Letters have been mailed to primary Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) resident contacts, SNF residents without dementia/memory issues, and residents of Towers, Gables and Grace Pointe.
• Potential admissions are screened for symptoms, fever and close contact to a current COVID-positive person. We will also ask your vaccination status.
• SNF admissions are initially processed through one unit (TCU) with increased monitoring of potential symptoms.
• A negative COVID test is required prior to a skilled care admission or return from hospital. Even with a negative COVID test, we still quarantine new skilled care admissions and hospital/ER returns for 14 days.
• Bethany may admit COVID positive residents periodically if we have a COVID-positive area set up.
• Screening of SNF residents occurs daily and at times two or three times/day. Symptoms monitored include a set of vital signs along with the observation of any of the following: coughing, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, sore throat, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, muscle aches and loss of taste/smell.
• Screening of Assisted Living and Basic Care residents occurs daily and, at times, two times/day. Symptoms monitored include temperature, pulse and O2 sats along with observation of any of the following: coughing, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, sore throat, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, muscle aches and loss of taste/smell.
• Resident Activities of Daily Living (ADL) sheets are updated to include prompts for hand sanitizing of resident hands and resident mask placement.
• Non-emergent resident appointments are being decreased, if able.
• Resident group activities are starting to occur while also practicing social distancing and use of facemasks. Some activities are also live streamed.
• Residents are encouraged to remain in their room when not attending an activity, therapy or exercise.
• Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy is being conducted in both the resident rooms and in the therapy/wellness center as long as the resident/patient is not in isolation.
• We are slowly introducing communal dining that promotes physical distancing in our assisted living, basic care and skilled care settings. Communal dining plans may change quickly as ND Department of Health guidelines change.
• Use of hand sanitizer is encouraged for each resident interaction.
• Use of masks is encouraged for all residents.
• Each Bethany campus has a designated Infection Preventionist to provide surveillance and oversight.
• Visual alerts such as signage and posters have been added throughout the facility to encourage hand sanitizing for both residents and staff.

What have you done to educate staff and decrease the risk of COVID-19?

• See questions above as some information applies to both questions.
• Everbridge (Mass Communication System) messages to staff related to education.
• Many YouTube videos have been produced and sent to ALL staff cell phones.
• Educational videos and verbal education are reviewed at shift change/daily huddles etc.
• Mandatory Healthcare Academy education on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), hand hygiene, COVID-19 and infection prevention have been assigned and made mandatory for all employees.
• Surveillance and auditing of employees is being conducted to ensure proper use of PPE and handwashing is occurring.
• Hand sanitizer is required for all nursing staff to have on the person (this is not new, but an uncommon practice for most SNFs).
• Surgical or N95 Facemasks and face shields are required for staff when in resident areas. Face Shields may be discontinued for vaccinated staff only as early as March 1, 2021.
• Facemask and face shield requirements may evolve as guidance changes.
• All employees are required to wear face masks when outside of their office spaces. Staff may wear a surgical or N95 mask when in resident areas.
• High touch surfaces are sanitized multiple times per day in office spaces, common areas, etc.
• Educational resources from the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) that pertain to COVID-19 have been provided to employees.
• Employees are monitored for COVID-19 symptoms at the start of each shift, as well as with staff that call in ill prior to their shift. A detailed spreadsheet enables close tracking of all employees with symptoms and tracks adherence to the Return-to-Work guidance from the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH).
• Employees that have been taken off the schedule due to COVID-19 symptoms, close contact, or having received a positive COVID-19 test result are contacted frequently to monitor symptoms and to determine a safe timeline for return.
• A COVID-19 Leadership team meets regularly to discuss PPE supply and to analyze additional vendors for increased PPE supply, new guidance on COVID-19,vaccination availability etc.
• Meetings are held weekly to discuss employees who are furloughed and their plans for return to work.
• Leadership team members are on-call 24 hours per day/7 days a week to deal with employee and family questions and concerns.
• Weekly or bi-weekly meetings and/or conference calls/webinars/education reviews are held with the NDDoH, Centers for Disease Control, Public Health, ND Long Term Care Association, State immunization offices and American Health Care Association.
• Contact tracing if/when applicable is coordinated with the ND Department of Health.
• Excess chairs have been removed in break room areas to limit tables to two staff members at a table only. Additional space has been opened up for employee breaks to allow for social distancing.
• Visual alerts such as signs and posters have been added throughout all buildings that encourage staff hand hygiene, resident hand hygiene and proper use of PPE.
• Increased hand hygiene stations have been installed throughout all buildings.
• Staff competencies are routinely completed to establish/verify adherence to infection prevention.

We have received notification that a resident at Bethany has tested positive for COVID-19 and we have the following questions.

Will all residents now be tested?

• Resident testing (mass surveillance testing of all residents) is coordinated and directed by the ND Department of Health. A resident that is symptomatic is tested at the direction of the resident’s physician.

Will all staff be tested?

• Bethany employees complete a health screening at the start of their shift. If an employee triggers a concern on the health screening, they are immediately removed from the schedule.  A Bethany staff member then works with the employee on symptom monitoring, communication with their physician and return to work protocol.
• Staff testing (mass surveillance testing of all staff) is coordinated by Cass County Public Health and directed by the ND Department of Health and is based on the Cass County COVID positivity rate.
• Non-vaccinated staff are tested two times per week.

Will COVID-19 positive residents be taken to the hospital?

• A transfer to the hospital is coordinated by the resident’s physician and Bethany staff. Residents who are in a declining health status may be transferred to the hospital as directed by their physician.  Bethany would call 911 in an emergency situation.

What is the vaccination plan for new residents, patients and staff?

• Bethany is working closely with Thrifty White Pharmacy to vaccinate new residents, patients and staff. Thrifty White has secured a weekly allocation of vaccine starting on February 23^rd,   At this time Thrifty White Pharmacy should have enough vaccine allocation to vaccinate new patients, residents and staff as they arrive after 2/23/21.  This plan can change quickly as the federal government can change distribution plans at any time.