The 33 residents and 38 staff members at Maple View Memory Care in Grand Forks were tested for COVID-19 Wednesday, April 22, after a part-time staff member tested positive for the virus on Monday, April 20.
The staff member had not worked since April 11, Maple View director Jessica Bailey said, and notified the care facility that they were being tested on April 19. One additional Maple View employee has been furloughed as a precautionary measure after possible exposure to the virus.
Bailey said the Department of Health sent tests to the care facility, which were then administered by Maple View nurses. Results of the mass testing are expected within the next few days, she said.
Maple View staff and residents have diligently followed CDC guidelines, Bailey said, with staff wearing surgical masks during their shifts and limited group activities and meals for the residents. Staff members also have access to additional personal protective equipment in case of an outbreak in the facility, she said.
"Obviously, the care of our residents and the safety of our staff is always going to be our No. 1 concern," Bailey said. "So I'm just really happy that the department of health was so willing to kind of jump in and help us however we needed."
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As of Thursday, April 23, there are 162 positive cases of COVID-19 in Grand Forks. Two of those cases are connected to local nursing homes. In addition to the staff member who tested positive at Maple View Memory Care, a staff member of Valley Senior Living on Columbia also tested positive for the virus earlier this week.
Valley Senior Living on Columbia staff are expected to undergo mass testing on Sunday, April 26, and residents will undergo testing on Monday, April 27.
Maple View Memory Care is a long-term care center for memory-impaired individuals located at 4650 S. Washington St.
