(MINOT, ND)— Trinity Homes is conducting their third round of testing Wednesday, July 1, as part of the phased approach to resuming visitation at long term care facilities outlined in the state’s Vulnerable Population Protection (VP3) Plan. This testing event is not a result of any known illness or exposure in the Trinity Health system.
The goal is to enhance communication and support for residents within a safe environment. “Restricting visitation has been critical to protecting residents from spread of the virus, but the resulting isolation and lack of contact with loved ones is difficult,” said Rhonda Walter, Vice President and Administrator of Trinity Homes. “Support from family is important to our residents’ overall quality of life, so we are doing everything we can to safely permit visitors. Every round of mass testing gets us closer to reuniting families.”
Residents and staff of Trinity Homes were first tested for COVID-19 on April 23; all tests were negative. Trinity Homes completed their second round of testing in June, and once again all residents tested negative. The one employee who tested positive had no symptoms and was immediately retested, which came back negative. Trinity Homes followed policy and the employee was quarantined at home.
Testing supplies are provided by the State of North Dakota. Staff of Trinity Health and First District Health Unit (FDHU) are collecting the samples.