Settler’s Park Responds to COVID-19 Outbreak
By Shannon Weidemann (McKone) on Thursday, March 4th, 2021 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories
BAKER CITY – (Release from Baker County) Settler’s Park, a memory care community in Baker City, is responding to an outbreak of COVID 19 in the residential community. Fifteen cases have been reported as of March 2, 2021. The Settler’s Park team initiated COVID-19 testing for all residents and staff. At this time, the majority of individuals are currently experiencing mild to no symptoms.
Residents who test positive are self-isolating in their apartments and are being cared for by well trained staff wearing PPE to mitigate additional spread of COVID-19. The Settler’s Park team communicates directly with residents, families and team members when positive COVID-19 cases are confirmed in the community.
Jackie Wirth, the Executive Director of Settler’s Park, says, “The health and wellbeing of our residents and team members are our greatest priority. While individuals at our community have tested positive for COVID-19, we continue working together to care for our residents, protect the safety of our team members, and protect the people in our community. We are closely monitoring developments and guidelines with respect to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) from the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization as well as other expert sources. We are also working closely with and at the direction of local healthcare authorities. In addition, we are following enhanced internal protocols in order to help control the spread of COVID-19. Our community is supported by a Senior Lifestyle affiliated task force and management team comprised of various disciplines to aid us in our preparation, readiness, communication, and management of the COVID-19 coronavirus.”
The Baker County Health Department is working closely with staff at Settler’s Park to support efforts to contain the spread of the virus, including providing second doses of vaccine to those who were eligible, and first doses of vaccine to residents and staff who were not vaccinated previously but chose to receive a vaccine now. Health Department Director Nancy Staten says, “We will continue to support Settler’s Park in their work, and walk alongside them as they fight this virus.”
