North Shore Health has second employee confirmed to have COVID-19

On Wednesday, November 4, 2020, North Shore Health identified another confirmed employee case of COVID- 19.

This employee provides direct patient care but does not routinely enter the Care Center nor interact with residents. It was verified that the employee conscientiously wore the personal protective equipment required by North Shore Health, including a surgical mask, N-95 respirator and eye protection.

In the week prior to testing positive they had been notified that they were a close contact of a positive case. That contact happened outside of their role at North Shore Health. They acted appropriately and entered into quarantine upon first notice of the contact. It is important to note the employee tested negative during the routine COVID-19 testing of North Shore Health employees and with retesting four days later was positive. This reinforces the guidance being given by Public Health that a person with a high-risk exposure to a COVID-19 positive person must maintain a 14-day quarantine. A negative test does not remove the need to quarantine.

Contact tracing has been completed, evaluating all interactions this employee had with patients and co-workers and no high-risk exposures were determined. “We have asked our employees to share information about any exposure to others who are COVID-19 positive, exposure to others with COVID-19 like symptoms and any symptoms they might have,” said Kimber Wraalstad, North Shore Health CEO/ Administrator. “Our employees are sharing information with us so we are able to determine possible risk and allow them to be tested as soon as possible. This situation went well because of the employees’ compliance with the use of personal protective equipment and their prompt communications to Department Leaders”, said Wraalstad.

North Shore Health employees are wearing personal protective equipment to protect themselves and others and maintain low risk exposures to COVID- 19.

Wraalstad states, “Our wonderful employees are screening for symptoms each time they enter the building to work, they are wearing masks and eye protection during their entire shift and they are sharing information about interactions outside of work. For the last eight months, they have worked tirelessly to provide high quality care while working to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus.”

Please do not delay in seeking medical care. We stand ready to serve you. Feel confident to seek medical care at North Shore Health. If you have symptoms or feel you might need to be tested, please contact Sawtooth Mountain Clinic at 218-387-2330.