The Neighborhoods at Brookview Restricts Visitors among COVID-19 Threat

With the first presumed positive cases of corona virus 2019 (COVID-19) in South Dakota, The Neighborhoods at Brookview is not allowing outside visitors at its facility effective today.

“Our team’s first priority is safeguarding the health and well-being of our residents,” said Administrator Jason Hanssen. “We do not currently have any COVID-19 cases in our facility. To ensure our residents are cared for in a safe and healthy environment, we are following recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the South Dakota Department of Health. Based on those recommendations, we have determined it is in the best interest of our residents to temporarily not allow any visitors to our facility.”

According to the CDC, people at greatest mortality risk from COVID-19 include the elderly and those with chronic medical conditions like diabetes, COPD, underlying heart and lung diseases, or other immune compromising conditions. Many nursing home residents are classified in this vulnerable population.

“We also recommend residents do not leave the facility for outings and visits other than necessary medical appointment,” said Hanssen. “We stress, these safeguards are temporary until the threat of COVID-19 passes.”

To stay connected with residents, The Neighborhoods at Brookview encourages family and friends to reach out to loved ones through telephone, email, text, Skype or Facebook.

Facts About COVID-19

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. It was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China and has now been detected in several locations internationally, including the U.S.

According to the CDC, people with COVID-19 experience mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath. Complications may include pneumonia in both lungs. People at greatest mortality risk from COVID-19 include the elderly and those with chronic medical conditions like diabetes, COPD, underlying heart and lung diseases, or other immune compromising conditions. Children are more likely than adults to present with mild symptoms.

The best prevention is to avoid exposure to the virus.

If people seek treatment for COVID-19 at Brookings Health System’s emergency department, they should call (605) 696-9000. If they visit one of the local clinics for COVID-19 treatment, they should call their clinic’s respective phone number. To learn more about health care safety at Brookings Health System, please visit brookingshealth.org/Safety.

About Brookings Health System

Brookings Health System, located in Brookings, South Dakota, includes a 49-bed hospital, the 79-bed The Neighborhoods at Brookview nursing home, Brookhaven Estates senior living apartments, Yorkshire Eye Clinic & Optical, and medical clinics in Arlington, White and Volga, South Dakota. It is a non-profit, city-owned facility that offers the community a full range of inpatient, outpatient, emergency and extended care services. Brookings Hospital provides local access to doctors in Brookings and offers robotic da Vinci surgery and Mako robotic-arm assisted procedures, making it one of the premier rural community hospitals in South Dakota. For more information about the services offered at Brookings Health System, please call (605) 696-9000 or visit us on the Web at brookingshealth.org.