Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates
This page will be updated to communicate to our community what we are doing to prevent the spread of Coronavirus and any COVID-19 cases amongst Alta Residents or Staff. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call our main line at 775-828-5600 extension 0.
Please monitor the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website and Washoe County COVID-19 website daily for situational updates and more information about COVID-19. Also, if you would like access to COVID-19 resources, type in your zipcode into this website.
If you are concerned you may need to be tested for COVID-19, call the Washoe County Health District hotline at 775-328-2427. The line is available from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. seven days a week. You may also find more information related to testing at covid19washoe.com/testing/.
Below is our own dashboard that we have developed to make it easy to share with the community our current situation, as it relates to COVID-19. This data and chart is updated weekly at a minimum or each time one of our Residents and/or one of our Employees test positive via Antigen or PCR testing within 24 hours.
Memos from Alta
Alta Skilled Nursing has released a number of memos throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue to release memos going forward. Aside from our memos, you can call our front desk. You can find them organized by date, below:
Family Visitation
Visitation is open to families and friends, however, infection control best practices must still occur while anyone is in the facility.
Our doors remain locked at all times to ensure we can screen visitors. Normal business hours are from 8:30AM to 5:00PM, which is when any visitor can enter the building by a Receptionist.
Visitation appointments can be made Monday through Friday from 9AM to 4PM.
During a COVID outbreak, all visitors, no matter if health care personnel or family, must be screened for COVID-19 upon arrival. Please check in with Reception to undergo the screening.
Depending on the weather and situation, visitation can occur inside or outside, although outside is always preferred. We have a dedicated indoor space for our visits. Visits can occur inside a Resident room.
Need some visitation ideas? You can bring lunch for a picnic or a pet to play with outside!
As an alternative to in-person visitation, we have other options to facilitate communication:
Every Resident has a phone in his/her room. You may call our main line (775-828-5600 extension 0) to obtain the phone number.
Additionally, we are offering video conferencing. If you would like to video conference with your loved one, call the front desk (775-828-5600 extension 0) and request an appointment. Appointments are a maximum of 30 minutes once a day. You will be asked to download Skype at home and to provide us with your Skype username.
Federal & State Guidance
To access all of the technical bulletins issued by the State of Nevada Department of Health and Human Services Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH), you can go here.
On November 12, 2021, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issues an updated memo on Visitation; 8 months after their last update. You may access this memo by clicking here.
On March 10, 2021, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued an updated memo on Visitation; the first since September 2020. You may access this memo by clicking here. Additionally, please find our updated Memo to families, residents, and staff on March 20, 2021 in the above section.
On May 18, 2020, CMS issued a new memo on the subject of “Nursing Home Reopening Recommendations for State and Local Officials.” You may access this memo by clicking here. You will find that the most important aspect of this memo is the access to testing, so we can test residents and employees weekly.
On March 13, 2020, CMS issued a very informative memo to all Nursing Homes in the country. If you would like to read the memo in full detail, you may do so by clicking here. This memo was the first memo given to Nursing Homes with explicit guidance, and it is guidance that we are currently following.
The Federal Government has asked all Nursing Homes to take drastic measures to minimize the spread of Coronavirus to what has been discovered as the most vulnerable population — individuals over the age of 80 with multiple comorbidities.
Resident Precautions
Alta has been able to host 4 vaccination clinics. We maintain a vaccination rate between 80 and 90%.
For any Residents that have a temperature that is higher than 2 degrees from their baseline temperature or 100 degrees Fahrenheit, our Electronic Health System will automatically notify Nursing Management so follow up can occur. Our Medical Director, a physician, is also notified. Residents are also being monitored for any respiratory changes. All Residents are encouraged to practice social distancing and to thoroughly wash his/her hands before meals, before and after therapy sessions, and as needed.
Employee Precautions
We want to thank our employees for doing an amazing job of practicing precautions at Alta since March 3rd, 2020!
Alta employees are taking the following precautions while at work:
Start of shift screening: It is mandatory for all employees to start their shift with a screening that includes taking their temperature and asking whether or not they are experience any symptoms related to COVID-19.
Wearing of masks: If an employee is noted not properly wearing a mask at any time within Alta, they will be sent home.
More frequent hand washing: All employees have been retrained on proper hand washing techniques and all employees are encourage to wash their hands more frequently.
Social distancing while in the breakroom: In the breakroom, social distancing is enforced. If there is not room in the breakroom for 6 feet of distance, you should eat outside, or in your car. We also ask that you disinfect your space before leaving the breakroom.
These measures are put in place to protect employees and residents from the spread of the COVID-19 illness. We are a team, and rise and fall together. We will continue to work together to contain the virus.
We are testing all employees based on an onset of new symptoms or known COVID-19 exposure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I visit my loved one?
Yes! However, we strongly ask that you coordinate your visit in advance so we can ensure you are screened for COVID-19 and are reminded of our infection control practices to protect all residents and employees within the facility. To coordinate your visit, please call 775-829-7220.
Are there penalties for breaking the rules?
The goal of this quarantine is to protect the residents, and it is our hope that all families, residents and their families comply with the rules mandated by the Federal Government. If you believe these rules are overly strict, then we suggest that you take your family member home during an outbreak, thus avoiding the necessity to break the rules.
Can residents go outside on the property?
Yes, residents may go outside for fresh air, and if it is safe, they can leave the property. This is approved by the Medical Director.
Will resident appointments continue?
Yes, medically necessary appointments will continue.
Can I pick up/drop off the laundry of my loved one?
Yes.
What happens if a large portion of the staff gets COVID-19?
The goal is for this not to happen. At this point, individually practicing social distancing, cancelling travel plans, and washing your hands and not touching your face are some of the many recommended ways to prevent getting COVID-19. If there is a cohort of the staff that gets this virus, additional emergency plans will be communicated to staff.
What happens if a resident gets COVID-19?
CMS has recommended that nursing homes care for residents with COVID-19 with isolation precautions, dedicated staff, and quarantine. If we are able to meet these residents’ needs medically, we will follow guidelines from CMS and the CDC.