Confirmed Positive COVID-19 Tests

Heritage President and CEO, Lisa Haglund, confirmed today that Rolling Fields, a Heritage senior living community in Conneautville, PA, has 5 residents and 17 staff members who have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus in their skilled nursing community.

Haglund stated, “The COVID-19 positive tests were a result of the mandated blanket testing in Pennsylvania for nursing home staff and residents. All residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 are currently asymptomatic and in a quarantined COVID-19 isolation unit at Rolling Fields. Staff who tested positive are currently in quarantine, and will not return to work at Rolling Fields until further notice. All of our families have been notified. In accordance with HIPAA requirements, no further details will be released.”

Haglund shared, “At Heritage, the health and safety of both our residents and staff is of the utmost importance, and we are taking action to reduce the risk of exposure for all. The steps we are implementing are directly tied to the recommendations and guidelines of the CDC, and state, local, and federal regulations, and we will adjust these steps if those recommendations change. To date, we consider ourselves lucky to have limited our exposure as a result of the pro-active efforts of our staff working in conjunction with our COVID-19 task force.”

Rolling Fields has taken multiple steps to help prevent exposure for residents including restricting all visitors, daily employee and resident health screenings in accordance with CDC guidelines, and no group activities.

She continued, “Our COVID-19 task force has been preparing for this possibility, and we believe our incredible team of care givers is well trained and ready to support our residents.”

Jeremy Rutter, Heritage Chief Clinical Officer, shared words of comfort and encouragement for those concerned about staffing and the safety of employees and residents at Rolling Fields Elder Care, which had 5 residents and 17 staff members test positive for COVID-19 on Monday, July 13.

“The health and safety of our residents and staff is of the utmost importance. At this time, all of our COVID-19 positive staff members have been directed to self-quarantine. They are all currently asymptomatic, and they are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Half of the staff members who tested positive were not in direct care positions. We are currently working through our staffing projections for care, and at this time, we are confident that our current staffing levels will support the same continued compassionate care our Elders always receive. We understand that there has been some concern over COVID-19 positive staff being informed they must work. While it is within CDC guidelines for asymptomatic COVID-19 positive staff to work specifically in a COVID-19 positive quarantine unit, we have not had to implement this procedure at Rolling Fields , and at this time remain confident that our current staffing levels will support the same continued compassionate care our Elders always receive. We are blessed to have dedicated Care Partners at Rolling Fields, true healthcare heroes, who each day leave their homes and come to work to protect our most vulnerable population, our seniors. We are honored, and thank them for all they do each day to support Hope, Dignity, and Purposeful Living. Because of them, we are #HeritageStrong.”

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Heritage Ministries, the parent company of Rolling Fields, was founded as the Orphanage and Homes of the Free Methodist Church in 1886 and has grown from its original campus in Gerry, NY, to six locations in New York with additional affiliations in the states of Washington, Illinois, and Pennsylvania. As a not-for-profit provider of senior care and housing, Heritage is a leader in the industry, employing approximately 1,500 team members, and serving over 2,500 individuals annually. With locations in New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Washington, Heritage and its affiliates provide rehabilitation and skilled nursing services, independent retirement housing, and assisted living. The Homestead Stables provides intergenerational equestrian opportunities as well as boarding, training, and lessons. In addition, childcare is provided at two campuses, allowing for intergenerational programs. For more information on Heritage Ministries, please visit www.heritage1886.org.