JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Entering six weeks since closing to the public, area nursing homes are continuing to find ways to keep their residents and families connected.

During the latest COVID-19 briefing in Jamestown and Stutsman County, officials from Ave Maria Village and Eventide Senior Living spoke on how their respective organizations responded to the pandemic.

Ave Maria Village Administrator Tonie Lagodinski reports that they have kept the same precautions they implemented six weeks ago.

Lagodinski added that they screen their residents two times a day, providers aren’t allowed in the facility and instead visit via telehealth, and they’ve limited to only essential clinic visits.

She says they are using consistent staff to keep logs and identify who works with which resident.

Doug Panchot, Executive Director for Eventide Senior Living in Jamestown, says they have 115 beds and 43 apartment units. He says they continue to take similar precautions.

Residents are monitored daily and stay connected virtually. Panchot says this has been very popular with their residents.

Panchot added that this technology has allowed them to keep the resident’s families informed.

Lagodinski echoed what Panchot stated, saying their departments have also stepped up to help residents who may be having a difficult time.

Central Valley Health Unit Administrator Robin Iszler reports that there have been 3 positive COVID-19 cases in Stutsman County out of 283 tests.

The briefing was held via zoom on the Central Valley Health Department’s Facebook page.

Watch the full briefing below: