ABERDEEN, S.D. (Press Release) – Last week Avera Mother Joseph Manor and Nano Nagle Village completed voluntary COVID-19 tests for residents and staff. All of those tests were negative.

This means that as of Thursday, May 22, when the first testing was completed, Avera Mother Joseph Manor and Nano Nagle Village had no positive cases of COVID. Avera attributes this to its hardworking staff following Avera guidelines and CDC recommendations both at work and home and to our residents who continue to adjust to social distancing, as well as its current no visitor policy.

Since the COVID-19 outbreak began in our nation and our region, the Avera long-term care community has taken very proactive steps to protect residents. The recent testing is a part of a White House-directed effort to test all long-term care residents and employees. The South Dakota Department of Health is coordinating with Avera to conduct sample collection events at facilities across the state.

Testing will be completed in all South Dakota facilities within the next four weeks. With continued testing, Avera knows it may see positive results. The staff continue to be prepared for that as well.