Weston nursing home employee tests positive for COVID-19 as testing expands for nursing home residents and employees

WESTON - An employee at Rennes Health & Rehab Center in Weston tested positive for COVID-19 and the facility plans to test all residents and employees for the virus in the coming week.

A Rennes spokeswoman said in a news release Monday that the facility was notified about the positive test result on Saturday. The employee has been off-site since Wednesday.

"The facility is working closely with Marathon County Health Department to help ensure we are taking all necessary steps and precautions," said Vikki Baumler, public information officer, in the release.

As of Sunday afternoon, Marathon County had a total of 33 confirmed cases and has had one death tied to COVID-19, according to county health reports.

Daily procedures at all Rennes Group facilities include COVID-19 screening for all staff, residents and essential visitors. Those people will be asked questions about symptoms and travel history and will have their temperature taken. Residents will receive daily oxygen saturation tests.

All staff members wear personal protective equipment such as masks, safety goggles and gloves as appropriate, according to the facility. 

In addition, all wings of the Weston facility are under quarantine with limited staff access. Any residents who leave their rooms are required to wear a mask. Nursing staff have increased the frequency of monitoring resident vitals to three times daily.

This week the Rennes facility will move forward with testing for every resident and staff member, following an announcement from Gov. Tony Evers earlier this month that expanded testing in Wisconsin allows all nursing home residents and staff access to tests.

"The idea behind completing facility-wide testing is to help identify any potential asymptomatic carriers and assist in preventing the potential for further spread of the virus, if identified sooner," Baumler said.

"We feel this is another preventative approach we can take to help further protect our residents and employees."

Rennes Health & Rehab Center in Weston, 4810 Barbican Avenue, offers short-term rehabilitative care or long-term skilled nursing care, according to its website.

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Got a question or tip? Contact reporter Megan Stringer at (715) 207-1571 or mstringer@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @megstringers.