The letter, obtained by The Forum, outlines the steps being taken at Riverview Place at 5300 12th St. S., Fargo, to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The illness, caused by a highly contagious novel coronavirus, is sweeping the globe and has no vaccine or proven treatment.

Riverview Place is owned by Catholic Health Initiatives, which has retirement communities in seven states, including North Dakota. Its letter states, in part:

To ensure the health of our residents and employees, the state health department has recommended each of our residents, staff and contractors be tested for COVID-19 and that test results would be returned within approximately 24 hours.

Its not clear when the testing will take place, or if it already has. The letter, dated March 30, stated that tests would happen this afternoon, although a family member of a resident there told The Forum their loved one had not yet been tested.

Catholic Health Initiatives had not responded to a request for comment as of 7:30 p.m. Monday.

In addition, the letter stated that because of the positive test result from last week, Riverview would be placed under quarantine for the next 14 days, and residents should continue sheltering in their apartments.

The first person who died in North Dakota from COVID-19 was a resident of Riverview Place, along with his wife.

Roger Lehne, 93, a Navy veteran and educator, declined to be put on a ventilator, possibly to save it for another patient, his niece said Saturday, March 28.

Lehne died Thursday at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Fargo. His 84-year-old wife, Teresa, has also been diagnosed with COVID-19 and has been hospitalized at Sanford Health.

The letter to Riverview Place families said that, based on guidance from local and state health departments, previous recommendations already implemented will continue, including:

Additional actions being taken include having residents schedule times to do their laundry so facilities can be sanitized between usage.

The letter also asked residents to avoid using their mailboxes, and mail will be delivered to residents directly.

Theyre also asked to place their garbage outside their doors for employees to pick up, the letter said.

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All residents, staff of Fargo retirement community to be tested for COVID-19 following death of resident - INFORUM