SHEBOYGAN — Colinda Nappa, an administrator at Sunny Ridge nursing home in Sheboygan, told us staff members are exhausted.
"We go to sleep, and we come back, and we go to work, and we don't stop in between," said Nappa.
Two residents have died here from COVID-19, and there are ten positive tests at the facility. More could be coming with the Wisconsin National Guard helping with testing.
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At the same time, donations and support are pouring in. Some healthcare workers from St. Nicholas Hospital and Aurora came to work alongside Sunny Ridge caregivers.
The community is dropping off food, games, and puzzles for residents, and big corporations are joining in to help.
"Kohler donated 25 Amazon fire tablets so that our residents can communicate with their families," said Nappa.
Walmart is donating food and drinks for staff to keep them motivated, many of whom are working seven days a week up to 16 hours a day.
Workers are trying to keep the faith. The word "HOPE" can be seen from the second-floor windows at Sunny Ridge.
"Staff says our residents are their family. They got into healthcare to take care of residents, and that's what they are doing," Nappa continued.
Staff is caring for those who are sick in an infirmary inside the building, with the Wisconsin National Guard team's help, a second could be set up if needed.
"The world was not expecting this, and neither was Sheboygan, and we're as prepared as we could have been," she said.
Sunny Ridge did receive some criticism for not informing residents' family members about the severity of the situation soon enough. Some people made comments about this on Facebook. The nursing home told TMJ4 News this all came about so fast, and they have been working with the health department to see how they could release information.
Sunny Ridge says you can donate games, puzzles, paint sets, or other activities for residents who are cooped up inside of their private rooms during the pandemic. You can call (920) 980-4688 and ask for Dawn.