Shirkey reins in outbreak of 15 COVID-19 cases

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Shirkey reins in outbreak of 15 COVID-19 cases

Fri, 02/12/2021 - 02:49
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RICHMOND – Like a tornado hunting trailer courts, the COVID-19 pandemic has struck hard at long-term care facilities across the nation, starting with the first U.S. death Feb. 29, 2020, at a Kirkland, Washington, nursing home. Since then, 39% of all U.S. COVID-19 deaths have been in nursing homes, NBC reported in December. Long-term housing facilities in this area have been hit, too, but until a week ago, the virus had bypassed Oak Ridge Assisted Living Center, and Shirkey Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Ray County. Not anymore, Shirkey Health Centers CEO Chris Brown said Tuesday. “The cases we have are currently down in the Alzheimer’s unit,” he said, “which is the hardest area to control because they’re so mobile and touching everything.” There have been roughly 15 cases at different stages in the unit, Brown said. “Ninety-nine percent of them are asymptomatic,” he said. Non-virus health issues complicated by COVID led to two residents being hospitalized, he said. “The…

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