* Sorry for the quality of this copy, but it’s been confirmed by the administration. Click the pic for a larger image and I’ll try to get a better version…
Murray is in Centralia, in southern Illinois. Click here for more info on the facility.
The residents are folks with serious developmental disabilities.
Just absolutely heartbreaking.
* Clinton County Health Department…
COVID-19 DAILY UPDATE
APRIL 8, 2020
CLINTON COUNTY
Is now reporting
16 NEW POSITIVES
*** UPDATE *** CBS 2…
No Illinois health facility has more cases of COVID-19 than the Shapiro Developmental Center in Kankakee. Wednesday there were 50 residents and 19 staff members with confirmed cases for a total of 69 cases. The total number of cases in all of Kankakee County had reached 150, meaning the Shapiro Center makes up 46% of the cases. […]
The next biggest cluster of cases is 29 at the Ludeman Developmental Center in Park Ridge.
Because so many staff members are sick, all time off has been canceled. The state health department has staff dedicated to rumor control online to prevent misinformation on social media.
This is a nightmare.
…Adding… Press release…
Statement from IARF President & CEO Josh Evans: Confirmed Cases of Individuals with Developmental Disabilities in Community Residences and State Centers
“It is with deep sadness and concern that we continue to learn of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in group homes and state centers where individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities reside. With at least 47 known cases in group homes and five deaths – and with news of over a dozen residents of Murray Center - we grieve with families and guardians that are experiencing loss and we hope for a speedy recovery for those going through this horrible illness.”
“Services and supports for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities make effective use of social distancing impossible. Frontline staff are needed for activities of daily living, administering medications, and a myriad of supports to help individuals with disabilities have a meaningful day, yet be healthy and safe during this pandemic. Yet for many staff in IARF provider agencies and state-run centers, there isn’t access to critically needed personal protective equipment (PPEs), such as masks, disinfectant, thermometers, and robes. We simply cannot get PPE in the quantity we need it to protect residents and staff.”
“While we may never be able to quantify, the Association believes the Department of Human Services – specifically the Division of Developmental Disabilities, took quick action that has reduced the spread of the coronavirus and has saved lives. The community service array has received information, guidance, and resources it needs to protect the health and safety of residents and the staff that serve and support them. IARF is proud of the leadership exhibited by this Administration.”
“However, despite best preparations, the spread of the coronavirus will continue unless disability and behavioral health service providers and state centers have access to PPE to mitigate that spread. Consider this a call to anyone reading this – in government, outside of government, in supply chains, in our healthcare and social services safety net with any sort of surplus or reserve – we need PPE – we need it to protect our friends and loved ones with developmental disabilities, and the staff that support them – with families of their own. My team and I will do what we can to connect you with service providers in your communities. Please help.
- Southern - Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 6:54 pm:
Heartbreaking and scary. Social-distancing is hard enough in a nursing home or hospital or prison. Imagine trying to practice it at a place where the residents mostly don’t understand why it’s needed.
- Shapiro Center too - Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 6:58 pm:
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2020/04/08/shapiro-developmental-center-kankakee-covid-19/
- Excitable Boy - Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 7:14 pm:
Not to detract from the tragedy at hand, but this is absolutely a big reason we need to move away from the institutional model of care for these people. They certainly don’t deserve to be placed at greater risk to outbreaks like this or even more common illnesses to maintain an antiquated system.
- Proud Papa Bear - Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 7:50 pm:
I worked at a similar type of facility for over a decade. It would be extremely difficult to physically distance. People in walkers need someone to hold their gait belt while they walk. Some people need someone to physically put food in their mouths. Others need staff to toilet and bathe them.
To compound matters (at least where I worked) new staff started with zero sick days and experienced staff had just a few days per year to spare. Many people came in unless they were very sick.
Turnover is sky-high and people cover multiple shifts.
All a fertile ground for a hard-to-contain pandemic.
- SSL - Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 8:09 pm:
There is nothing worse than realizing that it wasn’t possible to protect the most vulnerable. This virus presents challenges that are beyond difficult in close quarters. Hopefully staff and residents can be successfully treated.
- The Dude Abides - Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 8:19 pm:
All of the affected residents as well as the staff are in my prayers. This is just an awful situation.
- Cool Papa Bell - Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 8:25 pm:
I worked for a while in the world of those with developmental disabilities and I can’t imagine how challenging it will be to keep these places safe and that goes for group homes too.
Those individuals won’t always be able to learn to consistently wash their hands, practice good hygiene, or prevent themselves from getting in vulnerable situations.
Add to it my experience was social distancing would be nearly impossible. Many of those folks would always come up for a hug or demand that you hold their hand. To say no might create a very difficult situation for a staffer to work through.
A number of others have health and physical limitations that demand you are in extreme contact with them sometimes on a hourly basis.
Heartbreaking for those men and women who live there and the staff who are taking care of them.
- 588-2300 - Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 8:48 pm:
Illinois should have had a plan to sequester care providers on-site during this time, just as we have such plans for our critical energy sector should it be necessary. Pritzker’s administration dropped the ball on this.
- Cadillac - Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 9:13 pm:
=== - Excitable Boy - Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 7:14 pm:
Not to detract from the tragedy at hand, but this is absolutely a big reason we need to move away from the institutional model of care for these people. ===
Do yourself a favor and and just stop. Obviously you have never been to Murray Center.
- Anyone Remember - Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 9:30 pm:
Excitable Boy -
You worked in / with the Quinn Administration?
https://www.chicagotribune.com/investigations/ct-group-home-investigations-cila-met-20161229-htmlstory.html
- Clifford - Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 9:44 pm:
Ludeman is in Park Forest.
- zatoichi - Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 9:57 pm:
I worked in this field for many years. Close physical contact is just part of daily activity. Feeding, bathing, going shopping, toileting, working, gait, hand on shoulder, hugs, grooming exactly as Cool Papa Bell has described. Does not matter if it is at state facilities, community settings, or a private apartment. If you cannot handle the physical contact, this is not the work for you and 6 foot distancing is simply impossible. Physical contact is as much a part of this particular business as it is in medical settings, corrections, sports, and nursing homes.
- Charlie Brown - Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 10:05 pm:
Of course it was preventable. It requires extra caution.
For heaven’s sake, if we can run a nuclear plant we can run a developmental center.
They are just now canceling vacation tells you how seriously they have not been taking this.
- Candy Dogood - Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 10:05 pm:
Is this the same agency that insisted on their staff continuing to come to work with an absolute lack of PPE until their staff started having confirmed positive tests?
At a time where screening usually calls for hospitalization?
I wish the merit comp folks took this as seriously as our governor. I hope the legal guardians or other representatives take the state to court over the lackadaisical approach towards safety of their residents.
- thoughts matter - Wednesday, Apr 8, 20 @ 10:13 pm:
It’s heartbreaking- but I’m going to take a pass at being judgemental. As someone else said, the residents aren’t going to understand what they need to do, and possibly can’t even do it if they did. You can be contagious and be asymptomatic and you can’t get tested if you don’t have symptoms. It’s probably almost impossible to prevent it in situations like this. The staff, visitors and residents didn’t spread this on purpose.
- Red Ketcher - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 1:13 am:
Kankakee Shapiro: Seems likely that the 19 Staff could be residents of numerous neighborhoods and surrounding communities. So wide spread possible.
- Anon - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 7:18 am:
Prayers to the families
- Emmanuel Jackson - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 7:45 am:
I am watching the news this morning and find out 19 people have the virus at the ludeman center where my sister resides i have to find out on the news this is really sad i will be calling to find out what measures they are doing as of now my sister is okay those patients have been quarantined someone had to bring it in
- Emmanuel Jackson - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 7:56 am:
I have to say as my sisters guardian i did not receive any news about this no phone call or mail its like they are trying to hide something when i called my sisters house they said she is alright so i asked about the other clients in the house and she said call and talk to the main office i already cant see my sister i dont want to get a call and she has passed away anyone at ludeman center my number is 708-362-9926 my sister is Tawanna Jackson house 54 someone needs to call me asap
- AJ - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 8:12 am:
Ludeman is in Park Forest not Park Ridge. CBS reported incorrectly.
What an awful situation.
- Joe Bidenopolous - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 9:47 am:
=There is nothing worse than realizing that it wasn’t possible to protect the most vulnerable.=
With comprehensive nationwide testing it would have been possible. Just sayin’
- Grateful Gail - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 10:30 am:
My daughter lives at Murray Center in Centralia, and I cannot say enough good things about the administration and staff at Murray Center. They have done every thing right in helping keep our loved ones safe. No one has been on the grounds except staff and delivery trucks since March 12th. All things coming in the center are sanitized before they go to cottages. All staff have temperatures taken before they are able to go on any cottage. Residents have their temperatures taken numerous times throughout the day. The individual who tested first had a slight temperature for a few hours. He was immediately tested, and when he came back positive the rest of the individuals on his unit were tested. NONE HAD ANY SYMPTOMS and still don’t. They all tested positive. This is a very scary virus. You can have it and have no symptoms and be spreading it. The Murray families have received updates EVERY day from the Administration, which are forwarded by our parents group director. We cannot say enough good things about our staff. We know our loved ones are in the best place possible. THANK YOU STAFF!
- Six Feet of Separation (temporary name) - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 12:52 pm:
===Ludeman is in Park Forest not Park Ridge. CBS reported incorrectly.===
The sout’ suburbs never get no respect. At least they didn’t say “Forest Park” which PF has forever been mixed up with since its origins after WWII.
- Mike L. - Saturday, Apr 11, 20 @ 12:45 pm:
Warren G. Murray Center has been my brother’s home since 1964, the year it opened. He has profound mental disabilities. The talented and dedicated staff at Murray cares for their residents like family. In addition, the Murray Parents Association is highly engaged with the center. The residents here thrive in this environment better than anywhere else. They are taking every precaution to stay safe during this Coronavirus outbreak. Guardians and family are updated daily. I am sure that all residents and families agree with me that there is no better home for our loved ones.
I am with you, Grateful Gail!!