* Friday’s press release is here. Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs…
November 9, 2020
To residents, families or responsible parties, and staff of the Illinois Veterans Home at LaSalle:
We are committed to communicating with you in a responsible and transparent manner about COVID-19 (coronavirus). Today we want to update you regarding our COVID-19 status. At this time we have 62 positive residents and 69 positive employees. We are following the latest medical guidance and will work with state and local health officials regarding any possible quarantines and to ensure the full care, testing and protection of anyone potentially exposed.
As always, our top priority is the health and safety of our veteran heroes and the devoted staff who care for them. Throughout this pandemic we have been following recommendations from state and local health officials to safeguard everyone at the facility. This includes continuing our health screenings of staff and residents, maintaining social distancing practices, wearing face coverings, using gloves and gowns when indicated, and intensified cleaning and disinfection protocols. We are grateful to our team for remaining highly vigilant for signs or symptoms of COVID-19 and for responding swiftly, appropriately, and professionally to any potential cases.
We understand this news can be distressing, which is why we encourage you to contact your loved ones for mutual support of one another. While we conduct additional testing, we are taking the extra precaution to suspend all visitation until we have a clearer picture of our status. We appreciate your understanding and support for any precautions we may need to take. We promise to keep you informed as we do everything possible to keep our residents safe. Our military veterans and our wonderful home staff are strong and resilient people. With your continued support, we will get through this together.
Sincerely,
Angela Mehlbrech Administrator
What in the heck is going on over there?
- Citizen Kane - Monday, Nov 9, 20 @ 7:29 pm:
This is really sad. I would like to know what the Governor has to say about this. There has got to be a breakdown in protocol.
- Jocko - Monday, Nov 9, 20 @ 7:34 pm:
==There has got to be a breakdown in protocol.==
or the community allowed Covid-19 to run unchecked through its residents, leading to the weakest among us (and those that care for them) getting hit. But masks are inconvenient, amirite? /S
- Citizen Kane - Monday, Nov 9, 20 @ 7:37 pm:
Although that may be true, the Nursing Homes have much stricter protocols to follow for screening and visitors. Folks in the private nursing home industry were agahst when told about this - not understanding how they could let it happen
- Huh? - Monday, Nov 9, 20 @ 7:45 pm:
“community allowed Covid-19 to run unchecked through its residents”
Aided and abetted by a states attorney and county sheriff who refuse to enforce Pritzker’s executive orders to combat covid19. Toeing the republicant line to the detriment of the citizens of LaSalle County.
- Dutch - Monday, Nov 9, 20 @ 7:52 pm:
This isn’t a partisan problem. The Veteran’s Home is essentially in its own bubble. This isn’t happening statewide or in other nursing homes to these numbers. Manteno Veterans Home is having issues too. Remember, we only know about this now because of laws passed due to the state trying to keep secret the legionnaires outbreak a few years back.
- MyTwoCents - Monday, Nov 9, 20 @ 8:22 pm:
My biggest question is was there 1 person that introduced the virus into the home or where there multiple points of introduction? There needs to be a thorough investigation and every person guilty of breach of protocol needs to be disciplined. I would also argue it is time for the leadership at the home to be replaced. Something like this only happens when there’s a lax attitude towards the virus, which can be reflective of the outside community.
- thoughts matter - Monday, Nov 9, 20 @ 10:18 pm:
If the staff ( or anyone else actually allowed in the building) were asymptomatic, there might not have been a breach of protocol. If the residents were allowed to leave for any reason( ER for example)!, they might also have brought it back. It’s at community spread level and people don’t know they have been exposed. Masks and social distancing are the tools we have, but it’s not foolproof.
- FormerParatrooper - Monday, Nov 9, 20 @ 10:35 pm:
My father is in a home in Missouri, very strict protocols. Closed windows and masks and can’t really communicate. He is alone there. I can’t get there as often as I would prefer, my Aunts and Uncle make it every two weeks. Just wave and pantomime from behind glass. Depressing.
Most Veterans homes have decent protocols, and generally a staff who take thier jobs serious. The home my father is in is not a Veterans home, but has a high veteran population in there. Some of the staff are veterans, and pre covid what I saw made me comfortable.
Illinois Veterans homes concern me. Too many issues so close together. Never heard how the legionnaires issue was addressed and expect very little to be known with the covid issue there.
- Precinct Captain - Tuesday, Nov 10, 20 @ 1:12 am:
==- Citizen Kane - Monday, Nov 9, 20 @ 7:37 pm:==
the private nursing home industry, famous for following health and safety regulations.
- Dee Lay - Tuesday, Nov 10, 20 @ 7:54 am:
This is a prime example of the “Just protect the informed and let the rest of us get back to our lives” thought process is dangerously flawed.
Staff and contractors live in those areas where spread in uncontrolled and the nature of this virus to remain asymptotic makes it a silent killer in this situation.
Listen to the Doctors: Mitigate the virus first; then deal with the effects.
- Jim - Tuesday, Nov 10, 20 @ 9:20 am:
With so many staff members affected they need to get help in,
When symphony in Joliet was hit hard with the virus, the national guard came in and helped to get it under control & assist with the healthy patients too. Seems irresponsible if they don’t admit they need help.
- Citizen Kane - Tuesday, Nov 10, 20 @ 10:48 am:
==Seems irresponsible if they don’t admit they need help.==
Capitol Fax is the only place I am seeing this reported, which is odd. 69 staff has to be about half of their staff - I hope they are getting some help in there to assist.