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* UPDATED x1 * IDPH: Third Legionnaires’ case at Quincy veterans home this week

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* On Tuesday IDPH reported “two laboratory-confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease among Illinois Veterans’ Home residents” in Quincy. Here’s the latest…

The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) are reporting a third laboratory-confirmed case of Legionnaires’ disease at the Illinois Veterans Home in Quincy (IVHQ). The positive test result was reported late yesterday. The resident is in stable condition.

IDVA is boosting disinfection levels in its water to further reduce any potential exposure to residents or staff. IDVA is also implementing modified water restrictions across the IVHQ campus, including:

• Installing Laminar flow devices on all sinks. This filter reduces the aeration of the water as it flows from the faucet.
• Limiting bathing to showers only, which are protected with legionella blocking Pall filters.
• Instituting temperature checks every two hours while residents are awake, and full vitals every four hours.

Representatives from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have returned to the home in Quincy, at the request of IDPH on Tuesday, February 13th, to review testing protocols for individuals with respiratory illness.

*** UPDATE *** Press release…

State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) is outraged at third confirmed case of Legionnaires’ disease at the Illinois Veterans Home at Quincy today.

“Three cases this week alone and still no real solutions from the governor. Obviously his leadership throughout this entire process — from the initial 2015 outbreak to where we stand now — has been an abysmal failure. The time to act is now. My colleagues on both sides of the aisle in both chambers are willing to take action the moment the governor decides he cares.”

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 1:45 pm

Comments

This is good. Why?
Look at how fast detection and report
Are coming.
That’s improvement IDHS
Sisters and brothers.
Having worked in 2 major Regional Hospitals
Northwestern Memorial
Barnes Jewish
I know how incredibly hard it is to get something like this under control. It’s a nightmare.
But I’m proud that the detection and reporting are now quick. It shows state workers, my AFSCME sisters and brothers working hard to address it.
Keep up fighting. Our veterans didn’t give up on us.
Better faster smarter
Keep our people safe.

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 1:55 pm
Shah’s best IS atrocious.
This is outrageous.
150,000 percent atrocious.

Comment by saynomore Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 1:57 pm
Finish the NW side veterans home and close this old Quincy facility. If Quincy jobs are so important then build a new facility in Quincy too.

Regardless, Quincy jobs are not more important than human life yet the only reason this death trap is still open is because of politicians who act like it.

Comment by hisgirlfriday Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 1:58 pm
–The positive test result was reported late yesterday.–

Immediate disclosure? I thought they did everything right when they waited six days to inform anyone.

What are we doing here? It’s clear that the state is not yet on top of this problem, three years in.

Should we not find a safe home for these folks until we can guarantee that the problem is fixed?

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 2:16 pm
I guess I don’t understand why they have not condemned the building and moved the residents to new facilities. Seems like they could work out some sort of short term solution while working on a long term fix… what am I missing?

Comment by Ahoy! Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 2:20 pm
@hisgirlfriday

Agreed we should look at getting those residents out of there. If you can’t fix a problem in three years, then the problem might be irreparable.

Still I think we should look for a suitable location at least in the same region. It’s not just about the jobs, but also about the residents themselves. Moving all these residents to Chicago might be a burden to the residents and their families.

Comment by Chicago_Downstater Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 2:20 pm
To your question, Word, Rauner would say “that would be too costly, er, I mean, we can’t displace our heroes lives who have given so much…..”

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 2:24 pm
But, Rauner said that they did a great job in dealing with this. So, this can’t possibly be right? He said so.

Comment by Aldyth Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 2:28 pm
Well, in my opinion this is all being handled exceptionally well.

Comment by Emily Miller Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 2:29 pm
Not the only report. This is from Chester-

“IDHS has turned off the water to the patient’s unit and is supplying bottled water for staff and patients, according to a news release by state Sen. Paul Schimpf, R-Waterloo. IDHS has not found the source of the bacteria, WJBD reported.

The Chester Mental Health Center houses adult men who are required to be in a mental health hospital. It is not a private institution.

http://www.bnd.com/news/local/article200232734.html

Comment by Anon221 Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 2:36 pm
Looks to me as if this facility should be shut down ASAP. They’ve spent a lot of money and staff resources to fix the problem. Instead of throwing more money on more patchwork fixes, they should be looking at getting these folks into alternative settings.

Comment by Norseman Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 2:37 pm
There is plenty of land at the QVH site. Find an existing blue print for a recent vet’s home and begin construction before summer is over. Let’s get it done.

Comment by Cool Papa Bell Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 3:20 pm
If the Dem candidates can promise Medicaud for all or free college for all, why not go ahead and promise new veterans facilities already?

Comment by hisgirlfriday Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 3:30 pm
A new state of the art facility is in order. You can only patch a tire so many times, then you have to buy a new tire. This place has proven to be an extreme health hazard for all those living, and working there. “We are working on it” just doesn’t get it any more. People need to be safe, and workers need to be assured their work environment is safe. Tear it down, and build a new facility. I am sure that funds can be found.

Comment by Retired Educator Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 3:34 pm
Durbin and Duckworth should call for the immediate closure.

The Quincy Veterans Home should be closed and the residents should be moved.

Comment by Claud Peppers Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 4:02 pm
Where the the QVH get its water supply? From Quincy? Or does the Home supply its own water? It comes down to the residual chlorine in the water to kill legionella or adequately controlling water temperature such that it is outside the range where the bacteria can survive.

These are immediately manageable solutions to the problem. Constructing a new building will take years.

Why isn’t 1.4% attacking the problem with quick methods that are known to solve problem?

Comment by Huh? Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 4:28 pm
Do we need to call the Red Cross for this disaster? What is everyone waiting for? It’s time for an emergency evacuation and new permanent placement for these poor residents. And Nirav, STEP. DOWN.

Comment by Politix Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 4:39 pm
The Marriott-Pere Marquette in Peoria is soon to be available.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 5:29 pm
Why isn’t anything being done about the legionairre disease at VA . My mom is a resident there.
Governor spent a,week there claimed he was going to do something. He needs to act fast on this

Comment by Antiquelady Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 5:21 pm