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COVID-19 outbreak at state’s Manteno veterans’ home, state says one asymptomatic vet who was already in hospice has died

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Illinois

* Press release…

As COVID-19 transmission rates continue to rise across Illinois, with at least 32 counties reporting a “high community level,” the Illinois Veterans’ Home at Manteno is experiencing an increase in COVID-19 cases among its veterans and staff. Based on robust rapid testing and the support of the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) laboratories, in quick succession, we have identified 6 staff and 16 residents as positive for COVID-19. A small number of the positive residents are showing only mild symptoms, while the majority are experiencing no symptoms. All the residents who tested positive have been moved to the negative pressure isolation unit and are being closely monitored and cared for by dedicated Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA) personnel. All the residents who have tested positive have received at least two doses of the vaccine and 15 are up to date with their boosters. A staff physician is assessing residents’ need for anti-viral post exposure medication. Sadly, one veteran, already under hospice care and completely asymptomatic, passed away early this morning–only hours after his booster shot and results of a COVID positive result.

Our top priority is the health and safety of our military veterans and the heroic staff who care for them. We take this very seriously. We are following recommendations from local health officials, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and the IDPH to safeguard everyone at the facility. This includes continuing daily health screenings of our veterans, routine COVID-19 testing of staff and residents, use of N-95 respirator masks with protective face shields, maintaining social-distancing practices, using gloves and gowns, and intensified cleaning and disinfection protocols. During an outbreak, residents are encouraged to stay in their rooms to minimize movement within the facility. IDPH staff was on site, only hours after the tests came back positive, working to ensure the full protection, testing, and care of anyone potentially exposed.

Communal dining and activities have been curtailed in the home until the outbreak has ended. 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. Activities and social services staff continue to develop leisure activities, in accordance with social distancing practices, to care for the psychosocial wellbeing of our veterans. Visitation is allowed to continue, per CDC guidelines however, families have been notified that we are in outbreak status and that rescheduling visitation should be considered.

Everyone seems so lax almost everywhere now, but people gotta get back to taking this virus a bit more seriously in nursing homes.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jun 15, 22 @ 12:04 pm

Comments

“Everyone seems so lax almost everywhere now”

Myself included. Tested positive on Sunday after I lost my sense of taste. Vaxed and boosted. Didn’t matter. Hardly any symptoms other than a messed up palate.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, Jun 15, 22 @ 12:15 pm
Can we please now stop putting these facilities in areas where personal hygiene isn’t a priority?

I don’t care if people make fun of me for wearing a mask when I go shopping. My actions area based on the maps of local community spread and vaccine uptake. As I’ve said before it’s not much different or more difficult than planning for severe weather. I tend to go shopping when it is less crowded already which means there are also elderly people there at the same time. I would not be pleased with myself if I was asymptomatic and increased the risk to someone else because I wasn’t wearing a mask.

I’ve managed to avoid catching it at all. It’s not impossible, and I don’t even work in health care.

Comment by TheInvisibleMan Wednesday, Jun 15, 22 @ 1:14 pm
I am still masking in most indoor public spaces. The prospect of long cove is unappealing and having lost an immunocompromised relative to COVID in February, I prefer to not worry I accidentally caused someone’s premature death.

Comment by Moderate Mom Wednesday, Jun 15, 22 @ 1:27 pm
Hopefully caught early, and treatment protocols now available make the difference. They should be all over this…

Comment by Lincoln Lad Wednesday, Jun 15, 22 @ 1:30 pm
How do you die of something if you are asymptomatic and have no bodily effects from the pathogen.

Sounds like that’s not the result of covid.

Comment by Confusedius Wednesday, Jun 15, 22 @ 2:49 pm
The time to take it seriously passed long ago; we now reap the rewards of denial, conspiracy theories, and a bungled Federal response under Trump. Remember: Covid will send no warning, so always wear your mask in any interior spaces.

Comment by thisjustinagain Wednesday, Jun 15, 22 @ 4:52 pm