COVID-19 outbreaks ongoing in Richland County nursing homes

Multiple Richland County nursing homes are experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks, according to data from the Ohio Department of Health.

The widening spread of the virus in the county likely contributes to the spread into congregate care settings, according to medical experts.

In its Wednesday update, the ODH reported 42 “current week” cases of COVID-19 among residents at Crestwood Care Center in Shelby. There were zero current week staff cases, but 19 cumulative staff cases. Crestwood management could not be reached for comment.

On Tuesday, there were 33 active COVID-19 cases among residents and 12 active cases among staff at Lexington Court Care Center, according to a statement from the facility’s parent company, Atrium Centers.

Lexington Court Care Center is an 87-bed skilled nursing and independent living facility, according to Michael Deverso, vice president of sales and marketing at Atrium Centers. It has more than 100 employees.

Deverso stated that the facility has been proactive in its COVID-19 prevention efforts, added multiple protocols and provided extensive training for residents and employees. He said the facility is committed to following CDC guidelines and working closely with state and county health officials. 

“In fact, the most recent survey at this time, dated (Dec. 3) by the Ohio Health Department, determined the facility was in substantial compliance with infection control protocols and exited with no concerns,” he said. 

“However, despite all our hard work and diligence, it has been determined that infection rates within skilled nursing facilities are following similar trends as the community they are located,” Deverso said.

An outbreak at Mansfield Memorial Homes appears to be improving, according to data from the ODH. Last week, ODH reported 22 current cases among residents and 13 among staff.

This week, there were two active resident cases and three active staff cases; however the reported cumulative counts increased from 43 to 46 residents and 23 to 31 staff members. 

The administrator at Mansfield Memorial declined to comment.

Local and state public health officials could not provide immediate clarification on why the increase in cumulative counts is greater than the increase in new cases over a one week period.

The ODH is also reporting two current week resident cases and three staff cases at Crystal Care Nursing and Rehab Center; one resident case at Elmcroft of Ontario; one staff case at Liberty Nursing Center of Mansfield; two resident cases and one staff case at Mansfield Place; one staff case at Shelby Pointe; one resident case at Wedgewood Estates; and five resident cases and one staff case at Winchester Terrace.

A report from the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), which represents more than 14,000 nursing homes and assisted living communities across the country, found that outbreaks in nursing homes often occur in communities with significant spread of COVID-19.

Richland County was “purple,” or level four, again this week in the state’s color-coded Public Health Advisory System, the most severe rating in the system in terms of virus spread.

Another key finding was that there was no correlation between a facility’s quality rating and the likelihood of a COVID-19 outbreak. According to the report, asymptomatic spread and a lack of available tests has contributed to quick, sometimes uncontrollable spread in congregate living facilities.

Richland Public Health Educator Reed Richmond said it’s difficult to keep COVID-19 from making it into nursing homes during times of significant community spread — even if a home bars visitors.

“Most of the long-term care facilities are limiting the number of people that come and visit,” he said last week.

Richmond said staff should not go to work if they are feeling ill. He also advised members of the community not to spend time with nursing home workers if they are feeling ill.

“Anybody that works in a nursing home has to make sure they’re not reporting (to work) if they’re showing any symptoms at all,” he said. “If you have a member of your family that works at any nursing home, do not visit unless you are following all the guidelines and not showing symptoms.”

If infected, nursing home employees who are asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic can easily bring the virus into work, or out into the community.

“What’s the possibility of them taking it home and spreading it around to other people before they know they are sick?” Richmond said. “When they’re not at work, what is their contact outside of their own bubble? That’s the concern.”

Health officials are recommending the public minimize social interactions and stay at home in order to lower community spread.

“This is not a good time to be out and about. You should only make trips that are necessary,” Richmond said. “I know how difficult this is to tell people not to visit. But you’ve got to do the right thing to protect others.”