Contra Costa Health Confirms COVID-19 Outbreak in a Senior Facility
At least 27 people who live or work at a skilled nursing facility in Orinda have tested positive for COVID-19, Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) confirmed today.
No deaths have been reported in connection with the outbreak as of Friday morning.
“Public Health has prepared for the possibility of outbreaks happening in skilled nursing facilities and other congregate care settings, and we have provided clear guidance for facilities in responding and controlling the spread of illness,” Contra Costa Public Health Director Dan Peddycord said. “We are working closely with the facilities now to protect residents and staff.”
CCHS began investigating this week after two staff members working at Orinda Care Center sought medical care. Positive test results for those workers as well as two patients at the facility returned positive late Wednesday.
CCHS tested all patients and staff Thursday. While results continue to return, 24 residents and three staff members have tested positive so far. Two residents who tested positive are receiving care at local hospitals.
Most of the infections at the facility were discovered through the Public Health investigation. Staff and residents who do not have serious symptoms are medically isolated but not hospitalized.
Orinda Care Center is a skilled nursing facility with 45 residents. The facility is following all health recommendations to prevent further spread of the virus.
Public Health is also now in the early stages of investigating and testing at two other senior care facilities in the county.
“The situation is very serious, and we are deeply concerned about residents of our senior care facilities in Contra Costa County,” said Dr. Chris Farnitano, Contra Costa County health officer. “That is why we need everyone to follow the stay-at-home order, social distancing guidance and other measures in recent health orders – to protect the people in our community who are vulnerable to severe illness from COVID-19.”
CCHS did confirm two more coronavirus-related deaths of county residents on Friday unrelated to this outbreak. There have been five confirmed deaths in Contra Costa and more than 300 confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection.
15 comments
Since visitors cannot visit, is it the the employees that are infecting the patients?
Has to be,They may not be cleaning properly either
Patients and residents at assisted living facilities still have Dr. appts to go to, so it’s anyone’s guess where the infection started. Could be an employee bringing it in or a resident getting infected at wherever they are seeking medical treatment.
It’s safe to assume this breakout prompted the mass quarantine order for people exposed to the China Flu.
Curious that the Health Department has not, at least as yet, published the number of cases and deaths as of this date. First there was no transparency and now no consistency.
Either that or someone delivering essentials was my first thought.
Appears to be employees not following safety guidelines if no visitors have been allowed. Don’t admit family members in Orinda Care Center.
So out of 31 new cases today, 27 are from this facility.
Rollo,
Three are from a store from the movie ‘Idiocracy’.
Not sure what your point is. I made it about 7 minutes into that movie.
I’d be interested in seeing how San Marco Nursing & Rehab and ManorCare Health Services in Walnut Creek are affected. Both of my parents have “done time” at both places and the care was spotty at best and almost criminal at worst.
My mom was a patient in this facility in the 1990s. Back then it was spotless, well taken care of and an excellent place. I’m sure nothing has changed. this was probably caused by an outside source.
I hope all recover ,nobody deserve to be sick alone. After all this end visit your olders 🙏pliz.
Rotating caregivers are constantly traveling from one facility to the other often back to back shifts. Once this is all over with I hope this practice is stopped. The Washington state outbreaks were also related to rotating caregivers who spread the virus to 27 different facilities
Well some people do have towork to job to provided fror there family
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