By Debbie Hall
Forty-two Blue Ridge Therapy Connection residents tested positive for the coronavirus in a round of recent tests, according to a July 29 release from the facility. Additionally, 13 staff members tested positive, according to the release.
Three people in the Patrick County Schools community have tested positive for COVID-19, school officials said Thursday, July 30. Schools superintendent Dean Gilbert declined to provide additional information due to health and privacy laws.
Classes are scheduled to begin on Aug. 11 under a modified plan that allows parents to decide whether to send their children to school buildings or allow them to attend virtual classes.
Brandon Simmons, chairman of the Patrick County School Board, said he received no calls from parents after positive cases of the virus were reported in the school community.
“I have had a couple of calls from teachers who are concerned,” said Simmons. He added that although he did not feel the school board had enough information to decide to whether reopen the schools, and abstained from the vote, the planned opening has not changed.
“As of right now, it (the cases) should not have any impact on us. We are going forward with the plan we have,” Simmons said.
On Monday, there were 115 positive cases in Patrick, with 24 people hospitalized, according to the Virginia Department of Health.
In the West Piedmont Health District, which includes Patrick, Henry and Franklin counties and the City of Martinsville, there were 10 outbreaks: five in a long-term care facility, and five in a congregate setting, data showed.
At least two lab-confirmed cases are required to classify an outbreak. According to the data, there are 149 cases in the district associated with the outbreak and 60 cases among healthcare workers.
Demographics show the highest number of positive cases are in the 50 to 59 age group, with 167 cases; 155 in the 20 to 29 range; 154 in those aged 40 to 49; 133 among those aged 30 to 39; 98 in the 10 to 19 group; 97 in the 60 to 69 age range; 62 in 70 to 79; 63 among those aged 80 and older and 27 among those aged 9 and under.
Many residents in the Blue Ridge facility “who tested positive showed, and still show, no symptoms,” the July 29 release stated. “One resident has been moved to the recovered list. Two more residents are expected to be moved to the recovered list following the receipt of test results. Sadly, two COVID positive residents have passed. Federal law does not permit us to confirm cause of death.”
“We had our first suspected case” before the first round of testing conducted by the National Guard. “That person was sent to the hospital for evaluation and treatment, in part to help ensure that person’s health safety and welfare, and in part, to ensure the safety of all our other residents,” the release stated. “Since that time, we have observed other residents with symptoms. “
The release also added that the facility “long ago put into place a battery of precautions designed by the” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Virginia Department of Health “to slow the spread of the virus, including limiting facility access and the range of movement within the facility.
“Those measures have been painful for residents, staff and family members who celebrate community and family contact. Following trends in Henry and Carroll Counties and the rapid increase in cases throughout the United States, Blue Ridge Therapy Connection tested all residents and staff for the COVID-19 virus,” the release stated.
Preventative and precautionary efforts initially implemented are ongoing, company officials have said, and weekly testing will continue.
There are an estimated 160 residents receiving care at the combined facilities in Stuart and more than 200 employees, company officials have said.
Having infected more than 4.4 million Americans, COVID-19 “can and does move silently from community to community in ways that we do not yet fully understand,” the release stated. “It is suspected that the virus often comes into a skilled facility from a person who exhibits no signs or symptoms of the disease.
“In every state and country that this virulent virus has touched, residents of skilled nursing communities and other senior housing and care facilities have been disproportionately affected. Since multiple studies have shown no correlation between the Facility Star Rating or other quality of care factors and the trajectory of the virus, it is believed that nursing home residents may be more susceptible to the virus as a result of advanced age and complex medical conditions,” it added.
“We mourn with those who have suffered loss and pray for a world which is besieged with an incomprehensible plague,” the release stated. “We celebrate with those who have recovered and look forward to opening our doors wide for our friends and families to come freely through again.”
Officials at the facility did not return requests for updated information by press time.
