Lane County Public Health reported another staff person at a residential care facility has tested positive for COVID-19. The new case prompted immediate testing of all residents at Spring Valley Assisted Living, some of whom have memory loss. The Springfield facility is in the process of testing staff.
Public Health’s Devon Ashbridge said investigations are underway and they don’t yet know how or where the caregiver was infected. The concern, she says, is that it could be sporadic transmission.
“The people that can pay the greatest price for that increase in community spread are people at higher risk of severe consequences from COVID-19,” said Ashbridge, “and that is absolutely represented in the population of people who live in these long term care facilities.”
Ashbridge insisted if we work or have loved ones in a residential care setting-- or not-- it’s imperative that everyone do all they can to slow the spread of the virus. Mask up, socially distance, and avoid large gatherings, she said.
Last weekend (Aug. 7-9,) a caregiver at Oaktree Residential Living in Eugene was identified as coronavirus positive. The facility tested all staff and residents. Ashbridge says positive test results from these residential care facilities will be reported to public health and announced.
Late on Thursday, Lane County Public Health announced a woman in her 70’s died on Wednesday, August 12, from COVID-19-related causes. She had previously been hospitalized. This is the county’s 4th death attributed to the coronavirus.