COVID-19 claims seven PCHS residents
Perkins County Health Services CEO Neil Hilton compared the COVID-19 situation at Golden Ours Convalescent Home in Grant to a wind-driven grass fire.
“If there’s any lesson to be learned from this or something that’s validated in this situation is absolutely what a damn grass fire it can become in a long-term care setting. It’s a grass fire,” he said.
Hilton updated county commissioners Monday on the COVID-19 outbreak at the home.
Thus far, 13 residents have tested positive for the virus. Of those, seven have died, including six over a five-day period from July 31 to Monday, August 3.
He said it’s been a “real kick in the pants” to be witness to a weird situation where things improve by having folks pass away.
Staffers working in a geriatric environment deal with death. However, this has taken a toll on the entire staff, from workers to nurses to doctors, as well as family members, Hilton said.
Losing six residents in a span of five days was a shocking situation that took an emotional toll on everyone involved, he noted.
The worst part, he said, was not knowing when it was going to end.
Hilton said the scenario has played out as evidenced nationwide—older people, especially those with underlying health conditions, are the most vulnerable to the virus.
Did coronavirus play a role in the deaths of the seven residents? “Sure, it was a contributing factor, ” he noted, adding the residents passed away with Covid, not necessary because of Covid.
The father of Lucretia Johnson of Grant, Doug Patterson, was the first of seven residents who tested positive to pass away.
Johnson said her dad, who was 98, got excellent care. “We’re just sad,” she said, adding her dad was “old and tired” and had other underlying conditions.
“I don’t know what more they could have done,” she said.
They also feel bad for the staff and what the virus has put them through.
Some positive news
Fortunately, the grass fire is starting to snuff itself out, Hilton said.
On the positive side of things, 24 remaining residents, 14 in Golden Ours and 10 in Park Ridge assisted living, along with 40 or so employees, all tested negative last week.
It takes two negative tests over a two-week period in both the residents and the staff to declare everything clear.
He said they are re-testing residents and employees this week through the TestNebraska program. He will be anxiously awaiting the test results, which take three to four days.
If all of those tests come back negative, then, he emphasized, “the grass fire is out.”
“The worst will be behind us,” he said. “That will bring this episode to closure.”
However, if even one test comes back positive, the whole two-week cycle starts all over before the facility can be declared free of the virus.
On another positive note, five of the seven residents who were transferred out to other hospitals have improved and have or are returning to the facilities this week.
July 14 outbreak
The outbreak first occurred July 14 when an employee at Golden Ours tested positive. At that point, four residents tested positive, along with seven other employees.
Before the spread was brought under control, a total of 13 residents and nine employees became infected with COVID-19.
Immediately, PCHS began implementing precautions to limit the spread and began testing.
In addition, he said they began the task of real deep cleaning in an effort to control the virus.
Hilton said residents remain confined to their rooms and all employees are wearing full personal protective equipment. That includes N95 masks, face shield, full length gown and gloves.
No visitors are being allowed at Golden Ours or Park Ridge at this time.
People visiting the clinic or hospital are asked to keep accompaniment to a minimum, when possible.
Temperatures will be taken at the door and masks are required when in the two facilities.