JOLIET, Ill. — Illinois nursing homes and long-term care facilities continue to be hot zones for COVID-19 infections.
Even though visitors have been banned since late February, dozens of people have died in nursing homes across the state.
The state has released a breakdown of virus cases. So far, infections have been reported at 104 facilities.
Eight facilities in Illinois have reported at least 20 cases. The data below is as of April 19 and will be updated weekly:
- Westchester Health and Rehabilitation Center: 43 cases; 9 deaths
- Elevate Care North: 42 cases; 8 deaths
- Symphony of South Shore: 37 cases; 1 death
- Glenview Terrace: 24 cases; 7 deaths
- Center Home for Hispanic Elderly: 22 cases; 1 death
- Bridgeview HC: 21 cases; 6 deaths
- Carlton at the Lake: 20 cases; 3 deaths
- Symphony – Bronzeville: 20 cases; 5 deaths
One of the largest outbreaks is at Symphony of Joliet, an assisted living facility located at 306 N. Larkin Avenue. More than 80 confirmed coronavirus cases have been reported at the care center, and 26 people — 24 residents and two employees — have died from the virus.
Sandra Green, 57, was the latest victim. She was a certified nursing assistant at Symphony. Green’s daughter said she was on a ventilator for 24 days before her death. She said her mother worried about going to work because there wasn’t enough PPE at the facility.
Joliet’s mayor has called for an investigation.
Symphony Care Network said Monday they have tapped an infectious disease expert and a gerontologist to help lead their COVID-19 crisis team.
The state is now asking for more staff in long term care facilities because of employees calling in sick.
More testing materials are being sent to nursing homes to do aggressive testing on residents and staff.
Meanwhile, Gov. JB Pritzker is putting a plan in place to strategically reopen the state when he says it makes sense.
