The Sad Reason for the Spike
The numbers from the Columbia County Department of Health showed 34 new cases of COVID-19. Now we know the reason for the spike.
BARNWELL NOW SHOWING 70 RESIDENTS COVID-19 POSITIVE
"Seventy residents at The Grand at Barnwell have tested positive for COVID-19 as of this afternoon," said Columbia County Department of Health Director Jack Mabb on Tuesday. "That's one-third of the current resident population of 216."
More than 20 staff have also tested positive at this point, Mabb added.
"Barnwell has been doing everything they can to mitigate this--they have been very responsive. They've taken the situation seriously and been aggressive with testing. I also feel good that the state has sent down a team to help with the testing. It's a real chore to perform this many tests," Mabb said.
The testing process continues at Barnwell, with all residents and staff to be tested.
How long have cases been languishing at both nursing homes? The 'sudden' spikes are truly disturbing. Does it mean that a vulnerable population went unchecked for weeks without oversight? Pine Haven made local news but nothing from Barnwell until now. How can this happen here? These relatively small nursing homes. Twenty staff members at one home! Isn't anyone upset yet? The various government levels seem to be uninterested in the rural counties. Otherwise, testing would have been ongoing for weeks at the nursing homes. Why does the county have to beg for private money for COVID-19 tests? This is a national crisis not a Columbia County one. Is the federal level selectively funneling resources that are to its advantage.
ReplyDeleteI guess Columbia is too far off the beaten track to matter to them. I also don't understand that one recent posting states how many deaths occurred 'at' the nursing home. Are any nursing home patients hospitalized? Have any been in ICU?
The lack of transparency is beyond comprehension during a pandemic. How will we ever assess the pattern of infection in this garbled mess. The trajectory continues upward nationally. I don't see a light at the end of the tunnel.