PATASKALA, Ohio — Three Pataskala Oaks Care Center residents have died after an outbreak of COVID-19, according Zach Mills, who is the administrator of the care facility.
Mills says in late September a resident was hospitalized for non-COVID-19 related reasons. It was then the resident tested positive for COVID-19.
In the next week, Mills says 46 of the 63 residents tested positive for the virus and three residents died.
“The three residents that have passed are from COVID related, we believe,” he said.
Mills says 33 of the 86 staff members have also tested positive for the coronavirus.
All but four of the staff have been "cleared" of the virus as of Oct. 21.
As of Tuesday, Mills says 14 residents have been cleared and he’s hopeful an additional 19 will be “cleared” by the end of the week.
“It’s just kind of a testament to how quickly this virus spreads,” he said. “How easy it is to transmit and it just has such a long incubation period.”
Mills says the facility is following the recommendations of the Licking County Health Department.
The Licking County Health Department released the following statement to 10TV:
"The Licking County Health Department (LCHD) is committed to safeguarding residents of long-term care facilities so they receive the safest care and public health protection as possible. This reminder comes in wake of 41 residents and 33 staff testing positive for COVID-19 at the Pataskala Oaks Care Center in Pataskala, as of Wednesday, October 21. Further, LCHD is awaiting COVID-19 confirmatory test results for 5 additional residents. Pataskala Oaks has reported three resident deaths due to COVID-19. At this time, LCHD can confirm one resident death upon reviewing the death certificate. Two other death certificates are pending.
Along with the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), LCHD has been in contact with the administration at Pataskala Oaks about the recent rise in COVID-19 cases among staff and residents. While ODH regulates all long term care facilities in Ohio, LCHD has taken a local role is assisting with the communication of isolation and quarantine guidance given by ODH and the CDC.
LCHD recommended to Pataskala Oaks that they keep all COVID-19 positive staff out of their building until each of their isolation period ends and clarified CDC guidance to the facility that only those who can work as “critical essential employees” are those who are COVID-19 negative and asymptomatic yet are in quarantine due to contact with a positive case. In addition, LCHD contacted ODH directly to ensure that Pataskala Oaks was working with ODH and following state and federal COVID-19 guidance.
ODH conducted a recent Infection Control Survey at the facility and did not find any citations.
Long term care populations like assisted living facilities and nursing homes are one of the most vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus. LCHD will continue to work with state and federal public health officials to ensure those within long term care facilities are prepared and protected during this pandemic."
Mills says families of residents were notified immediately after the first test came back positive and the facility continues to be in “constant contact” with families through letters and phone calls.
Mills says he has also provided his cell phone number to all families for any questions or concerns they might have.
“They recognize that every nursing home has been touched by [COVID] in some way or another,” he said. “They recognize that we have gone six months through this pandemic without a single resident case.”
Despite the number of staff members who have tested positive, Mills says employees have worked tirelessly.
“I’m very, very happy with the performance that we’ve seen from our staff,” Mills said. “They’ve been working through this and they’ve been overcoming this challenge.”