Emily Bollinger / WGLT
Nursing home operators say once the coronavirus is in a community, it s nearly impossible to keep it out of their facilities.
As the COVID-19 death toll rises at long-term care facilities across McLean County and the country, some observers say many nursing homes aren t equipped to handle an infectious outbreak.
In late December, the Sugar Creek Alzheimer s Special Care Center in Normal was in the throes of a major COVID outbreak.
On Dec. 20, administrator Crystal Biddle sent a letter to all Sugar Creek families, informing them a majority of residents and some staff had tested positive for the coronavirus. The letter outlined the severity of the outbreak, and what staff are doing to care for residents. That includes frequent COVID testing, close monitoring and keeping residents hydrated.
Emily Bollinger
Long-term care facilities in McLean County hope to ring in the new year with the new COVID-19 vaccine.
Doug Rutter , executive director of the Luther Oaks senior living community in Bloomington, said he s waiting to hear from Walgreens about when the vaccine will be available, after the first 50 Illinois counties in line get their doses next week.
Doug Rutter, executive director of the Luther Oaks senior living community, said they hope to have the COVID vaccine on site in the next few weeks.
Credit Luther Oaks
“We know there are some dates that have been scheduled for sister facilities in our organization the first week in January and then a couple of weeks following, so we have an expectation it could be in the next two to three weeks we will hear that as well,” Rutter said.