CHICAGO, Ill. – The Illinois House Veterans’ Affairs Committee had its first chance to ask questions about the COVID-19 breakout at the LaSalle Veterans’ Home Wednesday. Lawmakers demand accountability from the Pritzker administration, as they feel residents and families deserve answers about how this tragedy happened.
Officials from the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs say they have the outbreak contained with strong compliance measures in place. As of Wednesday, 108 veterans in the facility tested positive, with 56 of those residents having recovered. Experts on-site report 19 active cases, but 33 veterans have died following complications with COVID-19.
Meanwhile, 103 staff members tested positive since the start of the outbreak. Dr. Avery Hart, the Illinois Department of Public Health consultant working at the facility, says only two of those cases are still active. No employees have died.