BENTON HARBOR, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The Berrien County Health Department and Spectrum Health Lakeland are reporting a “cluster” of COVID-19 cases at Hallmark Living Benton Harbor.
Officials say four employees and four residents have tested positive for COVID-19. Three of the residents who tested positive and had been terminally ill prior to COVID-19 diagnosis have died.
Additionally, the employees who have tested positive for COVID-19 are isolating at home no longer have contact with facility residents. The residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 are being isolated in their rooms and all group activities have been canceled at this time.
All residents and employees are being monitored for COVID-19 symptoms.
The Hallmark Living Center is implementing all recommended outbreak mitigation strategies to protect their residents and employees from COVID-19:
- Taking temperatures on all residents and staff twice a day.
- Shutting down all communal spaces and residents are quarantined to their rooms.
- Prohibiting all visitors to the facility.
- Enhancing hand hygiene and use of personal protective equipment for staff.
- Enhanced cleaning and disinfection of the facility.
“We have known that COVID-19 is present in our community, but this cluster of illnesses and loss of life at a facility serving some of our most vulnerable in our population is a sobering reminder that our community must continue to be vigilant with our actions to keep this virus from spreading,” Berrien County Health Officer Nicki Britten said in a statement. “In addition to continuing mitigation strategies in the community, our department will continue to address the needs of our vulnerable populations, including those who live in congregate settings like long-term care facilities.”
There have been 105 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Berrien County and five deaths due to the virus. Updated information specific to Berrien County can be found at this link.
