KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Three facilities taking care of some of the most vulnerable in Kalamazoo County are reporting coronavirus cases.
The Kalamazoo Gospel Mission, Medilodge of Kalamazoo, and Park Village Pines all have individuals who tested positive for COVID-19.
At the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission, one resident has tested positive and is being isolated at a separate facility. Four other residents were exposed to this individual and are being quarantined and monitored at this time. The Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services Department has completed contact tracing and all residents and employees with potential exposure have been notified.
The Kalamazoo Gospel Mission has been adhering to all COVID-19 guidelines for the possibility of having cases at the facility. They have been practicing the following actions:
- Screening all residents and employees for symptoms daily utilizing infrared thermometers provided by the health department
- Ensuring adequate supply and use of personal protective equipment such as gloves and home-sewn cloth masks
- Enhancing hand hygiene practices and cleaning and disinfection practices at the facilities
- Limiting use of communal spaces and cancellation of any group activities
- Accessing 24/7 medical support from the health department’s disease surveillance RN staff
“It’s a blessing that we have gone without any positives for the past almost 40 days into this pandemic,” Pastor Michael Brown of the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission said. “I am encouraged by the quick response of the Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services Department, and the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission staff, to move the affected individual into quarantine. This will help to ensure the health and safety of our staff and guests.”
Meanwhile, at the Medilodge of Kalamazoo, 17 cases in residents have been reported.
Those who have tested positive are being isolated in their rooms within a specific unit of the facility and all group activities have been canceled.
Three employees who have tested positive for COVID-19 are isolating at home and are no longer in contact with any of the residents. Currently, all residents and family members are in the process of being notified of the positive cases and steps are being taken to limit further spread of the virus.
A statement issued by Medilodge of Kalamazoo can be read in full below:
“Medilodge of Kalamazoo, like many long-term care providers throughout the nation, is battling the COVID-19 pandemic and caring for positively tested residents. In serving the needs of our community, we prepared in advance for the outbreak knowing that we would need to assist our local hospitals in accepting COVID-19 patients in the recovery cycle of the disease process.
We are following all of the CDC and CMS guidelines, maintaining regular communication with the Health Department and in conjunction with the Governor’s office, Medilodge of Kalamazoo has been selected, based on having the necessary supplies, personal protective equipment, and amazing staff, to assist with the hospital discharges of COVID- 19 positive residents for their treatment and care. We are extremely proud of our professional and dedicated staff that steps up to meet this challenge head on.
Due to the state ordered restrictions on visitors which is so frustrating for our residents and their families, we have employed Facility Support Advocates dedicated to providing support to residents, which includes assisting with video chats with their families, and anything we can to do help them. While we cannot get into specific details due to strict confidentiality laws, we are happy to soon be discharging some of our residents who have fully recovered from COVID-19.”
Kalamazoo County health officials say they are continuing to work with both of these facilities and more in mitigating the spread of COVID-19.
In addition, in Oshtemo Township is taking measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 among its elderly residents and staff as it reports 10 people have contracted the virus, and two people have died.
MLive reports that the nursing home sent a letter to the families of residents confirming the deaths and detailing how the center is responding to the outbreak.
The letter says that a triage center has been opened for nursing home residents who have tested positive for COVID-19, where they can isolate from others and be treated for their symptoms.
An executive order signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer last Wednesday mandated that assisted care facilities and retirement homes set up separate units for residents testing positive for the illness, as a precaution to prevent spread through vulnerable populations.
Executive Director David Bos said in a statement that six residents are currently housed in the triage unit, two have been hospitalized, and another two have died from COVID-19 related complications. Bos says that as of now no Park Village Pines employees have tested positive.
Residents in the triage center will remain there until they recover and are symptom free for at least seven days.
The Kalamazoo County Health and Community Services Department has reported that as of Monday, April 20th 180 people living in the community have tested positive for the virus and 9 people have died. All of those deceased in Kalamazoo County have been individuals over the age of 70 with underlying health issues.
That data reflects a statewide trend showing that older people have higher mortality rates after contracting COVID-19. Current statistics indicate that patients in their 70’s have a 28% chance of dying from the illness, and those over 80 face a 38% mortality rate.
