Illinois Veterans Home provides COVID-19 update

One recent death due to COVID and 30 have died from it since the inception of the pandemic.

From Illinois Veterans Home-Quincy Administrator Troy Culbertson sent to staff and residents on Wednesday:

Since our last COVID-19 update there have been zero additional cases of COVID-19 among residents at our home, for a total of 141 COVID-19 cases among residents since the start of the pandemic. To date, 111 residents have recovered from COVID-19.

Sadly, one resident who tested positive for COVID-19 has passed away since our last update, with 30 residents total having passed away due to COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic.

Additionally, since our last COVID-19 update there has been one additional case of COVID19 among employees at our home, for a total of 216 COVID-19 cases among employees since the start of the pandemic. To date, 214 employees have recovered from COVID-19.

Our top priority is the health and safety of our military veterans and the heroic staff who care for them. We take this very seriously.

We are following recommendations from local health officials, the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and the Illinois Department of Public Health to safeguard everyone at the facility. This includes continuing our health screenings and COVID-19 testing of staff and residents, maintaining social-distancing practices, wearing face masks, using gloves and gowns when indicated, and intensified cleaning and disinfection protocols.

Residents continue to be encouraged to stay in their rooms to minimize movement within the facility. We are working with public health officials regarding possible quarantines and to ensure the full protection, testing, and care of anyone potentially exposed.

We are grateful to our team for remaining highly vigilant for signs or symptoms of COVID-19 and for being ready to respond swiftly, appropriately, and professionally to any potential cases.

We understand this news can be distressing, and we encourage you to contact your loved ones for mutual support of one another. Activities and social services staff continue to develop leisure activities, in accordance with social distancing practices, to care for the psychosocial wellbeing of our veterans. We promise to keep you informed as we do everything possible to keep our residents safe. Our military veterans and our wonderful home staff are strong and resilient people.

With your continued support, we will get through this unprecedented time together.