CLARK COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) — Over the last two months, nursing homes across Kentucky have been ravaged by the coronavirus.
Signature Healthcare at Fountain Circle in Winchester is the latest facility struggling to stop the spread of the virus after a total of 18 cases were confirmed among staff members and residents. Signature Healthcare leaders said in a release that the first case COVID-19 was confirmed late last week. In response, everyone in the building was tested.
As of Monday, officials say 13 residents and 5 staff members have tested positive. Some family members of residents have contacted LEX 18, concerned that not enough is being done at the facility to stop the spread of the virus.
However, Chief Operating Officer for Signature HealthCARE Chris Cox said in a statement: “We’ve been working around the clock getting ready for COVID-19 – and we are ready, now that the day is here. This is why we hired the experts we have on our team, including a new Chief Infectious Disease Physician. Our intense preparations are effective, especially in this situation, with staff screening themselves and residents daily, and staff readily identifying anyone who might have the virus early and getting them sent out and tested right away.”
As for the statewide battle, the latest information available Saturday shows that 1,386 cases of COVID-19 are associated with long-term care facilities.
Between residents and staff members, 198 people have died.
