LEBANON, Ind. — The Boone County Health Department confirms a COVID-19 outbreak at a Lebanon nursing home.
Four residents of Signature HealthCARE at Parkwood recently died of the virus, while 25 other residents and 12 staff members tested positive.
Claire Houghton, a health educator with the Boone County Health Department, said, "we've not had a COVID-related death in several months. I hated to see that."
Houghton said trying to prevent or contain a virus can be challenging when you have at-risk or vulnerable people living in close proximity.
She said year to date, Boone County has had 1,280 COVID-19 cases and 55 deaths, all but five deaths related to long-term care centers.
"We're concerned we're going to see it spread among other long-term care facilities. We've seen it spread before," Houghton said. "Unfortunately, COVID kind of sweeps through long-term care facilities like wildfire."
13News reached out to Parkwood officials but had not heard back as of early evening. The website laid out several safety measures in place to keep residents and employees safe, including no in-person visits.
The outbreak at Parkwood coincides with a surge in COVID cases in 38 states including Indiana.
As of Tuesday, Boone County had 196 cases for October, closing in on monthly record.
"It's extremely worrisome," Houghton said especially as people move indoors as temperatures drop.
She also fears too many people have become complacent.
"The pandemic life is not fun, we miss shopping, hanging with our friends and giving hugs but we're still in a pandemic," she said. And it's one showing clear signs of getting worse.
She's urging everyone to do their part, to wear masks, social distance and remain vigilant.
"We still got to be in it to win it," Haughton said. "I know it's tiring, it's exhausting but we all have to do our part to fight this."
Signature HealthCARE released a statement to 13News on Wednesday reading in part:
"...Signature HealthCARE is deeply saddened by the loss of any one of our residents to this virulent enemy. Signature HealthCARE’s facilities are more than brick and mortar. Inside each one is a family, full of compassionate and fiercely dedicated staff who create close bonds with their residents and vice versa. The loss of any resident, no matter what the reason, is nothing short of devastating and even more devastating for the families of our residents who are in our prayers and thoughts daily. The fight we continue to wage against COVID-19 has been unwavering in the protection of our residents and community and will continue to be."