Nursing home takes precautions to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks
by Jalen Beliveau
Hillsborough County nursing home (H.C.N.H) locks down to prevent the Coronavirus from endangering their patients and staff.
Patients and residents in these facilities are elders with critical health conditions, making them the most vulnerable to the coronavirus.
According to Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Lori Shibinette, there have been outbreaks in 3 nursing homes/long-term care facilities in New Hampshire.
Hillsborough County does not want to join them. They have set up an infirmary, with 5 beds ready to take on patients who test positive for COVID-19.
David Ross Nursing Home Administrator, said they are taking every precaution and are very determined to keep the virus away from their patients. “We have stopped all visitors from coming into the building. The only folks allowed in are employees who have to pass a screening every shift, where we check for a sore throat, temperatures, if they have no taste or smell, along with other symptoms linked to the virus.”
As new residents enter the building they are isolated for a fourteen-day period to ensure they are not bringing the virus into the nursing home. The facility has only had 1 case where an employee tested positive for the virus and was not permitted to work. They have quarantined and no one has contracted the virus from that employee.
The facility has 300 beds, and so far there has not been a single patient to test positive for COVID-19.
Families of patients have been encouraged to keep in contact with their loved ones. Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) has told patients and their families that they have iPads available for patients to use to have the option to use facetime.
Chelsea Woodsum, an employee from H.C.N.H, said “Our staff has been trying their best to come up with activities to entertain the residents and family members have been sending stuff to their loved ones such as Easter baskets or takeout dinners. It’s a beautiful thing to see everyone coming together to help the residents in such a scary time.”
“We all have elders we care dearly for and this is an important time to be thinking of them. I hope this article helps keep you updated, as well as ease your minds. As always, please stay safe and wash your hands! My thoughts and prayers go out to those who have been affected by the virus.”
-Jalen Beliveau
