By Echo Menges
The Knox County Nursing Home is in the middle of a COVID-19 outbreak. As of Monday morning, nine residents had tested positive. Last week, a resident died of the virus bringing the Knox County COVID-19 death total to five.
“We are in crisis,” Knox County Nursing Home Administrator April Hruska told the KCNH Board of Directors at their regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, August 25, hosted at the Knox County Community Center.
Hruska reported five residents and three staff members were positive for the COVID-19 virus at the time of the meeting. Just four days later, the number of infected residents had nearly doubled.
Hruska also told the board she took a small straw poll to see if staff would leave if they were forced to get vaccinated, which could be required by the federal government.
“I only asked five people,” said Hruska. “Three of the five said they would leave.”
Also, a group of staff members attended Wednesday’s meeting to address the board directly.
“A small group of staff attended the meeting. They are facing burnout, like every other hospital and care facility in the U.S.,” said KCNH Board President Lynn Bradley. “This DELTA variant is kicking our butts.”
As of our press time, the KCNH was allowing but not encouraging visits with residents. Those who absolutely need to have a visit will be limited to a 30-minute outdoor visit that must be scheduled by calling the nursing home ahead of time.
All visitors must wear a mask and pass the screening, which includes a questionnaire and temperature check. Visits are being conducted outside the front door of the nursing home. Visitors are no longer allowed at the patio area.
