Twenty-three people have tested positive for COVID-19 at an assisted living center in Folsom, according to an email sent to residents’ families Saturday.Oakmont of Folsom, an assisted living and memory care center, reported that 18 residents have tested positive. Seventeen of the residents were from memory care, and one was from assisted living.The center also reported five team members who tested positive for the virus.Brenda Grealish’s grandmother lives in the memory care unit, the heart of the outbreak. “We’re sitting here going ‘does she have it, does she have it, does she not have it?’” said Grealish. “Just kind of worried for her, especially having just turned 100.”The last time Grealish saw her grandmother was two weeks ago on a video call for her 100th birthday. “She’s a pretty tough cookie, so she’s very resilient, a very healthy 100-year-old,” she said. Grealish believes her grandmother is in good hands. “I’m not even really nervous because I think they’re doing a great job,” she said. “Everything I’ve experienced, even before these cases where we knew somebody was positive, Oakmont was already, a month ago, engaging in activating the safety precautions.”A spokesperson for Oakmont would not comment on the outbreak itself, citing the sake of residents’ privacy.“Our team is following all CDC guidelines, and we are working closely with the Department of Public Health to ensure our procedures are informed by the most up-to-date medical information possible,” said Nathan Ballard, a representative for Oakmont.Ballard did, however, list some safety measures the facility is taking including:All meals are being delivered to residents’ apartment homesWe have enhanced our community cleaning and disinfecting protocolsOnly essential health care visitors are permittedAll residents, team members and essential visitors are screened for symptoms regularlyAll team members are wearing masksN95 masks are available when providing care for residents who are positive for COVID-19Residents who have tested positive remain in isolation, officials say. The center also says several who tested positive are asymptomatic.Oakmont also reported 72 negative test results in the facility and is still waiting for seven additional results as of Saturday.According to the email, the center said it is taking precautionary measures such as screening members at the start of their shift and having employees wear personal protective equipment at all times.Grealish does not blame Oakmont for the outbreak. “With COVID, it’s everywhere,” she said. Grealish said she is thankful for the facility’s transparency with sending daily updates and the testing of all residents. Her grandmother tested negative for coronavirus on Thursday. “So at least knowing for now that she doesn’t have it, and that they’re putting those safety precautions in place and continuing on with that, I think is a good combination just at least to give us peace of mind that they’re doing everything that they can do,” she said.
FOLSOM, Calif. —
Twenty-three people have tested positive for COVID-19 at an assisted living center in Folsom, according to an email sent to residents’ families Saturday.
Oakmont of Folsom, an assisted living and memory care center, reported that 18 residents have tested positive. Seventeen of the residents were from memory care, and one was from assisted living.
The center also reported five team members who tested positive for the virus.
Brenda Grealish’s grandmother lives in the memory care unit, the heart of the outbreak.
“We’re sitting here going ‘does she have it, does she have it, does she not have it?’” said Grealish. “Just kind of worried for her, especially having just turned 100.”
The last time Grealish saw her grandmother was two weeks ago on a video call for her 100th birthday.
“She’s a pretty tough cookie, so she’s very resilient, a very healthy 100-year-old,” she said.
Grealish believes her grandmother is in good hands.
“I’m not even really nervous because I think they’re doing a great job,” she said. “Everything I’ve experienced, even before these cases where we knew somebody was positive, Oakmont was already, a month ago, engaging in activating the safety precautions.”
A spokesperson for Oakmont would not comment on the outbreak itself, citing the sake of residents’ privacy.
“Our team is following all CDC guidelines, and we are working closely with the Department of Public Health to ensure our procedures are informed by the most up-to-date medical information possible,” said Nathan Ballard, a representative for Oakmont.
Ballard did, however, list some safety measures the facility is taking including:
- All meals are being delivered to residents’ apartment homes
- We have enhanced our community cleaning and disinfecting protocols
- Only essential health care visitors are permitted
- All residents, team members and essential visitors are screened for symptoms regularly
- All team members are wearing masks
- N95 masks are available when providing care for residents who are positive for COVID-19
Residents who have tested positive remain in isolation, officials say. The center also says several who tested positive are asymptomatic.
Oakmont also reported 72 negative test results in the facility and is still waiting for seven additional results as of Saturday.
According to the email, the center said it is taking precautionary measures such as screening members at the start of their shift and having employees wear personal protective equipment at all times.
Grealish does not blame Oakmont for the outbreak.
“With COVID, it’s everywhere,” she said.
Grealish said she is thankful for the facility’s transparency with sending daily updates and the testing of all residents. Her grandmother tested negative for coronavirus on Thursday.
“So at least knowing for now that she doesn’t have it, and that they’re putting those safety precautions in place and continuing on with that, I think is a good combination just at least to give us peace of mind that they’re doing everything that they can do,” she said.