Resident at care facility has virus
Officials with Concordia at the Orchard, in Center Township, announced Thursday that a resident at the facility has tested positive for the coronavirus.
“Residents at the Orchard have been in isolation for the last five days,” said Frank Skrip, director of public relations for Concordia Lutheran Ministries. “That will remain in effect for the foreseeable future.”
In a release posted Thursday on Concordia's website, the company said all caregivers at the facility were directed to wear N-95 face masks. Staff also has been directed to wear full personal protective equipment when caring for anyone with respiratory symptoms. Ancillary staff members are wearing surgical masks as well.
The care home was alerted Sunday that a part-time worker, who last worked at the home March 24, tested positive for COVID-19.
Skrip said at this time Concordia cannot confirm if the two infected people came into contact with one another. He said the resident was tested Tuesday.
In the past few days, media drew attention to the Orchard location because staff was not required to wear masks and personal protective equipment.
Renfrew resident Pauline Peluso, whose mother has lived at the facility for a little more than two years, told a Pittsburgh radio station Wednesday that she was concerned by the protection measures not being mandatory. However, she told the Eagle on Thursday that she now she sees things differently.She said the measures likely would have had little impact on the spread because the employee was asymptomatic for some time before testing positive.“It's moot at this point,” Peluso said. “It wouldn't have prevented this case, and God only knows what's going to happen now.”Peluso said the decision to make the equipment mandatory must have been difficult, but she is glad the staff will be using the equipment moving forward.Skrip said he could not comment on whether these measures were being taken before Thursday, adding that staff has remained vigilant throughout the situation. He said residents have been isolated during the last five days, and Concordia staff checks on residents multiple times per shift.“Those rules were in place prior to this (resident testing positive) also,” Skrip said.Skrip said the facility has enough equipment in stock and has ways to acquire more.“We have a few purchasing agents at Concordia who work with a number of suppliers who we are in contact with daily,” he said.Peluso said a few days ago, she wanted the protective gear to be mandatory, and now it is, but she also understands Concordia's position.“She's received wonderful care there,” she said of her mom. “The truth is it's nobody's fault. It just moves really fast.”Peluso said only time will reveal what effect the two cases will have on the rest of the Orchard's community. She said she is hoping for the best-case scenario. She said she still has a great deal of trust in Concordia's staff as it continues to navigate this pandemic.“They were following guidelines, and they were to my knowledge,” Peluso said. “I believe now that they really did what they could with what they had.”
