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51 residents, 32 staff members have tested positive

The Stanford Care and Rehabilitation facility is one of several health care centers in Kentucky that has experienced an outbreak of the novel coronavirus. As of Monday this week, the Lincoln County Health Department reported 51 residents and 32 staff members have tested positive for COVID-19 at the facility.
LCHD Director Diane Miller said the health department is working closely with the facility on a daily basis.
“We’re staying in contact with them and working with them on their control measures,” Miller said. “All of the active COVID-19 cases from there are in quarantine and we’re monitoring them on a daily basis for signs and symptoms. If they live in this county, we are doing the monitoring, but if they live outside of this county then the health department in that county is doing the monitoring.”
Miller said there were six individuals hospitalized as of Monday morning.
Stanford Care and Rehabilitation, which is working closely with the LCHD and the Department of Public Health, released a statement last Thursday with information about what is being done at the center to limit the spread of the virus.
“Stanford Care and Rehabilitation is unfortunately one of many healthcare centers in the state and around the world that has been affected by COVID-19 and our residents have been and will continue to be the most at-risk population,” the press release states. “Stanford Care and Rehabilitation remains in close contact with the Lincoln County Health Department and Kentucky Department for Public Health.”
Several protocols have been put in place to limit the spread of the virus including prohibiting all visitors and non-essential health care personnel from entering the facility and all group activities and communal dining has been suspended.
All employees are screened for symptoms of the virus daily upon entry, exit and mid-shift, according to the press release, and all residents are screened for symptoms twice daily.
“Suspected or confirmed positive residents are placed in isolation,” the statement reads. “Staff dedicated to providing care for the suspected or confirmed positive residents are limited to those residents and donning all recommended personal protective equipment (PPE).”
Widespread COVID-19 testing of employees and residents will take place weekly until the facility is COVID-19 free. During this time, residents are asked to remain in their rooms except for medically necessary purposes.
The facility has seen no shortage of PPE, according to the press release.
“We are extremely fortunate that there is no shortage of PPE at Stanford Care and Rehabilitation,” said Penny Upton, Executive Director. “We were very proactive in sourcing supplies, which has resulted in us having more than enough PPE on hand to follow guidance provided by the CDC.”
The facility has had three infection control focused surveys performed by state surveyors following CDC guidance, which assesses compliance with infection control standards by observing practice, inspecting the environment, reviewing records and documentation and interviewing staff.
According to the press release, all three surveyors declared Stanford Care and Rehabilitation “deficiency free.”
“There is no fault assigned in this pandemic,” the press release states. “Stanford Care and Rehabilitation commends our devoted team members for their heroic work caring for our residents. We also would like to thank our residents and families for their trust, patience and understanding as we navigate these unprecedented times.”
With the Fourth of July weekend approaching, the LCHD is continuing to urge the public to practice social distancing, wear masks in public and practice good hygiene.
“I know it’s Fourth of July weekend and we can gather with 50 or less, we still don’t want to let our guard down,” Miller said. “We need to continue to put good control measures in place and practice social distancing, and please wear masks.”