LaSalle, Illinois – After 27 veterans died and over 200 staff and residents tested postive at a state run Illinois Veterans nursing home, authorities (both state and VA) launched an investigation to find out why. The LaSalle Nursing home is now the focus of an independent investigation. The Veterans Home is about 90 miles Southwest of Chicago, according to Military.com
“The tragedy of what has unfolded at the veterans’ home cannot be understated. I’m glad that the director has called for an independent investigation and agree that there are lesson[s] to be learned from this terrible outbreak that has claimed the lives of 27 of our nation’s heroes…November 4th, there were only four cases of COVID within the home. Very quickly within the past 20 days, we’ve had almost 200 cases.” IL state Senator Sue Rezin
The LaSalle veterans nursing home had escaped the main part of the pandemic until October, when a staff member and resident tested positive for COVID-19. By the beginning of November, staff and residents began to test positive. It reportedly coincided with a spike in cases in the surrounding community, and had spread to other nursing facilities in the county.
“‘It is no coincidence that cases within the home began to rise just as cases rose dramatically within the surrounding community,’Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs Director Linda Chapa LaVia testified Tuesday at the state hearing.
Dr. Avery Hart, a consultant for the state’s Public Health Department, said during the hearing that all 16 long-term care facilities in LaSalle County have had outbreaks.
State officials have increased staff testing at the facility, and the governor said an infection control team was sent to the home. As of Tuesday morning, 40 residents and 24 staff members were positive for the virus. There are currently 101 residents at the home.” Original Story from Fox40