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Nursing Home Hit by Coronavirus Says 70 Workers Are Sick Nursing Home Hit by Coronavirus Says 70 Workers Are Sick
(about 8 hours later)
SEATTLE — A week after a deadly coronavirus outbreak was reported inside a nursing home in the Seattle suburbs, officials from the long term care center said on Saturday that 70 staff members were out sick with symptoms resembling coronavirus and six residents were also ill.SEATTLE — A week after a deadly coronavirus outbreak was reported inside a nursing home in the Seattle suburbs, officials from the long term care center said on Saturday that 70 staff members were out sick with symptoms resembling coronavirus and six residents were also ill.
A federal strike team of nurses and doctors arrived Saturday to support the staff at the long-term nursing home, Life Care Center of Kirkland, Wash., where officials have announced the deaths of 13 residents and a visitor who were infected with the virus. Tim Killian, a spokesman for the care center, praised the workers who continued to show up even as 70 of the nursing home’s 180 employees have developed symptoms.A federal strike team of nurses and doctors arrived Saturday to support the staff at the long-term nursing home, Life Care Center of Kirkland, Wash., where officials have announced the deaths of 13 residents and a visitor who were infected with the virus. Tim Killian, a spokesman for the care center, praised the workers who continued to show up even as 70 of the nursing home’s 180 employees have developed symptoms.
“The amount of work and stress that these staff and employees and caregivers are under is tremendous,” Mr. Killian said. “They truly are heroes.”“The amount of work and stress that these staff and employees and caregivers are under is tremendous,” Mr. Killian said. “They truly are heroes.”
Earlier on Saturday, Mr. Killian said that the center was still unable to get all of its staff members tested for coronavirus. The home had received 45 virus testing kits, Mr. Killian said, which was not enough for the 63 remaining residents and dozens of staff members.Earlier on Saturday, Mr. Killian said that the center was still unable to get all of its staff members tested for coronavirus. The home had received 45 virus testing kits, Mr. Killian said, which was not enough for the 63 remaining residents and dozens of staff members.
Later in the day, Life Care managers said the state had provided additional test kits, enough for all of the residents. It was not clear whether there were also enough kits to test staff members.Later in the day, Life Care managers said the state had provided additional test kits, enough for all of the residents. It was not clear whether there were also enough kits to test staff members.
Mr. Killian said that six of the residents who were still living at the center, where visitors have been restricted from entering, had developed symptoms.Mr. Killian said that six of the residents who were still living at the center, where visitors have been restricted from entering, had developed symptoms.
“We cannot make any promises that further exposure in the facility is not happening,” he continued.“We cannot make any promises that further exposure in the facility is not happening,” he continued.
At another nursing home outside Seattle, Issaquah Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, officials said two residents who had been sent to a hospital on Thursday were confirmed to have the coronavirus.At another nursing home outside Seattle, Issaquah Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, officials said two residents who had been sent to a hospital on Thursday were confirmed to have the coronavirus.
Another facility, Aegis Living Marymoor in Redmond, also near Seattle, reported that one of its staff members who went home ill at the end of February has now been diagnosed with coronavirus.Another facility, Aegis Living Marymoor in Redmond, also near Seattle, reported that one of its staff members who went home ill at the end of February has now been diagnosed with coronavirus.
A senior living complex in Seattle, Ida Culver House Ravenna, previously said that one of its residents had tested positive on Friday.A senior living complex in Seattle, Ida Culver House Ravenna, previously said that one of its residents had tested positive on Friday.
A number of officials, including Vice President Mike Pence and Dow Constantine, the King County executive, have vowed in recent days to bring in extraordinary government resources to help the hardest-hit nursing home in Kirkland as new illnesses and deaths have been reported. The center has been associated with at least 44 cases of coronavirus and has been the scene of infection for most of the deaths from the virus in the United States.A number of officials, including Vice President Mike Pence and Dow Constantine, the King County executive, have vowed in recent days to bring in extraordinary government resources to help the hardest-hit nursing home in Kirkland as new illnesses and deaths have been reported. The center has been associated with at least 44 cases of coronavirus and has been the scene of infection for most of the deaths from the virus in the United States.
Federal and state guidance on who may be tested for the virus has expanded in recent days, though much uncertainty remains. Washington State health officials have said that there are no restrictions on who can get tested but they also have said that not everyone needs it.Federal and state guidance on who may be tested for the virus has expanded in recent days, though much uncertainty remains. Washington State health officials have said that there are no restrictions on who can get tested but they also have said that not everyone needs it.
The coronavirus outbreak was identified at the Kirkland center a week ago, though testing has since revealed that a patient who went to the hospital earlier was also infected, Mr. Killian said.The coronavirus outbreak was identified at the Kirkland center a week ago, though testing has since revealed that a patient who went to the hospital earlier was also infected, Mr. Killian said.
“Within our population, we have seen some results that have frankly concerned us with how quickly symptoms have shown, become acute and led to even death,” Mr. Killian said.“Within our population, we have seen some results that have frankly concerned us with how quickly symptoms have shown, become acute and led to even death,” Mr. Killian said.
As the crisis unfolded, Mr. Pence visited Washington State and pledged the federal government’s full resources to help, noting, in particular, that he would work to make sure that the Kirkland nursing home and other care centers for older adults around the country were safe.As the crisis unfolded, Mr. Pence visited Washington State and pledged the federal government’s full resources to help, noting, in particular, that he would work to make sure that the Kirkland nursing home and other care centers for older adults around the country were safe.
Updated June 2, 2020 Updated June 5, 2020
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said.
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
Mr. Constantine, the King County executive, has said that the county, too, would provide extensive support, including looking for ways to provide equipment to enable residents to move out of Life Care and into family homes when possible.Mr. Constantine, the King County executive, has said that the county, too, would provide extensive support, including looking for ways to provide equipment to enable residents to move out of Life Care and into family homes when possible.
The Seattle area has been one of the hardest hit in the country, and the test kits have not been the only challenge. Nurses have expressed concern about the availability of protective equipment. Blood banks have been strained.The Seattle area has been one of the hardest hit in the country, and the test kits have not been the only challenge. Nurses have expressed concern about the availability of protective equipment. Blood banks have been strained.
Curt Bailey, who leads the nonprofit Bloodworks Northwest, which supplies blood to 90 hospitals in the region, says the coronavirus outbreak has led to a rare confluence of factors that is keeping donors away: Many businesses have told employees to work from home and have canceled blood drives; older peoples, who are among the most frequent blood donors, are particularly at risk from coronavirus and have been staying home; and some people are avoiding any group assembly point.Curt Bailey, who leads the nonprofit Bloodworks Northwest, which supplies blood to 90 hospitals in the region, says the coronavirus outbreak has led to a rare confluence of factors that is keeping donors away: Many businesses have told employees to work from home and have canceled blood drives; older peoples, who are among the most frequent blood donors, are particularly at risk from coronavirus and have been staying home; and some people are avoiding any group assembly point.
Mr. Bailey said he has been encouraging people to visit donation centers in order to avert the possibility of a blood shortage.Mr. Bailey said he has been encouraging people to visit donation centers in order to avert the possibility of a blood shortage.
“It has the potential to become extremely dangerous,” he said.“It has the potential to become extremely dangerous,” he said.