Belleville long-term care center now has 36 coronavirus cases as testing increases
A total of 36 residents and employees at a Belleville long-term care center had tested positive for COVID-19 as of Tuesday morning, an increase of 11 people since the health department’s update Monday afternoon.
Four Fountains Administrator Christy Warcup released a statement to the Belleville News-Democrat around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday that included the latest number of people infected with the coronavirus that causes the COVID-19 respiratory disease. She wrote that Four Fountains’ total might be higher than other long-term care centers because it is testing anyone who wants to know if they have the virus.
“We have been listening very closely to our residents, our staff and our families and the overwhelming consensus is that they want testing,” Warcup wrote in the statement. “... We will continue to keep family members up to date as this situation unfolds, so they have the latest information about their loved ones.”
Four Fountains at 101 South Belt West could care for up to 156 residents as of 2014, the last year data was available from the state online. The center offers residential, long-term care and rehabilitation services.
The St. Clair County Health Department had recorded 25 known or suspected COVID-19 patients there on Monday during a 3:30 p.m. live stream by the St. Clair County Emergency Management Agency on Facebook. Each day, the health department provides an update on the facilities experiencing coronavirus outbreaks.
The number of residents and employees included in Four Fountains’ total, either because of a positive test result or their symptoms, has continued to grow almost daily since April 19. At the time, there were eight known or suspected COVID-19 patients, according to the health department. One person connected to Four Fountains has died during the outbreak.
Across St. Clair, Madison and Monroe counties, a total of 24 people at long-term care centers have died, according to data provided by health departments at different times.
Here are is the latest information available on COVID-19 patients at nursing homes and other long-term care facilities:
ST. CLAIR
This information on positive test results and individuals showing symptoms was released Monday, April 27, except for Four Fountains in Belleville, which released updated information Tuesday.
- Four Fountains in Belleville - 36 patients and one death.
- Memorial Care Center in Belleville - 15 patients and one death.
- BRIA of Belleville - 12 patients and one death.
- St. Paul’s Home in Belleville - Five patients.
- Lebanon Care Center - Four patients.
- Colonnade in O’Fallon - Two patients.
MONROE COUNTY
This information on positive test results was released Saturday, April 25, and there was no change in the numbers on Sunday or Monday.
- Garden Place Columbia - 29 patients and nine deaths. (Two people are from another county so they are not included in Monroe’s countywide total.)
MADISON
This information on positive test results was released Friday, April 24.
- Edwardsville Care Center - 54 patients and 12 deaths.
- Eden Village Care Center in Glen Carbon - 11 patients.
- Stearns Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Granite City - One patient tested positive and one is considered a “case contact positive.”
Full statement from Four Fountains Administrator Christy Warcup
“Four Fountains continues to do everything that we can to stop the spread of Covid-19 for both our residents and employees. We currently have 36 confirmed positive COVID-19 cases associated with our facility. This number includes both staff and residents. We have been listening very closely to our residents, our staff and our families and the overwhelming consensus is that they want testing. We believe that they have every right to know if they are positive for this virus. Four Fountains has been investigating any symptoms that might suggest Covid-19 and to test or facilitate testing for our symptomatic residents and staff. In doing so, we likely have seen many more positive cases than those facilities that may have opted not to test their workers and residents. Positive results for Covid-19 infections and therefore, the reporting of those positive results comes from tests alone. We are in very close communication with local and state health officials to ensure we are currently taking the appropriate steps. Due to patient privacy laws, we are unable to share any further specific information about the confirmed cases in our facility, but we have notified their immediate family members/guardian. Resident safety is top priority at Four Fountains. We will continue to keep family members up to date as this situation unfolds, so they have the latest information about their loved ones.”
This story was originally published April 28, 2020 at 12:05 PM.
