Coronavirus: Second resident at Springfield nursing home dies as Clark County cases surge

Another resident of a Springfield nursing home has died of the coronavirus — as cases continue to surge in Clark County.

The patient, an 82-year-old male, was a resident of the Southbrook Care Center in Springfield, according to the Clark County Combined Health District. The man was the second resident of the care center to die of the coronavirus. The first, a woman in her 90’s, died on April 24.

Clark County had 252 cases, five deaths and one probable death, of the coronavirus as of Friday, according to the Ohio Department of Health’s website.

In addition to monitoring Southbrook, the CCCHD is also investigating a small outbreak at the Clark County Juvenile Detention Center. The center has had one juvenile and four employee test positive of the coronavirus, according to a statement from the county released Friday.

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Clark County Juvenile Court officials were notified on May 22 that two detention workers had tested positive for the coronavirus, the statement said. After that, the CCCHD started working with the court to contact trace all individuals who had come into contact with the employees.

On Tuesday, the detention center began on-site testing through a partnership with the CCCHD and Dayton Children’s Hospital. All parents of the 11 juveniles currently housed at the facility were also notified, the statement said.

“After testing was conducted, two other individuals and a youth were confirmed as positive cases,” the statement said. “All other staff members tested negative for the virus. The court has also been in contact with individuals who may have come into contact with the youth and staff members to receive tests.”

According to the statement, the juvenile has shown no symptoms of the virus and is currently in isolation at the detention center. Three of the four adults have displayed mild symptoms, while the other is currently hospitalized.

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“The health and safety of the children and our staff is our top priority,” Clark County Juvenile Court Judge Kathrine Lancaster said. “Our medical staff assess each youth daily, which includes taking temperatures and reviewing for symptoms. We will continue to monitor the health of both the youth and staff.”

Residents looking to visit juveniles at the detention center will only be allowed to if they are family and visitation also requires proper social distancing, face coverings and required temperature checks, the statement said. The only other people allowed to enter the facility are “necessary personnel.”

“This experience has shown us how stealthy the virus can be and how it can spread quickly in some cases without any signs or symptoms and in others where the individual’s life is in danger,” Lancaster said. “We’re doing everything we can to ensure the health and safety of our youth, staff and visitors.”

The health district is continuing to monitor the outbreak of the coronavirus at Southbrook since the first positive case was confirmed on April 21. As of Thursday, 19 residents, one contact of a resident, and eight employees of Southbrook have tested positive for the coronavirus.

The Springfield News-Sun reached out to Southbrook for comment on the resident’s death and the additional cases linked to the care center and did not receive a response.

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