Visitation continues under CDC guidelines, while the Illinois Veterans’ Home in LaSalle experiences increased COVID-19 cases among veterans and staff. There are 13 residents and 12 staff who have tested positive for COVID-19 and are presenting with mild symptoms at this time. No one has been hospitalized, and symptomatic residents have been offered antiviral treatment. The Home continues to follow all Infection Prevention policies, including encouraging residents to stay in their rooms to minimize movement, social distancing, masking in direct care areas, and intensifying cleaning and disinfection protocols. Amplified testing during the outbreak has been established for residents and staff.
“Illinois’ five Veterans’ Homes continue to closely monitor their staff and residents for symptoms of COVID-19 and all infectious diseases,” said IDVA Director Terry Prince. “The LaSalle team responded quickly with the appropriate procedures and treatments to lessen the impact of the cases within the Home.”
Communal dining has been curtailed. Activities and social services staff continue to provide leisure activities on units with asymptomatic residents, following social distancing practices, to care for the psychosocial well-being of veterans. Visitation is allowed to continue, per CDC guidelines, and families have been notified that the home is in outbreak status and that rescheduling visitation is encouraged.