MANTENO – Over 100 cases of COVID-19 have occured at the Manteno Veterans Home on campus, including over 15 deaths. The adjacent Prince Home, a supportive unit of the Manteno Home, has now reported 7 cases.
The new information came from Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike Thursday afternoon during a COVID-19 update. Included in notes less than a day after Veteran’s Day, LaSalle is now reporting over 150 cases since the pandemic began, including 82 residents and 9 deaths.
“The Department of Public Health estate team is on site right now to provide technical assistance and consolation to that location,” Dr. Ezike announced Thursday. The Quincy Home has also reported over 80 cases since the pandemic began and 1 death, with Anna reporting 13 cases, with 6 residents infected.
Veterans affairs first issued restrictions to Veterans homes in March when the pandemic first began in an effort to reduce transmission within facilities. Antigen tests have also been introduced into the Veterans homes to provide quicker testing results.
“Please understand it’s impossible to have a COVID free Veterans Home, a COVID free school, in the midst of a COVID storm,” Dr. Ezike explained. “Healthcare staff who work at the homes, they’re in the community with you. They’re buying groceries, they’re running other essential errands and if disease transmission is just rapid, then those individuals who work in the homes can get the virus and unfortunately spread it to our heroes.”
Kankakee County’s rolling seven-day positivity Thursday was 19.2%, a new local record in the community.
