Shapiro Developmental Center is now the site of a major outbreak in Kankakee County. The news comes as 38 cases were announced across Kankakee County today bringing totals for the County to 128.
Announced by State of Illinois officials earlier today, representatives from IDHS, Riverside Healthcare, AMITA St. Mary’s Hospital, and the Kankakee County Health Department are working with Shaprio staff to best meet the needs of residents and employees due to the COVID-19 outbreak at the facility.
Both area hospitals have already provided equipment and supplies to Shapiro to further build out the facility to care for residents. “These partnerships are essential in filling our duties of providing guidance and protecting the health of the citizens of Kankakee, especially during times like these,” said Kankakee County Health Department Administrator John Bevis.
On Saturday, Shapiro Center Directro Lynn Gund alerted employees the Facility’s case count has risen to 16 overall, including 7 residents and 9 Shapiro staff. 53 residents at the facility were in isolation due to signs exhibited of symptoms of COVID-19.
Shapiro Developmental Center cares for 477 adults with intellectual disabilities and a staff of nearly 1,200.
“As you have seen there has been a surge in positive cases of COVID19 in the past 24 hours. This is due to increased testing at long term care facilities with active outbreaks as well as an increase in testing being performed by healthcare agencies in the community.” The Kankakee County Health Department said earlier today. “There will continue to be a rise in numbers as more individuals are tested, this is no cause for panic.”
According to Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) officials, case numbers in Kankakee look like this on Tuesday, April 7th.
- 7 cases in 60950 (Manteno)
- 19 cases in 60914 (Bourbonnais/Bradley)
- 63 cases in 60901 (Kankakee/Limestone)
- 6 cases in 60964 (St. Anne/Aroma Park)
As of Tuesday night, age bracket 50-59 leads in overall cases in Kankakee County.
