Media Contact:
Kristen Nicholson
501-376-0321, ext 115
kristen@manganholcomb.com
For Immediate Release: March 20, 2020
Arkansas Health Care Association executive director, Rachel Bunch issued the following statement regarding positive diagnosis of COVID-19 in three nursing homes:
“Our association is aware that three of our member nursing homes have reported positive COVID-19 diagnoses. Affected homes are in Benton, Jefferson and Pulaski Counties. The patients in all facilities are receiving the medical care they need and those who were diagnosed have been isolated from others. We are in communication with our facilities, Arkansas Department of Health and Arkansas Department of Human Services to ensure patients have the care they need and prescribed procedures are being followed.
On March 12, 2020, AHCA shared ADH visitor screening protocols with all members. However, it is difficult to prevent transmission of this virus because it has an incubation period of as long as 14 days, and can be present in an asymptomatic individual.
Staff members at all three nursing homes followed the CDC guidelines for screening symptoms of COVID-19 and took immediate action. They contacted public health officials, implemented protective protocols and have begun the process of notifying residents, families and staff members. We are doing everything we can to ensure we stop the spread of COVID-19 within our facilities. We are in very close communication with local and state health officials to ensure we are taking the appropriate steps at this time. Our staff and residents continue to take all recommended preventative actions, we have restricted visitors from entering our facilities, and cancelled all group activities until the virus has been contained.
Protecting the health and well-being of our residents and employees remains our top priority. We continue to be on high alert and will take every precautionary step possible. On behalf of our association, I thank nursing home employees across Arkansas who are going above and beyond the call of duty to provide compassionate care to their residents.”
For AHCA COVID-19 updates, please visit ARHealhcare.com.
###
