More than 25 residents, staff positive for COVID-19 at Beth Sholom assisted living

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. -- As Canterbury Assisted Living in Henrico grapples with hundreds of COVID-19 cases and more than 40 deaths due to the virus, a second assisted living facility in the area announced that more than 25 patients and staff members have been diagnosed with COVID-19.

Beth Sholom in Henrico County announced Tuesday that "just over 25 patients and staff members have tested positive for COVID-19."

"When Beth Sholom first started addressing the risks posed by the coronavirus, our goal was to do all we could to isolate our campus and restrict visitors to protect our residents," president and CEO Morris S. Funk said in a press release on Tuesday. "When our first case surfaced, we isolated that patient in their room at our Healthcare Center to avoid further spread."

Funk said that as the days progressed, the highly contagious virus "found a way to infect more of our residents."

"Last week we were trying to keep all the confirmed cases to a single floor but even that is no longer possible. We have patients with confirmed cases of coronavirus within all units of the Healthcare Center."

All residents are being treated within the living facility's Healthcare Center which is on isolation from the rest of our campus.

"At this time, the Healthcare Center is the only building at Beth Sholom that has confirmed cases," Funk said. "Our goal is to keep it that way."

COVID-19 Precautions

Most patients with COVID-19 have mild to moderate symptoms. However, in a small proportion of patients, COVID-19 can lead to more severe illness, including death, particularly among those who are older or those who have chronic medical conditions.

COVID-19 spreads primarily through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Symptoms include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. Symptoms appear within 14 days of being exposed to an infectious person.

Virginia health officials urged the following precautions:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer only if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.Stay home when you are sick.
• Avoid contact with sick people.Avoid non-essential travel.