Positive COVID-19 cases at St. Leonard more than double since Monday

CENTERVILLE — UPDATE 3 P.M. (Aug. 12):

Positive coronavirus cases at the St. Leonard senior lifestyle community have more than doubled since Public Health - Dayton & Montgomery County released data Monday.

Public Health is now reporting 25 resident cases and 15 staff members have the virus at the facility. That’s up from 10 residents and six staff members Monday.

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“We are deeply saddened and offer our heartfelt prayers for all those affected by COVID-19, as well as for St. Leonard’s exceptional caregivers who are working tirelessly to protect the well-being of our residents as part of our healing ministry,” said Christine Wasserman, spokeswoman for St. Leonard.

Public Health spokesman Dan Suffoletto said the cases were discovered through testing done at the facility.

“St. Leonard’s decided on their own that they wanted to do testing at their location and these are the results,” Suffoletto said.

INITIAL REPORT (Aug. 10):

Public Health-Dayton and Montgomery County have confirmed 16 positive COVID-19 cases at St. Leonard Center in Centerville.

Officials said there are 10 cases involving residents and six staff members. The numbers were not provided in the last update to the state on Aug. 5, according to the Ohio Department of Health site. So, these are new numbers in the last week.

Christine Wasserman, Director of Communications with CHI Living Communities, said “To provide increased transparency to our residents, families and employees, we are notifying them each time a suspected or positive COVID-19 case is identified in our facility, and when three residents or employees have new onset of symptoms occurring within three days.”

A release issued by CHI Living Communities said based on the time of reporting, as well as the coordination, updating and releasing of information by public health officials, the number of cases we release directly to residents, their families and employees may sometimes vary from numbers publicly reported, including on public health websites.

Wasserman continued to say Because seniors are at higher risk for contracting the virus than the general population, a higher concentration of positive cases in senior care facilities has been trending throughout the U.S.

Given the high-risk population we serve, St. Leonard has put into place and continues following numerous measures to prevent and reduce the spread of the virus: restricting visitors; suspending communal activities; consistently monitoring residents and employees for any potential signs of COVID19; isolating residents with symptoms; sending staff with symptoms home to quarantine; being extra vigilant of infection control practices; requiring universal masking for all employees and supplying them with recommended personal protective equipment, and educating staff so they know when and how to effectively use it.

“We are deeply saddened and offer our heartfelt prayers for all those affected by COVID-19, as well as for St. Leonard’s exceptional caregivers who are working tirelessly to protect the well-being of our residents as part of our healing ministry,” CHI Living Communities said.

Cox Media Group