The Samarkand retirement home dodged a corona-shaped bullet after an employee with symptoms was diagnosed positive for COVID-19. Twelve days ago, the facility stated on its website that a worker in its memory-care section was sent home after having symptoms. Fortunately, the person had worked in a private residence on the campus, providing personal care to a single resident — no others at the facility, which houses 375 elderly individuals, have symptoms, Public Health Director Van Do-Reynoso said on Wednesday.
The worker stayed home in isolation, said Do-Reynoso, after symptoms appeared on March 27. As an individual in a Tier 1 occupation, namely employment in a congregate care setting, a COVID-19 test was performed. Her contacts were monitored, and her family members had no significant symptoms. As per Public Health’s guidelines, with no fever for three days after her symptoms abated, the employee returned to work on April 8.
For infection-control reasons, family members were asked to avoid visiting Samarkand, but several called the Independent to express their extreme concern for their elderly relatives: The callers, who requested anonymity to protect their family members, were hearing nothing about the state of health inside the facility, more than one person said. Why were no other tests being performed? they protested.