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County Health Confirms 27 COVID Cases At Orinda Senior Facility Friday

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Contra Costa County Health Services confirmed that an outbreak of COVID-19 at a 47-bed senior housing facility in Orinda had been discovered on Tuesday and was being tracked.

At least 27 people – 24 patients and three staff members – have tested positive so far in connection with the outbreak. No deaths have been reported as of Friday morning.

Two of the 27 people who tested positively have been taken to local hospitals for further care, according to health officials.

At a press conference Friday afternoon, County Health Physician Dr. Chris Farnitano said county health services is working closely with staff at the Orinda Care Facility after testing determined 24 senior residents and three staff members had COVID-19.

Fourteen residents tested negatively for the virus. Farnitano said they will remain at the facility and will be cared for there, with county health stressing appropriate procedures for their continued cares – including the need for social distancing and established sterilization procedures.

From the CCCHS:

“Public Health has prepared for the possibility of outbreaks happening in skilled nursing facilities and other congregate care settings, and we have provided clear guidance for facilities in responding and controlling the spread of illness,” Contra Costa Public Health Director Dan Peddycord said. “We are working closely with the facilities now to protect residents and staff.”

CCHS began investigating this week after two staff members working at Orinda Care Center sought medical care. Positive test results for those workers as well as two patients at the facility returned positive late Wednesday.

CCHS tested all patients and staff Thursday. While results continue to return, 24 residents and three staff members have tested positive so far. Two residents who tested positive are receiving care at local hospitals.

Most of the infections at the facility were discovered through the Public Health investigation. Staff and residents who do not have serious symptoms are medically isolated but not hospitalized.

Orinda Care Center is a skilled nursing facility with 45 residents. The facility is following all health recommendations to prevent further spread of the virus.

Public Health is also now in the early stages of investigating and testing at two other senior care facilities in the county.

“The situation is very serious, and we are deeply concerned about residents of our senior care facilities in Contra Costa County,” said Dr. Chris Farnitano, Contra Costa County health officer. “That is why we need everyone to follow the stay-at-home order, social distancing guidance and other measures in recent health orders – to protect the people in our community who are vulnerable to severe illness from COVID-19.”

CCHS did confirm two more coronavirus-related deaths of county residents on Friday unrelated to this outbreak. There have been five confirmed deaths in Contra Costa and more than 300 confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection.

10 COMMENTS

  1. Something as serious as 27 Covil-19 person outbreak at a facility in one day needs to be fully communicated to the public (e.g. the name of the facility and address) so that the public
    can protect themselves. This is another case where protecting the privacy of the ill accomplishes little in comparison to protecting the public from deadly contamination.

      • Thank you posting. I just received a message that the county has made public the details. Here it is : DEVELOPING: Contra Costa Co Health officials say the Orinda Care Center is dealing with a #Covid_19 outbreak. 27 people at the nursing facility have tested positive, including two seniors who are hospitalized and three staff members. Over half of those infected are over 80 yrs old.

    • Not specifically, Adam… we’ve noted an uptick in calls throughout the county. Could have happened anywhere and just happened to hit home…

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