Coronavirus results in Borderland nursing homes restricting visitors
EL PASO, Texas -- Borderland nursing homes and assisted living centers were taking steps Thursday to try and insulate their elderly residents from the threat of a coronavirus outbreak by restricting visitors - or in some cases barring them altogether.
The virus seems to disproportionately affect the vulnerable older population. In Washington state, where many of the U.S. deaths linked to the coronavirus have been reported, most of the victims contracted the virus at a nursing home. At the Life Care Center outside Seattle, 26 of the center's residents have died so far.
In the Borderland, nursing homes are screening visitors for any signs of fever. Some facilities are also having visitors answer questions about their recent travel history.
The Bartlett Assisted living center is following guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control to keep its residents safe.
"The spread of this is what we are really trying to definitely make sure does not come in here as we understand yes this one can be a little more dangerous for our populations," Michael Perkins the Bartlett administrator said.
The following nursing homes and assisted-living facilities in the El Paso and Las Cruces areas are severely limiting or barring visitors altogether:
- Good Samaritan Society in Las Cruces
- Santa Teresa Nursing Home
- Mountain View Health and Rehabilitation
- Los Arcos del Norte
- Oasis Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
- The Bartlett-Assisted Living Center
- Pebble Creek Nursing Center
- St. Giles Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
- SunRidge at Cielo Vista.
