More than 30 have COVID-19 at psychiatric hospital
SEATTLE (AP) — The number of staff at a Washington state psychiatric hospital who have tested positive for the new coronavirus increased in April, but only two patients have been tested this month, despite recommendations from health officials.
At least 27 workers at Western State Hospital have the disease, while six patients have tested positive so far and one died. The facility is home to 735 patients and 17 were recently moved to group or family homes to ease the pressure from the COVID-19 outbreak, officials said.
When the COVID-19 hit the facility toward the end of March, they sought help from the state health department. At that time 17 workers and six patients had the disease. State epidemiologist Dr. Scott Lindquist toured the facility and made a list of recommendations, including testing the staff and patients on certain wards.
As of Tuesday, only two patients had been tested this month, according to Kelly Von Holtz, spokesperson for the Department of Social and Health Services. She said the low number was because few had shown any symptoms, but Lindquist said testing should be happening and any new positive patients should be isolated.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/more-than-30-have-covid-19-at-psychiatric-hospital/ar-BB12DkOh
