Almost all COVID-positive residents at Bristol nursing home now recovered
A majority of those who tested positive were asymptomatic
Bristol residents were surprised last week when the state began releasing names of nursing homes with COVID cases, to find St. Elizabeth Manor on the list, a facility which is home to many family and friends of Bristol residents.
The COVID-positive cases were discovered the week of April 13, when five members of the home’s staff tested positive.
In light of these developments, Administrator Beth Russell reached out to the Rhode Island Department of Health, which provided testing to the home to ascertain the status of all staff and residents.
“Much to our surprise, we had 11 residents test positive,” said Ms. Russell. “All were asymptomatic.”
The results also revealed that five additional staffers were positive, but also not showing any symptoms.
The home immediately moved to isolate the COVID-positive residents into their own wing with their own dedicated staff of caregivers. In addition, three individuals who were roommates of the COVID-positive residents, though negative themselves, were isolated into their own dedicated area of the facility.
All 11 patients were re-tested last Monday, April 20. At that time, nine of the 11 re-tested negative. A third test was administered Monday, April 27; those results are pending. Patients with two consecutive negative tests will be transferred out of the COVID ward. Of the two remaining positive cases, one is still asymptomatic, while the other person has developed mild symptoms and is recovering.
COVID-positive staff may return to work following three asymptomatic days coupled with a negative test result.
“The staff have been so amazing, picking up extra shifts to cover for the people who have been home,” said Ms. Russell. “They have been working so hard.”
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