Outbreaks in Accura HealthCare Newton West, Park Centre

COVID-19 outbreaks have been reported in two long-term care facilities in Jasper County.

Accura HealthCare of Newton West and the WesleyLife-affiliated Park Centre, both in Newton, were among the seven new outbreaks in long-term care facilities identified during Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds’ Tuesday press conference.

Jasper County Health Department and Iowa Department of Public Health identified 39 positive cases of COVID-19 between the two facilities — 21 at Accura HealthCare of Newton West and 18 at Park Centre.

IPDH classifies these incidents as outbreaks because three or more cases of COVID-19 have been identified among residents. At Accura HealthCare of Newton West and Park Centre, residents and staff have tested positive.

According to a press release from Jasper County Health Department, the facilities have notified residents and their families. As per the IDPH guidelines, the affected residents are in isolation.

Staff at Accura HealthCare Newton West and Park Centre are working closely with public officials to protect the health and well-being of all residents and staff, including additional resting directed by IDPH.

“We know our older population is at the highest risk for serious COVID-19 illness, so we are monitoring the situation carefully and taking the highest precautions to prevent virus spread,” Becky Pryor, administrator of the Jasper County Health Department, said in the press release.

As of Thursday, there are 130 total cases of COVID-19 and one death in Jasper County.

Both Newton facilities pinpointed the origins of their outbreaks to their memory care units.

Response from Accura HealthCare of Newton West:

Of the roughly 45 total residents living in Accura HealthCare of Newton West, 19 have tested positive for COVID-19. Two of the 50 staff members have also been diagnosed.

Ted LeNeave, president and CEO of Accura HealthCare, said there are 18 residents living in the memory care unit of the western Newton location. After one tested positive for COVID-19, the facility tested everyone living in the unit.

“All of those residents tested positive,” LeNeave said. “You can imagine with an Alzheimers unit, they don’t understand social distancing or trying to clean up after themselves. They don’t understand boundaries, so that’s how it spread.”

Cases have been isolated to that particular unit, he added. Interestingly, all of the residents — including the first person who was tested — are asymptomatic and “are not showing any negative signs.”

One resident outside the memory care unit has also tested positive.

“That person has been put in our cohort wing,” LeNeave said. “We created a cohort wing of isolation. If anyone tests positive they will be in that separate part of the building and they will have designated staff ... that do not cross over.”

Ever since Accura HealthCare learned of its outbreak, the company has increased its infection prevention procedures. Now, there is only one way in and out of the memory care unit, which has been assigned designated staff.

LeNeave said there is also an area setup outside of the building for memory care unit staff to remove PPE and change into clean clothes before returning home. Some staff have even set up trailers outside facility to prevent home spread.

Accura HealthCare takes the responsibility of protecting residents and families very seriously, and prays for an end of this pandemic and its harmful impact on its communities, the company said in a press release.

“We are extremely grateful for our amazing employees who are heroes in delivering care on the frontlines of this pandemic. We love our residents, families and staff and are committed to be, as our mission statement declares, partners in care and family for life.”

Response from Park Centre:

Even though the IPDH reported 18 positive cases of COVID-19 at Park Centre, administrators at the WesleyLife community said that number has increased to 19 as of Tuesday afternoon. To note: IDPH data is based on a 10 a.m. deadline.

Regardless, 16 of the 191 residents and three of the 153 team members have tested positive. According to a press release from WesleyLife, most of those affected remain asymptomatic at this time — similar to Accura HealthCare.

The health and safety of residents and team members is WesleyLife’s first priority. The company said it will continue to follow all guidelines and protocols from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help mitigate spread.

Sally Groome, vice-president of marketing and sales at WesleyLife, said Park Centre is already taking a number of steps toward this effort. Staff are continuing to closely monitor all residents’ temperatures and evaluating any new symptoms.

“Infectious disease control is something we do 24/7, 365,” she said. “It’s just very much a part of our expertise as a health care center. Of course we’re going to be, throughout the year, interacting with individuals who have infectious diseases.”

The most common is influenza. Protocols are in place to manage all of those scenarios, so adapting to COVID-19 requirements is a matter of taking what Park Centre already knows and then taking further steps to ensure mitigation.

Like Accura HealthCare of Newton West, the positive cases derived from Park Centre’s memory care unit. Groome said it is difficult to direct individuals with memory challenges to remain six feet from one another or wash hands regularly.

“When you’re struggling with memory issues, those types of instructions sometimes can be very difficult,” she said. “So from a controlling infectious diseases perspective, it is very difficult to manage the spread.”

Still, Groome praises Park Centre staff and caregivers outside the facility for continuing to work hard to help residents and their communities during the pandemic.

“I remain in awe of our caregivers,” she said. “The work team members are doing is fabulous and is really, really moving to see. We are so appreciative of the work they’re doing.”

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 6560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com