Coronavirus in Ohio: 3 Akron-area nursing homes battle COVID-19 outbreaks

Separate COVID-19 outbreaks at three Summit County long-term care facilities this past month have infected more than 250 residents and staff.

The most recent outbreak involving 86 residents and 23 staff at Copley Health Center is the largest. At least seven in 10 residents are sick.

Two earlier outbreaks in Cuyahoga Falls -- at the family-owned and operated Wayside Farm Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and the Saber Health-managed Bath Creek Estates -- began before or as the state allowed nursing home visitations to resume on Oct. 12.

According to a state database tracking procedures in long-term care facilities, Wayside and Bath Creek were not offering indoor visitation when their outbreaks began. Copley Health Center closed its doors to family last week when its outbreak began.

Local health officials blame community spread, not the visitations, for the virus again reaching a group of people who, compared to the general public, are 20 times more likely to die of the severe respiratory illness. Epidemiologists and health experts note the shuffle of nurses and staff between facilities. They live and shop in their communities as Ohio continues to set new daily records for COVID-19 cases.

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While the nursing homes have implemented more rigorous safety protocol or suspended visitations, according to statements emailed to the Beacon Journal, some family members are frustrated with a lack of transparency. A couple spoke to the Beacon Journal on the condition that they would not be named for fear it could affect the care their loved ones receive.

Copley Health Center

"It's getting very bad," said one person who is considering moving a close family member out of the Copley facility. He called the trickling of information in robocalls or letters "very misleading." He said, with the exception of 22 cases reported last week, he's told there are three or four cases each week. The case counts are not added together.

Families cannot turn to the Ohio Department of Health for current updates. The state's database, which receives case and death counts reported by facilities to county health departments, is always at least a week behind. By way of example, the state's weekly update released Wednesday listed 44 total cases at Copley Health Center since April 15. The facility acknowledges it has 2.5 times that many cases to date.

CommuniCare, the national operator, said none of the 109 Copley Health Center residents and staff infected with COVID-19 has died this past month. Many are currently infected.

Cases are on the rise statewide

The coronavirus ripped through long-term care facilities in the early days of the pandemic. Summit County Public Health Commissioner Donna Skoda recently told the Beacon Journal that she recalls those days with a sense of post-traumatic stress. And it's starting again.

"What we’re seeing again is an uptick in congregate living cases, meaning both in group home situations and long-term care facilities," Skoda told the public last week at a press conference with area doctors. "They’re starting to spike up again. Personally, we don’t believe that’s because they’ve opened up visitation (in nursing homes) -- the in-person visitation has just restarted -- but rather because we have wide community spread and the individuals who work in those facilities go in and out, and go to multiple facilities."

Nursing and skilled nursing homes accounted for all eight deaths in Summit County last week.

Statewide, active weekly infections among long-term care facility staff and residents peaked at 2,663 in mid-May before community spread and daily cases were brought under control.

This Wednesday, the latest state accounting lists 3,016 active cases associated with long-term care facilities.

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In May, 674 deaths tied to long-term care facilities accounted for more than 70% of Ohioans lost to COVID-19. As of this week, the 2,975 deceased residents and staff are 55% of the statewide death count.

In allowing family visitations to resume Oct 12, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine ordered constant testing of nursing home residents and their employees. Some facilities that opened up have since shut their doors until outbreaks are under control.

"As we experience a second wave in the country, especially in the Midwest, we recently had residents test positive for COVID at our Copley Health Center," the facility's national operator, CommuniCare, told the Beacon Journal in an emailed statement. "While unfortunate, given the current level of community spread, it is not unique."

Bath Creek Estates

Last week, Bath Creek Estates recorded a 50% increase in the cumulative number of infected residents, which the state has tracked since April 15. The facility has had 41 reported resident cases and 11 among staff since mid-October, according to the state database.

The Beacon Journal requested an interview with management at the facility and was emailed a response through the legal department of Saber Health.

“The facility acts in the best interest of its residents to promote their health, safety and welfare during this evolving crisis," read the statement attributed to Chief Medical Officer Nancy Istenes, who practices geriatric medicine in Akron. "We have worked closely with the Department of Health and continue to follow all necessary guidelines, including any necessary testing and reporting requirements. We have established a personalized care plan for any affected resident and have routinely updated all residents and responsible parties regarding their condition and care.”

Wayside Farm Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

The first outbreak at Wayside Farm Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Cuyahoga Falls involved 83 residents and 13 employees since the first case on Oct. 5, according to the state database. The family owned and operated facility is for patients with mental and behavioral issues, with a resident population ranging from 31 to 86 years old and an average age of 55.

Administrator Matthew Pool told the Beacon Journal in an email that every staff member and resident was tested on Oct. 5 when the facility uncovered its first case. Several staff members had come into contact with a COVID-positive person outside of work. In the next two weeks, 84% of residents tested positive.

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Among those who've contracted the disease in Summit County, 26% of long-term care patients or staff versus 1.2% of the general public have died, according to health department statistics. While older adults typically report higher mortality rates, health officials are sounding the alarm after witnessing complications that last beyond the course of the respiratory disease, even in some of the youngest patients.

“The older population that may have survived the initial infection, they’re having lingering problems, they’re having breathing problems,” Summa Health President and CEO Dr. Cliff Deveny said at the county health department’s news conference last week.

“They’re having issues with their hearts. We don’t know what the long-term mortality and health effects of this will be,” said Deveny, whose 26-year-old daughter developed tachycardia, a high heart rate, after surviving COVID-19.

Facilities take preventative measures

In trying to tame the virus, CommuniCare said it suspended visitations at Copley Health Center last week. All residents, including the asymptomatic and those not in close contact with an infected patient, are receiving point-of-care testing "out of abundance of precaution," the management company said.

Patients with positive tests are secluded. Roommates are isolated and monitored. Staff members who develop symptoms are "immediately sent home for rest and treatment" and only cleared to return by a doctor.

"Our staff continues to wear proper PPE and facility conducts weekly testing of staff and residents as required by CDC or local health guidance to identify the virus as soon as possible," the company said.

Reach Beacon Journal reporter Doug Livingston at dlivingston@thebeaconjournal.com or 330-996-3792.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Coronavirus in Ohio: 3 Akron-area nursing homes battle COVID-19 outbreaks

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