Washington Township nursing home reports at least 112 cases of covid-19 among residents and staff

The number of covid-19 cases among residents of a Washington Township nursing home has more than doubled since Monday, climbing from 30 cases to at least 75, facility officials said.

There are also at least 37 cases among the staff at Quality Life Services, for a total of 112 cases.

“That’s how quickly it spreads,” said Paul McGuire, chief operating officer of what is formally known as Quality Life Services — Apollo, at 153 Goodview Drive, Washington Township. “It changes by the hour.”

With 123 total residents, covid-19 has now infected about 60% of the facility.

“It makes you feel helpless,” said Jim Dunmire, of Vandergrift. “My sister is in there, and there’s no way for me to gain access to comfort her.”

McGuire said Monday that residents were separated to isolate covid-positive people into a “red” zone. Residents are given rapid-result tests as soon as they show symptoms, and residents without symptoms are tested on a weekly basis, he said.

McGuire confirmed that “a few” residents have been hospitalized this week, but he was unsure of the exact number.

The facility is receiving aid from the National Guard, as McGuire said he worries about maintaining proper staff levels.

The National Guard is providing housekeeping, dietary and other basic supports, as well as some hands-on support from medics — but McGuire said that they, too, are limited at this point. And when staff get infected and are forced to quarantine, the facility is, in turn, stretched thin.

“Their resources are pretty tight as well,” he said of the National Guard. “It’s all hands on deck here. We are doing everything we possibly can.”

Dunmire said he was encouraged to know Quality Life had sought aid from the National Guard and other health resources offered by the state.

He said he’s getting regular updates and communication regarding his sister’s care and her covid-19 test results — she has not tested positive, he said.

“I think they’re doing the best job that they can under the circumstances,” Dunmire said. “They’re not taking it lightly.”