Mount Carroll nursing home reports coronavirus outbreak

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MOUNT CARROLL -- Allure of Mount Carroll is tightening safety measures after 13 residents and staff tested positive for COVID-19.

The nursing home, working with the Carroll County Health Department, is instituting isolation protocols and enhanced safety measures. All residents and staff are being closely monitored and tested, and visitors are prohibited.

"All nursing homes are a reflection of the community in which they are located," Allure Administrator Tammy Olson said. "When we learned about people in our community testing positive for COVID, we knew our residents were at a heightened risk."

Since early March, Allure has followed the guidelines outlined by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Illinois Department of Public Health and health department, according to a news release.

That includes proper hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment, periodic testing, prohibiting non-essential personnel in the building, and discontinuing group activities and meals.

Staff are screened for symptoms at the start of their shift and throughout the day.

The residents who tested positive are in stable condition and have been moved to isolation, and their families have been notified. Staff testing positive are recovering at home and will return to work when CDC guidelines have been met.

"Our heroic staff are working around the clock in collation with county and state health officials to contain the spread of the virus," Olson said. "We ask the community to pray for our residents and staff as we work to recover."

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