Employees and Residents Test Positive For COVID-19 at Jasper Retirement Facility

FROM LOCAL SOURCES

JASPER -- Officials with Northwood Retirement Community in Jasper have confirmed multiple cases of COVID-19 at its facility.

So far, two employees and three patients have tested positive for the virus.

In a statement, the company says the health and safety of their residents, staff and the community remain their top priorities.

With more recent studies indicating coronavirus doesn't spread as effectively outdoors, the state says it will "soon" allow outdoor visits at nursing homes in the state.  Nursing homes with high infection rates at the facility or in the surrounding community will still face restrictions.

Family and Social Services Administration chief medical officer Dan Rusyniak says being isolated from loved ones has health effects too, and says FaceTime and other online platforms aren't an adequate substitute for in-person visits.