At least two people have died and at least 50 are infected in a coronavirus outbreak at The Residence of Brookside and Avon Health Center, an assisted living facility and a nursing home in Avon, according to the local health district.
According to Farmington Valley Health District Director Jennifer C. Kertanis, they believe the outbreak started with a resident of The Residence at Brookside, who tested positive in late September.
“It appears as if it started with a positive resident (of The Residence at Brookside), spread quickly among both residents and workers, some of whom work in more than one facility," Kertanis said.
The state Department of Public Health said they were investigating two large outbreaks at the facilities.
DPH officials said at The Residence at Brookside, 11 residents have tested positive. The facility has reported two resident deaths, but one is not clearly confirmed as COVID-19, DPH said. Three staff members have tested positive.
DPH said the outbreak at Avon Health seems to be contained to one unit. Officials said 22 residents have tested positive and one person has died. Three residents are currently hospitalized. Fourteen staff members have also tested positive.
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Residents were tested Monday and results are pending. Staff testing was scheduled for Tuesdays and Wednesday.
The Avon Health Center released a statement on Wednesday:
"Avon Health Center takes very seriously our obligations to our residents. As is the case in a number of locations in the state, we are currently experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak. We have reviewed our outbreak response with the Connecticut Department of Public Health epidemiology division and are following their recommendations. We have been following CDC and DPH Infection Control guidance at all times including contact tracing to identify the source of the virus. Additionally we have followed the Governor’s orders regarding resident and staff testing. Upon noting a rise in community spread, we increased our testing of residents and staff. Given the presence of COVID in the facility, we have discontinued in person visitation and are cohorting affected residents on one unit to contain further spread of the virus."
NBC Connecticut has reached out to The Residence at Brookside for more information as well.
COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations have been trending up in Connecticut, with a 2.4% positivity rate reported Tuesday. Gov. Ned Lamont stressed that while the state's metrics are increasing, Connecticut remains one of the best in the country, and is prepared to handle any second wave.
