Nursing home COVID-19 deaths in Joco jump again as Olathe facility sees more cases
A Johnson County nursing home hit with the most recent outbreak of COVID-19 cases now has had four deaths due to the virus, according to new health department numbers.
Those deaths at Villa St. Francis, and more at Brighton Gardens of Prairie Village, have increased nursing home deaths in Johnson County to 58. Deaths at long-term care facilities now account for nearly 82 percent of the county’s total.
Just two weeks ago, Olathe’s Villa St. Francis had 37 total cases and no deaths. Now, according to facility CEO Rodney Whittington, the nursing home is up to 58 cases — 31 residents and 27 staff members.
Last month, Whittington made the decision to test all residents and staff. That was after one employee, who had not been around residents, tested positive. Whittington wondered if the virus was inside the large facility but he and others just couldn’t see it because people were asymptomatic.
That first round of testing detected an outbreak.
“We’re on the second round and we’ll begin the third round this week,” Whittington said Monday.
Villa St. Francis still has 20 tests pending. Most residents who have tested positive are either asymptomatic or have experienced minor symptoms like sore throat or loss of appetite, Whittington said.
Those with serious symptoms have been hospitalized. Three are still in the hospital.
The Johnson County long-term care facility with the most coronavirus cases is Brighton Gardens. Numbers updated by the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment Monday morning show the facility is up to 96 cases and 20 deaths.
