The number of corona diseases in the Sittard care center is increasing rapidly

Born / Buchten / Holtum / Papenhoven / Geleen / Graetheide / Sittard / Windraak / Limbricht / Einighausen / Guttecoven / Munstergeleen / Obbicht / Grevenbicht –

The number of residents of the Hoogstaete care center in Sittard that appears to be infected with the corona virus is increasing rapidly. Five new infections were confirmed on Tuesday afternoon. This brings the total number to eight.

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A handful of other residents and employees with fever and cough complaints have now been tested, the results of which will follow on Wednesday. The corona outbreak in the nursing home is still limited to the two departments where the first infections were detected on Sunday. An 82-year-old man who lived there and became infected died on Sunday morning at the hospital in Geleen. All residents of the affected departments are cared for in strict insulation. The five new patients are doing well according to circumstances, reports the Zuyderland concern.

Read also: First Limburg corona death lived in care home in Sittard

The increasing number of sick people compels Zuyderland to take further measures in Hoogstaete. From now on, visitors will be limited even further. Visitors must also keep one and a half meters away from the residents. Employees with respiratory complaints or fever have been instructed to stay at home immediately. It had previously been decided to stop recording and close the restaurant. Food is brought to the room, where necessary the staff wear a mask. Residents may not leave the building on the advice of the GGD. They must stay in their room as much as possible. Day care and group activities have been canceled for the time being.

Read also: Seven new corona infections in South Limburg

Christian Hoebe, head of infectious disease control at the GGD Zuid-Limburg, calls the corona outbreak in Hoogstaete “bad news and a big problem”, mainly because the source of the first infection is still unknown. “It is certain that these residents themselves have not been in risk areas such as northern Italy or China. The virus must therefore have arrived via the staff or visitors. Where do you then start the usual contact investigation? This is a situation that you hope will not occur. A virus in a nursing home is very difficult to combat. In addition, you are dealing with brittle, often weakened elderly people. People with underlying suffering, who are at extra risk if they become infected. ”

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