Campbell Senior Home Records 39 Coronavirus Cases

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA — Dozens of residents and staff members at one Santa Clara County assisted living facility are currently battling coronavirus, according to statistics from the California Department of Social Services. Merrill Gardens At Campbell reported at least 39 cases, according to state data.

Campbell's Merrill Gardens reported 25 active cases among staff members and at least 14 active cases among residents.

At least 8 care facilities were experiencing outbreaks of the virus, data revealed.

In San Jose, the Brookdale facility reported 19 cases among staff and 25 infected residents.

Another assisted living facility, which was not included in the state's data, was Grant Cuesta Sub-acute and Rehabilitation Center in Mountain View. The facility announced on Dec. 19 that 64 of its residents had tested positive for the virus, but 59 had recovered.

Officials also stated that 43 staff members had tested positive but 33 had recovered.

At Sommerset Senior Living, 15 residents had tested positive for coronavirus, but the state did not specify how many staff members had been infected.

Vi At Palo Alto had at least 13 cases among staff members, but the data did not specify how many residents had been infected as the state Department of Social Services does not provide exact case count and death totals in facilities with fewer than 11 cases to report, in the interest of protecting patient privacy.

Other facilities listed by the state that had fewer than 11 coronavirus infections were The Terraces of Los Gatos and Belmont Village of San Jose

In neighboring San Mateo County, Kensington Place Redwood City also had some cases reported but fewer than 11.

The challenge of preventing coronavirus is especially great at assisted living facilities with memory care units. Residents in these units may not always understand the need to socially distance and wear a mask, though seeing others in masks can serve as a helpful reminder to those struggling with dementia, according to Teri Tift of Eskaton which operates care facilities in the East Bay. Tift is a registered nurse and holds a doctorate in health administration.

Facilities are continuing to work with county public health workers to carry out COVID-19 testing protocols, deliver meals to residents, and ensure people are isolating when necessary.

The coronavirus "is affecting millions of people, and it is very difficult and hard on families, and residents and staff," Tift said. "I'll be so glad when we have the vaccine going to everybody."

— Written by Patch editors Kat Schuster and Courtney Teague