Novato Senior Home Records Coronavirus Cases

MARIN COUNTY, CA — Residents and staff members at several Marin County assisted living facilities are currently battling coronavirus, according to statistics from the California Department of Social Services. In Novato, the Atria Tamalpais Creek facility had reported cases among staff and residents.

The number of cases at Atria Tamalpais Creek was under 11 for both residents and staff and no deaths had been reported. 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.

At least 8 other care facilities in Marin County were experiencing outbreaks of the virus and a total of at least 158 staff members and 88 residents within the county were battling the virus, data revealed.

Nazareth House reported 21 active cases among staff members and at least 19 active cases among residents Wednesday. An unspecified amount of people also died after being infected with the coronavirus.

At Drake Terrace, the facility reported 22 cases among staff and 13 infected residents. This facitlity also had an unspecified number of deaths related to the illness.

The largest outbreaks in the county, according to state data, were recorded at Aegis Assisted Living Of Corte Madera, Nazareth House Of San Rafael and Drake Terrace in San Rafael.

The facility in Corte Madera reported 25 cases among staff members and 20 residents were ill with the virus Wednesday. No related deaths were reported among staff but an unspecified amoung of residents, less than 11, had died from the coronavirus.

Tamalpais Creek in Greenbrae reported 18 staff infections, an unspecified amount of infections among residents and zero deaths related to COVID-19.

Windchime of Marin in Kentfield had less than 11 coronavirus cases to report in both staff and residents. There were deaths reported at this facilitiy but the number was not released.

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