Palo Alto Senior Home Records Coronavirus Cases

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA — Residents and staff members at one Palo Alto living facility are currently battling the coronavirus, according to statistics from the California Department of Social Services. Vi At Palo Alto had at least 13 cases among staff members, according to state data.

The data did not specify how many residents had been infected at Vi At Palo Alto 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.

At least 8 care facilities within Santa Clara County were experiencing outbreaks of the virus, data revealed.

The largest outbreaks, according to state data, were recorded at Merrill Gardens At Campbell and Brookdale San Jose.

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

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