Wilmette Retirement Home Resident Tests Positive For Coronavirus

WILMETTE, IL — A resident of a Wilmette retirement community tested positive for the new coronavirus over the weekend, administrators announced Sunday.

On Saturday, a resident of Mather Place Wilmette was taken to Evanston Hospital after experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, according to a release. The resident's family informed administrators of the diagnosis Sunday.

It was the first known coronavirus case connected with the senior living facility at 2801 Old Glenview Road, according to executive director Katrina O'Neill.

"This is of course not the news any of us wanted to receive. Our hearts go out to our resident who is hospitalized with COVID-19 with our wishes for a full recovery," O'Neill said in a statement. "The health and wellbeing of residents and employees is our top priority."

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O'Neill said Mather Place officials have taken proactive steps to prevent the spread of the virus.

All residents of Mather Place Wilmette have been in self-isolation since March 17 to minimize the potential spread of the virus, according to administrators.

After learning of the diagnosis Sunday, Mather Place staff notified employees, residents, their families and the Illinois Department of Public Health. They also announced the hiring of a specialist cleaning company.

"We have contracted with a national organization to sanitize and do a deep clean of high touch areas, as well as the resident's apartment home," O'Neill said in a letter to residents. "This in-depth process provided by outside professionals helps us focus on our ongoing operations while protecting our own housekeeping team."

O'Neill said additional safety measures would be implemented, including the suspension of housekeeping services, mandatory self-quarantine inside apartments through April 11, daily temperature checks and screening for employees and caregivers twice per eight-hour shift.

As of Monday, at least two dozen group living settings in suburban Cook County — including nursing homes and long-term care facilities — had reported one or more confirmed COVID-19 infections among residents or staff, according to public health officials. A total of 36 Wilmette residents have tested positive for the coronavirus.

Read more: Cook County Health Department Releases Map Of Suburban Coronavirus Cases