The Louisiana Department of Health has begun reporting weekly the numbers of positive test results in nursing home and other adult facilities, including veterans homes. As of the report on Monday, May 18th, two facilities have seen no cases, one in Bossier City and one in Jackson. The home in Jennings has no reported cases among residents, but one among staff. The remaining two homes have seen several cases among both residents and staff and have reported a combined 29 deaths.
The Southeast Louisiana Veterans Home in Reserve in St. John the Baptist Parish has seen the highest percentage of COVID-19 cases so far, with 80 residents testing positive over the last few months.
There have been no additional positive test results at the Reserve home for three weeks, officials say. Of the 80 positive cases, 28 residents have passed away with positive test results.
As of Friday, May 22, the Southeast Louisiana Veteran's Home in Reserve reported a census of 86 residents. Of those, 16 have tested positive in the past, but have had no symptoms in more than 30 days. 34 residents who previously tested positive have recovered and tested negative for the virus at least once more. The remaining 36 residents have tested negative.
36 staff members there have also tested positive, according to reports from LDH.
Officials say all employees have been tested and staff continues to work with the Louisiana Department of Health and the Federal VA. Staff updates family members through video chats and phone calls.
"We also want to express our continued gratitude to our veterans' families and the surrounding community for their ongoing support for our home and our staff," a post on Facebook reads.
The Northeast Louisiana Veterans Home in Monroe has seen 11 cases and 1 death among its 125 residents and 5 cases among staff members.
On Friday, the Louisiana Department of Veteran Affairs said they have received many inquiries about families visiting loved ones in veterans homes Phase One of reopening has begun. They say they are continuing to monitor the state's guidelines and are taking into account the situations at each of the five veterans homes across the state and will consider the health of veterans, families, and staff when considering the decision to lift the current no-visitors policy.
For the weekly reports from LDH on coronavirus cases among nursing homes and adult care facilities, click here.
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