Six of the 21 residents at Sundale Rehabilitation and Long-Term Care facility in Morgantown who tested positive for COVID-19 a week ago now show no signs of the virus.
“We are starting to clear the virus,” said Carl Shrader, Sundale’s medical director and WVU Medicine physician.
One of the 10 staff members with the novel coronavirus has also been cleared, he said. Nine other employees remain in self-quarantine.
The first confirmed case of COVID-19 at Sundale was reported March 22, a woman in her 70s. Since that time, more than 20 Sundale residents have tested positive for the virus. Three Sundale residents with underlying health conditions died of causes related to the virus, the most recent of which occurred Friday.
Shrader said he plans to retest the positive residents and employees Monday and is hopeful of seeing more people cleared of the virus. Monday will mark the 28th day since the first confirmed case at Sundale.
The average age of a Sundale resident is 85.
“This news (the most recent test results) has boosted morale,” Shrader said. “Everyone looks amazing with the exception of one COVID-19 patient.
“I am grateful for the community support.”
The residents with confirmed cases of COVID-19 remain in isolation on Sundale’s first floor. Sundale officials have had the facility sanitized and limited visitation to video conferences. Meals are served on disposable dinnerware and there is no more communal dining.
There were 640 cases of COVID-19 in West Virginia Tuesday afternoon, including 81 confirmed cases in Monongalia County, according to the state Department of Health and Human Resources. There have been 10 deaths where COVID-19 has been a contributing factor, including the three Sundale residents.
On a related note, West Virginia University said Tuesday all residents and employees working in the Evansdale Residential Complex have been tested for the novel coronavirus. The testing was in response to a student in Towers who tested positive.
The university said test results are not yet back. In the interim, residents of Towers must self-quarantine until test results are known.
COVID-19 symptoms include a cough, fever and tiredness. In extreme cases, an infected person may experience trouble breathing.
