COVID-19 outbreak at senior living facility in Contra Costa County; 27 test positive

MARTINEZ, Calif (KTVU) - Contra Costa County Health officials on Friday confirmed a COVID-19 outbreak at a senior living facility. 

Authorities said 27 people at the 47-bed Orinda Care Center tested positive for the virus so far. No deaths have been reported. 

Contra Costa Health Services was notified on Tuesday of multiple reports of coronavirus infections linked to the skilled living facility that cares for patients ages 65 and up. 

The initial investigation revealed 5 cases of COVID-19. Two of them were residents at the nursing facility and then three staff members. Public health officials said the residents remain hospitalized and their condition is unknown. The staff who contracted the virus are self-quarantining at home. 

Authorities said an additional 22 seniors at the facility also tested positive for the virus. Test results for 14 other residents came back negative and there are still more tests being conducted.

In the majority of the cases at the nursing home, the patients are over the age of 80. 

Residents who are infected with the virus are being kept separate from those who tested negative. Public health officials said staff who caught the virus and are asymptotic can still provide care to the residents already infected. 

The elderly population is particularly vulnerable to infection and the county said it has been following strict recommendations and guidelines to mitigate the spread of the virus. 

An investigation team for the county's health department is following up on other reports of coronavirus cases at nursing and skilling living facilities.