At least nine people died of coronavirus complications within 10 days at the same nursing center on Chicago’s North Side, officials say. Kye Martin reports.
At least 12 people have died of coronavirus complications within 10 days at the same nursing center on Chicago's North Side, officials say.
The facility is the Lakeview Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, located in the 700 block of West Diversey Parkway in the city's Lincoln Park neighborhood.
NBC 5 Investigates found that 12 people who died of COVID-19 between April 8 and 21 had their location listed as the nursing home's address, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's office.
Those nine people ranged in age from 64 to 91 years old, according to the medical examiner's office.
"Lakeview Rehabilitation & Nursing Center is aware of the global concerns surrounding the Novel Coronavirus and its corresponding illness, COVID-19," the center said in a statement.
"The safety and well-being of our residents and staff is our top priority and we are taking a very aggressive and proactive approach in preventing and, if necessary, defending against the virus through intense monitoring, screening, education and awareness, and appropriate prevention and management," the statement continued. "Lakeview Rehabilitation & Nursing Center has developed and implemented comprehensive plans and policies concerning the Novel Coronavirus, modeled after the guidelines and recommendations issued by the CDC."
State health officials appear to be behind the curve in reporting coronavirus outbreaks and deaths at long-term care facilities in Illinois.
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The Illinois Department of Public Health's website on Wednesday listed 15 cases and four deaths at the Lakeview Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, citing data that was last updated on Sunday. The most recent of the 12 deaths occurred Monday, according to the medical examiner's office.
Coronavirus outbreaks have been reported at more than 100 nursing homes across Illinois, the majority in Cook County, according to the IDPH.
Symphony Care Network, which runs dozens of assisted living locations across the Midwest, announced Tuesday that 111 of the 158 patients at a South Shore facility have tested positive for coronavirus.
The company said the patients were being "aggressively treated" for the virus, but did not offer specifics on how many were hospitalized due to the illness.
Symphony also runs a Joliet facility where 81 patients have tested positive for the virus. A total of 21 residents two employees have died after contracting the illness, officials said.
