LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Since its first confirmed positive case on March 27, Signature HealthCARE of Putnam has been in a proactive battle with COVID-19, now celebrating 37 recoveries from the virus.
As of the release of this statement, Signature HealthCARE of Putnam has had a total of 51 positive COVID-19 cases including 32 residents and 19 staff members. Of the 32 residents, 19 have since recovered, 17 being moved off the COVID-19 only unit and two being discharged and now at home. Of the 19 staff members, 18 have recovered. While CDC guidelines require only one negative test to deem a resident or staff member COVID-free, out of an abundance of caution and the utmost safety for all, Signature HealthCARE’s company standard is two negative tests within a 48-hour period.
Signature HealthCARE of Putnam has not had any new positive resident cases in the last 28 days and no new positive staff cases in 31 days. Company officials believe a great deal of this success lies within the facility’s initiation of a facility-wide test-based strategy; testing all residents and staff after the first confirmed cases. This has since become the standard testing strategy for Signature HealthCARE. Additionally, the controversial creation of a separate COVID- 19 only unit at the facility has proven instrumental. Putnam admitted 16 COVID-positive patients from other locations.
“Often times the right decision is not the easy decision,” said Lee Rooney, CEO and administrator for Signature HealthCARE of Putnam. “This has been a difficult and trying time for my patients, families and employees, however, at the end of the day, everyone knows Signature HealthCARE of Putnam County will strive to make the most proactive decisions possible and have the best interest of the patients and staff in mind, always.”
Signature HealthCARE of Putnam understands this virus and corresponding numbers can change within hours. But there is no mistaking that progress is being made at the facility against the Coronavirus and its residents and staff are seeing subsequent positive results. While these results are exhilarating, Signature cannot forget those of its Putnam family who have passed.
Signature’s statement said, “We have lost five of our beloved residents during this time. The loss of any resident, for whatever reason, is devastating to us all. Few words can explain the impact for our facility, but more importantly, their families. But we at Signature HealthCARE of Putnam will honor their lives, in the way we continue to fight this virus and refuse to relent until the very last positive case is defeated.”
Signature HealthCARE is opening up this special unit to help people outside of their network of facilities.
“Despite having many of our own patients recover from COVID-19, we are now trying to help other facilities by admitting their COVID patients to our specialty unit. We want to be the facility which goes above and beyond, to help prevent and stifle the spread of COVID-19 in other facilities and hospitals,” said the statement.
