National Guard called in to assist Mechanicsburg nursing home with more than 80 COVID-19 cases

The National Guard is providing medics, dining and housekeeping staff for a Mechanicsburg nursing home experiencing rising COVID-19 cases among both its residents and staff members, the company said on its website.

Messiah Lifeways has 78 residents and 50 staffers infected with the coronavirus as of Tuesday morning, according to its website.

Twelve nursing home residents have died from the virus, according to the data. One person who lived in Messiah Lifeways' residential, independent living community also died.

“Please join us in praying for the family, friends, and caregivers of these late residents as they grieve during this very difficult time,” officials wrote online.

Messiah Lifeways is hopeful several of the 78 residents will soon recover.

Bi-weekly and weekly coronavirus testing are conducted in an effort to quickly identify and isolate new cases, officials said. A “specialized cleaning firm” regularly disinfects all rooms and common areas.

Separate entrances were also assigned for staffers who work in different Messiah Lifeways communitys, officials said. They said the facility’s personal protective equipment supply is well-stocked.

Visitation has been suspended in Messiah Lifeways' nursing home community since March, when the pandemic began. “Non-essential” visits are permitted with independent living residents, as long as everyone wears masks and practices social distancing.

Messiah Lifeways said a small COVID-19 outbreak in the independent living community was resolved in mid-September.

READ MORE:

One resident dies of COVID-19 at Cumberland County nursing home

More than 30 residents test positive for COVID-19 at Carlisle nursing home

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