BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — There are now 66 positive COVID-19 cases at Father Baker Manor
Every one of the 138 residents were tested using the new rapid-testing received by Catholic Health last Friday.
30% of residents were positive, and 70% came back negative.
Every associate in the building also received a rapid test.
212 associates were tested 25 came back positive (12%) and 187 negative (88%)
Catholic Health’s CEO/President Mark Sullivan held a news conference April 6 to provide an update on an outbreak of COVID-19 in the system’s nursing homes.
He said the high numbers come from the fact the hospital system tested every single person in the building.
Sullivan said the majority of people reported feeling fine before receiving a test.
Sullivan said the ability for the hospital system to quickly test is the reason the Father Baker nursing home appeared to have a spike, or a “cluster” in cases.
Testing all people, even those who are asymptomatic, extends above CDC guidelines for testing, but Sullivan said the hospital system decided to test everyone not knowing what risk asymptomatic people might pose to residents.
The affected individuals have been isolated.
Dr. Kevin Shiley, Catholic Health’s director for infectious disease and prevention, said if Catholic Health hadn’t tested everyone in the facility, it would’ve only identified 10% of the infected cases, and it would’ve taken days to understand the extent of the spread of the disease in the facility.
