The Summers County Health Department confirms eight people have recovered from the spike in COVID-19 at The Summers Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Hilldale. The recent spread has involved up to 53 patients, 43 are active and four people have died. Chad Meador with the Health Department said the staff has been working very diligently and long hours to control the outbreak. It’s alleged the National Guard is expected to conduct airflow studies at the facility, but Meador said he believes community spread is the culprit, and it’s impossible to know if someone is non-symptomatic and spreading the virus to others.
“COVID-19 is rampant throughout West Virginia and is having a significant impact on nursing homes, the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions,” the Executive Director of the facility, Pamela Fink, confirmed that this group is “disproportionately affected by COVID-19.” She asked that people “think of those with compromised immune systems in our centers (nursing homes) and in your own communities.” She urges everyone to follow the guidelines provided by health officials. To slow down the spread she explained “We all need to do our part by wearing face masks properly, maintaining social distancing with those outside our immediate family and practice good hygiene by washing our hands or using hand sanitizer to slow down the spread.”
