Public Health assisting staff with COVID outbreak in Fortuna

 

The website for Fortuna Rehabilitation & Wellness Center has a link for information. "For more information on your specific family member, please contact Psyche Johnson at 707.725.4467 or administrator@fortunarehabwc.com."

Public Health issued a press release few minutes ago.

Public Health Press Release:

The Humboldt County Public Health Branch is assisting staff and management at Fortuna Rehabilitation & Wellness Center in response to a COVID-19 outbreak.

Public Health visited the long-term care facility Wednesday following concerns about possible infections. To date, 12 people have tested positive for the virus, which includes both residents and staff.

“We're always concerned when our seniors and medically vulnerable members of the community are at risk," said Humboldt County Public Health Director Sofia Pereira. As of now, no residents have been hospitalized.

Pereira said staff were in consultation with the California Department of Public Health’s Healthcare-Associated Infections Program and are working with the facility to provide infection prevention education and guidance, as well as assisting with acquiring any state resources that may be available. 

Public Health’s Outbreak Response Team has visited Fortuna Rehabilitation & Wellness Center twice so far to provide testing and offer infection prevention recommendations, and will continue to work with facility management to test residents every two to three days. 

According to the facility management, Fortuna Rehab has stepped up screening of all employees for COVID-19 symptoms, adding that visits are currently restricted to slow the spread of illness.

Public Health staff will provide support as needed through the weekend. Additional information will be available next week.

5/24 update:

The Humboldt County Public Health Branch responded last week to a COVID-19 outbreak at Fortuna Rehabilitation & Wellness Center where 26 residents and 10 staff members have now tested positive for the virus. One resident is currently hospitalized.

Due to the vulnerability of the long-term care facility’s senior and medically fragile residents, Public Health staff are providing a heightened level of response.

The branch’s Communicable Disease team is testing residents and staff three times a week and coordinating with the California Department of Public Health’s Healthcare-Associated Infections group. The teams are meeting on an expedited schedule with facility management to slow the spread of the virus.

Fortuna Rehabilitation & Wellness Center is a 104-bed facility with 56 residents and 70 staff members. According to facility management, they are working to backfill staff who have tested positive.

For the most recent COVID-19 information, visit cdc.gov or cdph.ca.gov Local information is available at humboldtgov.org.