Health & Fitness

Wisconsin Veterans' Home Hit Hard By Coronavirus Outbreak

A veterans home for 150 residents has reported an outbreak of COVID-19 cases, and leaders are urging loved ones to stay home.

The first positive COVID-19 cases at the Wisconsin Veterans Home in Union Grove were reported on Tuesday.
The first positive COVID-19 cases at the Wisconsin Veterans Home in Union Grove were reported on Tuesday. (Photo by Scott Anderson/Patch)

RACINE COUNTY, WI — The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases at the Wisconsin Veterans Home of Union Grove continues to climb, and local officials are urging the public to stay home whenever possible to help isolate their vulnerable population of aging veterans.

There are now 16 confirmed COVID-19 cases at the home, according to a Journal Times report from Thursday — a figure that has escalated since the first two positive cases were reported two days ago.

In an Aug. 4 letter addressed to the Union Grove community, Diane Lynch, Homes Division Administrator with the Wisconsin Veterans Home of Union Grove, said two residents and two staff members tested positive for the coronavirus.

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"Both were symptomatic, and we initiated the testing," she wrote of the residents. "Their family members have been notified by phone. We also have had two staff self-report a positive test taken in the community due to feeling symptomatic."

Lynch wrote that the infected staff began a 14-day self-quarantine outside the center before they could return for work.

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"It is with a heavy heart that I share this news," Lynch wrote at the time. "Our staff are working so hard to care for the veterans and others who live with us in a very challenging and stressful situation. For five long months, we have successfully beat the odds and through our diligence and steadfast effort we have kept this disease out of our Home. Now our mission changes, and we will work even harder to prevent its spread."

After news of the first positive cases, Veterans home officials said residents and staff alike were tested for COVID-19, yielding several new cases on Wednesday. As of Thursday, the total confirmed cases stood at 16.

Mary Kolar, Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs is imploring people to stay home whenever possible.

"Please, for those who have served our country and those who support them, stay home whenever you can, wear a mask when you’re out, and try to stay at least six feet away from other people," she wrote. "We’re in this for the duration and your actions will help us win the battle against the virus. And protect our state veterans homes staff and our veterans."

On April 3, Wisconsin Veterans Homes officials published a letter outlining the new safety protocols designed to protect their populations from COVID-19. Those protocols continue to be in effect.

The Veterans Home has taken several steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the Wisconsin Veterans Homes including:

  • Restricting visitors and volunteers from visiting facilities until further notice, except in end-of-life situations.
  • Actively screening every single person who is entering our facilities, including staff, for COVID-19 symptoms. The screen includes a temperature check.
  • Daily screening all members for COVID-19 symptoms.
  • Canceled all large group activities and communal dining and focused on smaller unit or individual activities.
  • Educating all members and staff to practice social distancing.
  • Renewed emphasis on routine environmental cleaning.
  • No longer accepting drop-off donations.


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