COVID-19 Testing at Veteran’s Home, March 19

The Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs is pleased to announce that COVID-19 testing has been completed on all 151 residents at the Oregon Veterans’ Home in Lebanon. There are no new positive results, and none further pending. There remain 14 residents who have tested positive for presumptive cases of COVID-19 and who are being cared for by dedicated staff members following established infectious disease prevention protocols and public health guidelines. One staff member at the Home has also tested positive. The employee was sent home when symptoms appeared and has remained in isolation ever since, in accordance with established infection prevention protocols and public health guidelines. “We are grateful for the good news from our partners at OHA that no new residents had tested presumptive positive for COVID-19,” said ODVA Director Kelly Fitzpatrick. “While completion of the resident testing is an important milestone, it is only one phase in this process. Our concerns remain with our 14 honored residents who are presumptive positive, and with our hard-working staff who are ensuring they receive the best possible care. Our efforts remain laser focused on following established infectious disease prevention protocols and public health guidelines to keep our residents and staff safe and prevent the spread of this virus within our community.” As information changes ODVA is keeping residents and family members informed through email and other means. Family members and the general public may also access current status at oregonveteranshomes.com or by calling the COVID-19 information line at 541-730-4344 for a recorded message that will be updated each day at noon.