City of Claremore, health officials react to COVID-19 outbreak at Veterans Center
CLAREMORE, Okla. (KTUL) — An outbreak of COVID-19 at the Claremore Veterans Center has folks in Rogers County concerned.
Ten residents at the facility have died since July, though their cause of deaths are not necessarily from the virus.
The numbers are staggering.
Sixty-two residents and 21 employees positive for COVID since the beginning of July inside the Claremore Veterans Center.
Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs has confirmed the situation.
It’s a tragic situation that Rogers County Regional Health Director Maria Alexander is keeping an eye on.
But that data that concerns her the most is how the virus likely got into the facility.
Officials believe an employee showing no symptoms passed COVID-19 on to a resident.
The VA says several of the residents are still demonstrating mild symptoms, with two additional positive tests within the last 72 hours.
Yet officials are hopeful the outbreak has been contained.
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Alexander says this doesn't mean Rogers County residents need to be worried.
But she says they are continuing to provide free daily COVID testing at the health department.
Right now the third floor of the building is a COVID-only ward, with employees who tested positive quarantined at home.
Meanwhile, the city of Claremore releasing a statement, saying in part:
"We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of these war veterans and the people throughout our community who have been impacted by this pandemic. We can do our part to reduce the spread of infection by wearing masks/facial coverings and practicing physical distancing."