Commissioner: County is ready to move Life Care Center residents if need be
Life Care Center of Elkhorn reports 73 cases of COVID-19 in its facility.
Douglas County commissioners said the county is open to moving residents out of the facility if needed.
There are 73 cases at the facility, including 51 residents. Seven people from the facility are hospitalized.
Douglas County Commissioner and Health Board President Chris Rodgers said long-term care facilities are a top concern. LCC is no exception.
"No doubt. We've been made aware of it and we're definitely in communication with them,” Rodgers said.
“I mean if something like that comes across our radar someone from our office is in contact."
He said the county is ready to step in and help at Life Care Center of Elkhorn.
“There is some conversation about if needed, activating Midlands Hospital. So, we're in communication,” Rodgers said.
Rodgers said the county could move all 68 residents into the hospital while the facility undergoes a deep clean. For now, all they can do it offer help and wait.
"It’s a private facility so we're involved as much as they’ll open it up for us to be involved,” Rodgers said.
County Commissioner Mary Ann Borgeson believes all long-term care facilities should be transparent about their needs so that they can get the help they need.
“In my opinion, nobody is there to point the finger and place blame. But what we do need to know is what are you doing and what do you need help with if you don’t have it,” Borgeson said.
Borgeson urges anyone with concerns to report them to the county and the state.
"If there is great concern, then I think the state should go in and take a look at the facility,” she said. “And I think the facility should reach out to the UNMC bio containment folks to make sure they’re doing everything they can.”
KETV NewsWatch 7 reached out to the Department of Health and Human Services after multiple staff members and family members of residents reached out with complaints regarding Life Care Center of Elkhorn. A spokesperson said:
"DHHS is working closely with local health departments and other partners to help protect the health and safety of our most vulnerable Nebraskans during the COVID-19 pandemic, and many live in long-term care facilities."
Long-term care facilities are expected to provide appropriate care and maintain a safe environment for residents. We’re not able to confirm whether or not a complaint has been filed against a facility. Generally speaking, if a complaint is filed against a long-term care facility, staff review the information and determine whether or not an investigation is appropriate. If there is an investigation and DHHS takes disciplinary action based on the findings, that information will be available once the process is completed."