5th Norlite resident dies of coronavirus
13 residents and six employees have tested positive
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MARQUETTE -- Norlite Nursing Center has confirmed the fifth death due to COVID-19 in its facility.
The center, located at 701 Homestead St. in Marquette, made the announcement in a Monday Facebook post.
"Unfortunately, over the weekend we learned that two additional residents and one additional employee have tested positive for the coronavirus," the post read. "In addition, one of our residents that tested positive two weeks ago has sadly passed away. He was 92 and was very beloved by our staff."
It said 13 residents in total -- five of whom have passed away -- as well as six employees have tested positive for the virus.
One of the two newly confirmed residents was from Norlite's 400 Unit, the first confirmation to occur outside the 200 Unit at Norlite.
"This means that the coronavirus has spread outside of the isolated units, and it is likely that it must have been transmitted unintentionally by an employee," the Norlite post said.
The facility said it "can't stress infection control enough," and will now closely watch the 400 Unit for the next 12 or more days for others showing symptoms.
The facility cautioned its staff that if they are safe, following protocol and staying aware of the potentially contaminated surfaces they touch, transmission cannot occur.
All staff providing direct care, regardless of unit assignment, will wear an N95 or higher respirator, with a fit test required. They also are to wear gowns, face shields and gloves.
Norlite thanked the Region 8 Healthcare Coalition for the pallet of additional supplies provided on Monday morning.
On a positive note, Norlite reported the 200 Unit, where the 12 other cases originated, has not had a new case of symptoms in over eight days.
"Working with the new lab at Michigan Tech, we were able to perform swabs on all 17 remaining residents on the 400 Unit," the Norlite post said. "This is the first 'surveillance testing' opportunity that we have had to date. Their bandwidth is still low, but we should hear back on 10 of those tests within a day, and the remaining 7 the day afterward. This will be a very helpful tool moving forward."
It plans to swab the 300 Unit mid-week, and potentially begin employee surveillance testing if given approval.
Norlite said five nurses started work over the past week, and it has hired an additional nurse who was to start today.
"For those temporarily joining our team, and running towards the fight rather than away: THANK YOU," the post read. "Your courage is honorable and we are proud that you are joining a group of strangers and stepping up to care for Marquette's most vulnerable population during a crisis!
"To those who plan to stay with us long-term: WELCOME! We promise the current 'hazmat-like atmosphere' isn't the norm, and we hope the intrinsic reward you garner fills your heart in knowing you are choosing to help a neighbor in their greatest hour of need."
However, Norlite said more help, such as certified nursing assistants, is needed.
"We need the brave and the strong; we need essential caregivers such as charge nurses and CNAs to come and work at Norlite -- temporarily if need be -- so we can continue to provide essential services to the residents, whom are someone's grandparents, friends and neighbors. If we are truly in this together, we must take action, together."
Christie Mastric can be reached at cbleck@miningjournal.net.