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After Five Deaths At A Yucaipa Nursing Home, San Bernardino Launches COVID-19 Nursing Facilities Task Force

By Robert Garrova
Published Apr 7, 2020 11:35 AM
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Map of COVID-19 cases reported in San Bernardino County as of April 6 / San Bernardino County Health Department
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San Bernardino County is taking additional steps to deal with COVID-19 outbreaks at skilled nursing facilities.

Governor Newsom has identified the county as one of four “nursing home hotspots” in the state. A skilled nursing facility in Yucaipa has had 75 cases among patients and staff -- five patients have died. A facility in Colton has also had an outbreak.

So San Bernardino county’s health director has issued an order. All nursing homes must employ “any means necessary” to stop using staff who also work at other nursing facilities. Staff must also wear protective gear and monitor their temperatures.

County spokesman David Wert said San Bernardino has 171 state-licensed nursing facilities.

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“Our public health officer thought it was worth issuing a special order on this subject because of the number of homes we have in this county,” Wert said.

The County also announced the creation of a Nursing Facilities Task Force. It will assess each nursing home’s readiness to deal with COVID-19, and work to spot any other outbreaks.