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Coronavirus cases are clustering in SoCal nursing homes -- in areas rural and urban, wealthy and working-class -- as shown through new data released by the California Department of Public Health.
The state data helps to pinpoint the most worrisome trouble spots by naming facilities with at least one confirmed case among residents and staff. More than a fifth of the state's 1,224 skilled nursing facilities -- 261 homes -- had reported cases as of April 17.
According to the CDPH, the data "is comprised of a point-in-time snapshot of the 86% of [skilled nursing facilities] who reported their data within the last 24 hours." The state does not provide information about deaths.
In Southern California, there are dozens of nursing homes on the state's list, everywhere from Newport Beach to Hollywood.
More than half on the list are located in Los Angeles County. The hardest-hit include Brier Oak on Sunset in East Hollywood (142 cases), Country Villa South Convalescent Center in Palms (73 cases), and Brighton Care Center in Pasadena (63 cases). (Numbers are combined staff and patients who have tested positive.)
The map above shows skilled nursing facilities in Southern California that have reported positive cases of COVID-19, whether among staff or patients. The colors represent how many patients have tested positive at a facility (gray = 0; yellow = <11 ; shades of red = 11+). Note: Two facilities could not be mapped based on the limited information provided by the state. Those facilities are "HI-DESERT MEDICAL CENTER D/P SNF" and "PROVIDENCE ONTARIO," both in San Bernardino County and each with fewer than 11 patients and fewer than 11 staff testing positive. Data: California Department of Public Health (you can see the full list of sites across the state)
At his regular coronavirus briefing on Saturday, Gov. Gavin Newsom said the state is monitoring thousands of skilled nursing facilities, senior centers and assisted living facilities, and prioritizing the distribution of testing kits and personal protective equipment to those sites.
He underscored that nursing home outbreaks are taking place not just in populous parts of the state, but also in more rural areas. In Yucaipa, for example, 16 people have died at the Cedar Mountain Post Acute Rehabilitation and 70 residents and 33 staff members have tested positive for COVID-19.
"It's just a reminder that none of us are immune from this disease," Newsom said. "And then if we stop taking it seriously, we will have serious consequences."
Newsom urged Californians to volunteer at places such as senior facilities by signing up at www.serve.ca.gov.
