Second Franciscan Village Resident Tests Positive At Silver Cross

LEMONT, IL — A second resident at the Franciscan Village Mother Theresa Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center has tested positive for the coronavirus, Franciscan Ministries said. The resident was taken to Silver Cross Hospital on April 16 due to a "change in condition," and tested positive for the coronavirus at the hospital April 17.

In a letter to residents and families on April 17, President and CEO Judy Amiano said the resident was admitted to Franciscan Village Mother Theresa Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center on March 18. The resident remains at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox.

"Because of the infection control measures that had already been in place during this time, we are not 100 percent certain of where or when the exposure or contact in the community may have occurred but we are hopeful that contact tracing may reveal the source," Amiano wrote. "Still, we believe there was time-limited exposure and/or contact with staff or residents."

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Due to guidelines already in place, Amiano said there was limited exposure for associates or other residents. Recommendations from health authorities are to monitor all residents and staff, but there is no recommendation to test anyone unless they become symptomatic.

This is the second resident to test positive for the coronavirus at Franciscan Village Mother Theresa Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. In addition to two resident cases, an employee at the facility also tested positive at the beginning of April.

The first positive case at the facility occurred in March. A 65-year-old woman died March 26 at University of Chicago Medical Center as a result of septic shock due to the coronavirus infection with high blood pressure, psoriatic arthritis and complications of right knee surgery as contributing factors.

Amiano said staff have been encouraged to get tested if they are concerned.

"We would offer the same to residents, with the permission and as deemed appropriate, by their physician. The safety of our residents and associates continues to be our most important concern," Amiano said.

In Cook County, IDPH is reporting there are 808 cases of coronavirus in long-term care facilities and 146 related deaths.

Read more:

• 1 Death, 5 Confirmed Cases Of Coronavirus At Lemont Center: IDPH
• Illinois Coronavirus: We 'Prevented Worst-Case Scenarios' So Far
• Lemont Coronavirus Updates & News