Huntington Beach nursing home sees coronavirus-related death toll rise to 6, total cases reach 100

A Huntington Beach nursing home reported four new COVID-19-related deaths this week while total cases associated with the facility reached triple digits.

The deaths bring the toll at the Huntington Valley Healthcare Center to six of the facility’s approximately 100 residents, a spokesperson for the skilled nursing facility said.

On Wednesday, Huntington Valley reported 100 cumulative cases of the novel coronavirus known among the resident population and staff, a number that has crept up from the 96 cases reported on Friday.

The infected include 36 healthcare workers of the facility staff of approximately 100 people, up from 32 cases on Friday.

As of last week, 16 residents and two members of the facility’s residents and staff have been hospitalized. All other infected staff members are self-isolating, according to the facility.

Huntington Valley is mitigating the spread of the deadly virus by isolating known cases unit within a separate wing of the nursing home. County healthcare officials are managing treatment and overseeing ongoing testing.

The facility on Newman Avenue learned of its first fatality related to the coronavirus on April 29. A 79-year-old man who had been transferred to an area hospital to receive acute care had died overnight. The same day, a 77-year-old man who died at the nursing home, a spokesperson said.

Huntington Valley first locked down its facility on March 11 in anticipation of the virus’s affect. Measures included restricting visits by healthcare workers only, locking doors to prevent anyone from entering the facility without a screening, curtailing communal activities among residents and increasing disinfection practices, Huntington Valley said. The first known case was discovered on April 11, at which point county healthcare officials stepped in to oversee treatment.

OC Health Care Agency reported Wednesday that the county has seen 44 deaths associated with COVID-19.

The county reported 2,252 total cases, with 108 new cases known as of Wednesday. The agency recognizes 214 cases in Huntington Beach — an increase from 162 cases reported on Friday.

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