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SPRINGFIELD, Va. – Two people died and 20 were hospitalized as a result of a respiratory outbreak in a Fairfax County Home Health Center.
Over the past 12 days, 55 of the 263 residents of Greenspring Retirement Community, a long-term care facility, have had respiratory symptoms ranging from coughs to pneumonia, officials said. the health.
Fairfax County Department of Health spokesman John Silcox said the two deceased patients had been hospitalized for pneumonia but were "older people with complex medical problems."
Health officials explained that they did not know "the complete medical history and how much pneumonia" contributed to the deaths.
"No specific cause has yet been identified, but additional testing is underway by the Virginia Department of Health and the Inova Health System," the Fairfax County Health Department said in a statement. a statement.
These officials said respiratory epidemics in facilities for vulnerable and elderly populations are not uncommon. The ministry indicated that it typically sees about 12 per year. However, this epidemic is different because most outbreaks of this type occur in winter or during the flu season.
The first case was reported on June 30th.
The Greenspring retiree community is not recruiting new residents because the outbreak is being investigated, according to WUSA9.
"There is excellent collaboration between Greenspring and the Department of Health, and appropriate measures have been taken to reduce the risk of infection and to ensure the safety of residents, including the closure of the facility for new admissions. Canceling group activities, keeping sick residents in their rooms cleaning up, "added Fairfax Health Department officials.
In a statement, Greenspring said its priority "is the well-being of those who live and work on campus."
"In keeping with this commitment, the community acted with great caution and, in partnership with the Fairfax County Health Department, took all necessary steps to fully implement proven infection prevention and control strategies. ", the statement said.
CNN Wire contributed to this article.
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