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With the kind permission of the American Cancer Society via Getty Images
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SPRINGFIELD, Va. – An outbreak of respiratory illness in a home-care center in Virginia killed two people and sent 18 others to the hospital, health officials said Thursday.
The Fairfax County Health Department opened an investigation after 54 of the 263 residents of the Springfield-based Greenspring Retirement Community became ill for 11 days with respiratory symptoms ranging from cough to pneumonia, the hospital said. Department of Health.
Investigators work to identify the cause of the outbreak.
Greenspring has cooperated with health officials, who carry out tests, according to the department. The facility was closed to new patients, group activities were canceled and sick residents quarantined in their room, the health department said.
The first case occurred on June 30th, said Fairfax County Health Department spokesman John Silcox. The department was informed of the outbreak earlier this week, said Silcox. He could not tell immediately when both patients died.
The epidemic has been reported in the life support and skilled nursing sections of WJLA reported. Fever and wheezing are other symptoms, according to a July 10 letter to Greenspring administrators from residents and obtained by WJLA.
There have been no new hospitalizations in recent days, the health department said.
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.
Health officials said that respiratory epidemics in institutions housing vulnerable and elderly populations are not uncommon. But health officials usually find between five and ten outbreaks a year in winter and flu season. This recent outbreak was different because it occurred in July.
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